Formal Elopements and Small Weddings
Elope In Indy!
A simple elopement may just be The PERFECT Wedding for you!!
Location: Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve, Fishers Photo: Summerly Photography
Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding!
Maybe you've been engaged for all of five minutes and you are planning a secret elopement for today. Maybe all you've ever wanted was just a sweet, simple, intimate, wedding ceremony, just the two of you - or maybe just the 10 or 20 of you. Maybe you are downsizing your wedding plans from a big, formal, wedding ceremony to a, much easier, romantic elopement.
Whatever your road to eloping, you've come to the right place!
My name is Victoria Meyer, I've been a wedding officiant in Indiana for over 10 years, and I have the information you need to choose a location, officiant, ceremony script and obtain a marriage license.
Saying "We Eloped!" has got to be one of the most romantic things ever! Planning a secret exchange of vows and getting married, just the two of you, is like, EVERYTHING!
A wedding can be so many things. It can be an important celebration of a change of life and commitment for you and your loved ones, it can be a simple legal agreement, and it can be a literal religious experience in a church. Sometimes it's all three at once.
Eloping is between the two of you - It still involves a legal agreement, it might be a religious or spiritual experience and it is still very much a celebration of the two of you and the love you share - It's just a lot more intimate.
As a wedding officiant, meeting with just two people and marrying them is an absolutely wonderful experience. Nobody is watching, there are no expectations. It's intimate and honest. It's an incredibly empowering experience to realize the power the two of you have together to create something as incredible and as special as your marriage.
We can also meet, I can ask, "Do You? Do You?" You both say, "yes." And I'll say "We're done!"
Our elopement services are incredibly flexible and can be a lot of fun!
(We don't perform religious elopements, we do perform semi-religious, interdenominational formal weddings.)
Photo taken at Holiday Park near the Ruins.
|
Photo taken on the Indy Canal Walk at the Ohio Street Basin.
|
Where To Elope In Indy?
I'm a wedding officiant, I'm the person that marries you. I help you choose and perform a wedding ceremony and complete the marriage license with you. When you decide when and where you want to get married, you make an appointment with me and I will come and marry you.
I do have some suggestions...
My favorite spot for an elopement is anywhere you choose. I want you to feel comfortable and be happy! Maybe you want to elope in the same place you had your first date or where you got engaged. Some people had their first date walking on the canal and then they got engaged there. It only makes sense to have the perfect elopement there. Sometimes, the only place you ever dreamed of getting married was on your grandparents farm. Some couples have gotten married in a cemetery near the graves of loved ones because that was meaningful to them. When it comes to elopents, the sky's the limit! (And no, getting married in a cemetery is not weird or creepy - Crown Hill Cemetery is very popular around Halloween or with the autumn colors. Don’t get me started on the incredible black wedding dresses I’ve seen…)
One thing I want everyone to know is, you can get married anywhere and then you can also take pictures anywhere. Just because you think a spot is beautiful, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a perfect spot to exchange vows. Waterfalls are pretty but you can't hear anything else when you are standing near one. The canal is pretty but there are people walking everyone around you. Hire a photographer to walk with you and take pictures in those places but choose some place more dependable to get married - rain or shine. If it’s just the two of you, and the place is special enough, I’m not opposed to a good umbrella wedding!!
There are countless places to Elope in Indiana. I am a mobile wedding officiant, so I go anywhere the wedding is. For an elopement you don't necessarily need a venue. Often, it's just the two of you or perhaps the two of you and a few friends or family members. Elopement ceremonies are short and sweet so if you do have guests, they probably won't need a place to sit.
Elopements can be very special weddings. You might choose to get married in the same place you had your first date or where you got engaged - that's the reason many couples choose to elope on The Canal Walk in Indy. You might have a favorite park where you like to hike together or walk your dog. Brown County State Park is popular. (You can bring the dog too!)
You might choose Monument Circle before dinner reservations for a great steak dinner in downtown Indianapolis because you are Indianapolis born and bred. Bonus - if it rains, my office has a 9th floor view of the circle - dry, heated and air conditioned. (Also decorated, kinda cute!)
There are pretty parks and gazebos throughout Indiana, not to mention covered bridges, your grandparents farm or your own backyard. Some of the old courthouse in Indiana make beautiful backdrops for elopements and a professional photo-shoot.
I have created a guide, with pictures and additional links to help you choose a place to elope or have your small wedding. These are just some suggestions, it's really up to you!
Your Wedding Ceremony Script!
I just finished creating a new guide to choosing an elopement ceremony script. I have 8 pre-written scripts to choose from - plus a basic civil ceremony script. I also have alternate vows, ring meanings, and ring exchange wording to choose from. You are always welcome to write your own personal vows as well.
Photo taken on private property by Brittany Erwin Photography.
|
Photo take at Neidhammer by Leah Rife Photography.
|
Any way YOU choose to get married is perfect! I’m just sharing my experiences with couples I’ve married to give you some ideas.
Monument Circle Elopement Photo by Summerly Photography
|
Photo taken at The Indiana State House by Casey and Her Camera.
|
The Details
and Fine Print
The cost of services for Formal Elopements and Small Weddings performed in the greater Indianapolis area is $150. I will travel up to 45 minutes from zip code 46037. I guarantee to arrive 5-15 minutes early for the regular fee of $150. I may travel up to an hour depending on your location. If your location is a little further, please contact me before booking. An additional fee may be required for a longer drive. I will also need to make sure I have time in my schedule to accommodate the drive.
You must secure your own location for your ceremony. This option is not for civil ceremonies held in my office.
The price of this wedding is not based on the number of people at your wedding. It may be just the two of you or a group of people. The price is based on the time involved. If you are OK with me arriving just a few minutes early and performing a simple ceremony, this is the option for you. You can start your ceremony up to 30 minutes past the scheduled start time with this option.
If you are being married in a formal venue with a formal timeline this is NOT the option for you. Even if you only want a very short wedding ceremony. If you are having a formal wedding, I schedule to arrive before your guests are being seated. Weddings held in formal venues start at $250 to allow for more time. You want your wedding officiant to arrive before you are lining up to walk down the aisle.
Appointments may be scheduled up to one year in advance. Payment is due in full when booking. If you cancel your wedding more than 30 days before your wedding day, I will refund you $100. $50 from the $150 payment is non-refundable. This payment covers all administrative time involved in correspondence and meetings as well as saving your date and time.
You must obtain your own marriage license. Click here for marriage license info.
and Fine Print
The cost of services for Formal Elopements and Small Weddings performed in the greater Indianapolis area is $150. I will travel up to 45 minutes from zip code 46037. I guarantee to arrive 5-15 minutes early for the regular fee of $150. I may travel up to an hour depending on your location. If your location is a little further, please contact me before booking. An additional fee may be required for a longer drive. I will also need to make sure I have time in my schedule to accommodate the drive.
You must secure your own location for your ceremony. This option is not for civil ceremonies held in my office.
The price of this wedding is not based on the number of people at your wedding. It may be just the two of you or a group of people. The price is based on the time involved. If you are OK with me arriving just a few minutes early and performing a simple ceremony, this is the option for you. You can start your ceremony up to 30 minutes past the scheduled start time with this option.
If you are being married in a formal venue with a formal timeline this is NOT the option for you. Even if you only want a very short wedding ceremony. If you are having a formal wedding, I schedule to arrive before your guests are being seated. Weddings held in formal venues start at $250 to allow for more time. You want your wedding officiant to arrive before you are lining up to walk down the aisle.
Appointments may be scheduled up to one year in advance. Payment is due in full when booking. If you cancel your wedding more than 30 days before your wedding day, I will refund you $100. $50 from the $150 payment is non-refundable. This payment covers all administrative time involved in correspondence and meetings as well as saving your date and time.
You must obtain your own marriage license. Click here for marriage license info.
Photo taken on Monument Circle by Logan from Inside the Frame Photography.
|
Photo taken at Coxhall Gardens with my phone.
|