By Art Gib

Wedding planning is an absolute nightmare–trust me, I”ve been through the worst of it. I know. As pressure mounts and things get more and more complicated, you probably want to throw your hands in the air and just elope. But on the other hand, you are afraid of everyone’’s reaction of you do so.

It’’s tough to weigh the pros and cons of elopement, as that can cause as much anxiety as planning the full three-hundred-guest wedding itself. So, if you are seriously considering taking the giant leap of eloping, it’’s time to sit down and have a serious talk with your partner.

Obviously, you don”t want to deliberately hurt anyone’’s feelings, but ultimately, this decision needs to be yours as a couple, not your parents”, siblings”, or friends”.

It is very unlikely that you can elope without stepping on some toes, but you need to recognize whether you are doing a “big wedding” because you want it or because you are being virtually forced into it because of others” expectations. If it isn”t what you want but you go through with it anyway, you may regret it in years to come.

If you and your spouse-to-be ultimate come to the conclusion that a secret wedding is the way to go, then the goal is to keep it–you know–secret. Some people tell their closest pals or members of the family with whom they have a deep relationship, but this will often lead to the secret getting leaked, and that will bring so much drama crashing down on your heads.

So, promise each other to keep your silence no matter what. You will only break that silence once the deed is done. Be sure to keep a united front, and don”t cave in and apologize for your choice if tempers rise.

When you do break the news, be honest with everyone. Let them know that the stress of the planning was beginning to ruin what was supposed to be the most positive and romantic experience of your life.

Don”t point fingers–don”t blame individuals. Keep your explanation simple and don”t get dragged into a fight if anyone wants to get into it. One way to alleviate potential tension is to allow your parents to throw you a reception afterward. This way, a celebration feels a little more official.

Some people may choose to fume for awhile; don”t badger them about it. Allow them to fume. Eventually, they will recognize that it was your choice to make, not theirs. But this may take time and space. Just take a deep breath and remember how lucky you are to be in love.

About The Author

The World Famous Chapel of the Bells (http://chapelofthebellslasvegas.com/) has been operating in Las Vegas for over fifty years. With ceremonies ranging from intimate to grand, Chapel of the Bells has been one of the premier wedding chapels in Las Vegas wedding chapel services.