What is an Elopement Wedding?

The modern meaning of an elopement wedding

An elopement wedding today means getting married with just the two of you — or with a very small number of people present. It is a fully legal ceremony. You sign the register, you receive a marriage certificate, and you leave as a married couple. The only thing that looks different from a traditional wedding is the guest list.

Some couples choose a completely private ceremony — just the two of them, with the venue as witnesses. Others bring a parent, a sibling, a closest friend. The defining feature of an elopement isn't secrecy. It's simplicity.

We've been hosting elopements at Millbrook Estate since 2010, and in that time the meaning of the word has shifted considerably. Couples used to apologise for it, as if they were doing something slightly rebellious. Now most of them arrive knowing exactly why they've chosen it — and feeling good about that choice.

Is an elopement wedding legal?

Yes — completely. This is the question we get asked more than any other, and the answer is always the same: an elopement at a licensed venue is legally binding in exactly the same way as a wedding with two hundred guests.

The legal steps are straightforward. You give notice at your local register office at least 29 clear days before your ceremony. You book a registrar from the register office for the district where your venue is located. You need two witnesses on the day — and we at Millbrook provide these as part of every elopement, at no extra charge.

One thing worth knowing: you book and pay for the registrar directly with Devon Register Office — this is standard practice at all licensed civil venues (churches handle things slightly differently, but for a civil ceremony, the registrar fee goes straight to the register office). We'll send you the direct link to make that booking as soon as your date is confirmed. We walk every couple through the whole process, and once they see how simple it is, a lot of the early nerves tend to dissolve. If you want the full detail, our guide to getting married in Devon covers every step.

What does an elopement wedding actually look like?

At Millbrook, most elopements follow a similar shape — though no two are the same.

Couples usually arrive the evening before or the morning of the wedding. They get ready at their own pace — sometimes together, sometimes separately. There are photographs around the estate. Then everyone gathers in the Summerhouse for the ceremony itself, which usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. The registrar leads a personal, legal ceremony, vows are exchanged, the register is signed, and that's it — they're married.

After that, the day is theirs. Some couples spend the afternoon exploring the grounds and having more photographs taken — the alpacas tend to feature quite heavily. Others sit with a glass of fizz in front of the fire and let it all sink in. Some head to a local restaurant for dinner. The point is that the pace is entirely their own.

Why do couples choose an elopement wedding?

We've heard a lot of answers to this question over the years. Some couples are practical about it — it's less expensive, less complicated, and easier to organise around busy lives. But most of the time, the reason goes a bit deeper than that.

Couples who elope want their wedding day to actually be about them. Not about managing a seating plan. Not about making sure everyone is getting along. Not about performing happiness in front of a large audience. Just the two of them, saying what they actually want to say, in a place that feels right.

For many couples, the day ends up feeling more emotional than they expected — not less. When it's just the two of you, there's nowhere to hide. The vows land differently. We see it again and again, and it never gets old.

Who chooses an elopement wedding?

All sorts of people. Couples getting married for the first time who have never wanted a big event. Couples marrying for the second time who want something quieter and more personal. People who find large social gatherings genuinely stressful. Couples based abroad who want to keep things manageable. People who have simply decided that the wedding industry's version of a wedding day isn't for them.

What they tend to have in common is that they've thought about it and they know what they want. The day is about the two of them — not about anyone else's expectations of what a wedding should look like.

No rules. Just the two of you.

This is probably the thing we say most often to couples who are new to the idea of eloping: there are no rules.

You don't need a white dress. You don't need a photographer. You don't need a cake, a first dance, a bouquet, a colour scheme, or matching outfits. You don't need guests. You don't need to have your hair done or wear heels. You can turn up in whatever feels like you and marry in front of no one but the registrar and us.

Equally, if you want all of those things — the dress, the flowers, the photographer, the works — you can have them. Plenty of our couples do. The point isn't that you strip everything away. The point is that nothing is expected. Every choice is yours.

At Millbrook we don't have a list of required suppliers or a set way the day has to look. We've had couples arrive in wedding attire and couples arrive in jeans. We've had ceremonies with one witness and no photographs at all, and ceremonies with dozens of personal details that took months to plan. Both are equally welcome, and both are equally valid.

What's the difference between an elopement and a micro wedding?

An elopement is typically just the two of you, or with up to a handful of guests. A micro wedding involves a small but more complete guest list — usually somewhere up to around 14 people. Both are a long way from a traditional wedding, and both tend to be more relaxed and personal. The main difference is scale, and who you want in the room.

Our sister venue Tree Top Escape specialises in micro weddings for up to 14 guests in a treehouse setting nearby, if a slightly larger gathering is more what you're looking for.

How much does an elopement wedding cost?

Our elopement packages at Millbrook start from £899. That includes your ceremony in the Summerhouse or gardens, a dedicated wedding coordinator, a 5-star mini-moon stay, celebratory fizz, access to the estate grounds, and us as your witnesses if you need us.

On top of that, you'll need to factor in the registrar — Devon Register Office charges from around £550 — and giving notice at your local register office, which is £42 per person. Optional extras like photography, private dining, and additional guests can be added from there.

It is almost always considerably less than a traditional wedding, but cost tends to be a secondary consideration for most of our couples. The main reason they choose it is that it's the wedding they actually want.

Do you need to tell anyone?

No. Some couples arrive having told family and friends in advance. Others keep it completely private and share the news afterwards. Both are equally valid, and we're experienced in handling completely confidential bookings — your day is yours to announce however and whenever you choose.

If you're wondering how to handle that side of things, our guide to keeping your elopement private might help.

Is an elopement the right choice for you?

Only you can answer that. But if the thought of a smaller, more personal ceremony feels more like relief than compromise, it's probably worth exploring.

We're always happy to talk it through — no pressure, no obligation. You can browse our elopement packages, look at some real elopements at Millbrook, or just give Meg or Bob a call on 01769 629069 and have a chat. That's usually the best place to start.

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