What's a Guerrilla Wedding and Could You Hold One?
More couples are breaking the rules for their big day.
With the average cost of a wedding exceeding the median U.S. income, it's no wonder more couples are opting to stay engaged longer or forgo marriage altogether. Especially if you live in a large metropolis like New York City, where the average wedding costs upwards of $65,000, staying single doesn't sound so bad.
But if you're willing to add a bit more stress to your big day, there's an affordable option for couples ready to tie the knot. The price starts at: free.
Allison Dolan Hall is a wedding officiant in New York City who says there's been a steady increase of "guerrilla weddings" in the past year.
"A lot of couples are thinking [a traditional wedding] is a lot of money to spend and so this is where a lot great ideas come in." Hall told DNAinfo.com.
In a guerrilla-style wedding, the couple chooses a public or private location without making a reservation, hiring a band, or having an open bar. All that's needed is the bride, groom, one witness and one ordained minister. From there, the wedding can be held anywhere from Central Park to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The inspiration comes partly from the movie The Vow, where Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams hold a wedding ceremony at the Chicago Art Institute before being chased out by security. Hall says, "about half of my local clients now are seeking this style of wedding."
You can't beat the price tag, but there are some drawbacks, including the whole being run out by security thing. For one, you shouldn't invite more than 20 friends and family members.
"If you have an entourage, that's a dead giveaway," Beth Lamont, a wedding celebrant who has been marrying couples since 1971, told DNAinfo. "Sometimes we snatch a passerby as a witness, so it can be very exciting."
ElopeNewYork.com has compiled a list of rules for holding a guerilla-style wedding, and they suggest obtaining a permit if you plan to invite more than 20 guests.
"NEVER try to do a large wedding without a permit," they write. "…or the poor security guards will have to act. It's their JOB, and your wedding will be ruined."
There are also "guerilla elopements," where a group of friends and loved ones gather only to find themselves as surprise witnesses to a quickie wedding. ElopeNewYork suggests: "…be discreet and fun. Speak quietly….Concentrate on each other and what you are saying. Choose your words and vows carefully. It's your wedding—not a punk'd prank."
There is a caveat, however:
"ALWAYS TELL YOUR MOTHER. You don't want her to faint, or go to the washroom crying because you didn't care enough to tell her."
While these weddings are easy on the budget, they're probably overly taxing if there's even an iota of "control-freak" in you. And bridezillas can probably forget about a guerrilla wedding altogether.
What do you think—would you go rogue for your big day?
Photo: Robert Johnson/Getty Images
More on love & sex from MSN Living:
The 10 Worst First Date Ideas of All Time
The Most Memorable Star-Crossed Movie Couples
10 Rom-Coms That Won't Put Your Guy To Sleep
| Tags: | weddings |
Kim *mediawhore* Kardashian spend multi-millions on her SECOND marriage and it lasted 74 days.
You could email, tweet, FB, and snail mail postcards to 50 friends and family telling them you were throwing a small casual meet-up at 2p.m. sharp at..........address.......... Be there or later wish you had been.
They show up and SUPRISE, they are at your wedding. No decorations, no rented clothes, no 100 dollars an hour violin player. On the 74th day after your wedding, you are MORE married that Kim and Kris, because your wedding has something that money can't buy.......and that something is LOVE.
fashion: trends & must-haves for your wardrobe
-
Editor's picks: What's in your beach bag?
Beauty editors comb through hundreds of new products each season to bring you their latest and greatest discoveries. Now that summer is here, we've rounded up our absolute favorite can't-leave-home-without-them self-tanners, sunscreens and more. Take a peek inside our beach bags before you hit the surf.
-
Hairstyle of the day
Long, layered, medium or wavy – we’re sharing our favorite hairstyles of 2013 with a new ‘do each day. Stuck in a hair rut? Check back daily for snappy new looks that are sure to give your locks some beauty inspiration.
-
9 swimsuits we want to wear this summer (at every budget)
Finding a swimsuit you love can be like winning the lottery (translation: seemingly impossible), so we went ahead and did the work for you. Our criteria? From bikini to one-piece, each bathing suit style had to be flattering for different body types, in a covet worthy print, color, or pattern, and actually swimmable (meaning it won’t slip off if you’re playing in the waves). Summer, we’re so ready for you.
-
The top 10 biggest summer fashion and beauty dos
Summer may have the potential to be the Don’t-iest season of all (hey, we’ve seen some crazy cover-ups in our day), but it allows for some seriously stylish Dos too. We rounded them up for you—and threw in one major dude Don’t just for fun.
-
The DOs and DON’Ts of swimsuit trends for summer 2013
Before you take the plunge and buy a cute new swimsuit, read our guide to summer’s top swimwear trends and how to pull them off.
-
53 swimsuits that’ll make you look 10 pounds thinner
Bring on the sun, sand, and sizzling hot weather: It’s swimsuit season! From waist-whittling one-pieces to fringe bikinis that add oomph, we’ve found 53 incredibly chic bathing suits that will make you look instantly slimmer. It seems the only beach cover-up you’ll need this season is sunscreen!
-
10 things never to wear to the beach
When you head for the sand and surf, it doesn’t matter whether you like to show off your curves or hide them. Avoid these 10 beachwear no-nos at all costs.
-
Your sunless tanning problems, solved
How to achieve a flawless faux glow.
-
5 things you didn't know about dandruff
Use these tips to fend off flakes for good.
-
Celeb-inspired outfits to take you from day to night
Running from work to play and everywhere in between all day long may be murder on your feet, but it doesn't have to tax your style. These easy, celebrity-inspired pieces wear well no matter what the time of day, keeping you chic around the clock.
-
The most iconic summer looks of all time
Whether you're planning on logging some serious beach time or are celebrating a special occasion, draw warm-weather outfit inspiration from some of our favorite stylish celebs.
-
Cute ways to cover up at the beach
Summer's here, and the warmer temperatures and sunnier skies can mean only one thing: more trips to the beach! Choosing the right swimsuit is an obvious way to amp up your shoreside style, but you also can't forget about what goes over the skimpy swimwear. Click through the gallery to see more unique ways to cover up at the beach this summer.
