Why are gals always accused? - Page 2

Without much of the stigma it once held, elopement marriage is rising in popularity among budget-conscious couples.

Gone is the nineteenth-century image of the disgraced groom and the disowned bride. In its place are thousands of online photo galleries featuring happy newlyweds romping on beaches, kissing in chapels and otherwise enjoying their new spouses (and their in-the-black bank accounts). As the cost of the average wedding in the U.S. climbs above $30,000, more couples are considering eloping as a strategy to save money while tying the knot.

In addition to thrift, the appeal of an elopement is that couples can wed on their own terms. The focus is on the couple and their wishes'not on the extravagant extras, which can be costly. However, in the same way a traditional bride and groom select the wardrobe, flowers, food and music that best suit them, a unique venue can make an elopement memorable. Lucky for us, the San Francisco Bay area is so centrally located that there are several world-class elopement destinations nearby.

In the city: A quick visit to San Francisco's Ceremony Way offers everything from a local venue guide to a for-hire wedding officiant. Intimate wedding packages (complete with an elopement photographer) can also be coordinated. On the beach: Northern California has dozens of picturesque beaches ideal for a wedding by the sea. From Half Moon Bay to Cambria, there are several destinations that allow couples to sip champagne on the sand without even thinking of boarding a plane. In the casino: Why bother with Las Vegas when South Lake Tahoe has its own assortment of casinos, entertainment and'most importantly'wedding chapels? For a closer, classic elopement, forget the desert and consider a chapel, mountainside or lake wedding in Tahoe. Among the vines: A beautiful ceremony in Napa or Sonoma's wine country can make a quick elopement feel like a dream destination wedding. Visit Enchanting Elopements or Vineyard Vows for some terrific options.
1. Outdoors: The Northern California lifestyle is an active one. Why not take a favorite activity and craft a wedding around it? These days, couples can marry doing everything from scuba diving to flying a helicopter. For the best of everything outdoorsy, try a Kirkwood Mountain Resort wedding.