19 Mar Orla “lifts the veil” on modern day elopements
The meaning of the word “Elope”
When I tell friends that I am the chosen celebrant for a couple’s elopement, their reactions are typically similar. They smile or shake their heads, admitting that every time they hear the word ‘elope’, they automatically think of a couple hurrying off to marry in secret, away from burly, disagreeing fathers-in-law.
‘Come away with me, and we’ll kiss on a mountaintop “Norah Jones”
Indeed, that is almost the dictionary definition of the word, and historically its meaning was to engage (ha!) in a hurried flight away from ones place of residence together with ones beloved, with the intention of getting married, usually without parental consent. The word elope meant, and still means to escape.
Diarmuid and Grainne
MrsRedhead Photography
The same word has allowed me to daydream of the mythical tale of Diarmuid and Grainne, the legend of which tells of Ireland’s greatest love story. 9th Century lore fables that Grainne, on the eve of her arranged marriage to Fionn McCumhaill, sees Diarmuid, one of Fionn’s best warriors, and falls in love. Diarmuid and Grainne run off to elope together, seeking refuge in caves and trees all across Ireland. It’s worth mentioning that Diarmuid was hesitant, out of loyalty to Fionn, so Grainne put him under a spell, or ‘faoi geasa’.
Modern day Eloping
It’s good to see that being put under a magical obligation to get married has changed, alongside the meaning of what it is to elope. If the technical definition of the word is to ‘run away’, it holds a slightly more nuanced meaning in wedding parlance today. The more modern definition of eloping is simply this: to forgo a formal wedding and elope for the ceremony. No spells or anything!
Destination Wedding
The earliest sense of eloping actually meant to escape or run away, without romantic context. Today, to elope appears to have become shorthand for ‘small destination wedding’. The word elope has become part of the ever changing tapestry of our language with various meanings depending on each couples circumstances and decisions.
Eloping in Ireland
Mrs RedHead Photography
Couples from overseas are contacting us to elope to The Cliffs of Moher , Loop Head or the Buren, to hold their wedding ceremony there. They might be bucket listing their trip to Ireland by getting married while vacationing, or they may simply be conscious to reduce the stress and financial burden of a traditional big wedding. They then return home to host a small reception, including family and friends, to celebrate their union. Some from overseas bring with them a small few family members, their guests ticking off that lifelong desire to visit Ireland.
More and more couples based in Ireland have requested our services also, for the purpose of ‘eloping’. They see this as a chance to enjoy a small, more intimate and quiet wedding, just themselves, or with a limited number of guests. As with all of our wedding ceremonies, whether it be back gardens or hotel function rooms or Hags Head itself, there’s freedom to have all or some of the wedding traditions; rings, vows, photographs, flowers and casual or formal wedding attire. There’s freedom, there’s choice, there’s yourselves to please. For more information click here
“The Bed of Lovers”
Diarmuid and Grainne were eventually pursued by an avenging Fionn McCumhaill, but not before they spent many night in the Burren hiding under the dolmens or as they are also known “The bed of lovers”. In each county in the Ireland, you’ll still hear varying versions of this legend, as we only love to weave our own topographical features into the story. Come then, to County Clare, and bring with you your dreams, your sense of adventure and your beloved. Let the beauty of the coastline and the Burren leave you spellbound.
Contact us on info@coastalceremonies.ie. We would love to chat.
Orla x