Hello everyone, I’m Anastasiia, wedding planner and the owner of Dream Weddings Europe, a premium wedding planner in Portugal and abroad. Today I want to talk about luxury elopements not only in Portugal, where I currently live, but also in France, Italy, Spain, Greece and beautiful Saint Petersburg (Russia), all of which are destinations where I work my magic.
From the beginning of my career, I loved elopements and intimate weddings, probably because of my personality.
If in the past the meaning of “eloping” was ‘running away and getting married in secret’, nowadays, the meaning has expanded to include intimate weddings or, what some call, micro weddings. With all these different terms it can be a bit confusing. That said, we now consider an event to be an elopement if there are less then 12 guests, while micro weddings tend to be events with 10 to 20 guests.
Couples choose to have an elopement or intimate wedding for various reasons, however they are especially popular options for a destination wedding. A couple could have a religious or legal ceremony in their hometown and even have a reception for their families. However, the real fun then starts when the couple travels to another country with their closest friends to have a memorable experience. This can include a beautiful symbolic ceremony and party at a fairytale palace, favorite beach, or luxury villa with outstanding view.. The best part is that with a smaller group the options really are limitless.
Look what Carly Petracco – a wedding celebrant from the US, who lives in Portugal – says about elopements and intimate weddings:
“Elopements are my favorite! I say that because for these couples, the ceremony is all about them and what will make them happy.
It is really easy to get caught up in trying to placate your parents, please your in-laws, and accommodate the needs of your second cousin’s husband. Instead, elopements are all about the couple.
It is a chance for them to be selfish about their love and create a moment that is truly about their relationship and their future together.”
WHAT IS A LUXURY ELOPEMENT?
Now that you know about elopements, curious how to take yours to the next level?
At Dream Weddings Europe we aim to offer only the most unique services, delivered with top quality. That’s why we consider your future elopement or intimate wedding as a luxury experience at your chosen destination.
Besides our sophisticated wedding planning service, we also include a concierge service for you and your guests, planning your accommodation, transport, and luxury activities for your whole trip - no limits!
We can organize a personalized luxury shopping experience in your hotel suite or a private concert of your favorite singer/DJ on a yacht. We can create an almost-Hollywood movie about you (imagine the memory for your family) or make your other dreams a reality. That’s what we love to do!
Let me give you some examples of elopements and micro weddings we have planed in the past.
INTIMATE WEDDING IN ITALY, AMALFI COAST
Many years ago, Anne and Eric fell in love with the beautiful city of Positano and the whole of the Amalfi Coast. When they decided to get married, they never even considered another location. Anne and Eric never imagined themselves as a part of a big wedding. The decision was simple: they took their closest family members and spent an amazing week at their favorite hotel in Positano. We stayed for and created 3 days of events with this amazing couple: the first day included the pre-wedding dinner at a beautiful restaurant near the sea, the second day was the wedding day and our final day, the day after the wedding, on a gorgeous white yacht.
More pictures of the intimate wedding in Italy
LUXURY ELOPEMENT IN LISBON PORTUGAL
Wondering what a luxury elopement in Portugal looks like? This amazing travel and wedding experience in Portugal started with the renting of a beautiful private palace at the center of Lisbon. At this one-of-a-kind palace, you will have exclusive use of the venue as a guest along with the ability to host a gorgeous wedding. Lisbon is an ideal, luxury elopement destination for it is full of these kind of small palaces.
For Rafaela and Iduino we created a truly luxury atmosphere with vintage touches, that perfectly reflected Portugal and Lisbon. Beyond the wedding day, we organized a very special private tour and winery visits just for them and their guests.
More pictures of the wedding at Palacete Virtvs
LUXURY ELOPEMENT IN ST.PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
Melanie and Nima from Munich were big dreamers. First dream: a cruise trip in the Baltic sea with their friends. Second dream: a wedding ceremony on said cruise ship. Third dream: a Great Gatsby style wedding ceremony, reception and party in Saint Petersburg. When tasked with their third dream, we of course made it a reality. This included securing the best hotel in the heart of the city, organizing the ceremony at a historical venue, then coordinating a fancy reception with outstanding, luxury decorations, surprise fireworks and so much more!
On the day after the wedding we also organized a guided boat trip with a guide complete with traditional buffet..
More pictures of the destination wedding in Saint Petersburg
As a wedding planner with wide range experience, I know that even if you are in love with the idea of elopements and intimate weddings, your families might be against it. It’s ok, we have been there and are here to help you.
A great option how to solve it, that offers a compromise that makes everyone happy is to organize a family celebration in your hometown. This allows you to preserve your dream of an elopement while also allowing your family to share in the celebration.
If you are still not sure about a size of your future wedding, please contact me to schedule a free consultation.
I’ll be more than happy to help and provide professional advice.
Best regards,
Anastasiia Halla