Looking for an Original wedding? Why not opt for elopement, aka a romantic getaway abroad. Or the promise of a romantic tryst, Just like many stars (JLO and Ben Affleck, for example).
“My unique wedding? My partner and I organized a symbolic ceremony just for the two of us at the Bacalar Lagoon in Mexico, the country where we met.” Four years ago, after a purely administrative marriage in Morocco, Sophia and Adam crossed the Atlantic to exchange their vows in a paradise-like setting. These two young people chose a unique wedding, deviating from the traditional Moroccan wedding: expensive and grandiose. “We didn’t want any fuss, and we certainly didn’t want to have a wedding just to impress others. For us, it was about celebrating our love in complete intimacy, without constraints and without any hassle,” adds her loving husband, Adam. Of course, “Due to social norms, our parents didn’t immediately understand our choice, but they eventually came around,” Sophia explains.
The Romantic Getaway
In our kingdom, wedding ceremonies are still highly codified social rituals. They are closely supervised by the parents and in-laws of the bride and groom. Nevertheless, an increasing number of Moroccan couples opt for a low-key union abroad, especially since the pandemic, which seems to have dampened the desire for grand ceremonies, according to our colleagues at The Guardian.
This type of iconoclastic and unique wedding has a name: “elopement,” an English term meaning a “romantic runaway.” In the fabulous world of wedding planners, this trend started gaining attention around 2014. It was the year when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West celebrated their wedding in Florence, Italy (by chance or coincidence). However, the ceremony, covered by media outlets worldwide, included no less than a hundred guests. So much for “incognito.” Moreover, Morocco—Marrakech, Essaouira, and Dakhla—is a popular elopement destination for lovers from around the world.
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Stress-free, but pre-planning required.
Why is elopement gradually gaining popularity? Well, because it guarantees an original, serene, and authentic wedding. “We were lost in each other’s eyes on a beach, and I found it incredibly romantic and profound. It’s a moment that belongs to us, and only us. Whereas if I had a conventional Moroccan wedding, I would have thought more about my guests than about us,” says Sophia. Often, it’s also an option that dispenses with the stress of preparations and the blending of the two families (for better or for worse). “Since it was just the two of us, it cost us less. And we achieved two goals at once: the ceremony and the honeymoon,” adds Adam.
However, it’s important to note that an original wedding abroad requires some level of organization. Wedding planners recommend starting preparations six months to a year in advance.
Our editorial team—always eager to have everything under control—has done some research on the topic and is ready to recommend several options.
Symbolic Union:
The first option: you get married legally through an “adoul” and the Family Court in Morocco, and then you have a ceremony abroad (like Sophia and Adam). In this case, you can easily hire a wedding planner or a private agency to organize your symbolic wedding. They can also help with vow renewals or wedding anniversaries. A simple Google search will provide dozens of agencies dedicated to organizing weddings abroad, and most of them offer free quotes.
Among the most beautiful visa-free destinations are Cape Verde, Tanzania, Ecuador, and Indonesia. A special mention to Cape Verde, where the Jules&Moi agency, for example, organizes ceremonies on a private beach, followed by snorkeling with turtles and sharks, and kite-surfing the next day. It’s an original wedding that will leave you breathless.
The Wedding and the Ceremony
The second option: you want to get married for real abroad. Keep in mind that it’s a bit more complicated. You’ll need to contact the consular authorities of Morocco beforehand to be able to have a civil marriage recognized by the authorities of the host country. In Turkey, for example, you can be married by either the Moroccan consulate or the Turkish authorities (your choice) in Istanbul. Then, for a truly original wedding, our editorial team suggests a beautiful getaway to the Princes’ Islands archipelago, located southeast of the capital.
But you can also count on Greece. Greek authorities have the prerogative to celebrate the union of any nationals. Once again, you’ll need to obtain a “certificate of eligibility for marriage” from the consular authorities and then have this union validated by the Moroccan civil registry. In an era where simplicity is increasingly trendy, this streamlined wedding option is very tempting… The most challenging part? Convincing your family!
