Eloping in Texas has become a popular choice for couples due to its sensibility, practicality, charm, and focus on love. While traditionally eloping meant getting married secretly and then informing others afterward, it has evolved into a more inclusive concept. Nowadays, eloping in Texas refers to forgoing a large formal wedding and opting for a smaller, more intimate ceremony.
Modern couples are reevaluating what truly matters to them in a celebration and approaching weddings with a more open-minded perspective. Eloping has become a charming and chic way to tie the knot, allowing couples to remove the stress, potential drama, and financial burden associated with traditional big weddings. Instead, eloping offers a sensibly small, meaningful, and authentic ceremony where the focus is solely on the couple.
Couples eloping in Texas have the freedom to inform and invite friends and family before the ceremony or choose to keep it more intimate. Regardless, the essence of eloping remains true—creating a wedding experience that reflects the couple’s true relationship and desires. The size of the guest list can range from a limited number of guests to only the wedding officiant. Classic elements of a wedding, such as exchanging rings and vows, can still be incorporated into the elopement ceremony, regardless of its casual nature. Couples can also choose to include additional details like photographs, flowers, jumping the broom, or breaking glasses, based on their preferences. Eloping doesn’t mean compromising on the specialness of the day—it is still your wedding, and there is every reason to be excited and celebrate.
While eloping involves fewer moving parts compared to a traditional wedding, some planning is necessary to ensure a seamless and legal ceremony. Understanding the logistics and legalities of eloping in Texas is essential. One of the first steps is obtaining a Texas Marriage License, and here are the key points to consider:
- Both individuals must be at least 18 years old to marry without consent. If either person is between 16 and 18 years old, consent is required.
- Texas has no residency requirements for eloping in the state. Texas citizens can apply for a marriage license in any county, and the license is valid for a wedding in any county in the state.
- When applying for a marriage license, both individuals must present valid government photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, ID card, or passport) to prove their age.
- The application must be filled out, the oath listed on the application must be repeated, and the application must be signed in front of the clerk. An application fee is also required.
- After the ceremony, the marriage license must be returned to the same county it originated from. If eloping in Texas from out-of-state, the marriage license must be filed in Texas for the marriage to be legally recognized.
- Texas requires a waiting period of 72 hours after receiving the marriage license before the wedding ceremony can take place. Some exceptions apply for the military.
- The Texas marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. It is recommended to apply for the license approximately one month before the wedding date. The signed and dated marriage license must be filed with the County Clerk’s Office of origin.
Once you have a clear understanding of obtaining a Texas marriage license, the next step is to explore our Elopement, Micro-Wedding, and Pop-Up Wedding packages. You can find more information and details by clicking here.
