Elope

To elope, most literally, merely means to run away. More specifically, elopement is often used to refer to a marriage conducted in sudden and secretive fashion, usually involving hurried flight away from one's place of residence.

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In England, a legal prerequisite of marriage was the "reading of the banns" ? for the three Sundays prior to the intended date of their ceremony, the names of every couple intending marriage had to be read aloud by the priest(s) of their parish(es) of residence. (The intention was to prevent bigamy or other unlawful marriages by giving fair warning to anybody who might have a legal right to object. In practice, however, it also gave warning to the couples' parents, who sometimes objected on purely personal grounds.) To contravene this law, it was necessary to get a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury ? or to flee somewhere the law did not apply. (Across the border to Scotland, for instance, or aboard a ship .)

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In America, more recently, some states required blood tests or waiting periods before marriage; a couple wishing to wed quickly (before, usually, their parents could object) would travel to a state without such a rule. (In the musical Guys and Dolls, for instance, a police officer suggests that Nathan Detroit and Adelade, his fiance? of fourteen years, elope to Maryland which does not require a blood test.)

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Today the term is colloquially used for any hasty marriage or one performed away from home with few (if any) guests. Some couples find it romantic, for instance, to "elope" to Las Vegas, Nevada and be married by an Elvis impersonator there. More seriously, now that certain states and municipalities in the United States have begun allowing same-sex marriage, elopement for legal reasons may see a resurgence.

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England: :For an explanation of often confusing terms like England, (Great) Britain and United Kingdom see British Isles (terminology)....

Banns: REDIRECT Banns of marriage...

Archbishop of Canterbury: The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior clergyman of the established Church of England and symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The present incumbent is Rowan Williams....

Elope related Images and Photos (experimental)

Harry Potter Ravenclaw Tie by Elope	Harry Potter Hufflepuff Tie by Elope	Harry Potter Ravenclaw Scarf by Elope	Harry Potter Hufflepuff Scarf by Elope
Harry Potter Slytherin Beanie Hat by Elope	Harry Potter Gryffindor Beanie Hat by Elope	Harry Potter Black Rainbow Hogwarts Scarf by Elope	Harry Potter Professor McGonagall's Hat by Elope
Harry Potter Kids' Scarf and Hat Set by Elope	Harry Potter Albus Dumbledore's Wizard Hat by Elope	Harry Potter Albus Dumbledore's Tassel Hat by Elope	Harry Potter Professor McGonagall's Witch Hat by Elope