How to Have a Wedding Without Guests in Québec
Have you ever dreamed of having a wedding with no guests at all?
To read your vows in total privacy, without worrying about who might hear them other than your significant other? To celebrate your relationship together, and the journey you’ve shared so far?
After all, your relationship is intimate.
You may enjoy spending time with your loved ones and family, but at the end of the day, they’re not what made your relationship what it is. And it’s okay to want an intimate wedding day so you can focus on what mathers and finally celebrate each other, without distractions.
Having a wedding without guests is possible in Quebec! Here’s how to make it happen.
An elopement, the solution to have a wedding without guests in Québec
The wedding you have in mind is called an ‘elopement’.
What is an elopement?
It’s a wedding day where the focus is entirely on the couple and their experience.
An elopement allows the couple to leave the pressure and expectations of other people behind, to experience an authentic, intimate wedding day that is truly centered around them and their union. Typically, an elopement includes from 0 to 6 guests.
Envie d’en savoir plus sur ce type de mariage?
C’est quoi un elopement au Québec ?
The beauty of elopements is that they allow you to redefine the way you want to get married.
No need to do it in a church or reception hall anymore.
Many of the couples I work with for their elopement decide to have their ceremony outdoors: by a lake, on top of a mountain, in the comfort of their own home, or in any other place that inspires them and truly reflects who they are.
This freedom to create a wedding experience that’s uniquely yours also applies to how you decide to legally formalize your union. Unlike traditional weddings, there isn’t just one way to do it.
Is it possible to get married legally without guests in Québec?
Yes, it’s totally possible, but there are several formalities to understand and decide on when planning.
Requirements for a legal marriage in Quebec
In Quebec, legal marriage requires a ceremony officiated by an ordained celebrant in the presence of two witnesses.
Envie d’en savoir plus sur la dimension légale ?
Comment avoir un elopement ou un mariage intime légalement au Québec
If you want a wedding without guests, there are two options:
Option 1: Get legally married before your elopement date
Some people choose to have their legal wedding at the courthouse or notary’s office before the day of their elopement. This allows them to have an entirely intimate day, with no outside presence.
Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Option 2: Get married in the presence of a celebrant and two external witnesses
Would you like to make your wedding legally official on the day of your elopement? It’s totally possible to hire a professional officiant and have two outsiders (like your photographer and his assistant) as legal witnesses.
Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Un vrai mariage intime d’ici pour t’inspirer!
L’elopement sans invités de Kimberly et Amanda à Lac-Beauport
Why many couples choose to get married with no guests
More and more couples are opting for an intimate two-person wedding. Here’s why:
- They know that if they invite one or two people, it will create a snowball effect and others will want to attend.
- They want more flexibility in choosing their wedding venue.
- They want to avoid stress and family drama.
- They want a day that’s 100% about them and their union.
Is your wedding less important if you have no guests?
Absolutely not!
Your marriage won’t be any less meaningful because you’ve chosen to live it just the two of you. Quite the contrary, it means you’ve made the decision to do it exactly as you want, without compromise.
Are your wedding photos less important if you decide to have a wedding without guests?
It’s wrong to think that photos are less important because you’ve choosen to get married without guests. On the contrary, they are even more precious than those of a large wedding, because they will be the only reccord to this unique celebration. They will capture every emotion, every glance exchanged, every precious moment of this exceptional day.
They’ll become your tangible keepsakes, ones you can flip through years later to relive that magical day. They will also be invaluable to your loved ones who weren’t present, allowing them to feel the essence of your union and share your happiness through these timeless images.
Can we get married without guests, with our children as sole witnesses?
Of course you can! If you have children, they can be your sole escorts, and in some cases they can even serve as witnesses if you’re having a legal ceremony.
How can you involve your family and friends without them being physically present?
Even if your wedding is intimate, there are many ways to include your loved ones:
- Make a video call with them on the morning or evening of your wedding.
- Ask them to write you letters to read on the big day.
- Organize a celebration party with them after your elopement.
Getting married without guests is a wonderful, personal decision. No matter how you choose to do it, what matters is that the day feels like you. 💛
