How to Self-Solemnize on Your Elopement Day – Tips for Marrying Yourself
So, you want to head for the hills (or, in this case, the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains) and marry your very best friend your way.
That’s the spirit of adventure and genuine love that I’m all about, so hear me when I say I feel you.
If you want to avoid all the red tape and paperwork traditionally associated with getting married—talk about a drag—you may want to consider self-solemnization.
Yep, you can get married without an officiant, judge, or special building. Who woulda thought?!
What exactly is self-solemnization, and how does it work? Find out below how to self-solemnize!
What is Self-Solemnization?
Learning how to marry yourselves is easier than you might think! In certain states, Colorado included, you can get married conveniently and easily. All you have to do is pick up a marriage license from the DMV or County Clerk, pay a $30 fee, and head off to your dream elopement destination.
In other words, the government gets out of your way, so you get married how you want to—exactly as it should be!
Pretty neat, right?
By simplifying the requirements for a legal marriage, self-solemnization gives you the opportunity to have a ceremony however you see fit—even if it’s just the two of you! And don’t worry, the legality of self-solemnized marriages is recognized in other states. Get legally married on your own!
The Significance of Self-Solemnization
Whether you have deeper motivations or simply want to share the most significant moment of your life with only one other person—your partner—the reality is that there is a profound significance to the act of self-solemnizing.
While there is nothing wrong with making your vows before an officiant, church leader, or other authority—again, do things your way—the only opinions that should matter on your elopement day are yours and your partner’s. So if uniting your marriage alone is important to you, this is a great option!
Long story short, eloping is supposed to be an experience that embodies freedom, and marrying yourselves is an important element in ensuring that is exactly what happens.
So, invite anyone you want or no one at all. Have an officiant or share that special moment exclusively with your loved one. The choice should be yours, and self-solemnization makes sure that it is.
How to Self-Solemnize Alone or With Guests
Opting to have your ceremony without an officiant of any kind does not mean you have to be alone on your elopement day—unless you want to be, of course!
You can include any guests in any capacity that you want. Whether it’s family, friends, or canine companions, having those you care about there to support you can make your elopement all the more special.
Involve them in any way you want, from integral roles in the ceremony to simply observing and celebrating with you.
At the end of the day, your elopement day is exactly that—yours. If you envision sharing it with others, there is no reason you can’t self-solemnize in their presence. Opting to enjoy the exclusive company of your partner is a-okay, too!
Beyond Vows – More Ways to Make Your Self-Solemnization Ceremony Special
For many elopers, the ceremony is just that—ceremonial. It represents love and unification. It is not necessary or required, it is an intentional symbolic choice.
Your vows, whether traditional or bearing that personal touch, are sure to be an integral element of your ceremony. If you, like many couples, want to do something special in addition to the meaningful exchange of vows, there are endless opportunities to do so.
When you self-solemnize, you can stay as traditional or get as creative as you want. If you’re looking for fun ideas for when you preform the ceremony even more memorable, you’ve come to the right place.
Spiritual Unity Traditions for Self Solemnization
Nearly every religion across the globe has its version of a unity symbol. From braiding a cord of three strings (representing you, your partner, and God) to binding your hands together in a Celtic handfasting ritual, opting for an activity that symbolizes spiritual unity is important to some couples. For others, it can simply be a meaningful representation of their new life together.
There are a lot of religious ceremonies that symbolize unity and are meant to be incorporated into your wedding. Whether you are religious or not, exploring these fascinating traditions, their origins, and their meanings is a wonderful pre-elopement activity.
Non-Religious Unity Ceremonies for Self Solemnization
Not all unity ceremonies have religious roots. Whether you are trying to keep your elopement free of religious influence or are simply searching for a unity activity that speaks to you, there are plenty of non-religious unity traditions you can choose from or use as inspiration.
Popular options include lighting a unity candle, pouring two colors of sand into a single vessel, and planting a symbolic tree. The possibilities don’t stop with these examples, but there is a clear trend—two separate things becoming one.
Want to Learn Even More about How to Self-Solemnize in Colorado?
If self-solemnizing sounds like your cup of tea, Colorado is the perfect place to plan the elopement of your dreams. To learn more about this amazing opportunity to do your ceremony your way, feel free to reach out to me. I’m happy to guide you and your partner through the ins and outs of eloping in Colorado, including the details of marrying yourselves!
