How to Elope Lesbian-style

As women who love women, we want to have a romantic and memorable commitment ceremony. Eloping can be an exciting and special way to do this. You might even feel like wild women by the end of it! Read this article as a guide to eloping - lesbian style.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A symbol of commitment
• Car/plane tickets
• Lesbian travel guide
• Your favorite music
• Digital/video camera
• Blank journal
• Your favorite dessert
• Ceremonial items

1. 
   www.sumiche.com

   Make or purchase a symbol of commitment. Choose something that reflects your feelings for each other or reminds you of an experience you shared. You might design commitment rings or necklaces and engrave them.

2. 
   www.wayfaring.info

   Choose your adventure. Keep your time frame and your budget in mind, but do something that you have both wanted to do for a long time. There is no time like the present! This can be anything from relaxing at a spa to going on a drum retreat or hiking the Appalachian Trail.

3. Book a place to stay. This will depend on your destination and the activities you want to do. Look for lesbian/gay-owned inns and hotels (see the links below).

4. 
   www.transientbooks.com

   Record your trip. Take along a blank journal where both of you can write about the experiences you have on your trip. Pack a digital and/or video camera so you will have memories to look back on and show to your family and friends.

5. If you are taking a road trip, pack a blanket and a cooler with favorite food and drinks so you can picnic on the way to your destination.

6. Make a CD or two to play on the road and/or during your ceremony.

7. If you want to get legally married/have a civil union on your trip, know the laws where you live and in the country/state where you will be traveling. In the U.S., you can be married in CT or MA, or have a civil union in CA, HI, ME, NH, NJ, OR, VT and WA.

8. 
   www.lesleyslifeissweet.com

   In cases where you can only get a civil union or domestic partnership, the state takes your $45 while leaving you without 1,100 rights granted by marriage. If I were you, I would take the money and buy some really expensive chocolates.

9. Get in the car (don't forget the rings!) and drive off into the sunset whooping like wild women. Make sure the chocolate is in the glove box.

10. 
    www.amazon.com

    Exchange tokens and vows. Your ceremony can be anything you choose and can come at any time during your trip, as long as it comes from the heart. A few ideas are blessing the rings or tokens with smoke from sweet grass and herbs and taking a swim under the stars.

11. After your ceremony, exchange a special gift and eat your favorite dessert(s). Bask in the afterglow and enjoy every moment!

Tips & Warnings

• You can find lesbian/gay travel guides with tours, activities, shopping and accommodations at book stores and on the web.

Resources

• Lesbian travel
• Lesbian-owned accommodations
• Lesbian and gay tourism
• Ceremony and jewelry ideas
• Make your own rings
• Commitment jewelry
• Holiday cruises for women
• Damron Women's Traveller - an essential travel guide
• Lesbian-owned jewelry company
• Legal information for marriage and civil unions
• Woman-owned socially responsible artisan chocolates
• iTunes store - download songs for your trip!
• Sweet grass, sage and other herbs