Weddingbee boards

Hi bees,

So the man and I are leaning heavily towards eloping. We may still have a big ceremony later or a reception to celebrate, but the jury is still out on that. To be honest, he is 100% sold on eloping (he loves the intimacy of it). I'm maybe 90-95% sold. It's what I want, but I understand that (like it or not) there are other people's feelings to consider (mostly family on my side; his is down for whatever). I realize my family may want the wedding celebration (I don't know if they will feel it's "Authentic" if we elope first), and I know a lot of my friends definitely do (although this matters somewhat less). I think I'd be OK with eloping and a vow renewal in front of everyone, but I still have to discuss this with my dad and with my sister who I am closest to.

Anyway, that's not really the point of this post (way to be succinct, MsCotton, LOL!). We talked about Vegas, but I feel like if we're going to elope I would rather keep it local for cost reasons. We can always take a (non-wedding related) vacation to Vegas at some point. Ok, so back to the original reason for my post:

• Does anyone know how I can find out where my local courthouses are (Philadelphia and surrounding areas)? I know Google is my friend, but so far I feel like I'm aimlessly wading through court documents as opposed to finding actual locations.
• Does anyone have suggestions for great outdoor locations in the Philadelphia area?  For example, even though I've never been there, I'm thinking about the Morris Arboretum.  Free is better, so local parks, etc. would work.
• Does anyone have any experience with elopements to the Poconos? This is still on my list of possibilities.

@Miss Pinup: Thanks, I do realize I need to be 100% certain. The only uncertainty comes from not having talked with my family about how they will feel. That conversation hasn't happened yet for a number of logistical reasons. Once it does happen, I will be able to make a decision for certain.  It's the option that I want, but I don't want to take my family's perspective for granted. If they are OK with it, I'm sold.

@Prettyinpink89: Thanks so much for responding (I always feel like such a thread-killer, LOL!) I saw the most AMAZING photos of a couple of city hall weddings in Philly yesterday and now I'm almost entirely sold. And funny you mention LOVE Park; it seems a lot of pics get taken there.

Re.: Cove Haven, I really wish I could see some actual ceremony photos from there; maybe I need to visit it?

The Mr. loved the city hall pics too. I think we are deciding between 3 very similar options:

-City Hall and then drive straight to the Poconos for a mini-moon. Have an informal party at a restaurant or hall or an outdoor celebration of some sort (BBQ, picnic, something) after we return.

-City Hall, dinner with nearest and dearest and then depart for mini-moon in Poconos. Ditto party idea.

-Wedding and mini-moon in Poconos. Ditto party idea.

We are both kind of undecided about the party. It's a nice to have, not a must-have, but we think it would be nice for friends and family. 

I'm leaning a bit towards #2 because then his family and my best friend can come out and celebrate with us before we steal away into the mountains (and we get to have a cake cutting with more than just us, LOL).

Me and the So r looking at getting married at The Wedding Chapel, they offer a lot of packages some small, some large. There website is theweddingchapelpa.com and the number is 215-338-0760....check it out they have lots of pics up 2 :-) Good Luck

i live here in the poconos.....i know there is one chapel up here thats tiny that does tiny weddings...its in storudsburg...also the monroe county court is the court you would want to look for up here...also there is an officiant that is well known and will go anywhere in the county to marry people. lois heckman...had to look it up. you could get married at bushkill falls its nice there. or the many resorts....paridise stream resort, or cove haven. they have the heart pools and wine glass pedistal tubs....they both have wedding packages i think. and the paridise stream resort always looks  well kept outside if you do it outside. for a honey moon we dont really have much to do up here unless you are staying somewhere....most things by october are slowing down  and winter stuff has yet to pick up by then...but its still very pretty. you have great wolf (you have to stay to use the park) big boulder has a water park open to the public, there are horse stables, like 3 that i know of...the casino is here too...mt airy...they might have weddings too but not sure...saw one on their lawn but it was a big one, they also have a club. bushkill falls might still be open...the poconos isnt really a walk around see the sites kind of place...but main st stroudsburg is nice for some art galleries and shops and some nice food...i like siamsa! good irish food! also on main is the stroud mansion...like a little bit of a history museum. and at the end of main there is a little waterfall...i like sitting there with a nice ice coffee from time to time. crossings is nice but hectic and expensive. we have a few candle shops that are kind of nice. mt pocono is a cute town (i work there in the jewelry store)  has a tiny mom and pop ice cream parlor/movie theater/mini golf/arcade called the casino.....love that place! cheap movies and a great date spot. and also a little indian trader place that sells pocono trinkets and silly little things for cheap. also there is a local bus  the pocono pony that runs every hr from mt pocono to stroudsburg for 1.25 a ride so you dont have to worry about gas once youre here. goes through all the main parts of both towns and the main road connecting them....also were not far from scranton and allentown...if you are in mt pocono its 45 mins either direction....lots more to do in either of those....oh also have you ever though of jim thorpe? thats a nice little town :D