“We called the moms about an hour after the ceremony”: the rise of secret weddings

Wedding season is upon us and - after two years of Covid chaos which has seen nuptials scaled back, postponed or canceled - you might think the temptation would be to put it all on hold. work. But instead of expanding the guest list and adding an extra layer to the cake, many couples opt for ceremonies that are not just small but almost entirely secret.

With With Covid case numbers remaining high and the UK's cost of living crisis meaning many couples are feeling the pinch, it's no wonder some are less keen on sending save-the- dates. Plus, it can't hurt that in celebrity circles — where big weddings documented by glossy magazine shoots were once the norm — getting married in secret is all the rage.

Earlier this month, Jennifer Lopez surprised fans by unexpectedly sharing photos from her wedding to Ben Affleck at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas, with apparently no guests other than their respective children. Days later, Queen's Gambit actress Anya Taylor-Joy also reportedly had a secret ceremony, marrying musician Malcolm McRae in an 'intimate courthouse wedding', on the heels of the actor's secret wedding. actor Lindsay Lohan with financier Bader. Shammas.

So what's the appeal of staying faithful when it comes to getting married? "For us it was just a really relaxed and enjoyable day," says Jess Rudwick, 29, a skills development coach who married partner Gerald Davies, 37, a logistics coordinator, on their 10th anniversary. in Brighton last March. They told just four people - including their parents - and headed to the beach for ice cream and champagne after the ceremony.

"I was at friends' weddings where they were very stressed and everything cost a fortune," she says. "We didn't have to worry about who would get along with who or if people liked the food. I got very nervous standing in front of only four people - I don't think I could have endured more!"

Relieve anxiety and pressure from having a "big day" is part of the call for many couples who marry in secret. “I would say without a doubt that secret weddings are becoming more common,” says Landis Bejar, founder of boutique therapy practice AisleTalk, which specializes in helping brides-to-be deal with the stress of marriage. “People are looking for ways to step out of the spotlight and avoid the glitz and circumstance of weddings. They just want to get to the party where they are married. .dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement" class=" dcr-eiqqge">