Best budget elopement experience/destination in Europe?

It isn't so much the where, it is the how. Have you researched getting married in any of the countries over here and what it entails? Each country has different laws. That said, the easiest country is Denmark. We got married in Christenfeld. Our hotel was a beautiful, 350 year old thatched farmhouse with a fantastic restaurant. Marriage is a civil ceremony done at the courthouse.

The how is a big part of this. You'll have to see what countries will allow a marriage ceremony between two US citizens, and then you'll have to get the marriage registered and recognized back home. Have you considered just going to the local courthouse on the way to the airport? I think there's a reason why you don't hear of a lot of people eloping in Europe. Here in France you have to get a civil marriage at the Mairie's office. Like all things in France, it requires a bunch of paperwork. You also have to set it up in advance (I'm not sure how far in advance and whether you'd have to make two separate trips) Good luck with this. I hope you can get the wedding you want.

We got married in London. However this required one of us to have been a legal resident in the applicable borough for a minimum (as i recall) of two weeks prior. The advantage of England is that you can understand the ceremony. So you need to determine what the rquirements are first

I'm confused - a few minutes ago you asked about 20 people of family and friends, now you asking about eloping? Which is it likely to be?

You're going to get gouged anyway, because unless you are fluent in the language and laws of your destinatioin, you're going to need to hire someone to make the necessary legal arrangements. As Jo mentioned, the laws vary in each country. In some (like Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands), it is near impossible for two non-residents to obtain a legally binding marriage. Others are less restrictive, but you still need the necessary documentation. In certain countries, only the civil wedding is legally binding, meaning that a ceremony performed by a priest is only done for tradition. It has no legal standing without the civil ceremony. So, an easier option might be to have a civil service in the US first, then have a non-binding religious ceremony in Europe.

If you want your marriage to be officially and legally recognized in the USA, do the civil procedure in the USA, as Tom suggests. You don't have to invite anyone. But what you really wrote about here was romance on a budget, so let's talk some cheap kissing. How about a room in a medieval castle, surrounded by vineyards? The wine village of Bacharach on Germany's Rhine River is home to Burg Stahleck, a castle hostel where you can get a private double room for 50 euros: http://www.diejugendherbergen.de/cms/upload/Jugendherbergen/bacharach/galerie/05_Lufaufnahme.jpg Or get a fully-furnished apartment downstream in the village of St. Goar for about the same price, gaze at the ancient castle across the river, and check out the nearby wine villages by bike or by cruise boat: http://www.loreley-apartments.de/die_4_wohnungen_en.php This couple's account gives you the flavor of the region: http://www.oursummerofgeorge.com/frankfurt When will you be "eloping"? I'll be in Europe this March and would be happy to perform a ceremony atop the Loreley in your honor for the cost of a ,5 liter Weizenbier and a Bratwurst. Now that's cheap.

From what I've seen, Northern Europe does civil ceremonies like Jo described. I really don't know the details for two US citizens in Europe. A couple thoughts: First, Switzerland and budget don't go in the same sentence. If you want Alps on a budget, choose Austria, Italy or the Julian Alps in Slovenia. If worse comes to worse, you can wed on a cruise ship. You may be able to find a good deal. Since transportation, lodging and food are included, it's often a decent budget alternative (although the stops in the Mediterrainian are too short to really see anything). Many cruises offer a free room or two when booking as a group. If you can wait for a late booking, you can sometimes catch a really good deal (although Europe doesn't go on sale as much as Caribbean cruises), or even a good deal on a transatlantic repositioning cruise (one way only in Spring or Fall). Check out vacationstogo.com, I've booked several cruises with them - their prices seem to be the same as other online cruise sellers and I've never had a problem with their bookings. Time of year makes a difference. As always, I recommend further north in the height of summer and further south for the cooler seasons.

A few years ago I helped a friend research getting married in Scotland. One of you has to go over at least a week early to arrange the paperwork. Then the wedding has to occur in an "approved" venue- can't just have out on the moors like friend wanted. There are some places outdoors that are approved, but you have to find a priest/pastor to perform the ceremony. I agree that you might just want to do the "legal" part here in the US then have a fantastic honeymoon in Europe.

Once you have decided on a country, call the US Embassy in that country for legalities. I also suggest a legal ceremony in the US, then a personal ceremony experience (non-legally binding) in Europe. A cruise ship would have to be registered in the US for it to be binding, which most are not.

You could get married at the courthouse where you live in the U.S. and then do a more elaborate ceremony in Europe, so you wouldn't have to worry about legalities or paperwork.

Thanks for all of the amazingly insightful replies, everyone. My fiancee and I have actually been thinking we should probably do a legal ceremony in the US, and a more symbolic one in Europe. Whether it works out to have the legal ceremony on location is really not a huge issue for us (we'll just do it back in the States, if necessary), but rather we just want want to know are any insights as to locales. All of your suggestions such as villages/B&B's on the Rhine, locales in Italy, etc. have been super insightful, so please keep them coming and thank you SO much!

What time of year are you considering? I would love to plan something for the highlands of Scotland, if it were me. I'd pick June or September. And go to somewhere near either Aviemore or Inverness. I know you can use a part of Urquart castle ruins and several other (intact) castels- especially if it is just a symbolic ceremony. Or go out onto the moores and have an outdoor service. There are also sevearal lovely gardens you could use. The Snowdonia area of Wales would also be lovely.
Salzburg Austria has several beautiful venues- Mirabel Gardens, etc. Or Kew Gardens in London. Or on a narrow boat on the canals or rivers around Stratford-upon-Avon. If you prefer a winter location- Salzburg again.Lovely ! Maybe you could tell us the time of year, some of your personal interests, or maybe your family "connections". that might help us make more pertinent suggesstions. It is hard to narrow it down otherwise. Europe has so many lovely, romantic possibilities, it is hard to choose. The reason I suggessted Scotland first, is not only because I love the area, but because I have Scottish roots. Hubby has Welsh and Cotwold connections- thus Snowdonia and Stratford....

Even if you only do the symbolic religious ceremony in Europe, the "how" is still more important than the "where". You'll still need to find a minister who is willing to perform a ceremony, and there probably will be some prerequisites. For example, a Catholic priest, at a minimum, will want some proof that at least one of you is Catholic, and will probably want to discuss things with you well in advanced. The requirements are likely not insurmountable (ie, they won't require proof of citizenship in an EU nation), but you'll need to work it out before you arrive.