Eloping in London and having it legal upon return to US?

As long as you are legally married in the UK the marriage will be recognized in the US. I would suggest that you contact a UK Embassy or consulate for specific details because it might be complicated.
http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/communityandlocallife/marriages/legalpaperwork/informationfornon-eucitizen.aspx

It can indeed be complicated to legally marry in the UK if you are not a resident or citizen there. I checked into it for some friends who were considering getting married in Scotland. At least one of them had to be 'in residence' at least a week prior to the ceremony in order to get the liscense. There were other issues, so they decided to get married here.
I'd suggest a civil ceremony here before the trip, then see if you can arrange a 'blessing of the union' or something similar over there.

Thanks for the tips! We'll be staying in London for a total of 2 weeks so maybe we can still swing it. Just emailed the U.S. Embassy and will let you know what I find out.

As non EEA citizens you would need to each obtain a visa - as coming to the UK to be married is outside of the scope of tourist entry. The process is described at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/marriage-cp/ Cost is £78 each - plus the cost of visiting a center to supply your fingerprints, couriers for documents etc.

I got a response from the U.S. Embassy and Islington Town Hall. They said we would need to be "living" in England for 8 days and 7 nights prior to registering an intent to marry, then wait 21 days before actually having the ceremony. I'm also finding some information that says we would need to apply for a visa. In that case, it's certainly complicated. I've also heard of couples getting a marriage certificate in their home state and taking it abroad to have a ceremony. But not sure how this works. Thanks for all the help.

I would guess that there are legal reasons for getting married in your country of residence. You could take out a license in your state, then have a ceremony in London (to "bless the union" or something). Upon returning, have a legal ceremony at home. Or do the reverse by getting married at home first, in order to satisfy family, priests, etal.

So do you want a flower girl?! I'm available!
;-)

You would have more success arranging a religious ceremony, I arranged to have our vows renewed in a small church in a village, I "tipped" the vicar 30 pounds and it was very nice and quaint....just the 3 of us. Then do all your legal stuff when you return to the US.

The visa issue and posting a notice of intent is the biggest and most time consuming. We will most likely have to have a civil ceremony in the US before we go, but will probably exchange our vows privately when in London. It was worth inquiring, but the timing won't work. Hopefully, this information is helpful to others!

Darren just because you renewed your vows in the UK does not mean that a wedding is as easy, it's not, all the legalities have to be observed as has been stated in earlier posts. It seems very unfair to raise hopes like that. The visa issue
is the main one that will be difficult if not impossible to overcome the UK Border Agency are the people who will have the say on whether the OP and partner will be granted visas. This will have to be done before they leave the US.

Pauline,
I never stated that it was easy, I merely stated that a religious ceremony would be easier than a legal marriage due to the visa issues etc. It sounds like they will not be able to stay the time needed etc. Our vicar had no issue just merely blessing our marriage in a church, its the sentimental things sometimes, at least it was for me.

Hello! We were hoping to do the same and just wanted to know what the outcome was about getting married in USA - civil/marriage certificate - and then having the religious ceremony abroad. Did you need to get a VISA at the end? Did you ask the Embassy/Registrar? Hope all went well!

London ,to elope ? You need to go to Gretna Green ;-)

Haha! People were eloping to Gretna Green back to Jane Austen's day. Remember poor Lydia and dastardly Wickham? Of course the gallant Mr. Darcy saved the family honor, and all lived (more or less) happily ever after. :)

Tom and Sybil in Downton Abbey ran off to Gretna Green to be married. And things didn't turn out very well...Can't wait for the new season. Can you believe they killed off Lady Mary Crawley's husband, Matthew, in a car crash? Whitney, you should check the laws in your state, and get married before you leave home. In my state, you must go to the County Clerk's office, fill out an application, turn it in and get a license. Then step 2, you must go before a judge (in his office, in private) and he will you are married and sign and notarize your certificate of marriage. It's different in every state. Then you are married (in my state); it doesn't matter if a religious ceremony follows or not; you are married once you leave the judge's quarters, legally speaking. (But those who are religious will, of course, have a religious ceremony so they will be married in the eyes of God.) Whatever you have to do, do all the "legal" marriage stuff before you leave home and then have a religious ceremony or whatever you wish in London. You can always say "We were married in London." and it's true. The U.S. paperwork makes it legal, but check the procedure for your state.