Keeping it Simple

For most of us, the word elopement conjures up the notion of an impetuous act in a cheap setting that’s most often typical of two crazy kids. Not anymore. Sarah Stitham has just given elopement a new name, specifically Real Simple Weddings. Otherwise known as “Planned Elopements,” they may be spontaneous, but they are no-spur-of-the-moment endeavors.

While not as involved as a full-blown wedding, Stitham’s Planned Elopements still come with all the trimmings: a distinctive location, wonderful dining, champagne, photographer, wedding cake, flowers, officiant, and spa services.
Real Simple Weddings is in its first year of operation although Stitham has been orchestrating weddings since 1997 with Charmed Places, which is her weddings locations business venture that scouts one-of-a-kind sites and caters to couples interested in a more traditional large-scale wedding arrangement. It was when she recognized a desire for pared-down elegance that she formed Real Simple Weddings. “Many people don’t think of elopement as being elegant,” said Stitham, “but why not? It seemed like the perfect idea.” And it was. Stitham received an immediate and almost overwhelmingly positive response.

As one would expect, the popularity of location type is subject to change. Right now distinctive old barns are the rage. “A lot of brides are specifically requesting old barns and they just love it. There’s something magical about getting married in a wonderfully weathered historic barn.”

Stitham has 19 years’ experience coordinating and catering special events for a roster of noted clients that reads like a MOMA patrons A-list: the Rockefellers, the Astors, and the Delanos, for starters. However, even though many of Stitham’s contacts are with previous clients from her catering days, she still must constantly search out new, unique locations for her brides- and grooms-to-be. “I’m always looking at new places and trying to come up with new possibilities.”

A number of property owners are quite interested in making their barns, ponds, gazebos, gardens, and various romantic settings available. For many, it’s a welcome chance to make a contribution to an already hefty tax bill. In addition, since the engagements are usually small and very private, parking, foot traffic and other inconveniences generally associated with a big wedding aren’t a problem.

Believe it or not, it’s a lot of work to keep things simple. Already things are heating up on the wedding calendar; this week alone Stitham is taking four couples out location scouting for their upcoming elopements. She must also spend a good deal of time hand-choosing the right services for each event. Then there’s the time she spends fine-tuning and orchestrating the elopement plans. In addition, though she has a network of talented dependable people that she works with, she must also stay on top of creative talent to add to her services. Said Stitham, “It’s definitely not a traditional work week. I have to be as spontaneous as my clients which makes what I do both exciting and challenging.”

Couples seek out Real Simple Weddings for a variety of reasons. There are the working professionals with lives already complicated by two hectic work schedules; hence the idea of simplifying is alluringly attractive. For others who have been previously married, a big wedding isn’t on the radar screen, and yet they want something more than a trip to the town hall. The privacy afforded by Stitham’s arrangements also has a great appeal. Couples who desire to keep things intimate, don’t necessarily want the distractions of big crowds and all the hoopla. They would rather be able to focus on each other and not get caught up in a whirlwind of friends and relatives. Conversely, there are those with faraway family and friends for whom travel costs may be prohibitive, in which case couples often want to create a special wedding experience that makes up for the missed kinship. And, although her business name may have a wedding connotation, Stitham also loves finding the perfect spot for couples seeking to create an original commitment ceremony.

Close driving distances are another feature at the heart of Real Simple Weddings’ business design. All locations offered by Stitham are in close proximity to major metropolitan areas, namely New York City, Boston, and Washington DC.

Over the last four months Stitham has noticed a distinct psychological change among her clients. “People seem to be tuning in to commitment not just in terms of weddings and personal relationships, but also towards making commitments to their own lives. Since September eleven, there seems to be a uniformed need for people to put their lives in order.”

In addition to the allurement of an elegant elopement, prospective pre-nups are also attracted to the price tag. Most weddings range in cost from $2,500 to $5,000 (a far cry from the more typical $40,000 and up), and include all the ingredients of a special wedding ceremony with a little creativity thrown into the mix.

Already, Stitham is building a reputation for herself, or rather, happy clients are building it for her. But for Stitham the real reward is about what she does for her clients. “I love my job. I love being able to de-stress one of the most important occasions in a couple’s life together. Their focus should be on their marriage and commitment to each other and their life together. My job is to take care of all the details, better than they envisioned. Then they will be free to be present for each other—to enjoy each moment and each other.”

—Valerie Wilcox

To contact Sarah Stitham, or for more information about Real Simple Weddings, call 657-2791 or visit her Web site at www.realsimpleweddings.com