This discouraging article talks about the trend of couples (often already massively in debt from student loans etc.) taking out huge loans to pay for their weddings. In reading it, I learned that “elopement” now means “getting married without a $30,000 theatrical production.” At one time it referred to a couple running away together because their parents didn’t support their getting married. Now you can invite your parents to your “elopement” at City Hall.