My dear Nana used to joke constantly to the unmarried females in my family that weddings were unnecessary, and all one needed was $50 and a ladder. In the olden days, the $50 was needed to cover travel expenses and a marriage license. The ladder was what the groom needed to retrieve his bride from her bedroom window while her parents slept.
I don’t condone running off in the middle of the night and eloping, but the idea of getting married in this way is so romantic and old fashioned. And, not to mention…CHEAP. A quick Google search of “elopement packages” can find a whole host of intimate, preplanned weddings for the impatient and in-love. If weddings aren’t your thing, check out eloping.
As for the $50 and a ladder, regardless if the bride and groom elope or have a lavish wedding, $50 and a ladder makes for a great gift with a wonderful story. My late grandmother presented these items to my aunt for her wedding. I also received a ladder as a wedding present, and I remind my husband of the sentiment behind it every time he cleans the gutters.
Eloping with style. Source: http://www.dipity.com/tickr/
What a great piece of family folklore. I love the idea of giving a ladder as a wedding present! I suppose the equivalent elopement ideal here in the UK is running off to Gretna Green in Scotland.
Haha! Two train/plane tickets to Scotland would probably make an excellent engagement present! Save a heck of a lot of money.
$50 and a Ladder! *LOL* If only things these days were that simple. Now you need $100 and car just to get a look in with a girl!