Our family and friends are scattered across the globe, so my husband and I decided to elope. I have 1 regret.

The author (right), shown on her wedding day, is happy with her decision to elope but regrets not having more photos to commemorate the day. Courtesy of Renate Flanagan. Our friends and family live around the world, and we didn't want them to travel for our wedding. We didn't need or want a big, elaborate wedding, and our families were fine with our decision. Our wedding was a beautiful start to our life together, with just the two of us. Growing up, my family has always been spread out. I grew up on the East Coast of the United States, but many of my relatives lived on the West Coast or in Europe. My high school friends and friends I made at work have also become scattered around the country. My friends and I were like a dandelion, we all started together, then we got dispersed by the wind.