Wedding

• Tax Reasons - sometimes getting married before the end
  of the year can provide couples with a tangible tax benefit, enabling them
  to have a little bit more money before the wedding.


• Escaping the Pressure - the pressure of planning a wedding
  can be overwhelming. For some brides and grooms the pressure of the event
  itself makes it less enjoyable than it should be. Getting it done beforehand
  in front of a much smaller audience makes it easier.


• Unplanned pregnancy or Illness - the need for health insurance
  can force couples into getting things taken care of before the big date. Rather
  than cancel the ceremony, they go through things twice.


• Family disapproval - if the spouse isn't well liked by
  the family, sometimes people get married without telling their family.


• War - people are in a hurry to make things official before
  getting separated by military service.


• Financial Preparation - Having a big wedding is expensive.
  Rather than hold off until they can afford the big one, couples have small
  private services and wait until a larger ceremony is more financially feasible.

Keeping an early wedding a secret is stressful for many couples. Some let their
family know, others keep it a secret indefinitely. The proper thing to do can
not be laid out in any etiquette book, because each situation is very different.
Families have mixed reactions.