Rhiannon Hendricks
Getting legally married and having a wedding later is a topic that has gained traction in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many couples opt to get legally married before their wedding day for various reasons, such as financial constraints, health insurance, visa requirements, or military service. This approach allows couples to have a small, intimate ceremony first and then a larger celebration later, often referred to as a Celebration of Marriage. It also enables them to choose any date for their wedding, including significant dates that may not coincide with their actual wedding day. Additionally, it gives couples the freedom to customize their wedding without restrictions and focus on the intimacy of their vows. While some people choose to keep their legal wedding a secret, others are open about it, and it is essential to consider the legal requirements and restrictions of the state or country where the marriage will take place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons | Financial, Health Insurance, Visa, Military, Tax, Religious, COVID-19, Pregnancy, Buying a House, etc. |
| Ceremony | Civil, Religious, Courthouse, Elopement, Destination, etc. |
| Guest List | Only Witnesses, Close Friends, Close Family, Extended Family, etc. |
| Timing | Same Day, Months Apart, Years Apart, etc. |
| Secret | Yes, No |
What You'll Learn
- It's a great option if you're postponing your wedding due to COVID-19
- It's a good idea if you want to get married on a date that's important to you, but doesn't coincide with your wedding day
- It can reduce wedding day anxiety as you can focus on the celebration
- It gives you the chance to have a more intimate ceremony when exchanging your vows
- You can keep your legal wedding a secret if you want to
It's a great option if you're postponing your wedding due to COVID-19
It's completely understandable if you want to postpone your wedding due to COVID-19. The pandemic has impacted many people's plans, and health and safety should be the top priority. If you're worried about losing deposits or other financial implications, it's worth reaching out to your vendors and venues to discuss your options. Many venues are honouring deposits and working with couples to find alternative solutions.
If you're considering rescheduling, it's a good idea to keep in mind that autumn 2020 dates may be booked up, so you may need to consider a different season or a different day of the week for your wedding. A winter wedding can be delightful and cosy, and venues are more likely to have Saturday openings during this off-season.
If you don't want to wait too long before getting married, one option is to get legally married now and have a larger celebration later. This can be a great way to have the best of both worlds: the intimacy of a small ceremony and the joy of a big party with all your friends and family. It's also a good option if you want to get married as soon as possible for insurance or other legal purposes.
When it comes to the celebration later, you can treat it like your original wedding in terms of budget and planning. You can still have a bridal party, a bachelor/bachelorette party, and a reception. However, it's important to be transparent with your guests and let them know that you're already legally married. Some people may not want to attend a celebration that is not the "official" wedding, so be prepared for some guests to decline the invitation.
Ultimately, the decision to get legally married and have a wedding later is a personal one, and you should do what feels right for you and your partner. Remember, the marriage is what matters most, and there are many ways to celebrate your love and commitment.
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It's a good idea if you want to get married on a date that's important to you, but doesn't coincide with your wedding day
It's not uncommon for couples to get legally married before their wedding ceremony, and there are many reasons why this might be a good idea. One reason is if you have a special date in mind that holds significance for you but doesn't coincide with your planned wedding day. This could be a meaningful way to make that date important to you both and give you an opportunity to celebrate two anniversaries.
Getting legally married ahead of time allows you to customise your wedding day and make it a true reflection of your relationship. You can choose to do things in a non-traditional order, such as having cocktail hour first and then walking with your guests to the ceremony, or spending the day with your partner before walking down the aisle. You can also decide not to exchange vows during the official ceremony if you'd prefer to say them in private.
Another benefit of getting legally married before your wedding is that it can reduce the pressure and stress of the "big day." It allows you to focus on the celebration and enjoy the moment without worrying about things going wrong or feeling anxious about saying your vows in front of a large crowd.
Additionally, a legal marriage beforehand means you can have anyone officiate your ceremony. They won't have to worry about legalities and can instead focus on creating a ceremony that reflects your love and relationship.
Finally, getting legally married earlier can be a practical solution if you need to get married for insurance or legal purposes or if you're having a destination wedding and need to sort out the legalities beforehand.
Remember, your wedding day is about you and your partner, so feel free to make it your own and do what feels right for you!
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It can reduce wedding day anxiety as you can focus on the celebration
Planning a wedding can be stressful. There are a lot of decisions to make, family dynamics to balance, and plans for the future to consider. It is completely normal to feel anxious about your wedding day.
One way to reduce wedding day anxiety is to get legally married before your wedding celebration. This can take the pressure off the "big day" and allow you to focus on the celebration and enjoying the moment with your partner and guests. By getting legally married beforehand, you can customize your wedding day however you want without worrying about restrictions or the need to follow a typical wedding day outline. For example, you can choose to hang out with your partner all day before walking down the aisle or change up the ceremony by not exchanging vows.
Additionally, getting legally married beforehand can make your wedding day more intimate and personal. The vows you share can be done on a smaller scale, with just a few close friends or family members present, reducing the pressure of having hundreds of people staring at you. This can help you to focus on the commitment you are making to each other and relish the moment.
By separating the legal marriage from the wedding celebration, you can also choose any date for your wedding, including a date that may be significant to you that doesn't coincide with your actual wedding day. This gives you the flexibility to plan your wedding around your desired date without worrying about venue availability or other constraints.
Overall, getting legally married before your wedding celebration can help reduce wedding day anxiety by allowing you to focus on the celebration, customizing your day, making the event more intimate, and choosing any date you desire.
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It gives you the chance to have a more intimate ceremony when exchanging your vows
Exchanging your vows in an intimate ceremony before your wedding can be a beautiful way to honour your commitment to each other. It allows you to create a private moment that you can cherish forever. You can choose to write and exchange personalised vows with your partner before the public ceremony, making the moment more special and intimate. This option is especially appealing if you feel uncomfortable with the idea of reciting your vows in front of a large group of family and friends.
By exchanging vows privately, you have the freedom to say what you want, the way you want, and at your own pace. It also gives you the opportunity to create a quiet, intimate moment away from the pressures of family, friends, or tradition. You can decide whether to keep this moment just between the two of you or have your wedding officiant witness your promises to make it feel more official.
Exchanging vows in an intimate setting before your wedding can be a meaningful way to focus on the commitment you are making to each other. It allows you to relish the moment and celebrate the intimacy of your vows without the timeline, pressure, and distractions of a typical wedding day. This approach ensures that your wedding day becomes more about the celebration and less about the stress and anxiety often associated with it.
Additionally, exchanging vows in an intimate ceremony gives you the flexibility to choose any date for your wedding. You can select a date that holds special meaning for you, regardless of whether it aligns with your actual wedding day. Ultimately, exchanging vows in an intimate ceremony before your wedding can enhance the significance of your commitment and create lasting memories that you will cherish forever.
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You can keep your legal wedding a secret if you want to
There are many reasons why you might want to keep your legal wedding a secret, and it is certainly possible to do so. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
Firstly, consider your guest list carefully. If you want to keep your nuptials private, only invite a small group of close friends or family members who you trust to keep your secret. This way, you can still have an intimate celebration while maintaining privacy.
Another option is to have a destination wedding. By choosing a location far from home, you reduce the risk of your secret being revealed. Las Vegas is a popular choice for spontaneous elopements, and some states, like California, offer 'confidential marriage licenses' which do not require witness signatures and will not become public record.
If travelling is not an option, you can opt for a 'license-signing ceremony'. This is a simple, affordable way to get married with just the necessary legal formalities. You can always plan a larger celebration later with a vow renewal ceremony or reception.
When it comes to keeping your secret, be mindful of who you tell. It can be challenging to keep exciting news to yourself, but be selective about who you share your plans with to avoid unintended leaks.
Additionally, consider hiring a professional officiant who is not personally connected to you or your family. This way, you can avoid any accidental slips of the tongue at family gatherings.
Remember, the decision to keep your legal wedding a secret is entirely up to you and your partner. You can choose to share your news with others whenever you feel comfortable doing so, or even keep it as your little secret forever.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can get legally married and have a wedding later. This has become more common due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is up to you whether you tell your wedding guests that you are already legally married. Some people choose to keep it a secret, while others are open about it. However, it is important to be aware of the legal requirements in your state or country. For example, in some places, the officiant may be required to tell guests that the couple is already legally married.
There are several benefits to getting legally married before the wedding, including reduced stress and anxiety, the ability to customize your wedding day, and the opportunity to choose any date for your wedding. It can also be more intimate and allow you to focus on the commitment you are making to each other.
Some things to consider include the potential for hurt feelings or negative reactions from family and friends, the cost and time involved in planning two events, and the possibility that the second event may not happen. It is also important to check the legal requirements in your state or country, as there may be restrictions on having a "pretend" wedding or certain requirements for transferring a marriage license from one state to another.
A civil ceremony is a non-religious, legal marriage ceremony presided over by a legal officiant, such as a justice of the peace or a notary public. A religious ceremony, on the other hand, is conducted by a member of the clergy and follows the traditions and constraints of a specific religion.
