A Wedding After Tying The Knot: One Year Later

There are many reasons why a couple may choose to have a wedding ceremony after they are already legally married. Some couples opt for a civil ceremony first due to financial constraints, health issues, or the need to get married quickly for insurance or tax purposes. Others may have a private legal ceremony if their dream wedding venue is unavailable on their desired date, or if they are having a destination wedding and need to get the legalities out of the way first. In the case of destination weddings, couples will usually need to apply for their marriage license in their hometown and become legally married before travelling to their wedding location. Having a small, private ceremony first can also help to reduce the pressure and anxiety of the big day and allow couples to focus on the intimacy of their vows.

Is it acceptable to have a wedding a year after marriage?

There are many reasons why a couple may choose to have a wedding ceremony after they are already legally married. For some, it is a matter of practicality—they may need to get legally married for insurance purposes, or their family may want them to be married before they move in together. Others may choose to do so because of financial constraints, or to avoid the risk of exposing their loved ones to COVID-19.

Whatever the reason, is it acceptable to have a wedding ceremony after you're already married? The answer is: it's up to you. Some people may find it odd or even rude to have a wedding ceremony after you're already married, especially if guests are not made aware of the fact. They may feel that they are being tricked, or that the ceremony is a "farce". However, others may not see an issue with it, especially if the couple is transparent about their situation. Ultimately, it is a personal decision that the couple has to make, weighing their own desires and expectations against those of their family and friends.

If you do choose to have a wedding ceremony after you're already married, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, be honest with your guests. Let them know that you are already legally married and that the ceremony is a celebration of your marriage. This will avoid any confusion or hard feelings later on. Secondly, be aware that there may be some restrictions on what you can call the ceremony. Technically, a "wedding" is the act of getting married, so if you are already married, your ceremony may be considered a "celebration of marriage" or a "vow renewal". Finally, expect that some people may choose not to attend, especially if they feel that the ceremony is not a significant milestone.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you and your partner are happy with your decision. If you want to have a wedding ceremony after you're already married, go for it! Just be mindful of your guests' feelings and expectations, and be transparent about your situation.

What should I call my wedding celebration if I'm already married?

There are many reasons why a couple might choose to have a wedding ceremony and celebration after they are already legally married. For some, it is a matter of finances, while others might want to keep the marriage a secret for a while. Some couples prefer to elope and have a private ceremony, only celebrating with a larger group at a later date.

Whatever the reason, there are a few different names you could use for your wedding celebration if you are already married. Here are some options:

• Celebration of Marriage: This is a general term to describe a party that celebrates your marriage, and it can be used whether your wedding was a private ceremony, a courthouse wedding, or a spur-of-the-moment elopement.
• Post-Elopement Party: If you eloped and want to celebrate with friends and family later, this term can be used to indicate that the couple has already tied the knot.
• Post-Wedding Party: Similar to a post-elopement party, a post-wedding party is a celebration held after the official wedding ceremony, regardless of the type of wedding.
• Vow Renewal: Some couples choose to renew their vows in front of friends and family, even if the official ceremony has already taken place. This option may be more suitable if the wedding was not kept a secret and there is no urgency to celebrate.
• Wedding: Ultimately, it is up to you how you want to celebrate and what you want to call it. Some couples choose to refer to their celebration as a "wedding" even if they are already legally married. This option may cause confusion or disappointment for some guests, so it is important to be transparent about your marital status in your invitations and communications with guests.

When deciding what to call your wedding celebration, consider the timing, guest expectations, and the level of transparency you want to have about your marital status. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules, and you can choose whatever option feels right for you and your partner.

Do I need to tell my guests I'm already married?

There are differing opinions on whether you need to tell your guests that you are already married. Some people believe that guests should be informed that the event is a celebration of marriage rather than a wedding, while others think that it is unnecessary to disclose this information. Ultimately, it is a personal decision that depends on your relationship with your guests and your reasons for having a separate ceremony and reception.

If you choose not to disclose your legal marriage, be aware that some guests may feel deceived or lied to if they find out after the fact. On the other hand, if you are open about your legal marriage, some guests may choose not to attend the celebration or may have different expectations for the event.

To avoid confusion or disappointment, it is essential to communicate clearly with your guests about what to expect from the ceremony and reception. This includes being transparent about the fact that you are already legally married, the nature of the event, and any changes to traditional wedding elements such as vows, attire, or gift-giving.

• "Wedding Celebration"
• "Celebration of Our Marriage"
• "Vow Renewal" or "Renewing Our Vows"
• "Celebration of Love"
• "Ceremony and Reception"

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy your special day and celebrate your love with your loved ones, regardless of what others may think or expect.

What should I wear to my wedding celebration if I'm already married?

It is not uncommon for couples to get legally married and then have a ceremony and reception at a later date. When this happens, the later celebration is often referred to as a "celebration of marriage" or a vow renewal. If you are planning to wear a wedding dress to your celebration, it is important to be mindful of the venue and season. For example, a beach wedding calls for a more lightweight and airy dress, while a winter wedding might require a dress with long sleeves or a faux fur shawl.

If you are the host of the celebration, you can wear whatever you like! If you are the guest, it is important to be mindful of a few things. Firstly, avoid wearing white or any colours that match the bridal party. You should also avoid anything that is too revealing, flashy, or casual, such as jeans, t-shirts, or sneakers. It is generally better to be overdressed than underdressed.

For a casual daytime wedding, a navy blazer, a blue button-down shirt, or khaki pants are good options for male guests. Female guests can opt for a dress with a nice neckline and simple accessories. For a formal wedding, male guests might wear a tuxedo, while female guests might wear a floor-length evening gown. For a semi-formal or dressy casual wedding, female guests can wear a below-the-knee dress, a dressy skirt and top, or a pantsuit. Male guests might opt for a dress shirt and slacks, with the option to wear a tie.

What should I write on my wedding invitations if I'm already married?

There are many reasons why a couple might choose to get married and then have a wedding ceremony at a later date. For some, it's a matter of practicality—they may need to get married for insurance or financial reasons, or they may want to save up for their dream wedding. Others may choose to have a private courthouse wedding and then celebrate with a larger group of friends and family at a later date. Whatever the reason, it is absolutely acceptable to have a wedding ceremony after you're already legally married.

If you're planning a wedding celebration after your legal marriage, here are some suggestions for what to write on your wedding invitations:

• Host Line: Traditionally, the host line includes the names of the people hosting the wedding, usually the bride's parents. However, if both sets of parents are hosting or if the couple is hosting themselves, you can include their names as well. If you're hosting the wedding with your parents, you can use a phrase like "together with their parents."
• Attendance Request: This is where you invite your guests to attend your wedding celebration. You can use phrases such as "request the pleasure of your company," "invite you to celebrate with them," or "would love for you to join them."
• Your Names: Traditionally, the bride's name is listed first, followed by the groom's name. However, for same-sex couples, you can choose the order based on alphabetical order or what sounds better. If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can be just her first and middle name, without the last name.
• Date and Time: For a formal invitation, spell out the date and time in full (e.g., "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon"). For a more casual invitation, you can use numerical figures and abbreviations (e.g., "Saturday, Sept. 15, 2021, 4:30 p.m.").
• Location: Include the name and full address of your wedding venue, including the city and state. If your wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well.
• Reception Details: If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply say "reception to follow." If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate details card.
• Dress Code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. You can include this information in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invitation or on a separate details card.
• "You are invited to the wedding celebration of [Bride's Name] & [Groom's Name] / [Date] / [Time] / [Venue Name and Address] / Reception to follow"
• "Together with their families, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] invite you to join them as they celebrate their marriage / [Date] / [Time] / [Venue Name and Address] / Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "[Bride's Parents' Names] and [Groom's Parents' Names] invite you to celebrate with their children, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] / [Date] / [Time] / [Venue Name and Address] / Merriment to follow"

Frequently asked questions