A Wedding Celebration After Tying The Knot

There are many reasons why couples may choose to have a wedding ceremony after they are already legally married. For some, it is a matter of practicality. For example, they may need to get legally married for insurance or immigration purposes, or due to an unexpected pregnancy. For others, it may be a financial decision, as weddings can be expensive and time-consuming to plan. Having a separate legal ceremony and wedding celebration allows couples to access the benefits of marriage while saving up for their dream wedding.

In some cases, couples may opt for a private or secret wedding first, followed by a larger celebration later. This could be due to personal reasons or simply a preference for a more intimate ceremony. Some couples also choose to have multiple ceremonies to include different cultural or religious traditions.

Whatever the reason, the trend of having a wedding after getting legally married is becoming increasingly common and accepted. Couples should feel free to plan their wedding celebrations in a way that suits their unique circumstances and preferences, without worrying about judgment or etiquette. After all, a wedding is a celebration of love and commitment, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

How to invite guests to a wedding celebration after eloping

Eloping is a beautiful way to celebrate your love for each other in an intimate setting. However, if you still want to celebrate with your loved ones afterward, here is a guide on how to invite them to your post-elopement party.

Announce Your Elopement

First, announce your elopement to your close friends and family in person. You can then tell others about your elopement through a formal announcement sent by mail or a more casual route via social media or email.

Send Out Save-the-Dates

As soon as you have decided on a date and venue for your post-elopement party, send out save-the-date cards to your guests. This can be done at the same time as your marriage announcement.

Decide on Your Guest List

Some couples opt for a more intimate gathering with only direct family, while others include friends as well. Ultimately, it is up to you and your partner to decide who you want to celebrate with.

Choose Your Reception Location

The location of your reception will depend on the number of guests you plan to invite. If you're expecting a large number of guests, you may need to rent a formal venue. For smaller gatherings, you can choose a more casual setting, such as your home, a restaurant, or an Airbnb.

Plan Your Activities and Food Options

When planning your reception, consider what activities and food options you want to include. Do you want a simple celebration with drinks and snacks, or do you prefer a more extravagant affair with a seated dinner and a DJ?

Send Out Invitations

When sending out invitations, make it clear that your guests are not being invited to a wedding but rather a celebration of your marriage. Here are some examples of wording for your invitations:

• "You are invited to celebrate the marriage of [Your Name] and [Your Partner's Name]"
• "We Couldn't Wait. Now It's Time to Party!"
• "We eloped and want to throw a party to celebrate. Please join us!"

Include Relevant Details

In your invitation suite, include details about the type of event and any event card information, such as the dress code or registry information. This will help your guests know what to expect and what to wear.

Hire Any Necessary Vendors

Depending on the scale of your reception, you may want to hire vendors such as a DJ, caterers, or a photographer.

Remember, your post-elopement party is about celebrating your love and sharing your joy with your loved ones. So, feel free to get creative and make it a celebration that reflects your unique style.

How to word invitations for a reception-only wedding

It is becoming increasingly common for couples to have a small, private ceremony and then a larger wedding reception at a later date. This could be due to financial or logistical reasons, or simply because the couple wants to spread out the festivities.

If you are planning a reception-only wedding, here are some tips and examples to help you word your invitations:

Two Separate Guest Lists

Create two guest lists: one for the ceremony and reception, and one for the reception only. The ceremony guest list can be as small as you like, whether it's just immediate family or a group of close family and friends. It's important to stick to your decision once the word gets out or RSVPs start coming in.

Two Different Invitations

One option is to print two different invitations. The first would invite a smaller group to the ceremony and reception, and the second would invite the rest of the guests to the reception only. This option can be more expensive since you'll need two sets of invitations. However, it keeps the design and experience cohesive for your guests.

One Invitation with a Ceremony Details Card

To keep costs lower, you can print one main invitation for the reception and include a separate insert card with ceremony details for the smaller group of guests. This card can be more personal, with a sweet note or a reference to the intimacy of the event.

Reception-Only Invitation Wording

It is critical to word your reception-only invitations clearly to avoid any confusion or offence. Here are some examples:

• " [Names of couple] request the pleasure of your company for a reception in celebration of their new marriage"
• "The newlyweds [Names of couple] invite you to a reception in honour of their recent marriage"
• "We're married! Please join Dahlia and Miguel for cocktails, dinner, and dancing and help us celebrate the happy occasion! On [date] at [time] at [venue]"
• "Lucy Anne Ballman and Zachary Joseph Kleery will be married in a small ceremony on [date]. Please join us in celebration at our wedding reception following the ceremony at [time] at [venue]"
• "We Eloped! [Names] eloped on [date]. Please join us to celebrate [date] at [time] at [venue]"

How to plan a civil ceremony that feels special

A civil ceremony is a non-religious, legal marriage ceremony. It can be a beautiful and meaningful event and here are some tips on how to make it special:

Choose the Right Officiant

While a civil ceremony is generally presided over by a legal official, such as a justice of the peace, county or court clerk, notary public, judge, or magistrate, you can also opt to have a friend or family member officiate. If you go down this route, they will need to be ordained and authorised to perform marriages in your state.

Invite Your Nearest and Dearest

Having a civil ceremony doesn't mean you have to skip the guest list entirely. While there are often limits on how many guests you can bring, especially if you're getting married at your local city hall, you can still invite your closest friends and family to be a part of this special moment.

Wear Something Special

You can absolutely wear a wedding dress to a civil ceremony! Go all out and get your hair and makeup done too. It's also a great opportunity to express your personality and style through your outfit.

Hire a Photographer

Consider bringing a photographer to capture the day's special moments. It's a great way to document this important milestone in your life and it will be lovely to look back on these photos in the future.

Celebrate Making it Official

Mark the occasion in a way that feels special, whether it's a champagne toast with your partner, a family dinner at home, or a lunch at a nice restaurant. If you have witnesses or guests, be sure to include them in the celebrations.

Plan a Sequel Wedding

If you want to have a bigger celebration at a later date, you can plan a sequel wedding. This is where you have a small, intimate civil ceremony first and then a larger-scale wedding and reception later on. This gives you the best of both worlds!

How to navigate religious differences with a civil ceremony

A civil ceremony is a non-religious, legal marriage ceremony. It is presided over by a legal official and is recognised in all 50 states. This option is often chosen by non-religious couples, couples from different religious backgrounds, or those who want more control over the structure of their ceremony.

If you and your partner are from different religious backgrounds, a civil ceremony can be a good way to avoid the potential problems of an interfaith ceremony. It allows you to create a ceremony that reflects both of your beliefs and backgrounds. Here are some tips to help you navigate religious differences with a civil ceremony:

• Discuss your beliefs and priorities: Talk openly with your partner about your religious beliefs, practices, and priorities for the wedding. Be respectful of each other's views and work together to find a compromise that honours both of your traditions.
• Involve your families: If possible, involve both families in the planning process. This can help ensure that everyone feels included and respected. It may also be helpful to explain to your families why you've chosen a civil ceremony and how it will honour both of your backgrounds.
• Choose a neutral location: Opt for a non-religious venue such as a beach, garden, or courthouse. This can help create a neutral space that doesn't favour one religion over the other.
• Customise the ceremony: Civil ceremonies offer more flexibility, so you can customise the ceremony to include traditions and rituals from both of your backgrounds. For example, you can incorporate readings, poems, songs, or prayers from your respective religions.
• Consider having two ceremonies: If you and your partner want to honour your religious traditions, you may consider having two ceremonies. This could mean having a civil ceremony followed by a religious blessing or having separate civil and religious ceremonies.
• Find a supportive officiant: Choose an officiant who is experienced in conducting interfaith or civil ceremonies. They can help guide you through the process and ensure that your ceremony reflects your unique backgrounds.
• Focus on what unites you: Remember that your wedding is about celebrating your love and commitment to each other. Try to focus on the similarities between your beliefs and find common ground that can be incorporated into the ceremony.

By choosing a civil ceremony, you can create a meaningful and personalised wedding that respects and honours your different religious backgrounds. It allows you to blend your traditions and create a ceremony that truly represents your union as a couple.

How to celebrate after a civil ceremony

A civil ceremony is a non-religious, legal marriage ceremony. It is presided over by a legal official and is recognised in all 50 states.

If you're planning a civil ceremony, here are some ideas on how to celebrate afterwards:

• Wear whatever you want: You can go casual or semi-formal, but wear whatever helps you feel good on your special day. There's no need to wear a traditional wedding dress—experiment with different gown designs, like a column silhouette, feather trim, or a shorter hemline.
• Hire a photographer: Capture the day's special moments and build a relationship with your photographer so they can shoot your wedding with ease.
• Bring some extras: Include a wedding bouquet or boutonnière, and check with your locale to see if you can include additional floral moments.
• Celebrate with loved ones: Mark the occasion with a champagne toast and cupcakes, a family dinner at home, or a late lunch after a midday ceremony. If you have witnesses or guests, be sure to include them in the fun.
• Revel in the moment together: Book a room at a nice hotel for the night or head out of town for the weekend for an early minimoon.
• Plan a sequel wedding: You can still have a larger reception later on in your marriage. This way, you can keep your ceremony small and intimate, and then celebrate with a bigger party later.
• Plan a religious ceremony: If you want your marriage to be recognised by your religious community, you can have a religious ceremony after your civil ceremony.

Frequently asked questions