Double Wedding Ceremonies: Are They Allowed?

Having two wedding ceremonies is becoming increasingly common. Couples may opt for multiple ceremonies for a variety of reasons, such as wanting to get married abroad or at a destination that is far from home, or because they come from different countries and want to celebrate with their respective families. In some cases, couples may choose to elope first and then follow up with a larger or more religious ceremony. Additionally, cultural and religious traditions may play a role in a couple's decision to have multiple ceremonies. While some may view having two weddings as extravagant or wasteful, for many, it is a way to include all their loved ones in the celebration and create a more personalized experience that honours their unique backgrounds and beliefs.

Civil and religious ceremonies

On the other hand, a religious ceremony is performed by a religious official, such as a priest, rabbi, or minister, and usually takes place in a house of worship. Religious ceremonies are steeped in tradition and symbolism, with specific rituals, scriptures, and songs. The order of the ceremony, vows, and choice of songs or readings are often predetermined by the religious institution.

Some couples choose to have both civil and religious ceremonies to accommodate their personal beliefs, cultural backgrounds, or legal requirements. For example, a couple may have a small civil ceremony to take care of the legal aspects of the marriage and then follow it with a larger religious ceremony to include religious traditions and symbolism. In some cases, couples may opt for a religious ceremony in their own faith after a civil ceremony to ensure their marriage is recognized by their religious community.

Having two wedding ceremonies allows couples to blend their heritages and beliefs, especially in cases of interfaith or intercultural marriages. It also provides an opportunity for couples to include all their family and friends, especially if they are from different countries. However, planning two weddings can be challenging and may involve additional costs, so it is essential to carefully consider the logistics and budget.

Home and abroad

Having two wedding ceremonies, one at home and one abroad, is a great option for couples who want to include all their family and friends in the celebrations, especially if they are from different countries. It is also a way to have a more intimate celebration, followed by a larger-scale ceremony.

If you're planning two weddings, you'll need to consider the legal requirements for both locations. In some cases, it may be necessary to have a civil ceremony locally before the destination wedding to ensure that the marriage is official. This can be kept a secret from guests if desired.

Planning two weddings can be challenging, so it's important to set a realistic budget and decide on priorities for each celebration. You may want to have different aesthetics and outfits for each wedding, reflecting the unique environments. It is also important to communicate with your wedding party and guests, letting them know they are not obligated to attend both events.

• Be realistic about budgeting and set a comfortable budget for both weddings.
• Prioritize one wedding as more custom and let the other be less detailed to reduce the workload.
• Consider having different outfits and aesthetics for each wedding to match the venues and environments.
• The wedding party should only be involved in one of the weddings to reduce their financial burden.
• Let friends and family know they are not obligated to attend both weddings, but send invitations for both events to immediate family and close friends.
• If there are legal requirements, ensure you fulfil them for both locations, and consider having a civil ceremony locally before the destination wedding if necessary.
• You don't have to tell your guests about the civil ceremony if you don't want to; some couples find it romantic to keep it a secret.

By following these tips, you can plan two unique and memorable wedding ceremonies, one at home and one abroad, that reflect your personal style and include all your loved ones.

Multiple heritages and beliefs

For example, in some cultures, it is customary to have a small, intimate ceremony first, followed by a larger-scale celebration with more guests. This allows couples to include all their family and friends, especially if they are marrying far from home. This also gives couples the opportunity to incorporate a range of unique traditions and rituals that are significant to them and their families.

In some cases, couples may opt for a civil ceremony to take care of the legal requirements, followed by a religious ceremony that holds more symbolic meaning for them. This is often the case when one or both individuals have strong religious beliefs or come from religious backgrounds.

Having two wedding ceremonies can also be a way to honour the heritages of couples who are from different countries, allowing them to celebrate equally with both families and incorporate their unique traditions. For instance, a couple might choose to have one ceremony in each of their home countries, or blend traditions from both cultures into a single ceremony.

Ultimately, having multiple wedding ceremonies allows couples to celebrate their union in a way that authentically reflects their backgrounds, beliefs, and values, creating meaningful and inclusive experiences for themselves and their loved ones.

Immigration and visas

Immigration and marriage laws can be tricky, especially when it comes to visas and green cards. Here are some key things to keep in mind if you're considering having two wedding ceremonies for immigration purposes:

Legal Recognition of the Marriage

Firstly, for US immigration purposes, your marriage must be legally recognised in the country where it takes place. This means that the marriage should be officially registered and valid according to the laws of that country. This applies to both religious and traditional marriages, which may be accepted without civil registration in some countries. If your marriage is not recognised in the country where it took place, you may need to consider other options, such as having a legally recognised marriage in a different country or seeking legal advice to explore alternatives.

Documentation and Proof of Marriage

To prove your marriage is legal, you will typically need to submit a marriage certificate issued by a legitimate government agency. This is a civil record obtained from the government of the place where the marriage took place. However, if your marriage was religious or traditional, and not registered with civil authorities, you may need to provide alternative forms of evidence, such as clerical records and personal affidavits. These may include sworn affidavits by individuals with knowledge of the marriage, stating details such as the location and date of the wedding, and the full names of the couple.

Bona Fide Marriage

In addition to proving the legality of your marriage, you must also demonstrate that your marriage is "bona fide", meaning it is genuine and not solely for the purpose of obtaining a visa or green card. US immigration authorities will look for various red flags during the application process, such as significant age differences or a lack of a shared language, and may request extensive documentation to prove that you are establishing a life together as a couple.

Timing and Intent

If you are entering the US on a tourist visa or visa waiver with the intention of getting married, be cautious about the timing of your wedding. Getting married too soon after entry may raise red flags for immigration authorities and could be assumed as evidence of preconceived intent to remain in the US. This could lead to your application for Adjustment of Status being denied, and possibly result in deportation proceedings. It is generally advisable to wait at least 60 days after entering the US before applying for any change in status to avoid assumptions of misrepresentation.

Consummation of the Marriage

In the case of web-based weddings or proxy marriages, where one or both parties are not physically present at the ceremony, US immigration law requires that the marriage be consummated after the ceremony. This means that the couple must have sexual relations following the marriage. Therefore, it is essential that the couple be in the same physical space at some point after the wedding ceremony.

Visa Options

As a US citizen, you have two main options for bringing your partner to the US: a fiancé visa (K-1) or a spouse visa (CR-1 or IR-1). A fiancé visa allows your fiancé to enter the US for the purpose of marriage, and they must marry within 90 days of entering the country. On the other hand, a spouse visa is for foreign national spouses and involves a different application process, including consular processing and entry with an immigrant visa. The best option for you will depend on your specific circumstances, including your preferred place of marriage, speed of the process, cost, and travel plans.

In summary, while it is possible to have two wedding ceremonies for immigration purposes, it is important to carefully navigate the legal requirements and provide the necessary documentation to ensure a smooth process. Seeking legal advice from an experienced immigration attorney is always recommended to ensure you are taking the most appropriate steps for your specific situation.

Health reasons

There are many reasons why a couple may choose to have two wedding ceremonies. One of the most common reasons is to include all of their family and friends, especially if the couple has family in different countries or if there are travel restrictions in place.

Another reason is that the couple wants to get married abroad, but the legal requirements are too complicated to make the wedding official. In this case, they may choose to have a small, intimate ceremony at their desired location and a larger celebration in their home country. This was the case for a couple who wanted to get married in Italy but knew that it wouldn't be possible for 70% of their family to travel there due to financial constraints, difficulty taking time off work, age, and concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some couples may also opt for two ceremonies if one or both individuals have a health condition that compromises their ability to travel or attend large gatherings. In these cases, a small, intimate ceremony followed by a larger celebration at a later date may be more feasible. This option also allows couples to create meaningful moments and spend quality time with their guests, as they can give their undivided attention to a smaller group of people.

Additionally, having two ceremonies can be a way for modern couples to honour their heritages and beliefs, especially if they come from different cultural backgrounds. For example, a couple with Italian Catholic and Christian Filipino roots might choose to have one ceremony in Italy to honour the Italian heritage and another ceremony in their home country to incorporate Filipino wedding traditions.

Finally, having a second ceremony can serve as a backup plan in case something unexpected happens, such as illness or travel restrictions. This provides peace of mind and ensures that the couple can still celebrate their marriage even if their original plans fall through.

Frequently asked questions