How To Have A Wedding After the Marriage – Ask The Expert Answer

Question from Yvette:

Hi,  How can we have a wedding and reception celebration with all the trimmings after already getting married in Nov 08.  We had a date set for Oct 08 but my gown and all of the bridesmaids gowns were not in the bridal shop the week of the wedding, so we postponed but later got married secretly the following month.  I am having the blues of missing out on all of the excitement and pre-wedding parties.  I am over 40 and very upset on how I can get it back. Thank you
Happily married but yet to be a bride.

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Yvette, and congratulations on your marriage, and your upcoming wedding.  Many people get married quietly, and then later have a wedding and reception.  This happens for many reasons, and is more common that you may think.  Sometimes, because of finances, a couple will have their wedding on an anniversary a few years later.  Sometimes, they get married in one location in the world, and have a reception later in another part of the world.  Sometimes, the timing of things just don’t work, and they want to have their wedding later.

It might help to keep the right perspective about a wedding.  Legally, once you sign the marriage license, you are married.  A church wedding ceremony is to have the blessings of the church and your spiritual family on your union. The reception is to celebrate that union with family and friends.

By all means, have your wedding!  When the couple are married, and want to have their day, the invitations will state ….invite you to celebrate their recent marriage……, or it will say …..invite you to a renewal of marriage vows…..  Either way, these are common celebrations, and you should not feel awkward about it.   You state you postponed your wedding, so your guests are expecting the wedding to still take place.  Go for it, and enjoy!  There is no reason you can’t have your wedding, with all the trimmings—wedding favours, wedding decorations, parties, and celebrations.

Good luck and if you have any further questions, feel free to email me again.

Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Expert