We are planning a destination wedding and plan to get married at this destination. Because it is so far friends and family will not be able to participate so we planned a "wedding" for before we leave in my hometown. The problem is the destination wedding is taking place on a very important date to my fiance and myself and the at home "wedding" would be as a blessing to the marriage and not a "real" (as in legal or binding". Have you ever heard of this situation and how was it handled. THanks
What usually happens is that the first wedding is the legal wedding and the second is a reaffirmation or renewal of your wedding vows. If you were to just stage a 'fake' wedding ceremony, it would be just a wedding rehearsal.
It would probably be best for you to either have your legal wedding with your friends and family at home or have a reaffirmation with your friends at home when you return. Because you state that the destination wedding date is important to you, it may be best to have your reaffirmation when you return. This way you keep your wedding date.
There is one other option. You could have your destination wedding and video tape it. When you return you could have a reception. During the reception, you could play your video on a big wall with a projector. This way your guest will feel as if they are a part of the ceremony. You and your bride could wear your wedding clothes.
I can appreciate your dilemma. You are planning your actual marriage ceremony at a destination and want to share the ritual of the wedding ceremony with your family and friends who are not accompanying you to the "real wedding." To be helpful....you can ask a local Officiant to create a commitment ceremony for you in front of family and friends - it won't have marriage language in it - but it can be sweet and spiritual without being legal. This gives you an opportunity to share your love story with your family and friends while preserving your intention be get really married at a destination in the near future. As a Wedding Officiant and Minister, I've had a client or two who have created a commitment ceremony and then a full, legal wedding ceremony - each couple is unique and I think it's great that you want the people closest to you to experience your commitment to each other. Annemarie Juhlian, Wedding Officiant & Minister
two weddings?
