Good evening, thanks for your time. A little background information first;
My fiance' and I have been engaged for ten years (together for eleven). Two college degrees, several severe medical issues of his, and many family illnesses have delayed the wedding eight years. Many people think we're actually married, though we've never introduced ourselves as such.
We've recently decided, after talking it through with our families, to go ahead and do the legal paperwork to be married with no ceremony, etc. Our families are not well off, and we ourselves are in no place to pay for anything. We also have no desire anymore to plan or have a formal wedding; regardless we have tentatively planned a small reception this summer for our families. Even though we don't want one and can't afford one, we feel it's expected. We now have our license, and are scheduled next week to have the Magistrate finish the papers very simply with no fuss/frills and only two witnesses. Through everything we've been through, I feel we've been married now for years, and people have told us to just wear the wedding bands.
Given this, I have several questions: when should we start wearing our wedding bands, and do we have to have a reception even though we don't want one? Thanks so much.
TWQadmin
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Jan 8, 2006, 9:48 AM
Post #2 of 2
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Re: [RenGirl] Wedding Band and Reception Questions
[In reply to]
As soon as you are legally married you can begin wearing your wedding bands.
I understand how you are feeling however you may want to give some thought to having a small ceremony with just a few really close family and/or friends. I suggest this because we have so many married women coming to the forum telling us that they regret not having a ceremony, regret not reciting their vows in public and some regret not having something to celebrate their union afterwards.
In your case I think you have much to celebrate too! After all you've been through you're still together. That is something to applaud! But this is all up to you and your groom. Do what makes you happy.
There is no rule that says you have to have a reception. But, if you have a ceremony and invite some guests then you should offer some sort of refreshments to follow. This does not have to be anything elaborate. It can be as simple as punch and cake back at your home. Is it your choice.
Congratulations on your success thus far... Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
Wedding Band and Reception Questions
