2 weddings? Postponed reception?

We were supposed to be 10/30/2020 and had to move to 10/22/2021. However we are still having the legal ceremony this October and a small gathering after with some food and cake and what not. We decided to make things more casual then formal and since it’s Halloween eve, some of the decor for like the table covers and stuff is Halloween theme and most other stuff is black red or silver. I decided not to wear my dress this year because it was 1500 and cleaning it would be way more money then finding something and I was able to find a red dress I loved in store for 120$ that I was able to take home that day. I decided that since it’s not so formal, I wanted to go bold a little with my color dress and kinda make it more casual then formal and then next year will also be exciting because I’ll be in a beautiful ballgown dress that no one has seen and we saved the professional photo, video and DJ for next year and basically next year will play out almost like a first time wedding except my dress will be more formal and fancy and the ceremony will be more reflecting on the first year of marriage since it’ll be close enough and then the big reception with everyone and dancing and what not. I even have my bridal party saving things like dresses and bigger gifts to each other for next year so when it’s on video it feels more real like the first time and saves money. I feel like both this year and next will
Be special and extremely exciting and stressful and scary but both times will also have moments of joy that only come on those days like when you get married and it’s kinda cool to experience it twice, plus I have a trial phase with the smaller gathering this year so I’ll be a little prepared for a much larger crowd. I think you should do what ever makes you happy!!! Also here’s some pics of the dress I got for this year.

This is happening to a lot of couples this year. You're not alone!

If you take a quick scroll through the forums, you'll find dozens of discussions about 1 year anniversary parties, vow renewals, and other creative solutions.

My fiance and I are having a minimony of about 30 people in exactly a week on our anniversary date. We will be having our big wedding in March 2021 and our bridal party will be a part of that one. I am wearing a simple dress to my minimony and saving my big dress for the big wedding.

We literally will do everything for the big wedding (bridal party, ceremony, bouquet toss...etc) all of the traditional events. We will also still be doing the pre bridal events next year as well. Covid has messed up many things for many brides, but I have faith that everything will end up working out for all of us brides.

You're definitely not alone in your plans Alexandra!! I think it's a great idea to go forward with an intimate elopement now and have the big reception next year - that way you're only postponing the party, not the marriage!