Ceremony Now , Reception Later

I don't think your engagement photographer would appreciate this - have you asked him/her? There is a different level or work/prep for wedding versus engagement. And time committment. A private ceremony and later reception are one thing (if guests arent lied to) but I don't think this particular plan will work very well.

Why does he want to do it this weekend when your wedding is like three months away? I'm just not understanding how that's a preferable situation

The very small ceremony will be at the same location as our engagement pictures ? So it will probably be a few snaps and that's it nothing big or magical . What do you mean by " if guest arent lied to " ?

Also getting a marriage license could take awhile. Ours had a waiting period of 5 business days before you could get married.

@Lynn : He was like I can't to marry you blah blah blah ! Quote : " Lets get married Sunday and have the reception later " . HE got all excited about the whole idea not realizing we or I would have to find a officiant for this coming Sunday.

@NowASeptMrs: 24 hour waiting period and we get the license same day .

I think Stephanie is wondering whether you'd tell your guests that you're actually already married at your celebration in June.

Your guests might understand if you got married before the party and told them of it, but would be hurt and confused to be invited to what they thought was a wedding and was in fact only the reception.

Do you have a venue and things booked? Why not just wait? It's less than 90 days away...

I don't get it. Just wait the 3 months. It's kind of ridiculous to plan a big wedding but then just simply can't wait and do it impulsively. I see no added benefit to this. Also that your engagement photographer will likely not be ok with this.

@ Princess Consuela : Didn't even think of that , we would probably let them know . But then again it will be obvious when we don't have a ceremony in June. Instead of a wedding invitation we could just have a nice size reception card .

@Winter Wonderland : I honestly don't see any real advantages other than we just getting married . We been together 9 years and now he wants to rush the whole getting married. Don't get me wrong I'm soaked about marrying him . I just don't know if I can do it in a few days.

Our photographer is a family friend so I'm sure it wouldn't bother her at all. I will call her and see what's her thoughts on it or if it's an issue.

It's three months. You've waited this long, tough it out.

This is a bad idea, honestly. First of all, if you have any kind of ceremony, then you need a "reception" of some sort immediately after. Whether that means taking people out to dinner or renting a venue is up to you, but anyone who attends your ceremony, no matter when it is, should be invited to a reception afterwards. So if you have your ceremony and reception this weekend, then what is the point of your party in June? And why even have it?

And I also agree that guests need to know if you get married this weekend.

Why is a reception required right after ? Only people will be in attendance is our kids and parents . I don't think it would be any different than eloping or surprise ceremony of some sorts.

The thing is, this looks sort of gift grabby. Your guests won't actually get to see you get married, but you're still inviting them to a party celebrating your marriage.

It's different because eloping is just that - you don't have a reception. And don't even get people started on why surprise ceremonies are a terrible idea.

The reception is generally to thank your guests for witnessing your ceremony. What you'd be having is a "celebration of marriage."

If you've been together 9 years, what's another 90 days before your planned ceremony? The only real reasons I'll ever understand for something like this is some kind of child issue, financial issue, medical issue, or family emergency.

I believe my initial question is being avoided or looked over . " Has anyone had a ceremony now and reception later ? " I appreciate all the extra comments and suggestions but that is totally off subject of what I'm asking here. Not trying to be bi*chy , I'm just wanting real answers pertaining to my question.

@Michele a reception is a thank you to your guests for coming to your ceremony. If you have a ceremony with guests, you MUST have a reception. If you choose to have the ceremony now, your party in June will be a party, not a reception.

And to answer your question, yes plenty of people have done it, but no one calls it a reception because it isn't one. It's called a celebration of marriage and guests should know that they're not coming to your wedding, but to your celebration.

Michele, I knew the shit storm skies would open the minute you posted this, but ignore the drops.

If you're not looking for orchestrated photos, I doubt that your photographer would mind, but let them know. I'm sure you can find an officiant for a small thing.

BUT

I've done many, many ceremonies like yours with receptions afterwards (and usually another ceremony and no announcement of the previous ceremony at all) but in your case, I don't really get it. Most of my couples have issues that make an earlier wedding prudent; deployment, health insurance, health issues, visa issues, even extreme anxiety issues. There doesn't seem to be a compelling reason for you.

I'd just wait.

OP, really?

We're telling you why people DON'T do this. It's not a thing. Unless there are extenuating circumstances (military, medical problems, etc), people don't typically jump the gun just because they're impatient.