My FH and I are planning our wedding for September of 2019. We were planning on having the wedding in Utah and having the reception at my parents home. We live in New Mexico and we're only inviting about 30 people to keep it intimate and keep costs down (reception would be more like a game night with catered Mexican food and a dessert bar-neither of us are big on dancing or anything like that). Tonight, my FH told me he was thinking about just getting married this October on Halloween at the courthouse and instead having the ceremony/reception be more like a vow renewal/celebration. He's honestly just really excited to be marrying me (and I am super excited to be marrying him) and this would make it easier because we wouldn't have to worry about getting a marriage license in another state (I haven't looked into it too much yet so I don't know how difficult it would be) and I think it would reduce a lot of stress on our part. On top of that, his mom already told us that if the wedding is in Utah pretty much no one on his side would come except her, his dad, his sister, and possibly one set of grandparents but that it "might be too much of a hassle for them." The thought of celebrating without them and without some of the people here in NM has been pretty heart breaking.
We're thinking that we could get married in October like he suggested and let it be something special just for us. We would have the vow renewal/celebration in Utah next September while still inviting all the same people. He still wants to have a short ceremony and take pictures of us all dressed up which is why he'd want it to be more like a vow renewal than just a celebration. We're thinking that this way we can celebrate in New Mexico with the family and friends here, and those who are able to make it to Utah can still do that if they wish but no one has to feel like the missed our wedding.
Are we overthinking this? How much of a hassle is it to get married out of state as far as name changes and filing the license? Should we just chill out and be patient?
