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Just Said Yes January 2021

Covid second wedding celebration/vow renewal

Laura, on March 12, 2021 at 5:21 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 6

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Hi everyone! Thanks for reading.

I got married on January 16 (yay) with a very small ceremony not even 30 people. We were originally supposed to have 75-100 guests but because of COVID, many canceled.
It was a destination wedding for most of our families as my husband and I live in Florida and our family’s are from up north.
We rented an entire resort in the keys and those that were able to attend spent 3 nights with us at the resort.
I would like to have a second reception or celebration with the family members that were not able to attend.
Both my matron and maid of honors were not able to attend and I feel having a second reception would enable us to include all those we missed.
The wedding day was a disaster as well and it was one of the coldest and windiest days in Florida and we did not get any pictures with my family because everyone immediately changed due to it being so cold. While I know that is not a sole justification for a second reception, this is also a pro to having a second reception.
Most of our family is in Maryland so I would have the celebration there. Likely something like a back yard type of feel.
For the first celebration, I had all of the vendors (catering, flowers, photographer).
For those that have done a second reception, what did you decide to include or how is it usually done? Hiring vendors again, keep it as casual as possible?
Also when do you host such an event? I can’t really do our one year anniversary because it will be winter and who knows if it will be snowing. Our “dating” anniversary is in June but then we are waiting over a year for the second celebration. When or how far apart is a second reception usually held?
I am just not sure timing-wise, what is best.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

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6 Comments

Latest activity by Carolyn, on April 10, 2021 at 1:54 PM

VIP November 2021
Allie · on March 12, 2021 at 5:29 PM
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It wasn't my celebration, but we attended a backyard after-wedding celebration last October for my FH's cousins who got married in Hawaii. They are currently stationed there because he's in the Navy and they wanted a very quiet ceremony, so just the two of them were there. Anyways, they visited and wanted to have SOMETHING to celebrate, so we kept the party REALLY casual. It was like backyard BBQ style, we had brisket and a bunch of delicious sides and cornish game hen. They ordered a cake and did the whole cake cutting thing as well, which was fun, and the family made her a bouquet from some flowers they got at the grocery store. It was a lot of fun and laid back. They didn't re-do a ceremony or anything, but we did have a good time, especially because it was just very casual and while they did some of the traditional aspects of a wedding (cake cutting, bouquet toss, champagne toasts), it was just a time to have fun. So I love the idea of having something after.
For me though, I personally wouldn't go all fancy again. That's just my taste, but we decided if we couldn't have everyone there we weren't going to do a second celebration. That's completely up to you though! Either way, it'll be fun to be with everyone you love!
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Super June 2021
Elizabeth · on March 12, 2021 at 5:34 PM
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First, I think its awesome to have a big celebration near your family. So fun.

Second, I think vendors are up to you and your budget. I am going to celebrations in the fall that are basically full-blown weddings with everything. But I also had been to one for a couple who eloped before the pandemic, and that one was just heavy hors d'oeuvres and champagne in a rented space.
Third, I think timing it for when you're more confident that covid restrictions will be looser is key. I think sooner is better if you're ready to move on from planning, want to start a family, etc. But I wouldn't think twice about a covid bride who had a celebration at any time in the next 10 years. So it's up to you!
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Super January 2021
Sharonda · on March 12, 2021 at 6:28 PM
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Hello wedding date/location/style twin!! I also got married on January 16th in a 20 person microwedding in Florida (Destin, to be exact). While it was a lovely day, you are right -- it was downright cold and windy. So much so that my rehearsal on the beach the day before was completely ruined because everyone was so cold and miserable. We ended up going with our Plan B ceremony in the resort ballroom (instead of on the deck overlooking the beach). I can laugh about it now, but I was disappointed and not happy at the time. My husband and I intend to do watch parties in our hometowns to show the wedding films to our friends and family who could not attend the actual wedding. We're thinking something low key -- BBQ or seafood boil and perhaps another wedding cake. We aren't doing the formal vow renewal/wedding thing -- we just want to have a good time with our loved ones. We hadn't really given any thought to the date we'd do it . . . I was really monitoring what happens with COVID to determine when we do it. I'm hoping we can actually have them during late summer/early fall this year. We'll see.
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Master October 2021
Mrs.a · on March 13, 2021 at 7:00 AM
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We’re having our vow renewal & celebration after having a minimony a year later. However as you stated I would opt to have it in the spring/summer.
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WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
Lynnie · on March 15, 2021 at 3:50 PM
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It's totally up to you Laura!!
You can have a casual event that just feels like a party dedicated to celebrating your marriage, or you can do go all in on the wedding traditions again (unity ceremony, wedding dress, traditional reception dances, cake-cutting, etc.) It's all up to your personal preference!
And you definitely don't need to wait until an anniversary or a specific date! The "why" behind the when is just waiting until you feel comfortable enough with covid to celebrate with all your friends & family. 💕
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Just Said Yes October 2021
Carolyn · on April 10, 2021 at 1:54 PM
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We're planning a renewal and reception in October 2021 after being married with 20 family members in October 2020. We're planning BBQ, lots of music and casual vibe for the party (in a barn in NJ) but we do want a renewal ceremony... although trying to be creative with that.
Personally, I think anything you decide to do will be perfect! Best of luck!
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