Did anyone have a courthouse ceremony then have Big ceramony later?

It's called a celebration of marriage not a big ceremony. You're already married.

Is there a reason you chose to take this route? Are your families aware you two are already married?

I know lots of people who done that. There is nothing wrong with that! My cousine got married in courthouse in April 2015. They will have Church wedding and large celebration next month!

We were going to go to the courthouse if he got sent to basic in May and still have our big ceromony in October. But he's not so we're waiting

My sister did that but she only celebrates the courthouse wedding.

No everyone doesn't know about court wedding...

We're planning on getting married in a courthouse before. It just seemed easier since our ceremony is in a different state and then we can have someone we know officiate instead of having to choose a professional. I feel exhausted from meeting so many vendors already, it's nice to have the option of someone close doing the ceremony.

Don't ask me why-- it's not rational at all-- but I am one of those who will fly across the country to witness a marriage but would NOT fly to be part of just the celebration. So, CTE0216, I'd say you either have to be totally upfront that you are already married and this is not the wedding but a celebration of that event OR try and keep it completely secret and hope for the best. I'd do the first, most people are not as silly as me.

I would like more information. Usually I'm not a fan of this. I am of the camp that you get married once, but not everyone feels this way.

I do a lot of these, either the little one, the big one or both, Usually it's for come compelling reason (visas, health insurance, illness, deployment). It doesn't make any difference to me and it really doesn't seem to make any difference to the guests.

A giant part of a wedding is celebrating with your friends and family.

Hi there, haven't done it myself but as a guest I'd look at the ceremony different,y knowing it wasn't a real wedding. I'd still go and celebrate, but I'd look at it more like a party vs. A wedding.

I've never really understood having a big ceremony, and telling your guests it's your actual wedding, when it isn't. And I say this as one who had a tiny ceremony. (We had to get married 8 hours from our home, on a weekday, because our local jurisdictions didn't have same-sex marriage at the time.) We had a reception when we came back, and played a video of the wedding, but we didn't have a whole new ceremony. If the idea is to have a celebration with family and friends, why is a reception not enough?

If you're already married, then you might miss out on all of the heartfelt photos or officially being married! Will you tear up at the ceremony if you are already married?

Oh, I'm totally against hiding the fact that you're already married from your guests. That's straight up lying by omission.

I just did this! Me and my husband got married April 2nd 2016. We had a really cute small wedding for close friends and family. It was simple. We did this because of our Christian views. We love each other so we want to live together and not to mention all the benefits we got from it. Like saving money for the bigger wedding without the stress of trying to find a place together in the midst of planning an expensive wedding. Also I was put on his health insurance and I also get a discount card at IKEA because he works there so that's always nice! We're still going to do another ceremony because my dad passed away 3 months ago and I have a lot of things I want to do for him at the ceremony in memory of him. I think it's totally okay to do this. It's your love story! Also your guests can know it's not your actual wedding date. If they love you they are going to be there no matter what!!

Just don't hide from your guests that you are already married. It's a celebration of marriage. Don't lie and tell them they are coming to see you get married when you already are.

Having your real wedding, then later a fake wedding and lying to everyone is not ok. It's referred to as a "Pretty Princess Day" over at The Knot. You should look that up and see what they say about it

http://forums.theknot.com/discussion/1036614/legally-married-now-having-a-real-wedding-stop-here-first-aka-the-ppd-faq-thread

I stumbled across that gem one day, and I honestly can't say it any better than her.

She never said she was lying? She just said she was planning another ceremony. And the term pretty princess day is pretty rude. Every girl deserves to have a beautiful wedding and I bet all the emotions will still be there!

Everyone is going to have differing opinions. I'm not being rude, I'm being honest. I know I'm not the only person who feels this way either. Holding a big reception is one thing. A "pretend wedding" is another. She said in a comment that not everyone knows about the courthouse wedding.

I don't see any problem with it and most guests will not care either way. Lots of people do this for different reasons and whatever works for the couple. I can see doing it for the reasons you stated above. Weddings are expensive and saving up to properly host your guests is smart. Go for it.