married but want a wedding

So you've already had a wedding--an additional celebration would be a vow renewal (if you choose to do that) or a celebratory party. As long as people are aware of the situation I think it's great to have a celebration of your commitment!

There are many brides on here, military and not, who are planning similar events. There's nothing wrong with having a late reception, but call it a "celebration of marriage" instead of a wedding and I'd suggest holding off the showers (can seem gift-grabby since you're already married) and the bach parties.

Don't try to deceive anybody about the fact that you're already married; throw a vow renewal or anniversary party to celebrate your marriage. I think this in pretty common in military circles.

I agree with the other comments, but wanted to also say thank you for your service!!

Thank you for your service. I believe a celebration of marriage would be fabulous. Do it as big or small as you can properly host. You have sacrificed for our nation I'm sure your friends and family will rejoice at the opportunity to celebrate with you.

I agree with previous posters; have a celebration and call it a celebration of marriage. I think vow renewals are kind of strange when someone hasn't been married very long. Be honest with people, throw a fun party, but skip any showers or bachelorette parties.

I definitely understand the military wedding situation. I think that as long as you are open an honest with your family (like you are) you should be able to plan everything as though it is a real wedding not a vow renewal or anything of the sorts. The military puts a unique pressure on the actual marriage and many people don't get the celebration until later -- whether it be because one is a civilian and you want to stay together, or they are getting deployed or have to PCS. A lot of my family and friends have had to do something similar and it has never been a problem.

You deserve to be able to say your vows and celebrate with your family like you always wanted.

Thank you all for your input!! It seems that most of you are saying to be honest which I totally agree with. Both of our families know that situation and understand, we are very happy to be married and introduce each other as husband and wife. We just want to share our celebration with our families and know they would like to celebrate as well. Although we will all be thinking of it as a "wedding" we are all aware and will address it as a celebration since thats more of what it is. It's kind of weird that we are having it 2 years after our marriage but considering the bootcamp, school, moving across the country, then planning, I believe that's a reasonable amount of time.

I think as long as you're open about it, it is great! I have a friend who wasn't - she actually told people she wasn't married but they got base housing etc. together and everyone was like "do you think we're stupid?" ETA: and she got to move bases to be with him. I work with her sister and she confirmed they were married, and also thought it was a little silly that they were pretending they weren't.