Eloping on your original date and having a marriage ceremony at your "big" wedding next year?

I wouldn’t find it weird unless you tried to pretend you weren’t married in the first place. People have vow renewals all the time.

Given the circumstances, I wouldn’t find anything weird at this point. Youve been through enough with having to postpone... I think you should just do whatever makes you and your fiancé the most happy! If you want to redo the ceremony, go for it. The ceremony is honestly my favorite part of every wedding I attend so as a guest I’d be thrilled for you to redo it.


If you feel silly doing the “do you take this man...” etc and the “I now pronounce you husband and wife” when you’ve already been married for a year, you can skip that part lol. But you could definitely walk down the aisle, have an “officiant” (doesn’t even have to be a legal ordained officiant even, since they’re not actually marrying you, it could be a friend or relative!) say some things about marriage and you guys as a couple, and you could write new vows!

We got married on our original date but still plan to have a ceremony at our wedding in September. I don’t think it’s weird at all. We had a very short and to the point ceremony when we got married and didn’t have our original officiant. The ceremony she wrote for us is beautiful and it would be a shame not to have it. I’m sure we’ll tweak it to cater to the fact that we’re already married, but it will still be amazing.

Agree with PP. We're also doing this and still having our ceremony/reception this fall. We didn't know we'd still have the opportunity to make it legal on our original date until last Friday and since our date is imporant to us and we already got our license before this madness, we're doing it. The same officiant will be doing the later ceremony as well. We agreed to make this quick and straight to the point so it's still magical and impacting next time. Basically prayer, personal vows, reading, ring exchange, kiss. No pronouncing us as mr and mrs so and so until later. Now traditional vows are what we really wanted. So later we'll have them, 2 readings, background story on our relationship, sand ceremony, the whole works. Then our Mr and Mrs following into our first dance. I'll be wearing a cocktail dress for this ceremony and my main gown later. Then also doing a trash the dress for something sexy and fun in the ocean. Sunrise ceremony. So we're getting everything I originally wanted since its just us and photographer. I know this isn't ideal for everyone but I'm finding the positives. Mainly excited to finally be married no matter how it happens! Do what feels right for you! I've seen mixed reactions about this subject, so don't feel discouraged if this is a route you truly want

Sounds good itll be considered a renewal/ celebration due to not being able to have it this year. A year isnt long it's still fairy new to have that feeling as if you just got married

Hi ALY C,

Based on what I've read on other posts, many couples are planning to have a second (or more formal) ceremony with their family and friends when they host the 'big' wedding later. I'm with the PP--I wouldn't find anything strange after we get through this global pandemic. I'll be 100% happy to be attending events with people again when that day comes.

There are several ongoing discussions on the subject of having two events (ceremony now, reception later OR elopement now, full wedding later). Check these out:

Covid-19: Marriage now, wedding later?

Covid19 Brides still getting married on original date?

Small ceremony now, big wedding later

Etiquette in the time of coronavirus?

I'm Eloping because of Covid-19.. can i still do all of the traditional events?

The bottom line is that you should do exactly what feels right for YOU. I'm wishing you the best of luck with your new plan, whatever it may be!

I am eloping to Tahoe and having a friend marry us and having the big wedding next June. I think I will just tweak vows..or Completely go a different way. Everyone understands this sucks and just wants you to be happy so do that! In my brain I’m getting the best of both worlds so I’m not terribly upset