getting legally married few months before ceremony

Go for it! Sounds like a military move...they won't do a thing for unless ur legally married ...

You'll get a lot of negative feedback from people on wedding forums on this subject, but I personally have done/am doing something similar and see no issues with it. If signing paperwork makes your financial and day-to-day lives that much easier and your prerogative is such that your ceremony is when you're truly married, you've got my vote! Good luck!

I see no issue with it. Yes it's technically your wedding but to me when you have the big ceremony and everything that is your wedding day because you will have all your family and friends there to celebrate. Just make sure you tell your family. I know some tell only their parents and a few friends.

This is always a hot topic here, but I marry a lot of military couples early and it does make life very much easier for them. I WOULD, however, tell your parents. They love you; they want your life to work well and this won't make any difference at all to them.

Not the best idea-you will be wed already. Your wedding would have already happened. Have a kick ass party to celebrate your marriage, just don't pretend to be a bride, becasue you will be a wife, don't wear a poofy dress because all you would be doing is playing dress up. Leave all the wedding trappings off, have a huge celebration party, and you MUST tell your guests you are already married.

I really don't understand why people get offended by this. I say go for it. I would do the same thing in your shoes.

I did this.

My husband is in the Navy, and with him constantly leaving, us being separated, it's exteremely difficult for couples without being married. We got married with a few family members present, recited traditional vows. Quick, simple & perfect for us. My mom couldn't make it, as well as so many other important people to us. So, we're planning a "marriage celebration" for September 20th. It'll be just after a year of us being married. We're having a ceremony, that will focus on our first year as husband and wife. Then, a formal reception where we can celebrate with everyone.

I agree. If you get married, honor the fact that you're married. Don't hide it. Fill out the paperwork, even change your name (if you're going to!). Then, throw a kick ass celebration when the time is right.

In many, many countries, there is a legal marriage and a community celebration of the marriage. She's not pretending to be a bride; she is one.

Do what works for you; do the absolute minimum thing now (you don't have to exchange rings; in NJ, there is no guideline for what you even have to say, so my weddings like this are barely weddings, as to not take away from the family celebration).

And wear the pouffy dress if you want!

We are actually doing that too...shhhh don't tell. My fam bam knows tho

Like Celia, I have also had many couples in this or a similar situation. Sometimes they are already married and we do a re-enactment for the benefit of families & friends. Sometimes, I do the legal ceremony (for military/insurance/whatever reason) and they have a later celebration elsewhere. I really think it is up to each couple to decide what is best for them given their circumstances.

Always do a public records check before attending a wedding...

Michelle is wrong. Rock that dress.

Storm FTW

I think it is wrong to do this then lie to your friends and family about it. They should be aware that they are not witnessing your marriage. I strongly suggest stating on the invitation "Lindsay & FH invite you to a celebration of their marriage...blah blah" ...because you will already be married for several months. As long as you do that, I think you're ok!

Tell your friends and family and just celebrate the day on 9.27

LMBO Storm. I remember that thread.

We thought about this for a few reasons.1.) I am in the military and may not be around the day of our actual wedding if that happens we are getting married before hand. I don't care about people's opinions. 2.) I could have health insurance.I decide yes if number one happens, no if 2 because that isn't a good enough reason to me to go to the courthouse bc it doesn't matter enough in my daily life.I

Also there is a David Tutera episode of my fair wedding of a vow renewal and the lady wore a huge ballgown she had been married like 15 years so wear what you want

As long as you tell your friends and family there is nothing wrong with it. Wear whatever you want, celebrate however you want! You may want to call whatever your on 9/27/14 a vow renewal instead of a wedding though to spare some confusion. Do what is best for you guys!!!!

I would just suggest wording your invites "Jane Joe and John Smith request the honor of your presence at the celebration of their marriage on blah blah"

You get the idea