Help! Is it ok to have 2 wedding ceremonies?

It's less weird if there are cultural differences between the two ceremonies. So if you're doing a religious ceremony in the US, but a traditional South African ceremony (I have no idea what that would be, just throwing it out there as a hypothetical example) then I wouldn't find it weird. If you're doing two very similar ceremonies, though, then, yes, I would find that weird.

Well we were in a similar situation, his family is in India mine are from Barbados with two completely different cultural ceremonies to represent so yea it crossed our minds to have two .

In the ends we decided against it and we have decided to have 1 ceremony that incorporates both cultures and to have it here we where we live. We are sad that some people from both of our sides won't be able to make it but I feel this day is once in a lifetime and even if the second ceremony was just as beautiful it would never be the same as the first.

We will visit my family in Barbados who can't come after our honeymoon and we will visit with his family on our anniversary.

I don't think your friends will think it's abnormal if they know about your relationship. I agree with the other ladies and it seems to be pretty normal for couples to have two ceremonies. Is there a way that someone can record each ceremony so you can share it with both sets of parents?

I agree with Lori. I think it'd be awesome if you include some cultural elements in each of the ceremonies, whatever that may be. Even if you do different readings or maybe do a sand ceremony at one and something else at the other.

Although I'm usually firm "I want to see people actually get married", in this instance, I would totally understand if the ceremony I attended was for a couple who were already married. Two ceremonies just makes sense.

I don't think it's abnormal at all. Especially since it's in two different countries and there will be cultural differences. FH and I are having a private destination ceremony and then will have a reception with a tree ceremony when we get back. It just works for us.

I say go for it, sounds like the two ceremonies would probably be very different anyways.

Yes Different cultures call for different things I known a couple who had 2 ceremonies for their culture and then the American one with the reception and all that other stuff we all sit around on WW writing about

I say go for it but only if it is what you want. Don't let your family force you to reinact your ceremony if it will make you "feel silly". I'm sure you can find a compromise.

Thank you for the input. It's a relief to at least know that it's not a huge no no. Both weddings would be very different. I'm just trying to envision myself saying vows for the second time and trying to see how I would feel while saying them. I've heard of people doing a livestream which could possibly work as well. But the 7 hour time difference might be a little hard depending on time of the wedding. But yes planning on definitely recording our wedding no matter what route we go.

Im having 3, in 3 location

1-Symbolic civil union, we are not religious so this one is for us, in FL

- having a 2nd wedding reception/dinner with my fam in South America

2- Chinese ceremony - for my FH dads side of the fam, in CA

3- Church wedding- for our grandparents, in Ca

PS: My friends (American guy and South African Girl) are in the same pickle. I think they are going to the mediterranean and whoever shows up will be a plus.

I also know another couple with 3 ceremonies under their belts (Uganda, Bulgaria, Thailand) They just had a small predicament when celebrating their 1st anniversary lol. So make sure you are both on the same page