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Beginner December 2020

Postponing wedding due to Covid-19; but still getting married - should we do a small ceremony?

Lana, on April 1, 2020 at 9:19 PM Posted in Community Conversations 0 5

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So, we are postponing our wedding (planned for May 16th, rescheduled for December 19th). My Fiance and I still want to get legally married on May 16th, since we had planned for so long.

I was thinking we could just get the marriage license and then have our officiant sign it, this way we would be legally married on paper without losing the specialness of our big wedding we had to move to later this year. I keep going back and forth, however, about whether or not we should do some sort of small ceremony with our immediate family. Is anyone else having to postpone their wedding because of COVID-19 and doing a small ceremony and then their postponed wedding? I want people to still be excited about the wedding in December, so I'm worried about doing a small ceremony or not waiting until our new date will make people less excited or not want to come. I want both days to be special, but I just don't know what to do.

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5 Comments

Latest activity by Gina, on April 8, 2020 at 11:08 PM

Savvy March 2021
Karen · on April 1, 2020 at 11:08 PM
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We got legally married with only 5 people there (immediate family) and chose not to tell the rest of our guests. We didn’t want to diminish or take away from the fun of the celebration/ destination wedding in Mexico.

I say talk it over with your FH if that date is special to the two of you, go for it! This is about you and him.
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Champion October 2009
2d Bride · on April 2, 2020 at 12:01 AM
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Even people who would normally think of a ceremony after you're already married as less of a priority than an actual marriage are likely to understand that the circumstances now are extreme. I'm sure they'd be delighted to celebrate with you--with some extra excitement at finally being able to get together with people they love.
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Super September 2019
Courtney · on April 2, 2020 at 8:42 AM
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Your wedding will still be special and the opportunity to celebrate your commitment with all your friends and family, even if you have a private ceremony first. Where we were married (UK) we were required to say certain things so our marriage was legal so just signing the license wouldn’t have worked for us. I would check with your officiant or clerks office on what’s required and then make your decision with your fiancé.
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Expert March 2020
Tiffany · on April 2, 2020 at 9:34 AM
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It’s a really hard decision to make. We were supposed to be April 11, but here in NC a stay at home order came out Monday. The week before our venue was forced by the state to temporarily close until mid May. I was so heart broken. We decided to get married Monday evening right before the stay at home order went into effect. It was a very small intimate ceremony— his parents and brother, my parents and 3 siblings, my grandparents, jr, bridesmaid and flower girl and their parents, officiant and his wife, and pianist and photographer. I was so nervous it wouldn’t feel real and I’d feel disappointed or cheated, but it was beautiful and perfect. Especially the way my husband couldn’t stop smiling at me and had tears in his eyes. We rescheduled our big wedding and reception at our venue for June 8th
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WeddingWire Administrator April 2021
Gina · on April 8, 2020 at 11:08 PM
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Hi Lana,
I'm so sorry you had to postpone your reception! However, I personally LOVE the idea of getting married in a very small ceremony and then throwing a big party with a bunch of friends and family a few months later.
Be sure to check out our May Couples Discussion Board to see what other brides are doing!
I hope this helps!
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