Civil Ceremony?

Question

I just got engaged and we are planning to have a civil ceremony And, a reception or party afterwards. Usually when I think of that I'm thinking just standing there and saying wedding vows. Do they allow us to have a wedding party. I know they allow up to 8 people to invite. But, I was wondering if I'll be able to walk down to a wedding song. and carry some flowers. I would like to send out invitations and have a nice wedding cake for the party. Any suggestions on how we should do this. We have been pre approved online to sign our marriage license we haven't done yet. But we have 60 days until we would need to marry.

Answer 1

I was married in a civil ceremony.  You may wear your dress and carry flowers but the place I was married in had no facilities for music or any fanfare.  We each had an attendant who also signed the marriage certificate and our wedding reception was the following Saturday.  It was a good day and the marriage is 26 years old.

Best wishes

Answer 2

You should send invitations for the wedding reception, with a note that you will be married in a private ceremony beforehand. Send the invites to your guests about six weeks beforehand, if possible. Give them as much time as they can to plan to attend.

"Sally Smith and Robert Jones request the honor of your presence at a reception to celebrate our marriage on Saturday, May 30, 2008 at the Anytown Country Club. The couple will be married in a private ceremony prior to the reception."

You'll have to speak with the local courthouse to find out the procedure for the actual ceremony. You can certainly carry flowers if you wish, but there may not be music or an aisle to walk up.

For your reception, you can of course have cake, food, music - whatever you wish.