Getting married at the court house, but planning a formal ceremony/reception for next year?

Question

OK so my fiancé and I are planning on getting married August 8th 2008 at the court house, we would have loved to have a nicer bigger formal ceremony/reception but financially it just wasn't going to happening this year. Do you think it's weird that we are doing this?

We don't want to wait until next year we have our hearts set on 08/08/08 :)

Answer 1

It's not weird (questions like this pop up a lot) but it is inappropriate. Your court house wedding is your wedding - and you only get one. If you cannot afford it financially, save up and wait until next year. Wedding "redos" come off as ploys to get attention or gifts, though I'm sure that is not your intention.

Sorry that this is not what you want to hear but you asked this question and I am giving you an honest answer.

Answer 2

Nope not at all!

I did that!

We got married by the justice of the peace a year before our ceremony at Disney World.

The wedding planner down there told us most people do!

It is very chic!

Plus now we have two anniversaries.

One public, one just for us. It is very nice!

Good Luck on your wedding day!

Answer 3

I don't think it's wierd, dear, just very inappropriate......

You get ONE wedding & One wedding day...the civil ceremony is what you have decided on....why you can't wait until you can afford to have the wedding you want is beyond me....that 08/08/08 is silly foolishness.....and not a reason to rush off to marry when your heart is set on a 'big white wedding'.

And next year you are gonna have a fake wedding, because that is what it will be, and pretend that you are a bride when infact you are someone's wife already......

Treating it as vow renewal is far more appropriate...but the bride's maids/wedding gown & veil/daddy walking down the aisle is nothing but self-indulgence over the whim of having a specific date as an anniversary date.....dumb.

Answer 4

If you were not open to answers from both sides of the fence you shouldn't have asked, sorry.

And you don't need a ton of money to have a nice wedding. When did you guys get engaged? You could cut way back and do a lot yourself and saved a ton of money.

Sounds like you want to have your cake and eat it too... I don't see why didn't you just get a church (most are free) and get married in a simple dress holding a single stem rose. You don't need bridesmaids or groomsmen... Have the reception at the church or a family members backyard. You could ask your mom to help you with the food. Invite about 20-30 of your closest and if your mom helps with food and you get a cake for $70 at Wal-Mart you could have your wedding. Nothing says a wedding has to be a $30,000 big blow out! So long as you are husband and wife at the end of the day why's it matter?

Tell me off if you choose, I agree with the others, pick one. Courthouse or big wedding.

Answer 5

do what you want this not a question to get advice for do what you want to do regardless, you have your mind set so why are you asking us? dont get if your broke why not use money next year on a house the economy is messed up or use it for gas!lol

Answer 6

Noooo... dont do the "courthouse now big fake wedding later" thing. Its so pathetic!

You get one wedding, and one reception. Either have it now and be satisfied with a small affair. Or wait and save so you can have the wedding of your dreams.

You cant have it both ways!

**Not everyone has money? Right, thats why I said "wait and save so you can have the wedding of your dreams". If you only want positive responses that support you, then dont ask! Most of us tell it like it is on YAnswers.

Answer 7

Ok get married at the court house and dont have a big reception because that is alot of money and time I would just have make a back yard reception just get some people friends and family to cook and get a few decorations and make a mix cd if you guys want to dance

Answer 8

Hate to say it, but Fizzy is right. You only have one "real" wedding. The fake wedding later is not only tacky, it really serves no purpose. You're already married. What's the use? A fake walk down the aisle just because you "had your heart set" on 08.08.08? Hardly a reason to rush to the courthouse.

So many people did the whole 07.07.07 and 06.07.08 thing. It's totally played out- not at all unique (kinda like thet atrocious trends of the "candy buffet" and "tiffany blue and chocolate!!!!")

You only get one or the other, not both. Courthouse wedding plus reception, or real wedding next year with reception. Sorry!

Answer 9

i think its comlpetely normal... lots of people do it ;)   congrats =D

Answer 10

Oh goodness. Okay here's my take if you care to listen.

My fiance and I have been engaged for a year and a half. A year and a half ago we were more than ready to get married. Due to several changes in plans and circumstances, we are STILL not married.

We live together and have for 2 years, we own a car together and are about to buy our first house. August 25th, 2008 we are going to the court house and getting married. Why? Because we want to. If you're engaged then you obviously love each other. Go for it! :-)

We're planning our ceremony and reception April 2009. And ya know what...our family isn't going to know that we got married in August, and it doesn't matter. Just do what YOU want.

Answer 11

Its obvious you don't want to hear negatives, but you asked so I'll say I do think it is weird in your case.

If there is an extenuating circumstance - pregnancy, medical insurance, military deployment, or other major isses - then I'm totally down with a JOP then big/formal vow renewal and reception later, and many families are supportive of this and I think alot of people are doing it.

I think it is pointless when it is only so you could have the wedding date you want as 8-8-08.  is -8-8-09 really that big a difference?  I don't think so 'cause its still 8/8.  Most people don't remember the year, they remember the day and month.