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Savvy June 2021

Courthouse wedding with reception later?

Rachel, on June 8, 2018 at 7:42 PM Posted in Community Conversations 4 22

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Hi Ladies! I just got engaged a week ago but my FH and I have been together for 6 years. Turns out he's been planning the engagement since October so now that the proposal is over he wants to get married asap and doesn't care too much about a big wedding - just parents, siblings, and a few close friends. We're in the process of buying a house and would have to pay for the wedding ourselves except for maybe $5k from my mom.

I want to get married sooner than later too so I am happy to get married at the courthouse but I still want to have a reception and celebrate with friends and family in a year or so when we can afford it. I also want to do the traditional things of a bridal shower and bachelorette/bachelor party. Is it unrealistic to expect all those things if we get married at the courthouse?

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Latest activity by Vicha, on February 10, 2022 at 10:48 PM

Expert September 2018
Kate · on June 8, 2018 at 7:56 PM
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Maybe you could do the bridal shower before? I've seen receptions done tones of times after a court house marriage. But I think it would be weird doing a bridal shower since you're already married. But that's just me! Ask your close family and see if they think that's fine
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Dedicated August 2018
LaTasha · on June 8, 2018 at 8:08 PM
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I don’t think that’s unrealistic at all. I know quite a few ppl that went to a courthouse to get married and had a reception afterwards. It still allows for you to say your vows if you want in front of the officiant and also have the fun of celebrating afterwards without spending all that money. I say go for it!!
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Dedicated June 2019
MeadorTogether · on June 8, 2018 at 8:11 PM
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We’re doing the same thing and it’s helped a lot on keeping within budget and getting things off our wish list.
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Master July 2017
Going to the chapel · on June 8, 2018 at 8:11 PM
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Getting married at the courthouse is great, but check to see how many people can attend. Some limit the number of attendees, so your plan of parents, siblings and a few friends might not be possible.
Having a reception after is perfectly fine. Unfortunately, because you are already married, a shower and a bachelorette would be inappropriate.
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Expert September 2019
Kat · on June 8, 2018 at 8:19 PM
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Do your shower beforehand, and any outing with your girls could be your bachelorette party. As far as courthouse and reception after, you could always do a courthouse wedding and your actual wedding or how renewal at a later date. A lot of military members do this. It is not "Inappropriate". Just because you aren't married doesn't mean you can't do it again. You will probably just word it as a vow renewal on your invites. That's what We did and no one thought it was rude or inappropriate. Do what feels right to you!
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Champion October 2009
2d Bride · on June 8, 2018 at 9:16 PM
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People not invited to the wedding should not be invited to a shower or bachelorette. So if you're only having a few people at your courthouse wedding, your shower or bachelorette (if someone even throws one for you) would have to be tiny. And you wouldn't have a shower or bachelorette after the wedding.
However, there is nothing at all wrong with having a reception to celebrate your marriage at a later time.
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Dedicated June 2018
Kelli · on June 8, 2018 at 9:59 PM
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Don’t listen to the negative comments. You can get married at the courthouse with only a few people and still have a reception and “wedding” with all the typical things- bachelorette party etc. The shower I would do beforehand or skip all together. Many people do this these days.
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Savvy June 2021
Rachel · on June 9, 2018 at 1:14 PM
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That's a good point about having it before the wedding. Thank you!
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Savvy June 2021
Rachel · on June 9, 2018 at 1:17 PM
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Thank you all so much! I'm gonna plan to do the shower and bachelorette then get married at the courthouse and then have a larger reception down the road. Thanks for all your input!
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November 2018
happeningmom · on June 10, 2018 at 3:48 AM
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Since you are engaged you could have someone throw you a bridal shower now. Then before the actual
weddimg day you can still have a bachelorette party. After all that, you get married and have a great big reception next year!
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Just Said Yes December 2018
natalie · on June 12, 2018 at 9:22 PM
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Yes you can do whatever you want! its your life! you can get married in court and then in a year when you have the funds have the wedding you always wanted with all the bells and whistles that come with it. no one can or should take that away from you. there are no rules for Love and celebrating it.
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Just Said Yes February 2020
Traci · on February 28, 2019 at 3:33 PM
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What did you wear? We are doing same thing February 2020 ?
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Dedicated June 2019
MeadorTogether · on February 28, 2019 at 8:32 PM
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So our family has asked us for a vow renewal for this year so plans have changed a little lol but I wore the first dress at my actual wedding and the second I will be wearing this year at the vow renewal.
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Just Said Yes February 2020
Kimberly · on January 8, 2020 at 12:25 PM
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Hi Rachel! How did everything turn out? I'm planning the same! ☺️
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Just Said Yes February 2020
Kimberly · on January 8, 2020 at 12:36 PM
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Same! 😁 did you decide what you're wearing yet?
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Just Said Yes September 2023
Jennifer · on January 20, 2020 at 12:18 PM
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WOW U LOOK BEAUTIFUL, I’m working on my goals physically and mentally
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VIP March 2015
Nefetera · on January 22, 2020 at 10:03 AM
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I just did my first baccalaureate event in October 2019. I bene married 4 and the half years. My first wedding was a court house wedding (which I regret) however We are now doing everything over expect a bridal shower because threes no need Iam already married. However were finally having a huge reception and it will be our vows renewal celebration of 5 years. so which ever way you will be satisfied and can afford do it girl and congrats!!!
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Savvy June 2021
Rachel · on January 24, 2020 at 5:21 PM
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!Hi Kim! We ended up going with a traditional wedding - we're getting married 6/20 this year and I will be having a bridal shower and bachelorette party. Looking forward to it all!
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Just Said Yes February 2020
Kimberly · on January 24, 2020 at 7:04 PM
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That's awesome!! How exciting!! I'm happy that you'll be able to enjoy all of the festivities that you were looking forward to!! All the best!! ENJOY every moment!!
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Just Said Yes December 2021
Shalisa · on February 8, 2020 at 10:18 AM
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Your situation is very similar to mine. We were was supposed get married 6/19 we had a venue and everything. Then 6/18 I lost my job , 2 weeks later I found out I was expecting, and then 9/18 my fiancé was out of work for 5 months due to surgery. Things are finally looking up and we’re torn between courthouse ceremony and nice reception to follow or the traditional wedding. We have been together for a while and have 2 children together. I don’t want any regrets. I don’t know what to do.
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Courthouse wedding with reception later?

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