Timeline and Detail Issues!

Wild_Flower

My parents were planning a trip to Las Vegas for their 35th anniversary and my sister (MoH) and her husband were going, so my fiance and I started planning a trip too. We ended up turning it into a bit of a destination wedding and chose to get married on my parents' anniversary. It sounded like fun and the fact that I had my dad to walk me down the aisle and my Maid of Honor there by my side were the selling points. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't have my dad to walk me down the aisle, that was one of the most important elements to me. It wasn't cheesy Vegas either, the place was very pretty and well executed.

Now, of course, I've always had a dream wedding in mind, and most of that has involved a fun reception for friends and family and I still want to do that. What's stressing me out is that I don't know how long I can wait to have the reception. It seems too late to book anywhere for the Fall and I don't want to do it in the Winter, and then suddenly Spring seems like I'm pushing it time-wise. Also, what parts of the reception do I keep and what should I cut out? I'd still like to have my first dance, a wedding cake, the introduction etc... I'm just not sure what to do or when to do it. Can I still have bridesmaids? Do I wear my gown again?

I've tried googlng for info and there seems to be a mixed reaction about this type of situation. There's people who say, do what ever you want and then others who become outraged and call the brides greedy and gift-hungry when that's not what it's about. I'd love to hear from people who have done something like this or attended a reception like this. When I bought my gown one of the ladies helping me said that it's becoming more common, so I'm not completely out there, I'm just lost with the details. I know not everyone in the family will "agree" with what we're doing, and you know, they don't have to show up, but I think a marriage should be celebrated and I didn't marry out of state to ostracize anyone. I did it because my closest family was there, it was on a special date and we would always remember it.

I'm happy to take any advice/opinions/experiences.

Thank you.

jakeryan08

If I were you I would treat it as a party/celebration. Put in your invites that you had a beautiful destination wedding and would now like to celebrate your life as a newly wed couple with all of those that could not join you. I would do all of the things you would normally do like your first dance and even cutting the cake together but I don't think I would wear your gown. And, it wouldn't be hard to have something in the fall even though it is right around the corner. I would just call some places and see what is available. Personally, I wouldn't wait til spring...it would seem a little belated for someone who is already married. I think you should go for it, to have a celebration of your marriage with all of your friends and family. Every newly-wed couple wants that oppurtunity. You may not want bridesmaids but could have the people that would've been your bridesmaids to help you plan it and give toasts. Good Luck!!

mysticl

My step-sis had a destination wedding, just the 2 of them, their kids (they each have 2) and 2 witneses.  Then about a month or so later they threw a party at their house (which is awesome for entertaining).  They didn't do any of the traditional wedding stuff but it was a remarriage for both of them.  My wedding is in November and we discovered that places were not booked for Saturday the 13th.  We figure no one wanted to have their anniversay fall on Friday the 13th every few years.  I say do the cake and the first dance.  I wouldn't wear the gown though.  Make it an excuse to go shopping and pick out another dress.  I agree with pp about the bridesmaids.  What would their role be?  To have to come to a party in a certain dress?  Just ask them to give toasts or something like that.  I for one am glad my step-sis had the party.  That way we still got to enjoy some of the celebration.

InfamousQBert

if you wait as long as the spring, you might consider pushing it out to have a 1 year anniversary party. that would seem less "wow they sure waited a long time" to your guests. but i agree with the poster above that you should at least look around and see if you can find something in the fall before dismissing it. as for winter, i think if you get it in before thanksgiving (so late fall), you'll catch people before they get HELLA busy for the holidays.

as far as gifts go, i wouldn't worry too much about it. a lot of the bigger stores have birthday and graduation registries, too, now, so people are used to seeing a registry, even when it's not exactly the right time, you know?

gown: if you can afford it, this would be the perfect opportunity to buy another dress and wear something a little less traditional if you want to. but, if you want to wear your gown, that seems fine, too. your guests won't have seen it and will love seeing you at your most beautiful moment.

maids: i would say that you definitely have them there and introduce them, but maybe don't make them wear a particular dress. if you want them to stand out some way, you could either ask them to wear simple black dresses and get them colorful corsages.

the announcement and family stupidity: i think if you basically outline what you said above, that you chose the date and location because it was special to you and your family and now you want to celebrate with others, that should be more than enough for most people. some people are going to be pissed/hurt no matter what you do and that's THEIR problem.