June 2012 Weddings

.... Shoot. :(

Ladies, things have changed in my life. The wedding is absolutely still on, but the timing is totally up in the air. I'm not sure what I can say due to OPSEC (military security) but I'm choosing between getting married soon before a deployment, or after a deployment. I don't know whether it's better to do it sooner and have a little time together, and then have the strength of marriage to get us through the tough time and help us reconnect afterwards, or to wait until after, resulting in a long term engagement and then planning a wedding, trying to reconnect after deployment, and be newlyweds all at one time. 


Many people I've asked suggest doing it before deployment. They say it will make the deployment and post-d adjustments easier, and that at least we'd have some time together before he leaves, and just that sooner is better. I started a thread on the military boards about it and the two posts so far both said do it after.

I'm scared of picking the wrong one - picking before and it sets us up for a difficult marriage from teh start, or picking after and we'll become disconnected and start the wedding hardly knowing each other anymore. I would really, really, really appreciate prayers for wisdom. And also any advice you have... and any comfort that maybe just maybe it'll be okay whichever way and this isn't going to ruin my marriage... :-P Dramatic I know but my parents just got divorced after 30 yrs of marriage so I'm *super* conscious of trying to set ourselves up for success as much as possible.

Feeling very lost and confused..
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Re: .... Shoot. :(

  • First off I'm so sorry you're in this difficult position! My best friend just found herself in this situation within the last month, and they had a small ceremony before he left and when he gets back in 13 months they will have their real wedding. My Mom was a military wife for 27 years and always recommends getting married before, for many reasons. One is that it solidifies your relationship before he leaves, so there is no question etc during the in between times. And I hate to say this, but God forbid something happens to him while he's deployed you would not be able to claim any of his benefits if you were not already married. This is going to be a tough journey, marrying a soldier comes with baggage, but if you can be strong in your faith of the love you share you will be just fine. Good luck making this very important decision ((hugs))
  • I think you need to pray about it. You can't make this decision with just your FI. You guys need to pray about it and then decide. I dont see how doing it either way would be wrong though. If I were in your shoes- I would push the wedding up- but that is just me! When is he getting deployed? How are you doing?
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_shoot?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:d65d27a3-cf4d-4fb6-b27d-44974f4d540dPost:1c9c564a-d1ec-46b6-8a98-42e44273f220">Re:.... Shoot. :(</a>:
    [QUOTE]How long have you been dating your Fi?
    Posted by Shanee18[/QUOTE]

    This is exactly what I was thinking.  I was in a four year relationship with a guy that was often deployed.  I saw many relationships that I felt the marriage was rushed, not all, but definitely a few.  I also got a lot of pressure to marry him because a four year relationship in the military without marriage is not very common.

    Ultimately it is your and your FI decision.  Whatever answer you make together is the right answer. 
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  • I think I would honestly move the wedding up. You're already engaged, so it's not like it's a shotgun wedding just because he's being deployed. I would want him to leave as my husband. Not just like PP said for the benefits if God forbid, something were to happen. I think the commitment that comes from being married would make these tough times while he is goen so much easier. I've never been in a situation like this, but if I ever was, that's what I would do.
  • I've seen it done both ways; some have worked and others haven't and I don't think it has anything to do with when the wedding took place (just that the people weren't meant to be married). I agree with Chelsea, you should pray about it and do what feels right to you and your FI. Personally, I'd get married sooner for reasons that PPs have stated above.
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  • How long have you been dating your Fi?
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_shoot?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:d65d27a3-cf4d-4fb6-b27d-44974f4d540dPost:17ef5f26-3d94-4456-8b5f-95deb1908468">Re:.... Shoot. :(</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think you need to pray about it. You can't make this decision with just your FI. You guys need to pray about it and then decide. I dont see how doing it either way would be wrong though. If I were in your shoes- I would push the wedding up- but that is just me! When is he getting deployed? How are you doing?
    Posted by chelseakopperud[/QUOTE]

    I completely agree with this 100%. Good luck with everything. Just take your time discussing with FI, praying with FI, praying by yourself and it will become clear what you should do. Everyone's situation is different.
  • Honestly, nothing is going to make the deployment or post deployment easier. I would've liked to marry FI before he deployed but we were not finanically ready nor did we have enough time. I would say do it after. That way you're not rushed and you can plan it together but make sure you spend some time together just the two of you when he gets back.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_shoot?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:d65d27a3-cf4d-4fb6-b27d-44974f4d540dPost:c801536e-1f9b-4d43-9436-d48cbec75ad4">Re:.... Shoot. :(</a>:
    [QUOTE]First off I'm so sorry you're in this difficult position! <strong>My best friend just found herself in this situation within the last month, and they had a small ceremony before he left and when he gets back in 13 months they will have their real wedding</strong>. My Mom was a military wife for 27 years and always recommends getting married before, for many reasons. One is that it solidifies your relationship before he leaves, so there is no question etc during the in between times. And I hate to say this, but God forbid something happens to him while he's deployed you would not be able to claim any of his benefits if you were not already married. This is going to be a tough journey, marrying a soldier comes with baggage, but if you can be strong in your faith of the love you share you will be just fine. Good luck making this very important decision ((hugs))
    Posted by meganbear1[/QUOTE]<div>She's already married so it'd be a vow renewal not her real wedding. She already had that

    </div>
  • Wow...that is a tough decision! I'm praying for wisdom for you and FI. I really don't know anything about this, so can't give advice.
  • My friend's sister was in the same boat.  They had a small backyard wedding to make it official before he was deployed.  They planned to have the wedding after but decided to buy a house instead so at least they were already married!
  • I'm so sorry!! FI was in the Marines before we were together. As much as I love him now, and I'm do proud/thankful for his service, I'm glad we didn't meet until after he was out. It would have been waaay difficult to go through 4 deployments! Since I have never actually been in this situation I can't speak from experience, but if it were me I would get married before he deployed. As others have said, heaven forbid something happened to him, wouldn't you want to have been married even for that short time. Although a completely different context, I can't help but think of the movie A Walk to Remember. They got married even though they knew she was going to die soon. I would want to have been married to FI b/c if he didn't return, we would have still already been married. Plus, I would think it would be a little easier (but still really tough!!) going through the deployment married, with that special bond. And I wouldn't want to have to plan a wedding without the help of FI, or without seeing him for a year or so. I hope you find the strength and wisdom to make a decision that is best for you and your FI. Good luck!
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