ETA: So this is mostly moot. Turns out it is NOT a wedding they are having before the wedding, but rather a pre-wedding (Aufruf) service. Leaving the original post as to not DD but it all looks legit!
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My husband and I were invited to a wedding in February in the Midwest.
The couple is Jewish and on their website clearly mentions they will be getting married in a synagogue a day or two before and the invitation was for a "celebration of marriage" and not "wedding".
So they are in no way hiding that they are having a ceremony the day before (good).
However, we are invited to two different events on that Sunday. Both a ceremony at a chuppah as well as the dinner reception.
I'm wondering if it's possible that the chuppah ceremony is a separate kind of event and that this isn't just a reenactment? Or perhaps, is the synagogue ceremony religious only and not legally binding and perhaps I will actually be witnessing the legal ceremony?
Normally I'd just let it roll off completely, but considering the only way to get to the ceremony site from the parking lot, and the only way to get to the reception site from the ceremony site, is a 1/3 mile walk, each way, in the evening, in February, I'm bristling at the thought of its maybe being a PPD.
I'll probably go regardless and won't say anything to the couple about it, but curious if I have the right to be annoyed or if this could very well be totally legit.
Will ask cultural boards if need be.