I've been married a year but didn't get a wedding so i'm planning one for our 2 year ann. where do i start?

we just got married in the courthouse cause we didn't want to wait but now we both want a wedding to celebrate in front of all our friends and family. is it stupid to have a wedding after we've already been married? i just want the white dress and to experience the whole wedding feeling... but i don't know how to go about starting to plan and what all i'll need for it! help!
I've been married a year but didn't get a wedding so i'm planning one for our 2 year ann. where do i start?
If you are remarrying in a church the ceremony, called Validation, is just like the traditional marriage ceremony but recognizes the couple are not a bride and groom. It can be done during a Mass or as a separate ceremony.





While such an event should be an occasion for celebration, the bride cannot pretend it is her first wedding and should avoid the symbols of virginity.





If the religious ceremony takes place within a year after the civil one, a full reception - including champagne, music, and wedding cake - can be appropriate. On the other hand, if a significant amount of time has passed , the ceremony and reception should be kept small, simple and dignified. It should be limited to relatives and close friends. If, however, they opt for restatement of their vows or a reaffirmations of vows, the reception can be more elaborate, event though more than a year has passed.
Reply:You are already married, and that was your wedding, regardless of the circumstances.


Wait til you`re married 10 years, then have a lovely vow renewal ceremony and anniversary party. No do-over wedding, then, though - just a lovely party.
Reply:That is a unique idea. I think I would spin it a little. Why not buy or rent the dream dress, have your hubby rent a tux and have a professional photog take "wedding pictures"? You could have the formal portrait or wedding album (of sorts). Save on tons of money. I would use the extra to have your honeymoon at 2 yr anniversary.


You could add details to the photos by having a small cake, emulating your first dance, etc. Have photos shot around town at gardens, fountains, etc.
Reply:first off it's not stupid like a person said it's a good idea. I am going to be married for 3 years now in february and i didn't have my big wedding. At that time i didn't think it was important so i didn't have it. Now i've changed my mind and i'm having my wedding in august 30th and i'm having a huge one at that. We already rented the venue and we are into looking for my dress and the bridesmaids dresses. My family is very happy i'm having my wedding and before i came to yahoo answer i had never heard that it was a stupid idea to have a wedding after you were married or even living together for 10 years. ( i have a friend who had this huge wedding after of almost 10 years or being together what's the difference?).





Now a days that is very common I live in nyc and i see it alot people get married first before having the big expensive wedding so for me is nothing wrong.


I hate that mindset of wait till you have your 5th or 10th year anniversary to have it. WHY? we live in a society that we have no idea whether will be alive the next day they want you to wait 10 years it's ridiculous. Enjoy your day and make it as big as you can because as long as you are not using anybodys money to do it you don't owe anybody any explanation.


me and my husband are paying for the wedding ourselves and i don't care what anybody says.Plus my family can't wait for the day they are as excited as i am about the day. i'm going to enjoy my beautiful wedding after 3 years of marriage.
Reply:I never had the Sweet Sixteen Party of my dreams, so I'm having one for my 68th birthday next month. Where do I start?





You can have a whale of an anniversary party, one that includes a spectacular dress for you, a rented hall, a fabulous meal, a truck load of champagne, a live band and so on. But you can only have a wedding on your wedding day. You didn't. Just let it go, the same we have to grow up and let go of that wonderful Sweet Sixteen our parents didn't give for us and the drunken spree our friends didn't sponsor us to when we turned 21.





I wouldn't use the word stupid to describe your wishes here; a lot of us would like recreate events from the past in a "new and improved" version. But if you ACT on those wishes? Well yeah, people that already married having a wedding just looks like a kind of dumb way to fish for presents.





Suggestion: Do your RSVPs by phone so that you have a chance to mention to that you aren't registered anywhere and are inviting your guests for the sake of their PRESENCE, not their PRESENTS. If this really is about the gifts, then I predict you will be very disappointed. Few people will give generously for a "fake" wedding.
Reply:You absolutely can have your wedding. You should call it a 'renewal of vows' though. And plan it as if you were planning your big day. Start with a venue.





If you can, hire a wedding planner to help you out. He/she will save you tons of money and be a huge help.
Reply:I think that's wonderful that you want to have a real wedding on your 2nd anniversary. I agree with the 2nd poster, you'll have to call it a renewal of vows.





I took photos for a wedding once where the couple was older, had been married before, but neither had children. They had been married legally for about 3 years, but their first ceremony was a native american ceremony (I don't know which tribe) and they were unable to invite friends and family or have pictures taken.





Their "wedding" three years later was by no means a traditional wedding either, and was also based on their native american beliefs, but they were able to celebrate with their loved ones. It was very special!





I really enjoy theknot.com. It's a great website with tons of information!
Reply:Hi!





I am totally in agreement with "I Love Coffee" and I'm not sure why the thumbs down for her. She is telling it straight.





Here it is again: For whatever reason (financially or otherwise), you chose to be married at the courthouse. That IS a wedding. You cannot have another one, unless you get divorced. What you can do, however, is to have a vow renewal. This IS NOT a wedding, though. It can be in a church and have a church blessing. You do not have all of the pre-wedding parties (i.e., shower, bachelorette party), because....you are not a bride. I can understand your disappointment, but what is done is done.





This question comes up at least once a week. I know all the young brides on here are excited for their own weddings...so the comment is always ..."sure you can...you didn't have the 'wedding of your dreams' so go right ahead." However, that is not the correct answer.





There are lots of things in this life that many of us are disappointed about...(i.e., I never had a high school graduation party...a big "30th" birthday party....had c-sections instead of the natural childbirth I had wanted and planned. etc.) However, you cannot go back and do those things over. I have no idea why so many on here think you can have the wedding "do-overs."





Well...sorry for the rant...but again, "coffee" is exactly right.





Have a vow renewal...maybe at your 5th anniversary...not your 2nd, and please don't wear a white wedding gown...you are not a bride. Have the vow renewal and an anniversary celebration party....that would be fine.





Take the rest of the money and go on a nice trip with your hubby!
Reply:Get started here!
Reply:I don't think you can get married unless you get divorced first, maybe you could have a blessing or second 'marriage' instead? Start by deciding where then go speak to the vicar/rabbi/??? whoevers in charge at the venue, organize the dress, flowers and a party/reception afterwards, it's not stupid, you only get married once so make up for what you missed out on last time
Reply:Personally, I think it is stupid. You are looking for a "do over" because you didn't like how it went the first time.


If you wanted the white dress and "wedding feeling" - you should have waited to do it right the first time 'round.





As an aside, I think 20, 25 year %26amp; more anniversary parties including vow renewals are a whole other thing and I love them. It is a time to celebrate all the years and memories a couple has created (but its not the white dress and "wedding feeling").
Reply:Personally, I think it's a bit silly. You made a decision the day you got married at the courthouse. You decided that you could not wait and therefore excluded your family and your friends. Personally, I think that's a bit selfish and mean (especially towards you parents)





But, now you want a whole big wedding because you felt like you missed out. I understand you are upset. But, you made a decision. That included not having your family there, no white dress, no party or a "real wedding" feeling.





It's a bit "bridezilla" like to all of a sudden want the big event. You can't re-live your wedding day, just for the sake of a party or to experience that traditional "feeling"





You could have a small vow renewal, but I would wait until your 5th anniversary to do it.