Since coronavirus restrictions started impacting weddings back in March 2020, we've been fielding your questions on Instagram and via email on two-part weddings. Lots of couples wanted to stick with their plan to legally tie the knot in 2020 and 2021, while holding off on their bigger celebration until all their friends and family can all be in one room. To us, it sounds like the best of both worlds, so, we've put together our tips for planning a two-part wedding... without doubling the effort!
FAQ: Should We Consider a Two-part Wedding?
For some couples, having a smaller wedding than originally planned, and one that adheres to Covid-19 restrictions, is perfectly sufficient. For others, getting married calls for a bigger celebration, so they're happy to go ahead with the legal wedding during the pandemic, but want to follow it up with an epic party with a dancefloor, a live band - the works. Then, there are the couples in between, who are allowed to have a mid-sized wedding of 50 guests, but would still like to have a follow-up 'do to include the guests who couldn't attend. It's all about what works for you, your partner, and the friends and family members that you want to celebrate with! There's also the budget to consider, and whether you have the time and energy to plan a second event.
FAQ: What Would a Two-part Wedding Look Like?
The main question we've been asked on this topic is how might a two-part wedding work? Is it okay to have a little party for the first wedding? Can we still have a ceremony at the second wedding next year? The answer to all of the above is, your wedding can be whatever you want it to be. While we've always been advocates for doing things your own way, there's no tried-and-tested etiquette around multi-stage weddings, so there's no strict formula you need to stick to. Remember, lots of couples had two-part weddings before the pandemic, and will continue to do so after all restrictions are lifted. The key is not to over-complicate things, keep at least one of the two parts super simple.
Ideas for a Part-One Wedding
Your legal wedding day can be as special and personalised, or as much of a "non-event" as you want it to be. It's totally up to you.
- Elope - head away somewhere once you can travel, just the two of you, and make it official!
- Legal wedding (registry office/church/outdoors), just you, your other half, and two witnesses and the celebrant
- Legal wedding with immediate family (parents and siblings)
- Legal wedding with immediate family and close friends
- Follow the ceremony with a swanky meal and a night in a nice hotel, just you and your other half
- Follow the ceremony with lunch or dinner with your immediate family
- Follow the ceremony with a meal and a party with your close family and friends
- Have a small wedding, i.e. a "normal" wedding day, with less guests (the number of guests will depend on restrictions at the time - currently, 50 is permitted)
Below are just a couple of the amazing part-one weddings we've featured on the site recently. You'll find more in our Covid-19 real wedding, small weddings and city weddings sections.
- Karren and Niall's Part-One Wedding
- Kate and Neil's Part-One Wedding
- Stephanie and Stephen's Part-One Wedding
Ideas for a Part-Two Wedding
Your second wedding or wedding party can follow your original plans, or be totally different, it's up to you and your other half!
- Have a church blessing, followed your wedding reception as originally planned
- Have a symbolic ceremony officiated by a friend, followed by your wedding reception as originally planned
- Plan a weekend away with friends and family in lieu of your wedding celebration
- Have a big party - this could be on your anniversary or another date that suits, and take whatever form you like, in a pub, hotel, or at home, include a meal, a BBQ, or be canapés and cocktails!
FAQ: Will our Guests Think We're "Milking It"?
In a word, no! We always tell couples not to pay too much heed to what other people think, but it's understandable to worry that momentum or excitement for your wedding will be lost if it's not the "real thing". Firstly, it's up to you whether or not you let your guests know about the previous legal wedding, you don't need to mention it if you don't want to! Secondly, after all this has passed, everyone is going to be so up for a party, that they're going to be doubly excited to attend your wedding, whatever form it takes!
FAQ: Do I Wear my Wedding Dress/Suit to Both, Can I Wear it Twice?
It's totally up to you! I love the idea of outfits as special (and expensive!) as your wedding-day attire getting two airings. But if you want to debut your dress or suit in front of the larger crowd, you could always wear a different outfit for the legal wedding. Many couples did this at the height of the pandemic, either because they didn't feel that the outfit they had already purchased suited a smaller venue or style of day, or because they didn't have access to their original outfit due to lockdown restrictions. But don't feel pressured to go low-key with your look, either. We have seen full-length gowns worn to registry office ceremonies and playful, short dresses at huge country house receptions, both of which looked amazing when worn with confidence!
Likewise, with hair, makeup, flowers, entertainment, guest attire, etc. you dictate how much or how little formality, tradition, time and investment, you want to add to each occasion - there are no rules! Our top piece of advice is to make sure you take lots of pictures at both events, and have a professional photographer for at least one element of your wedding, but preferably both - you'll never regret having a keepsake to remind you of the day, however big or small the celebration is!
FAQ: Do We Need to Include our Bridesmaids or Groomsmen?
Again, this is completely up to you. For many couples during the pandemic, this came down to guest restrictions and time. If restrictions allow, and there is time to arrange outfits and florals, then of course you can have bridesmaids and groomsmen at both celebrations, but, if you decide to have your pals by your side without the matching dresses and bouquets, etc., then don't worry - these details won't be hugely missed by anybody!
FAQ: Will Some Guests Be Annoyed They Weren't Invited to the Legal Wedding?
Let me put it this way - if they are, they shouldn't be. We have always said this to couples who chose to have small weddings before guest restrictions even existed, but, if you're a Covid couple, you have a great excuse - you're doing things this way for everyone's safety, both the guests who are in attendance, and those who aren't. So if anyone takes issue with that - let them! Our tips for downsizing your wedding might also help you with this one.
If you've got any other questions on having a two-part wedding - be sure to drop into our DMs on instagram or pop us an email to hello@onefabday.com.
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