Blessing after wedding abroad??

My SIL/BIL got married abroad then had a blessing back in the UK. It was almost exactly like a normal wedding. They wore the same clothes/dress as their real wedding, guests were dressed up, the couple. walked down the aisle in the church etc. The main difference was that the church was half the price of a normal wedding & it was in past tense. 'I did promise to ......' Also, the venue afterwards was cheaper than an actual 'wedding'.

We're considering this at the moment RossRoxx for exactly the same reason. We're getting married abroad with 20 people present and then we'll be having an evening reception/celebration when we get back. I wouldn't want a full blessing as such as that's just not us but I'm thinking about whether we could find a Humanist Celebrant and create a ceremony that would be unique to us.

I like your idea bex23 of saving the first dance and speeches until you are home. At the moment, we weren't having either of these as our ceremony / reception arrangements make both of these difficult. It would be nice to share these with our family at home.

Would be interested to know what you decide RossRoxx

Hello - for a Blessing you don't necessarily need a Humanist Celebrant, there are lots of Independent Celebrants around the UK who specialise in very personal, meaningful and unique Wedding Ceremonies. (I am one! ? I'm not allowed to overtly advertise here but am easily found by searching for True Blue Ceremonies). The best thing I can suggest is for you to research Celebrants and find one who you really connect with, who will understand the two of you and what you actually want from your wedding blessing/ceremony. I have a few couples who are like you, marrying abroad with just a handful of guests, and then having a full celebration back home, at which they wish to make their promises, vows and exchange wedding rings again, with readings and poetry (also be walked down the aisle) .. the whole shebang! But equally you could keep it very simple and low key ...really up to you how you design it. It's all about choice and making it personal to you. Good luck with all your wedding plans! If I can help or give any further advice at all, please let me know x

We're getting married abroad and just having a reception when we get back.

prior to telling our parents we had toyed with the idea of having a blessing here, but decided that defeated the object of getting married abroad, and if family was upset, so be it, whatever we do someone will get mad. Luckily we've had no backlash.

Someone suggested to me to get the ceremony videoed & play it at the reception. Perhaps consider doing something similar if you're not sure about a blessing but still want to share the moment.

Hi Kateb2v - that's what we're going to do.

My only thoughts about this is that it has the potential to go from expensive to really expensive budget wise. My H2B did this with his ex, they paid a lot to get married abroad and then the same as you would for a normal wedding on top. Apart from that I think it's a really fab idea and the best of both worlds.

Thanks for all your replies guys, I've had notifications turned off so I've only just seen your responses!

It's looking like a wedding abroad is going to be too stressful anyway, I can't seem to settle on anywhere or which company to use! So the research keeps on going...

Wish me luck!

I have the same question. I dont know what to do . As we get married in Cyprus in August year but are then away again Sept to Oct and dont want to have a reception in the winter months. We were planning on a blessing or to renew vows and reception the following summer . Family are not happy about the wedding abroad as it is just me , my partner & 3 boys going