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R
Beginner June 2016

Blessing after wedding abroad??

RossRoxx, 13 February, 2014 at 21:25 Posted on Planning 0 33

Hey everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has had a blessing back in the UK after a wedding abroad?

Me and my fiancé are wanting to fly off to Hawaii, just us two, have a small beach wedding alone and then spend 3 weeks as our honeymoon in Hawaii and the West Coast of the USA. Then have a wedding evening reception when we came back. However, many of our family are complaining that they will be missing out, specifically, my fiancés mum as he is her only child.

A close friend suggested getting a blessing, basically re-enacting the wedding, before our evening reception. Just wondering if anyone has done this and has any feedback for us? Family are saying that it is pointless and we might as well have a wedding in the UK, however this is not what we want.

Help please!

Roxy

33 replies

Latest activity by Char, 1 October, 2026 at 09:51
  • T
    Beginner
    Teal ·
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    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'.

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  • NYCBride
    Beginner September 2014
    NYCBride ·
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    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

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  • C
    CelebrantinKent ·
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    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

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  • M
    Beginner May 2014
    Muppet ·
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    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.

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  • Chucklevision
    Beginner July 2015
    Chucklevision ·
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    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.

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  • NYCBride
    Beginner September 2014
    NYCBride ·
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    Hi Kateb2v - that's what we're going to do.

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  • Helen**
    Beginner March 2015
    Helen** ·
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    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.

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  • R
    Beginner June 2016
    RossRoxx ·
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    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!

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  • N
    Beginner August 2024 Nottinghamshire
    Nik ·
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    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
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  • H
    Lincolnshire
    Harry ·
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    A blessing back home sounds like a great compromise. It lets you enjoy the intimate destination wedding you've always wanted while still giving family and friends the chance to celebrate with you afterward. We did something similar for a family event, and planning made everything much less stressful. For anyone relocating or preparing a new home before a big celebration, a reliable moving and junk removal company in Chicago can also help simplify the process. https://tetrismoverschicago.org/

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  • A
    Beginner March 2023 West Midlands
    Anna ·
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    Yeah i think it is ok. I also got married abroad because of my education thing. Now i study at home and i don't get such problems you know. I came across https://associationoflearning.com/ while looking for home learning courses that suit career changes, and it seemed promising due to its wide variety of subjects and qualification types. They have courses in fields ranging from healthcare, business, and marketing to finance and teaching, which could cover a lot of potential career paths for those wanting to retrain. What caught my attention is the range of qualification options including A Level, NCFE, Cache, and even diplomas that could be valuable when shifting careers. The home study model offers flexibility, which is essential if you’re balancing work and study. The variety also means you can explore interest courses like counselling or even criminal profiling if you want something niche or unique. Plus, the fact that they have a structured support system where you can reach out for help adds to the ease of study.

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  • Awais
    Beginner November 2022 Pakistan
    Awais ·
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    I think a blessing sounds like a lovely compromise. You still get the private Hawaii wedding you both want, while your family can be part of a meaningful ceremony and celebration back in the UK.

    It does not have to feel like a fake wedding or a scene from the movies . You could include readings, vows, photos from Hawaii, and a special moment with your fiancé’s mum. That may help her feel involved without changing your original plans.

    At the end of the day, the wedding should reflect what makes you both happy. A blessing followed by an evening reception could give you the best of both worlds.

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  • ACE
    Beginner June 2020 Kentucky
    ACE ·
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    I think having a blessing after a wedding abroad is a beautiful idea, especially when some loved ones cannot travel. It allows couples to keep their special destination wedding experience while also sharing a meaningful moment with family and friends back home. https://cooksoutmenu.com/cookout-ice-cream-menu/ It’s nice that a blessing can be personalised with readings, vows, and elements that make the celebration feel unique.

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  • Mr Simon
    Dedicated January 2026 Oman
    Mr Simon ·
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    If your marriage was legally recognized abroad, many churches or religious communities can offer a blessing afterward, but the exact process depends on your denomination and local parish. It's usually best to speak directly with your priest or religious leader about any required documents or preparation. I’ve even seen unrelated search terms like Kansas Carradine appear in online discussions, but they aren’t connected to marriage blessings or church requirements.

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  • JRS
    Beginner June 2030 California
    JRS ·
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    I think a blessing back home is a really nice compromise. You still get the private Hawaii wedding you want, while your family gets a meaningful opportunity to celebrate with you afterwards.

    One thing I would also plan for is unexpected problems while travelling. Destination weddings involve flights, accommodation, documents and sometimes situations nobody expects. I recently came across this Costa Mesa bail information while reading about resources families may need when unexpected legal situations happen in California.

    Hopefully nothing like that ever becomes relevant, but having important local information saved before a long trip can be useful. For the wedding itself, I’d keep the blessing simple and family-focused rather than trying to recreate the Hawaii ceremony completely.

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  • Mr Simon
    Dedicated January 2026 Oman
    Mr Simon ·
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    A blessing after getting married abroad is usually possible, but it depends on the traditions and requirements of your church or religious community. It's best to speak with your local clergy so they can guide you based on your circumstances. No matter where the wedding took place, many families also share kind messages and tuesday blessings as a way to celebrate the new chapter and pray for a happy, lasting marriage.

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  • Seo
    Pakistan
    Seo ·
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    A marriage remains a blessing regardless of where it takes place. What matters most is the love, commitment, and mutual respect between the couple, not the country where the wedding is held. Wishing the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness, good health, and many blessings together.

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  • Seo
    Pakistan
    Seo ·
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    It really depends on your church and local parish. In many cases, couples who were legally married abroad can still receive a blessing or have their marriage recognized after providing the required documents. The best approach is to speak directly with your local priest or church office, as they can explain the specific requirements and guide you through the process. Every situation is a little different, so getting advice from the parish is usually the quickest way to find the right answer.

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  • MobiFlix
    Beginner November 2024 Illinois
    MobiFlix ·
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    Congratulations on your wedding! Having a blessing ceremony after a destination wedding is a wonderful way to celebrate with family and friends who couldn't attend. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and beautiful memories together. https://cocoflixapp.net/

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  • Web
    Beginner August 2026 East London
    Web ·
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    A blessing back home sounds like a lovely way to include family and friends after getting married abroad. One thing I’d definitely recommend is planning the budget carefully, as having a destination wedding followed by another celebration can make expenses add up quickly. I often use online calculators when planning costs and financial figures, and this is one useful calculation tool I came across:

    Wishing you the best with the wedding and celebrations!

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  • Brave
    Nevada
    Brave ·
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    I think having a blessing back in the UK could be a lovely compromise, especially if your family are feeling disappointed about missing the wedding abroad. It doesn't have to feel like you're having the wedding twice you could keep it simple and make it more of a special family celebration after you return. That way you and your fiancé still get the private wedding in Hawaii that you want, while your family get a chance to be part of the celebrations too. I’d definitely talk it through with your families and do whatever feels right for the two of you.

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  • Ashraf
    Beginner November 2027 Texas
    Ashraf ·
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    A blessing and reception the following summer sounds like a sensible compromise, especially when the wedding abroad is intentionally small. It does not need to be a complete re-enactment: you could re-wear your outfits, include a short reading or renewed promises, show photos from Cyprus, and then have dinner and speeches with your family.

    Personal touches could make it feel like a separate celebration rather than a second wedding. If your partner enjoys gaming and you are exchanging gifts, this SCUF controller PS5 guide may be useful when comparing gift options. The important thing is that the day reflects you as a couple while giving your family an opportunity to celebrate with you.

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  • MeowMeows
    Beginner August 2026 New York
    MeowMeows ·
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    I think a blessing sounds like a lovely compromise, especially if having the actual wedding abroad is what you both really want. ❤️

    You can have the intimate beach wedding in Hawaii that you've dreamed of, while still giving your family the opportunity to celebrate with you when you return. A blessing or short re-enactment at the reception could make the day feel more special for everyone without changing the fact that you were already legally married abroad Letras Diferentes

    Ultimately, it's your wedding and your choice. Your family may be disappointed at first, but hopefully they'll understand that you're trying to include them while still having the wedding experience that's meaningful to you both. I hope you have an amazing time in Hawaii! 🌺💍

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  • Olivia
    Norfolk
    Olivia ·
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    I think a blessing after the wedding abroad sounds like a lovely compromise. You can still have the intimate beach wedding you both want, while giving your family the chance to be part of a special moment when you return. It doesn’t have to feel like re-doing the wedding either, you could keep it simple and personal before the evening reception . If Hawaii is what you both genuinely want, I wouldn’t let family pressure change that. They’ll probably appreciate being included in some way.

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  • Nouman
    Beginner August 2026 Kent
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    We recently moved and one thing I didn't expect was how much unwanted furniture and household stuff we ended up with. Getting the larger items out was definitely the hardest part. For anyone in Evansville dealing with a move or house cleanout, I found this local resource useful: Junk Removal Evansville Indiana

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  • Mac
    Beginner July 2026 Pennsylvania
    Mac ·
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    I think a blessing could be a really lovely compromise. You can still enjoy the intimate destination wedding you both want while giving your family the opportunity to celebrate with you afterward. You could even add a small personal touch to the invitations or reception, such as hiding your initials or a short message in Morse code . It could be a fun little detail that only some guests notice. Overall, I think the most important thing is finding a balance that makes both of you happy while still including your family.

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  • Char
    Curious August 2024 Monmouthshire
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    Tech on Dicas is a Portuguese-language digital tips website focused on practical, everyday technology solutions. It covers topics like smartphone optimization, battery life, data privacy, WhatsApp tricks, internet security, IoT and smart home devices, entertainment recommendations, and ways to earn extra income online.

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  • Ranker
    Beginner September 2026 Pakistan
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    A wedding abroad can be a beautiful experience, and receiving blessings from family and loved ones can make the occasion even more meaningful. For more useful digital content and resources, you can also check out Free download

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    Beginner July 2026 Middlesex
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    Arranging a church blessing after a marriage recognized abroad is a meaningful way to celebrate with your local community. Checking in directly with your parish priest ensures you have all the right prep work and paperwork squared away without any confusion.
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