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

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.