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Is This a Wedding?

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Hello Polite One,

I hope I can ask another question.  Wedding planning is stressful!  Recently we decided to have a civil ceremony in May and then a formal ceremony with family and friends in August.  We had booked our original wedding date for August 5.  We still want to celebrate our marriage with friends and family on August 5 even though we will be married for 3 months.  Would this be considered a marriage blessing ceremony since are now married?

Is this how we would word our invitations?  Where can I find more examples?  Thanks for your help.  Sorry to be a bother.

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Jolley

Cordially invite you a celebration in honor our recent marriage

Ceremony to Bless the Marriage followed by cake and punch

will be held on August 5, 2012 at 1:30 in the afternoon

Cocktail attire.

Insert Address of Venue.

Sincerely,

Brenda

Hello Brenda,

You are not a bother. 

This wouldn't be proper, as you two will be married.  If your second ceremony is a religious (one held in a church) ceremony to recognize your marriage, it would be a small private affair and not considered a wedding.  Therefore, you won’t find invitation samples. 

If you want to celebrate your new status with family and friends, you could host a belated reception in August.  It is not a gift-giving event but can include all you wish to invite.  Belated receptions don't normally include all the traditional reception elements, as they can appear odd, such as the dances, tosses, and the cutting of the cake.  But, since you are only providing cake and refreshments, that shouldn’t be a problem. 

Your invitation would be a wedding reception to celebrate your earlier wedding. 

Example

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Jolley

Cordially invite you a cake and punch reception in honor our recent marriage

Date at Time

Address of Venue.

Attire isn't mentioned since it isn't formal and isn't a wedding/reception invitation.

Please remember that when you are privately married, there are no prewedding parties.  Only those invited to the wedding may be invited to prewedding parties, such as showers.  Work showers are fine though.

Good luck with the planning!

The Polite One

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