Ceremony and Reception on Different Days?

I would personally steer against the monday date. i feel like if you have another date booked for that weekend no one is going to show up on monday (work,kids,school,tests,meetings etc) and then for them to travel to your ceremony for a 1/2 hour or 1 and leave wouldnt make sense

I have heard of wedding and reception being one day after, not few days after though. I would imagine your having 2 guest lists for those attending the wedding and then coming again with the added list for reception few days following. It seems bit of a stretch if they get busy or engaged with other things happening. The best suggestion that can be taken into consideration is having the reception right after the wedding for your guests sticking around to enjoy their evening.

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And if your family will throw up their arms in craziness about your date, just don't tell them. Get legally married on May 10 with your witness and then pretend the weekend celebration is the real thing. By the time anyone finds out, it'll be like a year afterward and whether or not they're grumpy about it won't matter.

I would say if the date means that much to you then if I were you I would get legally married on the 10th, and then do a mock ceremony on the following Saturday. That or maybe you could get your ceremony video taped and have it play at your wedding reception? As long as you mention it to your immediate family that might want to attend the "real thing" I'm sure extended family won't be too butt hurt. At the same time I don't think I would care if they are... it's your wedding and I'm sure the date means more than having them be happy to see it live.

My birthday is also May 10th! Not sure if this will really be an issue, but May 10th is always around the Mother's Day weekend, so you might want to keep that in mind re: your guests and their plans.

I'm super pro May 10th, it's my birthday!


I agree with Maddy, have your legal ceremony on May 10th and have a symbolic ceremony and reception at a later date. It's up to you if you want to wear your dress for the legal ceremony, you could choose a more casual style of dress or wear the same dress twice.

View quoted message Ouu, I haven't heard that idea yet. Will definitely consider it! Thank you

You could legally get married on the Monday, have a quick/private courthouse ceremony then do the (symbolic) ceremony and reception on the weekend. That way your anniversary is May 10th but the wedding (celebration) is on the weekend!