Small intimate at home ceremony followed by symbolic ceremony for just the two of us

dianna912 · April 6, 2011

It's always been by dream to have the destination wedding with the beautiful beach pictures, so we have decided to do exactly that.

The only thing is, we can't really afford to do a week at the resort, and a week for the honeymoon, so... what we are thinking about doing is having a small, intimate ceremony back home, with just parents and siblings, then we would do a symbolic ceremony on Isla Mujeres with just the two of us.

We're really not into the big wedding/reception idea. This is my second wedding, so it's just not important to me. It's really just about us, but I do want to share it with our family.

My thought is to do the small ceremony at home, and just have dinner at a restaurant after. It would be a definite break from tradition, no music, no garter toss, etc.

Has anyone done this?

82turtles · April 6, 2011

That's not our plan, but one of my friends from high school did something very similar to what you are thinking - they had a small ceremony at the courthouse with just parents and grandparents, and then they just went out to dinner at a nice restaurant afterwards with the family that attended. Then they did a symbolic ceremony on the beach down in Mexico (although they did have 4 friends join them for the vacation).

I'd say if that's what you want to do -- do it!!

celestial419 · April 6, 2011

It's YOUR wedding, you can do anything you want to! Its all about 2 two.

We did a very small intimate wedding at home for our legal day for those who couldn't make it to Mexico. Had about 10 ppl (grandparents, friends with newborn, family members) with a minister. He did a quick 5-10 minute ceremony at our house, then we treated everyone for a nice lunch that afternoon. It was very short, sweet, and intimate.

Our Mexican celebration, will also be small and intimate.. just our immediate family.

harkatea · April 6, 2011

Well, often with destination weddings (at least with ours in Southeast Asia) you have to do it legally at home anyway, so I say, if that's what you want, go for it!

JayKay · April 10, 2011

Id say do what you want! Its your wedding! At first we had considered exactly what you are thinking of doing, but decided we would love to have our family there for our special destination wedding. However, looking back I wish we would have planned it just the two of us it would have made things way easier! Do what you wish! Its your wedding!!

deannamarie85 · April 11, 2011

We have chosen to go to our dream destination wedding in Jamaica but it will just be the two of us. Then about six weeks after our return we will have a formal AHR with all our family and friends. whatever will bring you the most happiness is the way to go! i think your idea sounds great!