Hi Jayne,

I was originally planning to get married in October, with the whole shebang - 150 people, all out sit-down dinner, drinking, dancing reception. But for multiple reasons (school, work, money, STRESS!!!) we decided to back it up to June and make it a "family only" ceremony and dinner. We would like to have an "after" party but I need some advice on how to do this.

Firstly, what is the appropriate timeframe? Should it be within a certain period of time after the ceremony? I actually thought to maintain the October date and just have the party then, as several people we already aware of the date, but I dont know if 4 months is too long to wait. Also - how do we word the invites? Would it be PC to send our wedding photo announcing the marriage and inviting the guest to the party at the same time? As in - we tied the knot, now please come celebrate with us?

And my A-#1 most important question - would I be violating some sacrament if I wore my dress again? Since we are not having a DJ and dancing at the ceremony/dinner, but we will at the party, I would like to be "announced" and have that dance, hopefully in my wedding dress if that is not too tacky.

Help?
~Twice as nice

Hi Twice,

That's a boatload of questions. But my first thought? Lucky you! I say drag the celebration out as long as you can!

Here's what our fabulous Key West/Beach/Destination Wedding Expert Stephanie Happ of Swept Away advises, "Hosting a reception after the ceremony has taken place; even months after it has taken place is very much accepted. Most brides & grooms that opt for a destination wedding will host a reception in their hometown months after tying the knot in some far of place. A great idea is to bring the ceremony to the guests, so to speak. Many brides wait to have the large party until after their pictures have been developed or the video has been edited. This way they can be displayed or shown during the celebration. You of course can wear your dress again - that is part of the fun! It's your party you do what you want to! Take Gwen Stefani as an example - she hosted two weddings, One in the United States the other across the sea and she wore the same dress to both events. "