Informal backyard wedding/reception?

Ok Please bear with me. I know alot of people won't understand this but that is OK. I am a big girl and can handle a couple of hecklers. LOL

In 2004 my husband and I seperated and then divorced, due to in large part his depression and refusal to get help. since our divorce he went to counseling and then we went to counseling together. We have been reunited for 2 years and have decided to remarry (we have a 13yo daughter) I think we have both grown up alot and worked on our issues.

Now here are my questions:

1. Do we get new rings or reuse our origanals?

It will be an informal wedding in our backyard with 85 guests. The same pastor will be remarrying us. I will have a dance floor and tables but I am planning a huge barbecue. I am not assigning seats and it will be all family.

2. Do I still do favors and centerpieces?

3. Can I still have a photographer?

any other ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

great ideas guys. I LOVE the idea of the personalized BBQ sauce. I sort of feel like I want new rings, I know it sounds silly but I feel like they are tainted.

I'm not entirely sure what you're supposed to do about rings but I think it would be great to buy new ones and get that old tainted funk off. Ya know? Just a new beginning. Although I see nothing at all wrong with using the old ones and recommitting that way.

I would do favors and centerpieces for sure since you are using tables. You don't have to make it complicated since it's a casual setting anyway and there are so many great ideas. What about personalized bottles of BBQ Sauce with your names and both of your wedding dates?

Of course you can still have a photographer. Really, you can do whatever you like. I love the idea of the big family BBQ, just laid back and fun! You can deck out the backyard with lighted paper lanterns. Have a blast!

Congrats to you both for working things out and keeping your family together!

Just think of it as renewing your vows
1: Originals
2: Centerpieces
3: Yes

****Dont wear white maybe a pretty off white color

Congrats everything worked out for you and your husband

Congratulations!!!

Yes, get new rings. Of all your questions I think this one is the most significant to your new life together and absolutely requires a new unity circle.

I'd say go for the centerpieces and favors but due to the nature of the reception, keep them simple and elegant. Or simple and raw. Whatever your taste is but don't overdue it.

I think a photographer is appropriate but maybe with a different flare. Grab a few traditional shots with the hubby and daughter. Offer the photographer with a backdrop for your guests to get family pictures of their own and send a copy to them with a thank for attending/gift note. I'd also have the photographer snab some "in action" shots. People laughing, dancing, and having a good time. Good photos are always so much fun to look back on.

congratulations! i think its great that your renewing your vows. my answer to you is heck yeah go all out if you want to and if you don't then don't. you already had your first wedding right, ask yourself this did spending money on favors or centerpieces make that day anymore special to you or your hubby. i think you should have a photographer b/c your always going to look back at this day and remember. if you absolutely need a center piece go to the store find a cute tray and load it with jars of condiments. i just don't mean put a bottle of ketchup out there get medium glass jars like canning jars and pour the condiments into them. i think they would look cute and practical. and if you want to do favors go for it but think about all the wedding you have ever been to. now tell me how many of those favors do you still have. so go out and plan you wedding and don't get yourself caught up with all the etiquette stuff have fun and celebrate that two people fell back into love and want take a second chance at happiness. good luck!

Well congrats on working something out like that. I think it's great. Sometimes we all go through a rough patch and just have to work at it really hard to fix things. As for the rings... getting new ones could symbolize starting new, a new start for you both. I say go all out.. make it a nice day. Do centerpieces if you want. And yeah, take pictures, just because it didn't work the first time doesn't mean you can't start over and have evidence of all the new memories to start. Congrats and Best Wishes!

I had this happen to a friend of mine. She was married for many years, but they were having problems, so they separated. After about one year they started talking again...and they realized that they were still in love. They ended up getting remarried...and they are a really adorable couple. They did a marriage ceremony, very informal, but still nice.
As for your questions...
1. I think you can reuse the originals...or maybe what you could do, if you have the means or the desire, is have the originals melted, then made into two rings.

2. Centerpieces would be lovely...you can keep it very simple. As for favors, don't waste your money. Most of the time people end up throwing them away

3. Of course you can have a photographer. If you are trying to cut costs anywhere you can always go onto craigslist.com and search for photographers in your area. Most of the time photography students who are looking to increase their portfolio will do it for hardly nothing.

I am glad that you realize that people will probably give you a hard time about this...makes it easier to deal with. But listen to your heart always; and best of luck to you and your husband. :)

Your original relationship is the basis of your new marriage - so how about thinking along the same lines with your rings? Have a jeweller melt down the gold and reset them in a slightly different way?

You should certainly have a photographer, and favours and centrepieces are up to you... agree that a white dress is no longer the way to go, but a nice pale dress or suit would be beautiful.

Congrats on working out your issues!!

First of all, congratulations on reuniting and on your upcoming wedding...how exciting!!

Rings - This is completely up to you. You may choose to get new rings because it symbolizes a "new beginning" - the start of your NEW life together, putting the old behind you. But again, this is completely your decision. If you do use new rings, you could still keep your previous ones in your jewelry box as a reminder of the past that you have overcome to have the wonderful life you have together now.

Favors and Centerpieces - If this is what you want, then absolutely! There are really no rules when it comes to 2nd weddings, you can have anything you want to make your day special to you. Make this a day you have dreamed of. It is after all, something you have been working toward for a long time! You want to celebrate the good times the two of you have ahead of you, so do it the way you see fit.

Can you still have a photographer? Of course! In fact, I would HIGHLY recommend it! You definitely want to document this day. I would not only have the standard "posed" pictures, but candids of your friends and family throughout your reception as they share in your wonderful day with you.

Congratulations and Good Luck!

There are even less rules about re-marriages than there are about first, apart from the legal stuff of course.

1. I'd get new rings, new marriage, new rings.

2. Yes have favours and centre pieces, they look pretty, you are allowed to make the place look pretty!

3. Yes, have pictures taken, it is still a wedding!!!

Really anything goes!