Wedding Plans...

So Shaw and I are getting remarried sometime this summer. When we decided to get remarried, it seemed like a simple idea. What was so hard about that? However, as time has gone on, the idea of getting remarried has become more than just saying "I do". It is now a matter of what kind of ceremony do we want? The options are endless. We could fly to Las Vegas, drive to Eureka Springs, have a nice wedding nearby, or go to the courthouse.

Las Vegas, the marriage capital of the world! Couples can choose to get married in a hot air balloon, helicopter, drive through windows, chapels, and even be escorted down the aisle by Elvis. With all these options, no wonder why elopers flock to this marriage haven! However, there is the cost. While the weddings are very inexpensive in themselves, there is the need to fly out there, which adds about $500-600 for the trip. Then, of course, there's the entertainment factor and expenses. So, for about $2000 we could get remarried in Vegas. Not bad for a honeymoon, remarriage and fun weekend!

The next option is Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It's a beautiful area offering dozens of wedding chapels, bed and breakfast Victorian parlors and gardens to say "I do". The weddings can be very informal, and you can even get a tin picture taken afterwards with a sign saying "just hitched". Or, you can opt for a small service in a beautiful garden area. The choice of dressing up, or dressing down is entirely yours. Most of the places offer different packages for you as well. You can pay a flat fee and everything for a reception and wedding is included! Cake, decorations, silverware...everything. For about $1000, we could have a nice little honeymoon there, and get married at whichever place seems the best.

Another choice for getting remarried is simply going to the courthouse here in town. It would cost less than $100 and take no time to drive out at all. There would be no money wasted on special attire, or hotels. But, it just seems too drab for me.

The last option, which seems very unlikely, is having a real wedding. There is a beautiful setting by the lake called the Lake House here in Pawnee. It's a very old structure allowing for a beautiful overview of the lake. I had a friend have her commitment ceremony there are it was gorgeous. It offers for beautiful pictures and very natural lighting. This option would be great, except for the fact that nobody would show up. Some of our family and friends are happy for us, others aren't so happy about it. This option would cost somewhere between $1000-2000 depending on what dress I chose, decorations, etc. http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2827&prodgroup=10 or http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2790&prodgroup=159 However, since there wouldn't be a big turn out, it almost seems like a waste of money.

Overall, the most important thing about getting remarried is the fact that we are choosing to committ to one another again in our lives. We are promising one another that we will be together through thick and thin. We have realized that life with each other is better than without. The kind of service or location of our second wedding to one another is not important, and in fact, is quite trivial when it comes down to it. Wherever and however we choose to remarry, the day we do it will be special. It won't matter if there is family and friends around, afterall it's not their wedding. What we wore and who married us won't matter either. All that matters is that we are legally choosing to express our love towards one another.