International wedding. Ever have one? (My son is getting married!)

[phorsenuf]

My son that is stationed in Germany proposed to his girlfriend last night. Naturally she said yes! LOL
Thing is we are all here in the states and her whole family lives in Germany.

They probably won't get married for a year or so because he is leaving this Tuesday for Afghanistan.

Has anyone gone through this and how was it handled? He figures they will have one ceremony over there and then another one over here.

Any advice, thoughts, pearls of wisdom?

 

[helenabear]

Not completely international, but trust me flights from Puerto Rico were expensive enough to make it impossible to have all family at our wedding. We just had one ceremony... in my hometown. Granted a ton of family was left out, but they were all invited. Yes, it sucks that family gets left out, but I wouldn't make my dad pay for two receptions. And I couldn't have afforded two myself. So we just had one like I would have no matter where family was coming from.

Sounds kind of heartless, but there were members on both sides of the family who could not make the trip for travel reasons. We just had lots of pictures to share after the fact!

 

[simba928]

No advice here, sorry. Just wanted to say congratulations!

 

[LJC1861]

My sister in law is from Peru, and half chinese to boot. When she and my brother got married they had a civil ceremony here in the U.S. that my parents planned and our entire side of the family and friends attended. Jackie had her brother, who was the only family member able to get a visa and lots of friends of her family in attendance as well. It was a small affair, done by a justice of the peace and very very charming. It was held in December.

The following September they had their church wedding in Lima....where her family lives. Some of our family went down for the wedding and we had a blast! We got to see all of Lima, Cuzco and Macchu Picchu. The Peruvians have an entirely different take on weddings....especially on time. We were ready to be picked up at the time that was discussed, but the wedding didn't actually start for another 2 hours! That is just the way things are done. Also, nobody drinks soft drinks.....it was mostly alcohal. My parents don't drink much at all and the Peruvians thought us VERY strange for wanting coke served.

I taught them a fun American tradition.....that banging on the glasses with your silverware means that the bride and groom have to kiss. I did it in spanish ( which I don't speak very well ) and they understood VERY well! Needless to say that Brian and Jackie smooched a great deal that night. As my brother's "best sister" instead of his best man I also had to make the toast...in Spanish. I practiced for days, asking Jackie's brother to help with some of my pronunciation. It was one of the most special moments that my brother and I have ever shared. It is one wedding I will never forget.

Linda

 

[barkley]

i would check with the practices and traditions of the country/religion of the bride. there are still many that adhere to the etiquitte of the parent's automaticly arranging and paying for all travel and lodging of invited quests (groom's parents pay for their invitees, brides parents pay for their invitees). it's still listed in alot of wedding etiquitte books for weddings that require any invitee to travel enough to require lodging. with that in mind it may be better to have two separate weddings, or one wedding and a commitment ceremony (which i prefer because no feels like there is a real wedding and then a "pretend wedding").

 

[GeorgeG]

My son married a Swedish girl. The wedding was in Sweden and they have lived there since.

I'm not sure about German weddings, but weddings in Sweden often don't include lavish receptions. There is usually a dinner for close family and a few friends. My son had a little bigger party as a compromise of two customs. It's also not uncommon for Swedish couples to start a family before marriage.

 

[twojo21]

in the end it will be up to your son & fdil where & what type of wedding they have.

weve been guests at out of country weddings a few times & its a great chance to travel & share in the couples big moment. most of those trips the couple provided a travel agent to handle details, rooms were provided by one family or another or we rented homes &/or villas with a group which is a great way to save $.

if you want do a little reading up on german wedding traditions to get familiar just incase. germany is a fun place to travel, interesting history, beautiful countryside & mountains, friendly people, etc.

best wishes to your son.

 

[Nutsy]

I have a cousin who married a Chinese guy. They met in London where they were both working........she on a working holiday and he living there.

They were married in Canton (his home town) with all his family present and then they came to Australia (her home country) and had another ceremony here with her family.

The one here wasn't a big fancy affair, tho....