Over the past few years, the wedding landscape has shifted in major ways. COVID didn’t just change how we gathered — it changed how couples think about marriage, community, and what a “wedding” even needs to look like. And now, one trend is standing out more than ever: Papers First, Party Later.

More couples are choosing to make it legal with a simple courthouse ceremony, then saving up and planning a larger celebration down the road. And honestly? We love this for you.

A Shift Sparked by the Pandemic

During the height of COVID restrictions, tiny ceremonies, backyard vows, and courthouse appointments became the norm. But what started as a necessity has grown into a thoughtful, intentional choice.

Couples realized:

  • You don’t need a giant event to commit to one another.

  • Marriage is the meaningful part. The party is the bonus.

  • Intimacy and intention can be just as impactful as a grand celebration.

This mindset stuck, even as the world reopened.

The Rise of Multiple Celebrations

One of the most beautiful outcomes of this shift is that couples now feel empowered to celebrate their love in multiple ways.

A courthouse signing.
A rooftop dinner with friends.
A bigger party a year later.
A destination weekend with chosen family.

Instead of feeling like everything has to fit into one day, couples now spread out the magic and get to enjoy the process instead of squeezing it all into 8 hours.

Many couples tell us they love:

  • Taking the pressure off the “wedding day” to be perfect.

  • Creating space for smaller, more meaningful moments.

  • Having different types of celebrations for different communities.

Because let’s be real: your work friends, your cousins, your college crew, and your parents’ extended family might not all belong at the same party. And that’s okay.

Financial Flexibility Matters

Weddings are an investment, and it’s completely valid to want the wedding you’ve been dreaming of without stress, debt, or rushing.

Choosing Papers First, Party Later allows couples to:

  • Get legally married now.

  • Take their time saving for a larger celebration.

  • Use the extra planning time to design something that truly reflects them.

  • Make more intentional, values-aligned decisions.

This approach is especially popular with couples who want:

  • A specific venue but need a longer booking timeline.

  • A larger event budget.

  • More time to plan a cultural ceremony or fusion celebration.

  • To prioritize financial stability before hosting a big event.

You Get the Best of Both Worlds

What we love most about this trend is that couples truly get the best of both worlds:

  • A meaningful, no-pressure moment to legally commit.

  • The freedom to celebrate later, exactly how they want.

Your timeline doesn’t need to match anyone else’s. Whether your celebration happens three months or three years after your courthouse date, it’s still your story.

And when the big party comes? It’s even sweeter knowing you crafted it with intention, love, and the space to make it truly yours.

Thinking About Doing Papers First, Party Later?

We’ve helped couples design everything from tiny courthouse moments to multi-day wedding weekends. If you’re exploring this path and want support planning your larger celebration. We’re here to bring it to life with color, creativity, and ease!