Couples may choose to hold sequel weddings after they have alreadyeloped or held small-scale ceremonies. These initial ceremonies are often referred to as "micro-weddings" or "minimonies", which are generally defined as having guest lists of fewer than fifty and ten people, respectively. In contrast, the more elaborate "sequel weddings" may have several hundred guests.[2] Sequel weddings often occur weeks, months, or even years after the legal ceremony.[3][4] Commonly, the motivation for sequel weddings is to be able to hold a celebration for guests who were unable to attend the first wedding while reserving legal nuptials for family and close friends.[5][6][7]
Sequel weddings gained popularity in the 2020s with the rise of theCOVID-19 pandemic. State-mandatedlockdowns forced many couples to reschedule their weddings multiple times.[9] As a result, many ultimately chose to marry in private ceremonies, and when restrictions subsided held a second, larger ceremony so they could invite family and friends.[3][4][10] According to a survey byThe Knot, one-third of surveyed couples who married in 2020 planned to hold an additionally ceremony in the future.[11]
