There's a MASH episode where Winchester goes on R&R and comes back unwittingly "married". (The bartender had been the "officiant". charles of course has no memory of it,) The "wife" shows up, hilarity ensues, culminating with their "unwedding" where the "reverend J B Honeydew" announces "by the authority vested in me by the state of inebriation, I now declare you man and woman. You may now ignore the bride."

That makes light of it. I should think the uncoupled should be on pretty good terms to have a "ceremony" such as your friend's neighbor has been invited to.

Yes, bpathome, we are all reduced to a sitcom. So very sad.

bpathome, I've never seen that episode of Mash, but it sounds great.

Are attendees supposed to bring gifts to an Unattached Ceremony?!

Delilah66, I think the idea better matches what I believe are called Reality shows!

Hey, whatever floats their boats! As one who felt rather stigmatized by divorce in certain circles when I was younger, I kinda have to applaud those who face the reality of a dissolution with an obvious lightheartedness and goodwill towards one another. I wish I could have known as a much younger woman what I know now about not wallowing in the shame of a marriage that didn't last, based upon what I worried others might "think" of me.

Anyway - is the invitee going? Might be a fun party!

Actually it's nice. When a couple breaks up their friends feel awkward and don't know how to treat them. This seems to me a friendly departure so friends know they can continue to socialize without tiptoeing around the newly divorced.

The grammar offends me though. It should be "unattachment", if they insist on using that word.

As long as it's a good party, count me in.

I tried to do a search for a video that was done a few years back. The couple was announcing their divorce by videotaping the reason why. They sang to each other and also played instruments.

The reason for the divorce was that the husband wanted children and the wife did not. And, she wasn't going to change her mind. They wanted people to know that it might be awkward at first, but to still invite both of them to parties!

It was a respectful and unique way of sharing this news.

I think that having a "party" shows that the divorce is amicable and leaves no room for rumors.

I think it was in the movie version of Under the Tuscan Sun where one character says, "A marriage begins with cake and champagne. It should end the same way."

Well, now I'm really confused... My friend says the couple is not currently married and the return envelope is addressed to "The future Mr & Mrs xxx"! So what on earth could this "unattached" ceremony be?

Yes, I haven't performed one, but I know people who have created and participated in such ceremonies. They are serious effort to help the requestors move out of their past life and into their future life in a ceremonial way. Sometimes there is only one person participating, but we are seeing more couples. It is a rite of passage ceremony, and we are rapidly losing sight of observing and honoring our life transitions, good or bad.

Well, perhaps instead of expecting gifts, they can return their wedding gifts to the guests!

Haha Oly. The moment of truth when you receive back your unopened crockpot!

bpathome, that MASH episode was the first thing that crossed my mind. LOL!

Do they give back the wedding gifts at this ceremony?