<human>: I'm actually terrified of posting this after reading about the Pretty Princess Day at The Knot. I might get scrutinized and accused of being a gift grabber. Still I could really use some input and advice on the logistics of all these things.

 

We're going to have a courthouse wedding this year, and a wedding a year later. The courthouse wedding is happening much sooner due to the military complications, and some health and financial issues. One of our family members is battling cancer, and my maid of honor has been going in and out of hospital for her deteriorating health. I feel like I'm about to lose some of my dearest people in my life. I'm worried to the point where I could barely sleep. 
 

The problem is we've already booked our venue, and had set up our wedding registry for the wedding next year before deciding to get married this year. My best friend and her family have access to our registry and has already given us gifts.  
 

My fiance and I thought that we should inform our loved ones about our courthouse wedding when we send out our Save the Date for the wedding next year. Has anyone ever done this before? How did you word it?
 

Also should we even bother with our gift registry then? Truth is, our wedding registry are full of essential stuff that could really help us, but I feel we'll be fine too if we just scrap by with what we got.  Do we tell guests that we just got married when inviting to our 2016 wedding? How does this all work? Thanks for reading!

Can you give me a shortened version of the text?
<bot>: Did gift registry for 2016 wedding, but have to get married this year. Few friends and family already bought wedding gifts for us prior. What to do with the gift registry now if we get married this year?