Register wedding...

So last night we talked after I had gone all cross-eyed while he was at work. I searched on stuff and basically come to the conclusion that would can not afford a nice wedding at a hotel or a castle and since you can't marry outside that's out of the question. Plus...we gathered that there is...around 6 people from my family who I know would be there (if no more who would suprise me) then...his family.

Sister 1 + 5
Sister 2 + 5
Brother 1 + 6
Brother 2 + 1
Mum & Dad
Best friend + 1

That's not including...whoever else decides to come (other brothers and sisters who arn't close, aunts/uncles and all those other family members that come out of the woodwork) so a nice wedding is out of the question seeing as most places if you were to marry at a hotel or something was like £85+ per person.

I went to his county's council website and it says 16 days for processing notification and 7 days of actually living in the county. On the 23rd day you can get married. That who processing thing seems so 1800s style to me lol but whatever.

Okie on to my question (i know I'm getting ahead of myself but I thought about it last night and 08 really isn't THAT far away.) Is it okie to do a normal type wedding at the register office? Like dress and suit and the whole deal...I read that you can do your own decor and all that but it has to be approved by the office. I would like to have a dress or if I can't then do it as formal as I can. I don't want it to be jeans and a shirt type event...

Then after we'd probably do a reception but...is a BBQ an acceptable type thing for such an event? Or maybe a visit to a pub or resteraunt...I'm sure it will be less than 40 people.

I'm such a list maker and plan maker it's not even funny 

There is no right or wrong way to do a wedding...it's your day afterall!  Of course you can dress up if you go to a register office.  And if they allow you to decorate, why not do something simple?  And my uncle had a pig roast BBQ as his reception...it was fabulous!!!!  And I know people who've just gone to a restaurant and had a simple reception.  Do whatever you'd like to make the day special

There is no right or wrong way to do a wedding...it's your day afterall!  Of course you can dress up if you go to a register office.  And if they allow you to decorate, why not do something simple?  And my uncle had a pig roast BBQ as his reception...it was fabulous!!!!  And I know people who've just gone to a restaurant and had a simple reception.  Do whatever you'd like to make the day special

Well I wasn't sure if you can go all out at the register office. That's nice to know...haha now I can go crazy with thoughts and lists. I can just imagine what ill be like when he offically asks  I see a bridezilla in my future haha.

thanks for the response 

Well I wasn't sure if you can go all out at the register office.

I'm not speaking from experience or anything...I just know you can dress any way you want.  The decorations are another story.  You'd have to ask them.

I'm not speaking from experience or anything...I just know you can dress any way you want.  The decorations are another story.  You'd have to ask them.

well i read about the decor but there was nothing on what you wear...and everytime i've seen a register wedding here people are very casual.

I didn't go all out for my register wedding. I wore a nice ivory top and skirt but didn't wear my wedding dress since my family couldn't attend. We did see the wedding party after us and they went all out with full wedding dress, multiple attendants (I counted 5 bridesmaids with a feeling that more could show up) and a fairly large guest list. You couldn't do anything decorwise at the Coventry Register Office but I wouldn't have wanted to anyway. It's a beautiful room all on it's own, there were a couple of flower arrangements but that was it.

I didn't go all out for my register wedding. I wore a nice ivory top and skirt but didn't wear my wedding dress since my family couldn't attend. We did see the wedding party after us and they went all out with full wedding dress, multiple attendants (I counted 5 bridesmaids with a feeling that more could show up) and a fairly large guest list. You couldn't do anything decorwise at the Coventry Register Office but I wouldn't have wanted to anyway. It's a beautiful room all on it's own, there were a couple of flower arrangements but that was it.

Oh wow...5? well atleast you can make it your own. I read on his county council site that you can but it has to be approved. I've also read that like if you marry on a weekend you more than likely can't go all out and decorate as they get you in and get you out and have more than one wedding appointment. I saw a picture of one and it was really nice...i doubt i'd do much if anything but it's nice to know you can.

I thought from a previous post, you were not getting married until 2008?! 

We had to go to Leeds to declare our notice, and there was a wedding coming in as we left.  I didn't see the bride, but the men were in morning suits.  Also, the driver of my car got confused and drove me to the registry office first.  I was wearing a big fluffy dress, and he didn't seem to think anything of it.  The main thing is, it's your day do it however you want and enjoy it!  My wedding was more formal than I thought I really wanted.  But we did the arrangements, and I stopped worrying about if it looked right or how formal it was or wasn't, and just had a blast.  I'd say, do it however you want.  If you want the dress, just do it!  You'll look amazing!  At our reception, I don't think it would have mattered what we ate, everyone was just happy to be there.  They will be there to see you, where you have the reception is just the place they get to see you in.  We went to the pub after our reception, and it was definitely a great time! 

I thought from a previous post, you were not getting married until 2008?! 

Yes...correct. I said in the post  "(i know I'm getting ahead of myself but I thought about it last night and 08 really isn't THAT far away.)"

We had to go to Leeds to declare our notice, and there was a wedding coming in as we left.  I didn't see the bride, but the men were in morning suits.  Also, the driver of my car got confused and drove me to the registry office first.  I was wearing a big fluffy dress, and he didn't seem to think anything of it.  The main thing is, it's your day do it however you want and enjoy it!  My wedding was more formal than I thought I really wanted.  But we did the arrangements, and I stopped worrying about if it looked right or how formal it was or wasn't, and just had a blast.  I'd say, do it however you want.  If you want the dress, just do it!  You'll look amazing!  At our reception, I don't think it would have mattered what we ate, everyone was just happy to be there.  They will be there to see you, where you have the reception is just the place they get to see you in.  We went to the pub after our reception, and it was definitely a great time! 

AWW well that's good...I dunno we will see what happens when the time comes for preperation.

You can have a full on wedding at a registry office with a big dress, bridesmaids, your own music etc but decorations may be more tricky as you usually have to be in and out in half an hour, including the ceremony and signing the register.   Some places also have rules about no confetti.

You can have a full on wedding at a registry office with a big dress, bridesmaids, your own music etc but decorations may be more tricky as you usually have to be in and out in half an hour, including the ceremony and signing the register.   Some places also have rules about no confetti.

yeah I saw the no confetti thing on another site but it wasn't for his county. They suggested bubbles or something which is cleaner lol.

Did you know you don't have to get married at your local registry office? You have to give notice there but you can get married at ANY registry office? We gave notice in Islington but married in Swansea it was a lot nicer (and right next to the sea for great photos!) and much less busy so we could marry on the day we wanted.   Might be worth looking into other registry offices to see if they have what you want.

Did you know you don't have to get married at your local registry office? You have to give notice there but you can get married at ANY registry office? We gave notice in Islington but married in Swansea it was a lot nicer (and right next to the sea for great photos!) and much less busy so we could marry on the day we wanted.   Might be worth looking into other registry offices to see if they have what you want.

0o0o...hmmm I'll tell Adam and see what he thinks. I'd prefer to do it at another one that I was actually able to see the pictures of. That's cool to know...thanks