How does it all work?

[grubbybrat]

So, I'm getting married in April. We've booked a registry office, made an appointment to give notice of our intention, invited half a dozen select friends to chip up on the day, given some vague thoughts to music and outfits, and bought rings. We've nearly booked a pub to take them all to lunch after, and we know we need to sort out some kind of wording. And we're asking one of the guests each to sign as witnesses, and one more to take some photos.

But there feels like a lot of areas I'm vague about. For example:

If you don't have a best man/woman, how do people normally handle the rings -just fish them out of a pocket at the right moment?

How do you do the music? I doubt I'll be in the right frame of mind to remember to hit the play button on the iPod.

What else do we need to consider?

[fleacircus]

Can't help, but have been pondering on exactly those two questions. Get a friend to press play, perhaps?

I was thinking I would arrange for the rings to be placed on the table before the ceremony, so they're just there waiting for us.

Also, your plans sound quite similar to ours, which means a) I like you and b) are you 'entering' in any way? I wasn't planning to, just to loiter about with everybody else until the thing begins, but not sure if that means there won't be a proper beginning.

[fleacircus]

Now I come to think of it, we only want music at the end, so maybe by then the registrar will have a free hand to press play with?

[purplepingu]

I'm a wedding photographer so I see a lot of weddings, feel free to pick my brains!

If you haven't got anyone to handle the rings then the registrar will probably take them off you and have them on the table, either in the box or sometimes they have their own cushion. Or you could give the job to one of your guests even if they're not officially a best man/woman.

Regarding music, this will probably be provided on a CD and tell the registrar which track you want playing at which time and they'll sort it all for you. You won't have to do it yourself!

[purplepingu]

Fleacircus, at our local register office the bride and groom both go into the room before any of the guests to meet with the registrar. When the guests are allowed to enter the bride and groom are usually sat on chairs at the front.

Very occasionally the bride makes an 'official' entrance. At our local register offices it's pretty much a given that the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony. But different offices may operate differently.

[fleacircus]

Excellent. I'm going to practise 'loitering' so that I can do it really well on the big day. Thanks, Purplepingu!