registry office wedding wanted - what do I need to know?

[Salmiak]

We've decided to get married. Dh hates being the centre of attention, I've never dreamed of having a big white wedding... we've been together more than a decade, have 2 dc, were not religious, and just view it as more of a 'pragmatic getting the paperwork' done kind of thing rather than a huge romantic event...

So we want a registry office wedding, with just 2 people to be our witnesses.

What do we need to do? I know we need to go in 28 days before and register our documents but we're pretty clueless as to the rest. I've looked at our local council website, it says they can perform wedding there in one of the room with prices starting from £385 plus registrar, plus £35 each for our identity check 28 days before. this seems extortionate for a room that will be used to sign some documents by 4 people for 10 minutes

[CMOTDibbler]

Have a look at the other registry offices close to you. I just checked in my area and the one in my town only has big rooms, but one a few miles away says you can get married in the registrars office for £50, as do a few others locally.
As for the rest, ring up to get a date, and then they'll tell you what else you need to do.

Are you going to take witnesses, or do the random MN witnesses thing?

[Imfinehowareyou]

We did this and it only cost just over £100 from start to finish. We did the initial register bit (weeks before ceremony) then had the cheapest room. The actual ceremony was much lovelier than I expected. Our room was less than £50. The 2 people doing the ceremony were lovely. A great experience - we're as married as the next couple but without £1000s to pay off. Congratulations!

[Salmiak]

Thanks for the tip about checking out different towns, will check that.

I don't think I'll do the mumsnet witness thing - I have a couple of friends for whom weddings mean a lot and they would feel hugely honoured to be our witnesses so will see if they're free as it will maybe bring them joy!

[NameChange30]

Sounds like a great plan! Could you go out for lunch or dinner afterwards with your DCs (and witnesses if you want to include them)? And get your friends to take one or photos of you on the day - it will be good to have a memento! Even if you don't want a fuss you might regret not having a photo or two.