What did you do when signing the marriage certificate?

[IslandG1rl]

Any ideas about the gap in the ceremony when we sign the marriage certificate? (Non religious civil ceremony)

I don't want to play anything on an iPod as I think it sounds cheesy and we can't have religious readings etc as it's a civil service. Can people just sit there and wait or is that too dull? If we choose a non-religious reading, what if it is too short and there's an awkward silence?

[Aprilislonggone]

We just played music from Game Of Thrones!

[LonginesPrime]

I think the ipod music would only sound cheesy if you choose cheesy music.

I would just play some nice music to avoid the awkward silence - it doesn't take that long to sign anyway.

[happymummy12345]

At our wedding (registry office) guests sat and chatted amongst themselves. It doesn't take that long really. Even with the signing the official register and then the dummy register for photos.

My mum and stepdad also got married in a registry office and guests did the same.

[jq28]

We had 3 songs and people chatted and took pics.

[AlbusPercival]

We had a classical guitarist

[Thirtyrock39]

We had a relative who is a fantastic singer sing a solo
The only downside is we totally missed it as we were distracted with signing and people still say how lovely the singing was but I have no memory of it !

[ClashCityRocker]

April please say you played the rains of castemere!

[ClashCityRocker]

We had instrumental versions of songs played. Think we had wild wood by Paul weller...

So nice enough as background music for guests to chat amongst thselves.

[stellabird]

We only took a few minutes - we played ABBA singing " I do I do I do" . Our dozen guests just stood around and talked , took pics of each other.

[LordOfTheFleas]

I have no idea tbh! We did have a guitarist so maybe he played something, it's all a blur. I want to ask DH now but he's asleep, bet he doesn't have a clue what happened either!

[Soberfutures]

We played "long and winding" road while we signed and people took pics and chatted. Before we exited to queens "best friend"

[Soberfutures]

This is the reading my friend gave us. Always makes me smile if you after a non religious reading.


He never leaves the seat up
Or wet towels upon the floor
The toothpaste has the lid on
And he always shuts the door!

She’s very clean and tidy
Though she may sometimes delude
Leave your things out at your peril
In a second they’ll have moved!

He’s a very active person
As are all his next of kin
Where as she likes lazy days
He’ll still drag her to the gym!

He romances her and dines her
Home cooked dinners and the like
He even knows her favourite food
And spoils her day and night!

She’s thoughtful when he looks at her
A smile upon his face
Will he look that good in 50 years
When his dentures aren’t in place?!

He says he loves her figure
And her mental prowess too
But when gravity takes her over
Will she charm with her IQ?

She says she loves his kindness
And his patience is a must
And of course she thinks he’s handsome
Which in her eyes is a plus!

They’re both not wholly perfect
But who are we to judge
He can be pig headed
Where as she won’t even budge!

All that said and done
They love the time they spent together
And I hope as I’m sure you do
That this fine day will last forever.

He’ll be more than just her husband
He’ll also be her friend
And she’ll be more than just his wife
She’s be his soul mate ‘till the end.

[Shoxfordian]

We're having some classical background music whilst signing

[marmaladejar]

We had a pianist for some background music. She played non religious songs. Mostly people just watched and chatted amongst themselves.

[user1493413286]

We chose a song that we really liked that wasn’t cheesy and it encouraged people to chat a bit while we signed it; silence would make people feel awkward and I’d be worried that a reading wouldn’t be long enough

[StarfishSandwich]

Had a choir sing Into My Arms and Straight to You by Nick Cave. We were in a church though (although obviously not a church choir with the choice of songs!) so lovely acoustics and perfect set up for a choir.

My aunt had an opera singer (family friend) at her wedding which was very nice.

As long as you don’t play Ed Sheeran on an iPod (yawn) you’re grand!

[TulipsInBloom1]

We played Elbows One Day Like This, and then had people up for photos of us "posing" with the book.

[CherryPavlova]

We signed the register in church, to the side of the alter. The choir and congregation sang Jerusalem.

[Oct18mummy]

I had an opera singer was amazing

[bluetrampolines]

I wish i had phoned a solicitor. Sorry.

[Shockers]

We had a very lively gospel choir, but we were married in a church.

[whitershadeofpale]

You’re not sorry are you @bluetrampolines ? You’re clearly bitter and bitchy though.

[bluetrampolines]

Nope. Much worse than that. Much much much worse than that.

[EggysMom]

We found a song with words that were meaningful to us, and played that. We didn't hear any of it because people decided to chat amongst themselves!

[anniehm]

Depends on your budget, a young singer is a popular option here, whatever music you fancy (they are a lot cheaper than adults and at 17/18 are building their cv's so will cut you a better deal!). Similarly a violin player, pianist (if there's a piano). Last one I organised had a quartet - £200