Forgot to give notice to marry! What next

[weddingmuppet]

I have name changed as have talked about this irl and is seems to be an unusual situation... no one else is as stupid as us.

We have our wedding planned for next weekend, 50 day guests, 120 evening, coming from all over etc.

We originally gave notice of intention to marry last December, thinking of a spring wedding. Didn't get around to arranging that.
When we finally set the date the location of the registry office had moved, meaning that we had to fill in the forms again.
We were told this and then promptly forgot until a couple of days ago.

Have now filled in the forms ( luckily got last minute appointment) and applied for a waiver to the legally required 29 days notice.
These waivers are for exceptional circumstances. The only example given is terminal illness . But it is up to the discretion of Registrars head office.
We will find out on Monday if we are allowed to get married next weekend

We will go ahead with the party, but won't be meaningful in the same way.

Has anyone else done or heard of others who have forgotten to do this essential bit of bureaucracy?
If so how did it turn out?

Trying to gauge what our chances are...
It's going to be a long weekend!

Good luck!

Good luck. Hopefully it will be sorted especially as their move seems to be the reason for your oversight.

Even if they can't grant the license you can still have your full wedding as planned. Get someone to act as a registrar while you say your vows etc. Go and do the legal bit yourselves when you are able.

It will still be a lovely day either way.

Any update OP? 👰💒

Really hope they took pitty on you @weddingmuppet

And I agree with another poster that they partly caused this with the venue change.

I hope they took pity on you, OP. My county has Registrars in each bourough, but they also keep some people on hand as Registrars on zero hours contracts, so your area may also have this.

Did they sort it out for you, @weddingmuppet? I've been hoping you managed to get it sorted all day

I do hope you got it sorted out.

Thanks for the support and follow up.
Still don't know!
Central office have asked for further info from local registrars- they say we'll know tomorrow.
DHTB and I are going through various emotional stages. Rather fatalistic resignation today, but I am holding onto so hope that all will be well.
Has taken a bit of the excitement away.
But it is still going to be a great party

We did consider approaching the local vicar, as pp gave helpful info that under common licence they can waive the usual time frame for notice.
I do know him but we don't attend church, and it is a big ask and a long shot to ask him to sort out last minute paper work and a wedding in his church at five days notice as a back up plan for our fuck up. Just too cf for me.

Fingers still crossed!
Will update when I have news...

I've got everything crossed for you both that the council come through

Oh you are a muppet but a funny story in years to come 🤣🤣

If they say no, all is not lost! Some friends ours had a quickie wedding due to a family illness, and they used a celebrant, so they still had their ceremony, she still walked down the aisle, they said their vows etc. Just as in a 'normal' wedding, they then sloped off to the registry office and did it officially a few weeks later! I've heard of people doing guest led ceremonies too, so you could still walk down the aisle, get your children/family/friends to do readings and tell stories about you, exchange 'vows' then onto your party as normal! All the same except you have to go to your local registry office and make it official (to which id deffo be wearing my wedding dress again 😉) don't worry, I'm sure you'll have an amazing day whatever happens! And you'll look back on it in years to come and laugh! Xx

Hope all is okay

Who is conducting the wedding?

Any update yet OP? Keeping everything crossed for you.

We ARE getting married!!
Thanks for all your advice and support.
Celebrant rang this afternoon to make arrangements!
Phew, what a relief

Yay!

Good news Weddingmuppethope you have a lovely day

Our spiritual and legal weddings were far apart due to bureaucratic issues. We celebrate the day we exchanged bows in front of our friends and family. Not having the legal bit done did not impact the meaning of the big day. N

Ahh congratulations @weddingmuppet!!

We gave notice today, inspired by this thread 🍾

Wonderful update!! Time to relax and enjoy the preparations now

Fantastic news!

Fantastic news!

I bet the relief was emence. Onwards and upwards for the big day now

Hurray! What a relief!

Yay!
Sounds like exactly the sort of thing I would do1