AIBU to ask for your help (re wedding/witnesses)

[HelpMeGetMarried]

I know I'm being unreasonable, posting here for traffic! Me and DP will be getting married without telling anyone (We're just doing this bit for 'legal' reasons hoping to have a renewal of vows later on with family attending etc etc) BUT we have no one we can trust enough (to not spill the beans) to ask to be our witnesses, we need 2.
I know I can pull 2 randomers off the street, but would people likely be happy to do this? have you done this (as the witness or the bride+groom?) I'm also nervous in case we can't find anyone willing and we need to cancel or postpone so would rather have someone set up if that makes sense?
Would you pay someone to do it? We're getting married in a place we don't reside or visit often because we know someone who works in the local one so in theory could post on a local buy and sell site offering a small incentive (ie bottle of wine, lift, gift voucher, tenner?) for doing it, would this work?
I appreciate any feedback!

[supergran231158]

We asked a couple of pensioners who were going to pay their 'rates'. Turned out they had no kids and we're delighted to help. Took them for lunch afterwards and stayed in touch for years. All the best, and have an amazing day! xx

[Buxtonstill]

I loved the last Mumsnet wedding thread!

[OvertiredandConfused]

I was a mumsnet witness a couple of years ago. Fabulous occasion. Good luck

[leelou905]

If you have a look around, depending where you plan to get married some venues will offer you witnesses as part of the package.

I was going to have my venue provide me witnesses in lake district, that was until MIL found out and decided to rage and rage until she was invited. (She never formally got invited we just said it was an open invitation, she huffed at the fact we wouldn't formally invite her) I wish nothing was said now.

However, I totally think you have the right idea in not saying anything and doing it private. Good luck :)

[CoolCarrie]

I will be in Edinburgh from Monday 24th May if that's any help! I would be happy to!

[squoosh]

Without wanting to be a grinch I must say I'd say 'ummmm no thanks.... I've got a ummmm, thing' if I was asked to be a witness at a random person's wedding. But you've got loads of volunteers so that's okay!

[Marmalady75]

Sounds like a lovely way to spend a day. Let us know where and when - you'll end up having loads of folk turning up and be spoiled for choice!

[MadameCholetsDirtySecret]

I was a witness for a mumsnetter a year or so ago. It was lovely. I hope she and her family are well.

[TutanKaDashian]

Boooo, that's about 600 miles from me. I'll save the confetti for another day

[ssssm]

Awww this is lovely - so excited about the wedding!

[January87]

I'm in Dublin but just posting so I can watch this thread!

Good luck OP!

[Iwantacampervan]

If anyone on the South coast would like me as a witness I'm available, for the price of a mug of tea. A bit too far to get to Glasgow unfortunately. I've even got a few hats which haven't been worn for years but could do with an outing.

[wornoutboots]

kids are absolutely allowed in registry offices - the only people at mine last year were the officials (2), 2 friends as witnesses, and my 3 kids - aged 4 years, 2 years, and 1 month at the time!

(MIL hated it and I haven't been forgiven for refusing to allow her to bully her way in even though it was her son's plan as much as mine and I even checked on the morning of the wedding if he was sure he didn't want to cancel and replan!)

[LondonStill83]

This thread makes me happy!

Mumsnet at its finest!

DH and I were going to do the exact same thing OP. Short story is that I am Canadian and was at the time on a sponsored work visa. However work at the time was AWFUL and I was getting more and more depressed; thinking my options were only to move home as I could not take anymore of it.

So DH and I decided to get married so I could just quit and get another job. But we didn't want THAT to be our wedding so decided to do what you are doing: secret ceremony then actual wedding later.

One thing led to another and we just ended up giving an open invite to the registry office and having a piss up in the pub. Over 70 people came and EVERYONE says it was the best / most fun wedding they had ever been to.

So- a wedding doesn't have to be a big planned affair!

[Alwaysworryingaboutsomething]

Park circus is closed as registry office now. I know I'm repeating others!

Also in Glasgow and would be happy to help. Would also have baby in tow who could just so happen to be in a wee flower girl dress from our wedding happening soon!

[Sangelina]

We eloped too; the photographer and venue wedding co-ordinator were our witnesses. I'd love to do it!!

[MiddleClassProblem]

I reckon we could pack out a flight to Glasgow ourselves

[MiddleClassProblem]

Maybe we could get a minibus sorted for us in the south it a group booking deal for a flight

[LaContessaDiPlump]

I wish I was in Glasgow

[PenguindreamsofDraco]

This is extraordinarily disappointing. Where's the poem asking for witnesses OP? Where's the blatant request for money? You haven't even specified a dress code.

No sense of tradition, some people.

[UptownFunk00]

I hope it goes well for you OP.

I'd gladly do it for someone else but live in SW so very few MNetters seem to be from down this end

[DeepfriedPizza]

smiley fail

[DeepfriedPizza]

I volunteer!

City chambers is really handy for a pub crawl after [big grin]

[ratspeaker]

In the 1990s we were in registering DDs birth when we were asked to be witnesses for an English couple we'd never met before.
I often wonder how they got on
I'm in Edinburgh bit have been taking said DD to look at student flats in Glasgow.
So if you really stuck pm me

[miniswin]

Park Circus I'm fairly certain isn't operating as a registry office any longer. The City Chambers are nice though. Another Glasgow based volunteer here!