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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

IABVU Wedding Planning Help

36 replies

FairytaleOfSkegness · 12/02/2017 18:20

Firstly I know I am being very unreasonable as I am posting here for the traffic but I could really do with some help

My DP and I would really like to get married this year. He proposed at Christmas and we'd like to get married this year as our anniversary falls on a Saturday. The only problem is that it's at the end of June so we're fast running out of time!

We're also on a very tight budget so were thinking of just getting the basic registry office package of just us and two witnesses and then throwing a small party for our friends and family afterwards.

The problem we're running into is that a lot of registry office don't seem to offer this on a Saturday. So has anyone had a wedding like this on a Saturday and if so where was it?

Also does anyone have any recommendations for websites where you can book out a house for the weekend to host the party in that doesn't cost the earth? If we had the space we'd do it at home but unfortunately we rent a very small flat and no one would fit.

Sorry this turned out so long but if anyone has any recommendations or ideas we would be so grateful Smile

OP posts:
TaliDiNozzo · 12/02/2017 18:24

Why don't you get married on the Friday and have the party on the Saturday? Seems like the easiest compromise.

haveacupoftea · 12/02/2017 18:26

Go to Gretna Green! Theres a company that do wedding packages for small groups of people that include everything even photography. Cant remember the name but Google will bring it up for you.

User543212345 · 12/02/2017 18:27

If you're throwing a party that's separate from the legal wedding ceremony do they have to be on the same day? You could do the legal bit a few days beforehand and then have your bash as planned.

Where in the country do you want to rent the house? And how many people? If you give some ideas of where people might be able to suggest stuff. I vaguely remember the Landmark Trust being good for quirky and reasonable venues that aren't licensed from when we got married.

ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 12/02/2017 18:31

Of course depends on budget/numbers but something like this from a holiday cottage type place?

IABVU Wedding Planning Help
maisiejones · 12/02/2017 18:34

OP states very tight budget so someone posts a house renting at more than 2.5k a week. Confused

butterfly990 · 12/02/2017 19:08

You could look at airbnb.

You could then liase with the owners who may help with your plans.

www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/9213174?adults=8&checkin=10-06-2017&checkout=11-06-2017&children=0&guests=8&infants=0

loveacupoftea18 · 12/02/2017 19:17

A friend had her civil ceremony at a local (and beautiful!) gastropub that was licensed for marriages. Small wedding and they had a private room for a meal afterwards.

ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 12/02/2017 19:20

Did you read my post maisie or did you just want a whinge? "Of course it depends on budget/numbers" this was just an example of what's out there, not a decree that this should be used!

BackforGood · 12/02/2017 19:26

Or go and do the legal bit in the week, and then use something like a church hall / village hall/ rubgy club / etc. for the the party.

ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 12/02/2017 19:26

Anyway - sorry fairytale once you share a bit more info am sure help will be forthcoming! Do you still get youth hostels? Remember when at school and on DofE expeditions booking out whole centres And some were in amazing buildings!

NapQueen · 12/02/2017 19:30

Some houses have licenses so you can book the registrar to come out and do the ceremony at the house too

Original poster
FairytaleOfSkegness · 12/02/2017 19:42

We are in Midlands but happy to travel within about a three hour drive radius.

We need accommodation with at least 5 bedrooms although if in budget more would be good! I know a lot of our friends will be more than happy to room together or even kip on the sofas if need be!

tali I do see that you are suggesting the most sensible option but we really want the date to be the Saturday as that's our anniversary

regina whilst that is lovely I think it's a bit over budget for us! DP is still in education and I am not a particularly high earner.

OP posts:
ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 12/02/2017 19:53

Only put that in as that's highest number of guests allowed and doesn't let you look at everything! Are you able to say date? and what is budget? If people aren't too fussed about ensuite you'll def save!

redexpat · 12/02/2017 20:03

You need to resident in the county in which you marry for 10 days. So realistically just stick to the county you love in. Is there not a list on the registry office of licensed venues?

Original poster
FairytaleOfSkegness · 12/02/2017 20:21

It's Saturday 24th June we want to get married on but we're thinking of renting the cottage/house/venue from the Friday - Sunday so we can set up the day before and clear away the next day without stressing on the actual day!

OP posts:
ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 13/02/2017 08:37

I've been having a look but think that's bang in Middle of Scottish school hols? There's a few sites like home away.com and Sykes cottages- other option is you booking a hall somewhere and guests pay for own rooms at b&bs etc?

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 13/02/2017 09:28

I got married at Prescot registry office, Saturday in June. I had booked the date 18 months kn advance and even then had to compromise on time as there was only one other time slot available. It was only about £150 though, I don't really know what you mean about 'whole package' - can't you just ring your local registry? Get on it quick for your date though!

Original poster
FairytaleOfSkegness · 13/02/2017 17:31

Thanks regina I've made a couple of enquiries today so fingers crossed! I didn't even think to check Scottish school hols

felicia sorry I don't think I was very clear, we want to do the basic ceremony where it's just us and two witnesses. The next option is for a standard ceremony where you can have guests but not choose your own music/ vows ect and then the option after that is an enhanced ceremony where you can personalise it at around £250 plus.

I don't know if it's like this everywhere but it is in Nottingham and then because it's a Saturday some of the offices refuse to do the basic or even standard ceremony Sad

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 13/02/2017 17:34

Sorry but how is renting a 15 bedroom house for a weekend and being on a tight budget even possible?? Confused

Find a venue, have a party and point people in the direction of the nearest cheap hotel of they need accommodation.

Crunchymum · 13/02/2017 17:37

I misread it as 15 bedrooms.

My point still stands though. If you really are on a tight budget then renting a house for a weekend won't be doable will it?

PonderLand · 13/02/2017 17:38

Your wedding sounds like what we plan our wedding to be like! We're going to go through air bnb for accommodation and party etc and just do catering ourselves. We're hoping to find somewhere with a nice garden to have a garden party.

TheCraicDealer · 13/02/2017 17:45

In a rush so sorry about brevity! How would you feel about a Unitarian Ceremony? There's a centre in Nottingham [http://www.ukunitarians.org.uk/nottingham/weddings.htm]. We're getting married by a very cool Unitarian minister and they're way easier to tempt out of their caves on a Saturday (i.e. registry offices for registrars) if you don't want a church do.

carefreeeee · 13/02/2017 17:52

I've been to a registry office wedding on a saturday. It was in Skipton (Yorkshire) I think? Neither bride nor groom have ever lived anywhere near there. (They go to the area a lot for their shared hobby). They had a dinner in a village hall with caterers and we all camped nearby. It was ace.

For a cheapish house try air bnb. we just rented a lovely 4 bedroom house for 8 of us for £530 for a weekend. There is lots of cheaper stuff on there a bit less luxurious.

Nice to hear from someone doing a sensible wedding and paying for their guests accommodation as well!

ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 13/02/2017 22:19

Good luck! Hope you find something!

Nospringflower · 13/02/2017 22:33

Scottish school holidays don't start until the end of June so theres no worries about it clashing.

We stayed in a lovely youth hostel for a wedding but suspect it (and others) will be booked up by now www.yha.org.uk/hostel/wilderhope-manor sure you could google others though.