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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

why such a long wait for a wedding?

42 replies

JudyBlumeForever · 26/06/2017 20:01

Dp and I have decided we ought to get married. Neither of us are particularly fussed about having a big or even a small wedding. We just want to rock up at the registry office, sign the paperwork and carry on as normal.

But the earliest date they can fit us in for a simple 10 minute appointment is..... October.

Aibu that this seems like a crazy long wait? The earliest we can get an appt to register our intent to marry and they can check our passports/proof of address is halfway through August - they are fully booked till then.

OP posts:
Notknownatthisaddress · 26/06/2017 20:03

Well it's only 4 months. Not that long really..............

And even though it's only a '10 minute do ' it will be longer for them as there is all the paperwork and faff to sort. And there are obviously 4 months worth of people in front of you in the queue!

You will have to wait I'm afraid.

Pangur2 · 26/06/2017 20:03

It might be quicker to go to Scotland for the weekend maybe? Not sure of all the rules, but there's a lot less faff up there.
I got married in Scotland and my friend is gtting married down here in England and I can't believe the amount of paperwork she is having to do!

KungFuEric · 26/06/2017 20:05

Where do you live? Have you checked neighbouring counties?

nuggetofchicken · 26/06/2017 20:05

Why don't you try a different place ?

Bobbiepin · 26/06/2017 20:06

If you aren't that fussed about it then why is the wait a problem?

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 26/06/2017 20:06

You don't have to go to your local office!!!

Original poster
JudyBlumeForever · 26/06/2017 20:08

We live in south east, so its a long way from Scotland!

I phoned up and booked it today, just at our local registry office. We're not in a huge rush to get married but a 4 month wait just seems like a really long time for the most basic thing they offer.

OP posts:
ExplodedCloud · 26/06/2017 20:08

They'll probably be shorter on staff than usual over the summer and prioritising birth and death registrations.

Original poster
JudyBlumeForever · 26/06/2017 20:09

I didn't realize I didn't have to go to my local office - seems completely obvious now it's been pointed out!!!

OP posts:
ChickenBhuna · 26/06/2017 20:11

The OP could use a different registry office for the ceremony but will still need to give notice at her local one.

reallybadidea · 26/06/2017 20:11

Elope to Vegas and have a holiday at the same time

OlennasWimple · 26/06/2017 20:22

Public sector cuts got us all in many and varied ways

itsbetterthanabox · 26/06/2017 20:30

Did you say any day of the week? Or is it a Saturday you want?

Original poster
JudyBlumeForever · 26/06/2017 21:04

Any day of the week. Just first available appointment slot

OP posts:
Queenofthestress · 26/06/2017 21:25

Alot of babies are born in the summer so that's probably why Grin

FanaticalFox · 26/06/2017 21:33

VEGAS

barrygibbscheekbones · 26/06/2017 22:36

We did the same, in and out registry office job. We got our first appointment within 2 weeks, and at that appointment were able to book our marriage ceremony for 7 weeks later.

notanevilstepmother · 26/06/2017 22:38

If you don't get married at your local one you still need an appointment at your local one.

MsSusanStoHelit · 26/06/2017 23:05

If your local place is lovely, you'll have heaps of people from outside the area wanting a summer wedding. Try somewhere a bit more basic looking!

I confess we were one of these - booked ours over a year in advance in a nice registry office in a borough in London we had connections to but didn't live in. But our local one, which we didn't have any real connection to bar happening to live there at the time because it was cheap, is pretty crap looking and hard for guests to get to - they had much more availability.

TheCraicDealer · 26/06/2017 23:13

May-September is prime wedding season, so probably even the mid-week slots have been booked a while. If you'd decided to get it done in January it might have been a different story!

KC225 · 26/06/2017 23:54

It's three weeks to bury someone these days

Original poster
JudyBlumeForever · 27/06/2017 10:03

3 weeks to bury someone Shock.

OP posts:
lanouvelleheloise · 27/06/2017 10:05

You have to go for a pre-appointment - not sure why - maybe it's to check you really are who you say and that the marriage is legit? Even with the simplest weddings there are things you need to do - 4 months will fly by, don't worry.

PeachesAndCream1 · 27/06/2017 10:43

I really don't understand how it is so long to bury someone? In nz, 2 or 3 days - tangi up to 4.

ExplodedCloud · 27/06/2017 10:58

What 3 weeks to register a death? Or to actually hold a funeral? Three weeks for a funeral is one thing but a death needs to registered fairly quickly (5 days?)