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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you had strangers as witnesses...

63 replies

junglebookisthebest · 04/09/2017 20:05

... to your low key wedding?
How did you 'get' them?
Get there early to accost random people in the street?
Are you allowed to ask people that work in the registry office?
Any tips/stories welcomed as we've just booked our wedding for next summer but are doing it on our own and wondering about the practicalities of it...

OP posts:
godconfusion · 04/09/2017 20:06

Don't think you're allowed to not know them?!

Bloomed · 04/09/2017 20:08

I'd love to be a witness. Maybe ask nearby mnetters?

Wolfiefan · 04/09/2017 20:08

We did. We married abroad though. Can you ask the registry office?

stiffstink · 04/09/2017 20:08

You have to get local mumsnetters to do it for you, I thought that was on an email of MN rules when you sign up? 😉

MrsPear · 04/09/2017 20:09

Well I was abroad but they were in office collecting paper work and stepped forward when the registrar asked for two people to sign that they witnessed the marriage. Isn't it the same in England? How about the rest of the U.K.?

GwenStaceyRocks · 04/09/2017 20:09

I didn't have strangers as witnesses but I was a 'stranger' witness on more than one occasion. Our office was next door to the registry office. Couples used to come in all the time and ask if anyone was available to be a witness. We'd take it in turns depending on who could afford the time and looked suitably well-dressed Grin
So, if you get to the registry office early, they'll be able to point you in the direction of the nearest place to get strangers as witnesses.

NeedMoreSleepOrSugar · 04/09/2017 20:09

Pretty sure there's been at least one wedding where mnetters were the witnesses. I'd love to do that!

reup · 04/09/2017 20:11

We got married in a hotel in Scotland - 2 of the members of staff were witnesses.

Wolfiefan · 04/09/2017 20:11

I'm sure there was a wedding near us that asked for MN witnesses. I couldn't go as we'd just got a new puppy. If you want a wolfhound ring bearer mind?!Wink

Woodyden · 04/09/2017 20:11

We had a registry office wedding and didn't tell anyone.

There is a posh sandwich bar close to the registry office and my DH popped in to ask if anyone would be willing to be a witness for us and they all looked at each other and asked who's turn is it?
Seems they get asked all the time :)

minoandolphin · 04/09/2017 20:11

No, but I was one! Was sat outside student digs in the sun when random couple asked friend and I if we could be witnesses next day. They were there on a bit of a nostalgia trip (they'd met at uni there) and had decided to get married while there. It was rather lovely!

sonjadog · 04/09/2017 20:13

My brother got married in a registry office. My parents were there. While they were waiting to go in, the couple in front of them in the queue asked my parents to witness for them. I think they quite enjoyed it.

Original poster
junglebookisthebest · 04/09/2017 20:14

My other half already thinks I'm obsessed with this site and just rolls his eyes when I say 'well I read on mumsnet...' so that would be hilarious to suggest that a) I asked on here about witnesses and that b) we can get mumsnet witnesses!
Sounds like registry offices are used to it though if the mumsnet approach is not approved by the other half!

OP posts:
Linnet · 04/09/2017 20:14

I got married abroad, up a hill with a scenic overlook. The photographer and the marriage commissioner said we'd be fine to find people on the trail and we could ask them to be witnesses. And right enough we did, there were two couples on their way down as we were going up so we asked them if they'd like to come to a wedding. They were very nice and took some photos and a tiny bit of video as well.

I have a relative who got married in a registrars and they just asked some random people walking past if they'd like to come to a wedding.

Ttbb · 04/09/2017 20:15

We used my husband's best friend and a girl he had dated in the past.

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 04/09/2017 20:16

We had witnesses organised by the registry office. I think they worked in the building

godconfusion · 04/09/2017 20:16

That's so cool! If I ever get married again I'm going to have to ask the most random people I can find

Weddings are so much hassle

twofloorsup · 04/09/2017 20:16

I got married at Gretna Green and we asked a couple of old ladies nearby who were delighted to be asked. One of them held my baby son during the service as he was crying.

DrHorribletookmycherry · 04/09/2017 20:16

I used to work in a council building opposite the registry office. We'd occaisionally get a call (they tried to cycle through the teams) to send down two staff to witness a wedding. It was brilliant.
Asking on mn is bound to be effective!

sonjadog · 04/09/2017 20:16

There have definitely been a few weddings with MN witnesses. They got really into the spirit of the event too. It´s definitely worth consideration if you don´t just want to take the chance of finding people on the day.

Original poster
junglebookisthebest · 04/09/2017 20:18

Love all these stories - making me actually feel quite excited now!

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 04/09/2017 20:34

I'm probably free next summer, and have a nice signature Smile

NachoAddict · 04/09/2017 20:40

I would love to witness a wedding!

I volunteer!

CatherineMaitland · 04/09/2017 20:45

I booked two taxi drivers from a local firm, for a small consideration. Worked quite well and they seemed to enjoy it.

beelover · 04/09/2017 20:45

Sorry folks but this isn't allowed any more. My Dsis got married a few weeks ago and this had been her plan but she was told this was no longer possible. Witnesses details, names and addresses have to be submitted in writing at least a week in advance.

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