getting hitched

[rumred]

we are considering this, but arent keen on fuss. despise it in fact.

has anyone managed to do it without mawkishness?

im 45 and have only experienced traditional gay and straight ceremonies which make me feel unwell. this relationship is the first time ive wanted to commit for life hence wanting to make it formal/legal etc.

thanks

My brother had a wonderful civil ceremony in Brighton.

Cue images of an over the top look at me I'm gay aren't I amazing and unusual wedding. Now wipe those images from your mind!

Now picture this a beautiful summers day, only a few select close friends and family, the ceremony office is lovely, a meal in a lovely restaurant in the lanes followed by champagne on the beach with rolled up trousers for a paddle, everyone then buggers off and you retire at dinner time to a beautiful boutique hotel that has a wonderful double bath that over looks the beach.

How does that sound....what would you actually want and your partner obviously

Actually I'm straight and planning getting married this year. We are having a simple registry office followed by a child friendly meal afterwards. Immediate family only!

At the meal I plan to have a few balloons and a cake, nothing fancy just a nice celebration with those I love the most. Everyone home for bed which stops the whole, oooh I want to go home and put the children to bed but they may get offended if I leave eary situation.

Our civil partnership ceremony was fairly simple although there were certain bits I would have avoided but my hand was forced (told my dad he was not expected to make a speech but he really wanted to!)

The biggest piece of advice I would give you is to get recommendations of companies (florists, dress shops, venues etc) who have dealt with civil partnerships before. From experience when you go into a 'wedding' shop and say "I don't want it to look like a wedding" they don't really understand! You'll probably find a lot of civil partnership ceremonies are far less flamboyant than traditional weddings and if you don't have specific ideas of what you want, if they have some experience and can show you examples that might be best.

thanks- the simple ones really appeal and have given us some ideas. we are chewing it over and will crack on when we agree on venue etc. our local restaurant does a lunch offer so im fancying that. i cant help but be parsimonious [tight?)and i like making things easy for everyone- maldives wedding not for me

so probably going for low key ceremony with nearest and dearest and then a party some time later in year for all loved ones. hmmm

we went to embassy (don't live in UK) - no ceremony as in public area (thank god, no cheesy poems, etc), just our witnesses and DP's mum...a couple of photos outside (the workmen tarmacing the path were highly bemused!), into town for champagne in a nice bar and a long lunch in our favourite restaurant. We had planned to invite friends in for cocktails later on, but actually just went home to bed

it was lovely

We had our cp in local registry office-close family & 1 best friend witness.
Followed by meal in local gastro pub.Pub was fantastic & we chose from their usual menu. Close friends were invited for cake &champagne once meal was over.
As it was in pub it was easy. We had tab for certain amount plus certain amount of wine & champagne & once this finished people bought their own. Also people could come&go as they pleased.
My father did a speech . I wasn't keen initially but actually was very lovely. Pub happy with us bringing cakes.

Some people not happy with either not being invited &/or environment - but we had a ball. It was a brilliant day that suited us perfectly.

Everyone will have their ideas on how u should do it - so stick to what you want as it is your day after all.

Congratulations & good luck x