Is it possible to book a wedding without a Decree Absolute?

Fruity1

As the title says 'Is it possible to book your wedding without having obtained your Decree Absolute?'

My friend and her ex hubby split summer 2008, they received the Decree Nisi about a year ago. They still have to sort a few financial matters. However her ex has told her that he has already booked his next wedding which is soon (hes not said exactly when) so has asked her to chase up the Decree Absolute.

stef240377

My hubby was told he needed to have the decree absolute 12 weeks before the wedding date so it could be set in stone and written up. Is it possible what you have been told has been said on a whim to gauge a reaction from her?

Fruity1

stef240377 wrote: »

My hubby was told he needed to have the decree absolute 12 weeks before the wedding date so it could be set in stone and written up. Is it possible what you have been told has been said on a whim to gauge a reaction from her?

Thanks. We're sure he possibly was after a reaction. He asked her when it would be through and she joked back "Why have you booked the wedding?" He replied yes and has since asked her to chase it up again.

msb5262

If it's not a silly question, why can't he chase it up himself?

Fruity1

msb5262 wrote: »

If it's not a silly question, why can't he chase it up himself?

No idea really other than I think her solicitor had been stalling it until all the financial matters are resolved. I know my solicitor wouldn't apply for my absolute until all financial matters were sorted.

MrsTinks

He could book the wedding as in the wedding venue and reception and so on. foolish, but possible
Could this be what he meant he's booked?

wannabe_sybil

He can book the wedding stuff - a lot of places, I believe, will accept that the divorce is in progress and will be finalised before the Big Day.

However no divorce = no marriage, no matter how long he has had it booked. And he would probably lose the deposit.

This should focus his mind on getting the financial settlement in place.

Also - it is not your problem, it is his. Do not let him make you believe you have to do anything against the advice of your solicitor.

daska

Of course he may not have booked anything, he may be trying to get her to finalise the divorce without the financial settlement. If he does that then she has very much less clout to get it sorted out. Tell her to get anything waiting on her sorted out asap and then refuse to budge. Either he's a manipulative bully or his new partner is...

never_enough

Or he may just want everything finalised. In which case it's up to him to push his solicitor to get things cleared up before he misses his next wedding!
I've always heard never book anything until the Absolute is through, it's not worth the stress but of course that's up to the people concerned. I'm sure most companies/hotels wouldn't care once they have a large deposit, but surely the Registrar would want to see the certificate before booking?

bethesda

no he hasn't booked the wedding as you have to give notice of intention to marry which means you make a legal declaration that you are both free to marry
proof that you are free to marry HAS to be shown when you give notice - no decree absolute = no notice

i know this as i have just given notice to marry and have my bumph from the register office right next to me!

claireac

I got married last year and we had a civil ceremony. I had to dig out my decree absolute to show the registrar when we booked so I would say no he hasn't. He may have booked a venue, but that would be downright daft!