Witnesses to a wedding

ganderson1804

Hi

After a bit of advice. Myself and my husband are witnesses for our friends wedding tomorrow. There will only be the 4 of us there. They are just getting married at the local registry office and are having a wedding blessing in spain next week with more friends and family.

After the ceremony we are going to the grooms mothers for a glass of champagne and then the 4 of us are going out for a meal to celebrate.

Its not really common knowledge that they are getting married here first and they really don’t want a big fuss.

What i’m wondering is if should we get or do something for them to make it more special?

I thought about balloons at the table in the restaurant – but am worried incase theres someone they know that comes in. I wondered about a bottle of champagne on the table but they don’t really drink champagne.

We also thought about offering to pay for the meal, but they have already said they want to pay for us as we are taking time off work to be their witnesses (which we are honoured to do).

I thought about a cake, but just not sure if its appropriate.

Any advice or ideas? Bare in mind its tomorrow so the less planning the better!

Thanks!

whitewing

Are they going to Spain soon after the wedding ie next day?

Are you going to Spain? If so, are you going at the same time as them?

I think it would be fine to celebrate their wedding 'in advance' with balloons and champagne because everyone knows it's next week. So even if anyone pops in, it is just extending celebrations.

Alternatively, have slightly less weddingy colours on the balloons so it looks more like a general celebration to a casual observer.

Make it special.

stir_crazy

Do you know if they are having readings or special vows? Perhaps you could get them printed and pre-framed so you could give it to them at the meal?

If they have a favourite tipple you could get a special edition bottle of that rather than the champagne. Or "Mr and Mrs" Champagne flutes?

peachyprice

Probably not balloons, for the reason you've stated. But it might be nice if you arranged for the restaurant to serve some cocktails or champagne when you arrive.

Prothet_of_Doom

If you want to pay for the Meal, contact the manager in advance, tell them that you wish for him to tell the happy couple that "It's all been dealt with " when they try and pay. Perhaps pay an significant Deposit in advance, and settle up the day after.

I also like the idea of getting a photo of the happy couple signing the register, and having it framed for them.

Person_one

Hmm, do the people going to the 'blessing' in Spain know that they aren't going to be watching the actual wedding? I'm not really sure why but that seems a bit off to me, why are they keeping it a secret from their guests that they'll already be legally married?

Back on topic, I like stir_crazy's idea of framing something from the ceremony. If they aren't having readings, have they picked a song to play that's meaningful to them?

ostrichnomore_2

If they can afford to fly to Spain for the 'wedding' then they can afford to buy balloons or cake or champagne here if they wanted them. They want a low-key day; that's their choice.

Just buy them a nice wedding present as usual.

LEJC

i assume that they are getting married with you as witnesses in order to have an english wedding certificate rather than a spanish one...
in effect they are doing the legal stuff here and then having a blessing in spain,sometimes its easier to do that than have to get marriage certificates translated at a later date...therefore it could be that they dont see the registry office marriage as their wedding more to cover the legalities....Hence they dont want a party atmosphere tomorrow.

Why not take your camera with you and get a few lovely shots of them both and make them a little album up that they can have to mark the day that they made it official....or pop a few euros in a card for them to enjoy a treat whilst in Spain.

jackomdj

Person_one wrote: »

Hmm, do the people going to the 'blessing' in Spain know that they aren't going to be watching the actual wedding? I'm not really sure why but that seems a bit off to me, ?

My Dad (and a few other UK relatives) went over to my Cousins wedding in Botswana, only to find out they were already married. Even my Aunty and Uncle did not know that they had married a few weeks before.

Person_one

jackomdj wrote: »

My Dad (and a few other UK relatives) went over to my Cousins wedding in Botswana, only to find out they were already married. Even my Aunty and Uncle did not know that they had married a few weeks before.

How did people feel about it when they found out?

jackomdj

Rather cross! They would have gone for the celebration anyway, but I think it is the fact that they all turned up and he had done it without telling them.