The cost of marriage!

Gloomendoom

maman wrote: »

The very cheapest way is probably to do what we did. We went to a registry office with just our two witnesses and then went for a meal afterwards. We wore smart clothes but not wedding outfits as such. It was a long time ago now but I think the witnesses (BIL and SIL) might even have paid for the meal!:rotfl:

That's what I did first time round. I had to pay the witnesses £10 each though.

Fireflyaway

We got married abroad so the wedding and honeymoon were combined. You could have a party afterwards when you get back.we had a bar b que! Its a very cheap way to do it and probably better weather.

System

You can run off to Gretna Green and get married for a little under £500 if you so wish.:)

https://www.gretnaweddings.co.uk/packages

POPPYOSCAR

Groupon sometimes do some good deals.

https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/brook-kingston-lodge-hotel-non-accommodation-3


The Deal
£1,999 for a wedding package for up to 75 guests
The package includes:

Civil ceremony room hire
Three-course wedding breakfast for 50 guests
Glass of bucks fizz on arrival for each guest
Two glasses of wine during the meal for 50 guests
Evening room hire with a private bar
Evening buffet with a selection of hot and cold food for 75 guests
White table clothes and napkins
Wedding coordinator
Toast master for the day
Red carpet reception
Bridal Suite for the newlyweds (check-in at 2 p.m., checkout 11 a.m.)

barbarawright

Gloomendoom wrote: »

That's what I did first time round. I had to pay the witnesses £10 each though.

I used to work next door to a register office and we got asked to be witnesses at least once a week. Never got more than a box of chocolates though:(

onomatopoeia99

Judi wrote: »

You can run off to Gretna Green and get married for a little under £500 if you so wish.:)

https://www.gretnaweddings.co.uk/packages

May be different now, but back when the only venues for weddings were churches and the registry office, you had to book to marry in Gretna about six months in advance as so many people go there for their wedding.

Eloping couples would find it easier to marry in Annan, one station up the railway line.

sophscottx

I spent last night looking at registry offices.

I'm North East, in Northumberland near Newcastle so some of our buildings are quite nice and oldy worldy at really good prices from what I can see!

Thanks for all the responses! Much more comfortable knowing that we can do what we want at much less a price than we thought!

Our ideal wedding is small ceremony with just our parents and a few very close family members. Then to have a party afterwards.

From looking it seems that the party bit is going to be the expensive bit, hiring someone (which I have no idea where) and putting food on, music etc!

I never thought of looking on Groupon! That package seems like a good deal? I guess it's just finding something close to home, some of our guests would be reluctant to travel I can imagine!

onlyroz

You should be able to have a decent civil ceremony for less than £1000 including the cost of the dress and suit for bride and groom. Then budget a few more £k for a party in the evening. A village-hall affair with a buffet and a DJ will be far cheaper than a full sit-down meal with toasts and speeches and chocolate fountains etc etc.

DigForVictory

In so far as you can keep your hands off the bridal magazines & yourself (as far as possible) out of the Industry Clutches, you will have a much happier, less expensive & more personal wedding.

Looking just at the cost of flowers, for example, I'd be chatting with my & his family & asking who has the gardening skills & the plague of ivy, and would they have the generosity/capablity/nerve to make a bouquet? And who cooks a nice cake, and who's really frighteningly good with a camera - so many Vital Wedding Expenses can be dispersed amongst the family if you're ready to ask.

(Cousin had the most fabulous wedding car, simply for stopping to admire it & getting chatting with the gentleman whose pride it was. Her 'pageboys' were absolutely angelic, having been Permitted to help wash & polish the vehicle! So it isn't even 100% who you know, but who you get the nerve together to say "that is so beautiful, please can I invite you & whatever to my wedding"?)

I've always held weddings are family events (and thus potentially explosive) but by having nearly every 'guest' On The Team can make it all simpler, cheaper , happier & more bonding somehow.

Wishing you all the very best, both with the wedding & with the marriage!

sophscottx

I think we would prefer to go for a meal with just the parents and maybe one or two others such as siblings, but that again just depends on the where and the price!

I know my partner isn't keen on the whole toasting and speeches stuff, he's very shy! So I think the plan would just be to have a party with a DJ somewhere and should someone want to say something then there's always a microphone I guess?

He's a really quiet guy and we don't like much fuss, just want to celebrate with our nearest and dearest! Not so bothered who turns up for the party as long as its not at an extra cost ha ha... That doesn't sound good but i'm sure you all know what I mean