Can I get a witness?

danandjens_worldtravels

We are getting married at Crewe registry office on 24th September and are looking for two people to be witnesses.    

We haven’t told anybody and it’s a simple registry office formality thing. 

We will be telling friends and family afterwards, but with only 6 people (Registrars, us and witnesses) we have found it really difficult to ask only two family or friends without upsetting someone, so we thought two total strangers would be the easiest option!

Is there anybody local or knows anyone local who’d be willing to be our two witnesses?
 

onwards&upwards

The traditional thing to do is to ask people passing on the street. 

In Covid times, I wouldn't rely on strangers.  You are asking them to come into an indoor space with you and sign a document.  

Can you ask somebody like a work colleague or a neighbour?  So not somebody close which might seem like a snub to others, but equally not somebody who may not want to interact with strangers at this time. 

gettingtheresometime

If I lived nearer I'd volunteer.....

danandjens_worldtravels

onwards&upwards said:

The traditional thing to do is to ask people passing on the street. 
 
In Covid times, I wouldn't rely on strangers.  You are asking them to come into an indoor space with you and sign a document.  

 That’s why we didn’t want to rely on asking strangers in the street and to try and find somebody willing - we actually met through MSE many versions ago and thought asking here seemed somehow appropriate. 

Can you ask somebody like a work colleague or a neighbour?  So not somebody close which might seem like a snub to others, but equally not somebody who may not want to interact with strangers at this time.

Due to coronavirus our nearest venue is closed and it’s a trip for half an hour to ask of our work colleagues and neighbours, hence the reason we ask for people who may be in Crewe  and have a half hour to spare

  

onwards&upwards

Half an hour?  That's not much, most people commuted at least that pre-Covid!  Definitely worth asking in a non-pressuring way. 

I wouldn't do it for some random MSE poster, but I would for a neighbour or a colleague. 

sheramber

Ask the closest family member on each side- one from your side, one from partner' side. Or th oldest on  each side.
Surely, if you explain that you are only allowed two people  anyone who matters will understand.

onwards&upwards

sheramber said:

Ask the closest family member on each side- one from your side, one from partner' side. Or th oldest on  each side.
Surely, if you explain that you are only allowed two people  anyone who matters will understand.

I don't think its that they are only allowed two, I think its a choice they've made.

MalMonroe

You could even ask in advance if there are any employees of the Registry Office who would be available to be witnesses. It's not a weekend, so there should be some around, even in coronavirus times. I have heard of that happening before. 

Also, very many congratulations!! And every good wish for the future. 

MalMonroe

onwards&upwards said:

Half an hour?  That's not much, most people commuted at least that pre-Covid!  Definitely worth asking in a non-pressuring way. 

I wouldn't do it for some random MSE poster, but I would for a neighbour or a colleague. 

Half an hour's plenty to get wed at a registry office!

I'd do it for a random anybody. If they asked me, what's the big deal?

MovingForwards

MalMonroe said:

onwards&upwards said:

Half an hour?  That's not much, most people commuted at least that pre-Covid!  Definitely worth asking in a non-pressuring way. 

I wouldn't do it for some random MSE poster, but I would for a neighbour or a colleague. 

Half an hour's plenty to get wed at a registry office!

I'd do it for a random anybody. If they asked me, what's the big deal?

30 minutes to get to the registry office, not the ceremony.

OP could you / your partner ask your best mates to be witnesses if the RO don't have spare staff.

danandjens_worldtravels

The half hour is the time we’re asking somebody to spare for the ceremony itself - it’ll probably be less.

6 people is the maximum allowed,  but also fits with our choice.

Family/friends would be travelling an hour at rush hour, on a school day -  we think it’d be a hassle for them to arrange time off work and make alternative ‘get the children to school and nursery’ plans for a 30 minute formality.  Our neighbours (The ones we’d ask) child mind grandchildren on a Thursday.  

Registry office says there are no ‘non essential’ staff working on site and that Registrars cannot be witnesses.  

We have friends who would be thrilled to do it, but being a little selfish we have plans in Wales for the rest of the day and would rather get going than spend an hour or two doing something ‘nice to celebrate’ when we’d prefer to head off.  

We also don’t know Crewe at all, If anybody has any ideas of somewhere to eat at 10am (not a pub) in or near Crewe please forward the idea, that could make us asking a certain friend easier as we’d have a plan for afterwards, rather than sending them home with a social distanced wave! 

Thanks for all the good wishes and possible solutions, we’ve thought our way through a few options but are still listening.