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UKbride Member Request 5 Mar 2019

Me and my partner are hoping to get married next year but dont want to do...

Me and my partner are hoping to get married next year but dont want to do the whole big wedding thing, we dont have alot of friends or family to invite so just think it's alot of money better spent elsewhere so we are thinking of just having the ceremony and just going for a nice meal after with just our kids and our parents/step parents. Has anyone else done anything like this? If so did you regret it? Thanks x

56 Comments
UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

Tuesday E Coppins xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

I had small wedding, around 55 in the day and a few more in the night we got married at our golf club upstairs and had the reception downstairs with a hot buffet, it was perfect and wouldn't have changed a thing xx

Heidi Sawkins
Heidi Sawkins 6 Mar 2019

My fiancé and are are getting married at a registry in the morning, just us and 2 witnesses, and not even dressing up for it. But in the evening we are having a fake ceremony for our friends to "see" us get married, followed by a garden party with a bbq and lawn games. There's gonna be 80 of us and it's all we've ever wanted xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We’ve shot a few weddings like this and they’ve been lovely. Really personal and you get to enjoy people’s company more because you haven’t got to run around seeing 100s of folk.

We had about 30 people when we got married and went for a pub lunch afterwards. Bliss.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

I did exacly this and it was more than I could have ever imagined. I had my close friends and family around me exactly what I wanted. Wouldn’t have had my wedding day any different! Xx

Kirsty Neilan
Kirsty Neilan 6 Mar 2019

I would love to have just the main family and few close friends, about 30 people max. Registry office and pub lunch. Then everyone gets to go spend their evening how they want to. I'm not interest in the evening reception at all xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

Do what makes you happy, weigh it up?! Would you rather spend money on people for the sake of it or would you rather have an small gathering and eat food (you like), use the rest of the money that you would of used on a big bash on a family holiday or honeymoon x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

I'm doing this in two weeks and three days!!

Caroline Larner
Caroline Larner 6 Mar 2019

I think smaller, intimate ceremonies and festivities are lovely - the most important thing is the ceremony and everything else is just add ons! We had a small, informal wedding at at a lovely country venue and it was perfect - around 56 during the day and then another 14 people in the evening. We got to chat with everyone and it had a lovely intimate feeling. Your plan sounds lovely and if that's what you both want then I say go for it and don't let anyone tell you different! :-)

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We're going to Vegas which has naturally restricted the number of guests. It's our day and as long as we're both there that's all that matters!

Faye Convine
Faye Convine 6 Mar 2019

We are doing this is August. We don’t want a big fuss. It’s about our love not the show x

Helen Maclean
Helen Maclean 6 Mar 2019

This is what we are doing. 41 in the day which includes us and 9 children. Getting married in a registry office and then going out to a local family run restaurant. On the evening we are having a party at a local sports club for all our friends which is going to be a Buffett with a disco so that we can see everyone. But we did not want the expense of a huge wedding and the stress. I am now so looking forward to it. X

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

I'm doing the same 50 guests max x and only having the ceremony and wedding breakfast,the guest are made up of only aunties and uncles with a couple of close friends it's your day you have what you want and I'm sure what ever you decide it will be perfect.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

My fiance and I are getting married on 15th of this month.We didn't want the fuss etc of a big wedding,paying out for everyone.We have both been married before,so next week it's just us both and 2 witnesses,my eldest and his youngest.
We are doing what we want,not what everyone else wants.after all it's our wedding ,our day .

Chloe Catling
Chloe Catling 6 Mar 2019

We are only having 43 people. Having afternoon tea after x

Lisa Hibbert
Lisa Hibbert 6 Mar 2019

We are getting married next year at Stroud Registry Office then we are going for a meal at our local pub which looks over the canal and they are giving us a room to ourselves including a small amount of outside space free of charge. We just have to pay for food and drink. Then we are having our reception at our local British Legion which has a local person who does catering a really good buffet for £6 per head. I am still wearing a big dress xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We took a family holiday to Florida with kids and my mum and dad and did it there went to the local court house and then went to magic kingdom and had the photo pass got loads of pictures all dressed up and just had a party at home was a far better way to spend £10,000 and kids have great memories xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

i was pregnant with my first and did the same for our wedding there was only 15 people there in total plus me and hubby that was enough for me and money well spent too only cost £300 for the whole wedding and meal in a pub, we still together now (22 Yrs later/ married 19 yrs july), and only now decided now we in a more stable situation that we will be taken a 19.5 yr late honeymoon abroad just me and hubby for 4 days costing £600.

Jessica Bate
Jessica Bate 6 Mar 2019

I went to the mill forge in Gretna green with 16 of my very closest relatives, it was the best thing I ever did so amazing the best day ever xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We were going to do this, then my now husband decided to tell me that he wanted his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Which I did respect. My hubby has split parents so his family is twice the size of mine so we ended up doing our wedding on the cheap so that we could have all the family there. We had about 70 people at our ceremony and about 100 at the evening party. It was absolutely bliss to see all 3 families together, enjoying themselves. I would have definitely regretted it if I went with the original plan!
At end of the day, it's your day, have it how you like

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

Me and my Hubbie had a small registry wedding where it was us 2 kids, mum in law, his grandad and the photographer and we had an amazing day and the a slighty bigger Blessing in September with more family and a few freinds plus photographer and it was a beautiful day - everyone who mattered to us was there x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We chose a beautiful registry office and booked a gorgeous hotel with a fabulous restaurant, there was about 12 of us and it was the most perfect day ever. Do what makes you happy x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We did this, we had 20 people with us at the ceremony and the wedding breakfast and then more people at night and I don’t regret it at all I loved the day as it was more about us getting married rather than the show of the day xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

Our wedding was very low key. We had a registry office wedding with just close family and the wedding party and went for a meal afterwards. If a small wedding is what u want then go for it xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

What a brilliant idea x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

I had 20 guests and it was perfect

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We did this, we had 30 guests, got a last minute package at a beautiful manor house, with rooms, so everyone could stay and didn't need to pay for anything as it was all included in the package. It meant we had everyone who was important to us there and we wouldn't change it for the world!

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

I got married last yr was going to get married in Cyprus but decided to get married in a registerey office we had 40 guest in day 120 evening so glad we made that decision as it was a perfect day shared with family and friends who wouldnt of been able to come to cyprus what ever you decide enjoy your day

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We went to registry's office married in front of a few family members then we all booked caravans and went on holiday straight after was lovely would do it again I don't like being center of attention so ideal for us xx

Laura Beeton
Laura Beeton 6 Mar 2019

My sister had a small ceremony with close family and then meal at the pub after. It was lovely. Hopefully will be doing something similar with my fiance.

Debby O'Gorman
Debby O'Gorman 6 Mar 2019

Ashley Noble cream tea wedding xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

That is what me and my partner are doing. We are going to the registry office and then a going for a nice meal afterwards. There is only going to be 9 people there and that is our 4 children, and 2 of them have partners, Grandson and my parents and that is it . We are keeping it as simple as possible as money is tight as it is and also we neither of us wanted a big wedding anyway .

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We did the same, much nicer than skinting yourself for the sake of one day x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

Great idea. We are having a small wedding at a country pub for 50 people. I don't see the point in big pompous weddings and entering married life with a huge debt.

Rae Helm
Rae Helm 6 Mar 2019

We did both. Our legal ceremony was as you describe and the next day did a bigger affair with friends officiating. My husband and I spent most time planning the bigger event and didn’t give too much thought to the first day. However, looking back on it all we have both said how struck we were with how meaningful our first (legal) day was. It surprised us but it was lovely and intimate and so, so warm!

Kerry Jacobs
Kerry Jacobs 6 Mar 2019

Me and my partner are doing the same this year xxx

Rachel Doxey
Rachel Doxey 6 Mar 2019

My friends got married at the church and then went to a restaurant with everyone and it was great. It’s your wedding day and your choice .

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

We went to Gretna with 11 freinds/family -perfect day don’t regret it at all & would do it all again

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

My husband and I had a very small wedding and just went for a meal afterwards. Neither of us regret the way we did it. x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

Me and my husband got married in a registry office we had 25 family/friends attend that then a majority went back to mine and had a small party that only lasted a few hours and don't regret anything perfect day

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

Maybe consider an intimate elopement wedding . Here in Devon there is the stunning award winning Millbrook Cottages & Estate and @tree top escape which sound perfect for what you are thinking .

Tracy Baker
Tracy Baker 6 Mar 2019

We did this 6 months ago , wouldn’t change a thing got married in registry office then walked over the road to a pasta restaurant was the best day every just 18 of us family and our children xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

I had a registry office wedding at 8 months pregnant. We had our parents, sisters and my nan and that was it. We then went to Prezzo's for lunch afterwards. It seemed so basic when we planned it, but I wouldn't change it for the world!

Kim Hough
Kim Hough 6 Mar 2019

That’s all we did! Registry office and a family meal afterwards and it was perfect! xXx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

we had a small wedding with just family and very close friends, we had the reception at my daughters house it was a wonderful day no stress just good family fun …. and cost less then £1000 for everything including my dress, bridesmaids dresses and husbands suit !! xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Mar 2019

Good luck hope things turn out the best dont waste money as long as your both happy xxxx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 7 Mar 2019

We're planning on doing this too, off to Bali for something very low-key.

UKbride Member 7 Mar 2019

We are getting married on 7 June this year with only 9 of our closest friends and family at the register office in Harrogate. We are then going to Harlow Carr Gardens for photos and afternoon tea at Bettys famous tea rooms in the gardens. Perfect 😀 My fiance married before and had a pub lunch afterwards with a few friends. He never missed the pomp of a big wedding

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 7 Mar 2019

I didn't do quite this but I got married at 4pm, short ceremony, small buffet no wedding breakfast and then straight into a big buffet with my reception.... I regret it so much that we didn't get married alit earlier and make a big thing of it with sit down meal and everything it went too fast and if I could do it again is get married about 1pm I think x

Keira Heasman-Street
Keira Heasman-Street 7 Mar 2019

This is exactly the same position me and my partner are in! X

Kerry Bowers
Kerry Lockwood 7 Mar 2019

It's all about what you guys want ,just go for it xx

Julie Sheehan
Julie Sheehan 8 Mar 2019

Kirsty Roberts

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 9 Mar 2019

We are doing exactly this in 3 weeks time! We haven’t invited any friends (which I am quite sad about) just family. We have 20 people coming. I definitely haven’t regretted it so far!

Marie Mudd
Marie Mudd 9 Mar 2019

We are getting married next year at Gretna green with parents and brothers/sisters. Then having a night do with family and friends the week later😄

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 9 Mar 2019

I got married 26 years ago, first time for me second for hubby, we had a small registry office wedding smartly dressed but not full wedding dress (far to expensive and quite honestly in my mind a waste of money). We just had both sets of parents plus relatives a total of 13, unlucky for some but not us, we had a lovely pub lunch for the sit down, and then had an evening party in our house with friends it was July so it was mostly in the garden. A friend did the catering and a family member bought our cake. The only thing I insisted on was a professional photographer and he only did the registry office part. It can be done, and all of our family and friends said it was the best wedding they had been to, as it was so relaxed. At the end of the day it is about you and your partner and what you want, if you upset people along the way, the so be it, it says more about them than it does you. Sorry turned out to be an essay

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 14 Mar 2019

This was always our plan but its grown as lots of people we know need a party do we are having a reception now but its in a local eatery that we both like and will still be quite small with a buffet and no speeches (i hope)

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