We did originally say we would marry in our local church, as we could send out two lots of invites for the evening reception and the offer to attend the wedding if they wished, cant afford everyone to come for the wedding breakfast so figured that solved it..
Neither of us are religious or attend church but H2b's parents got married there 38 years ago and I know she loves that church and would be so happy if we did marry there. I like the inside of the church its very grand with a lovely big aisle-stained glass windows etc so would be really nice to make the most out of parading my dress. BUT there's nowhere for photos, church isnt in the best of places as hasnt got much of a garden or anything going on for that matter and again we arent religious and Id feel abit fraudulent being there?
The other option was to get married and have our whole day at a venue, Im yet to view it but I KNOW its most likely where it'll be as its stunning there. Its going to be quite expensive but I wont be able to offer people to come to ceremony as Id feel awkward telling them to leave afterwards only to come back for the reception if that makes sense?
Sarah xx
Would you say it was cheaper to marry at a church then go to the venue afterwards for wedding breakfast and evening reception?
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CommentAuthorjo Santa
I don't honestly know - but the one thing that shocked me was the cost of the registrar. Some churches have their own registrar, so the cost is included, but to get married in a register office in our area is only £40. To have a registrar at a venue goes up to £495!!! Churches you often have to pay the organist or choir, aswell as the use of the church and the vicar etc. If I were you, price up both options carefully.
Jo Santa
CommentAuthorloustew2012
dunno. we had the same problem church meant more expense with cars buses etc and meant we werent getting the great package were getting for the money were paying, but when we asked our minister he said under the church diocese (scottish episcopal) wouldnt allow him to marry us at the hotel (yet cousin is doing it for us and he cos minister!!!) id sit and weight out your expenses as jo said and make the choice there!! xx
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CommentAuthorHappilymarried Mrs G
the price to have a registrar come out to a venue is ridiculous, h2b and i discussed other options as a way of "saving" the £450 registra fee...... However, once we had taken other prices into consideration including transport etc... it didnt work out saving that much. I would go with the venue that you are happiest with, as sometimes its worth paying a little bit more if need be.... if you want the church then have it, however if you feel that it would be inappropriate then would you really be able to relax , feel comfortable and enjoy your day? I see what you are saying about inviting people to the ceremony and then asking them to leave and come back later if its all at one venue, that could be tricky and akward..... i think i would rather not invite them to the ceremony tbh. You say you havent actually looked at the venue yet, i would strongly recommend you do that and check it all out and get details of fees etc before making a decision, you never know after all, the venue may not be licensed for civil ceremonys or if it is the room may only seat so many people.
CommentAuthorDee37
I sent out separate day and evening invites. A couple of ladies did invite themselves to the service which was nice but they were aware they weren't invited to the wedding meal. Evening guests don't usually expect to attend your wedding itself due to travel and a massive gap in between isn't always practical.
Our church was £600 with all the extras like choir/organist. We had also looked at a registrar at a venue, the ladies above are right its cheaper at the registry office, some venues also charge a few hundred for room hire too so that can be more than the church with registrar on top.
I wouldn't worry about church having no grounds, our photographer sent all our guests off to the reception after a few shots of us all mingling outside and confetti shot. They get bored easily so best ply them with drinks and you can do pics at your reception grounds if they're nicer.
But if you aren't sure about a church wedding take a look at other options. Some churches are stricter than others, some don't mind you just turning up for banns/rehearsal while others make you do classes on marriage and come very regularly. You could always go to the church and meet the vicar and see how you feel, we were very lucky to have a lovely female vicar that made our service very warm and friendly.
Our local registry office wanted to charge us £320 for the smallest room then £350 for a registrar on top! Hotel was going to be £100 then the £350 on top thats without the reception ect after the ceremony! So we opted for a church wedding which I've always wanted anyway which in all is costing £600 thats the whole ceremony including choir/organist, flowers, bells etc plus the hall after for the reception! x
CommentAuthormicky
edited
iv booked speke hall which is a national trust venue, its for the service only it was quite expensive £1265 and then we have registry costs £350, but as it is a 5pm wedding we are not having an afternoon reception only an evening one. we could have gone to a registry office but we loved the surroundings and we dont mind not having an afternoon reception as its both are second marriage, shop around for the best deals for you that match the venue you would like to be married in :-)
CommentAuthorkerriface
My parents got married in a church with no grounds and the pictures were still fab as the main ones people want at the church are inside and coming out of the door. If the venue has good grounds, then have the posing pictures there!
CommentAuthor♥Future Mrs Midgley♥
Not being funny, but it is yours and your h2b's day, not your mil. If you feel fraudulent or hypocritical marrying in a church then don't do it. I am speaking as an unbiased, non-Christian, believer of God :-D Your photos ARE important. Do you really want to remember your day with photos taken in a grotty area?
You can always word the invites as follows...
Invitation to all day guests: Sarah Williams & Matthew Watkins request the pleasure of your company at their wedding on such a date which is at this venue at 1pm followed by a reception starting at 3pm.
Invitation to ceremony and evening guests: Sarah Williams & Matthew Watkins request the pleasure of your company at their wedding on such a date which is at this venue at 1pm followed by an evening reception to be held from 8pm.
Noone need know! And even if they did, people will understand if you are on a tight budget hun. As long as people are not travelling miles to get to your venue, I am sure they won't mind either going home for a few hours or looking around the local area, having coffee and cake, keeping themselves busy, looking at shops etc. xxx
CommentAuthorKate_B
I'd always pictured getting married in a church but when it actually came to the crunch time of getting things booked up me and h2b decided that neither of us are religious or churchy, and loved the fact that you can personalise a civil ceremony much more. Plus the fact where we will be getting married over looks the sea in a cliff top hotel and you cant get many pics like that with a church... Guess it all depends what you really really want out of it at end of day :)
CommentAuthorx~Hails~x
We priced up both to begin with and it actually worked out £50 cheaper to get married in a venue for us lol Me being divorced none of our local vicars would let us get married in a church any way so that option was taken away from us anyway :-(
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