Getting Married At City Hall?

Question

Can anyone tell me about their city hall experience? My fiancee and I are planning to get married at city hall in fall 2007 but before we announce it to our families, I'd like to get an idea of what this involves.

1. How many witnesses were you allowed to bring?

2. What did you wear? I am considering a black sheath dress and a peach cardigan.

3. How long did the ceremony take? Did you say vows?

4. What did you do afterwards?

5. How did you involve your families and friends?

Answer 1

Well, my parents got married at City Hall, and they said it was the best thing they could have ever done for their wedding. They were allowed two witnesses, but that also depends on the City Halls' policies. My mother wore a formal, but not a wedding dress. My mom told me that the ceremony didn't take very long, about 10 minnutes. Immediately afterwords, they didn't do anything, but 2 weeks later they had a big party. They involved their closest friends in the ceremony, and all of family at the party. I am also thinking of getting married in CIty Hall, I just got engaged last week, so we are stil far from planning the wedding, but we are thinking Spring of 2008. But I never saw the point of a big ceremony. I just cant justify the cost of a big ceremony, I would much rather have a small ceremony with just close family, and spend more money on an awesome reception

Answer 2

1. How many witnesses were you allowed to bring?
That depends on the City Hall, how many they allow

2. What did you wear? I am considering a black sheath dress and a peach cardigan.
I wore a spring dress, you can wear anything from jeans and tee shirts to ornate wedding gowns.

3. How long did the ceremony take? Did you say vows?
About 10 minutes, yes there are vows, whehter in city hall or a church you still have vows to say, in city hall they usually don't include an religious references (other than "God") you can request that all reference to God be elimitated though, it is still a legal contract.

4. What did you do afterwards?
We hit every bar in town and drank ourselves silly.

5. How did you involve your families and friends?
We didn't.

Answer 3

I got married at the city hall, the first marriage 33 years ago. It cost $6.00. I wore street clothes. It took about 10 minutes. I had 2 witnesses and no family was involved. I would never do it that way again. You are worth more than that. How about the outside if possible? Being surrounded by nature is a much better idea. At least allow yourself a descent atmosphere!

Answer 4

My mother did it, Augsut 2005. You have to have, at least your two witnesses. My mother had me and my broter witness and take pictures. It cost around $60. It was a very nice day. Go for it! But be sure to have a party after it, even if it's a month later. In my mother's case, the 4 of us had lunch out, together. Then my step father's fmily wanted to celebrate it, in October. So we all gatehered one october night, but it was expensive. It would've been better if someone in his family paid for it, and if it had been some place, less pricey. But it was fun!