I want to get married in my own home. Thoughts?

BlondieM

Hi there.

Got engaged last Summer. Am defo not a white gown and hotel wedding kind of a girl ( although I do enjoy going to weddings). Anyway I am looking for something a little different. I would like to either head off abroad just myself and my Fiancee and do it there or include people somehow in a small ceremony here.

My Fiancee and I are building a new home that should be completed late Summer 2011 and we want our wedding date to tie in with its completion. I love the whole idea of a ceremony in the home followed by reception, ....almost like the family weddings in Southfork on Dallas!! We would not have any more than 60 people present at the very most if we decided to stay at home and I think what better way to use your new home together than by sharing it with people that are important to us, family, friends and new neighbours.

I would like people's thoughts on this. Am I just barking?! Would the current marriage laws legally recognise a ceremony at home?

janjan

Hi,

i think its a good idea, but it maybe very stressful!! so unless you can get someone to take care of all the arrangements (food,marquee etc), I dont think i would do it. What about a small local restaurant! If you are a catholic im not sure you can choose any venue for the marriage ceremony! Good luck!! but if i were you i would get married abroad!!!

BlondieM

BlondieM wrote: »

Hi there.

Got engaged last Summer. Am defo not a white gown and hotel wedding kind of a girl ( although I do enjoy going to weddings). Anyway I am looking for something a little different. I would like to either head off abroad just myself and my Fiancee and do it there or include people somehow in a small ceremony here.

My Fiancee and I are building a new home that should be completed late Summer 2011 and we want our wedding date to tie in with its completion. I love the whole idea of a ceremony in the home followed by reception, ....almost like the family weddings in Southfork on Dallas!! We would not have any more than 60 people present at the very most if we decided to stay at home and I think what better way to use your new home together than by sharing it with people that are important to us, family, friends and new neighbours.

I would like people's thoughts on this. Am I just barking?! Would the current marriage laws legally recognise a ceremony at home?

I guess I should add that we both are Catholics ( But not very committed). I am 29, my Fiancee is 34. If a priest would do the ceremony it would be great, as people have masses in their homes here in the West of Ireland all the time!!

Ireland's laws on where you can legally get married are fairly strict so I'm not sure it would be an option for you.

You could however get married the day before in a registry office with just your witnesses and then ask a local priest to bless the marriage in your home.

I know a couple who did this, well, kind of, they got married in the registry office one day then the day of the wedding they had a ceremony up on Killiney hill and then back to their house for the celebrations. A great day was had by all, it was really lovely.

cch

From a totally legal point of view, whether it's a catholic or civil ceremony, the building has to be accessible to the public (to allow for objections!) so a private home would not be allowed. And it has to be indoors so having it in the garden wouldn't work!
You could do the legal bit in the registry office then get a priest (if they agree to do it) for a blessing ceremony in the house?

smileysurfer

Im not sure about the laws but I do think its a really lovely idea!:)

Im not crazy about the whole strict church wedding either, im more for getting married on a beach or something differnt.

NextSteps

A word of warning. I've done house renovation/building work, and I fondly imagined that finally moving in would be a grand event. In the end we were both so drained by the work that we sat on our one item of furniture, ordered pizza and drank wine, surveying the dust and the not-yet-connected kitchen. It took a good 6 months before we were settled in and I can't imagine the stress of having to host more than a takeaway during that time. I also can't imagine the stress of setting a date in advance by which all of that MUST be done.

However, if you can then more power to you and it would be lovely. You could get a caterer and have a marquee.

Ickle Magoo

It's a lovely idea but I don't think it's possible in Ireland.

The civil registration act of 2004 states:

The requirement that the marriage be solemnized in a fixed structure that is open to the public precludes marriages being solemnized in the open air, a tent, marquee or other temporary structure, or a private dwelling.

http://www.groireland.ie/guidelines_for_venues.htm

And legislation governing religious ceremonies proclaim:

The venue for the ceremony is a matter for the religious body. According to the legislation the place where the solemnisation takes place must be open to the public. This means that access to the venue for the general public must be unrestricted.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/birth-family-relationships/getting-married/religious-marriage-ceremonies

Which wouldn't suit a private dwelling either.