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A lavish city hall wedding is an excellent alternative to conventional weddings that make you bust your head with seating charts, floral decoration, and menus that are supposed to satisfy all tastes. It takes much of the stress and frustration out of the planning process: you can relax and let your love take center stage. Moreover, it is an option that can save you a lot of green, even if you want to infuse it with luxury.
That being said, you should not dive in unprepared. Educate yourself, get down to the brass tacks, and make it a day to remember.
The art of planning
There might not be a big party going on, but it still it pays off to plan ahead of time.
It is not uncommon for city hall wedding schedules to be jam-packed and booked for months. So, if you want to make sure you do everything on a specific date, you must book early. Know that you are not limited to just local government buildings. Some couples travel to hot destinations like San Francisco and make them the first stop on the honeymoon escapade.
So, don’t hesitate to head to the majestic hall that makes the trip more than worth it.
Regardless of the location, you have to figure out logistics and gather all the necessary information (the official clerk’s page should be helpful). Obtain paperwork and research the requirements for getting documents such as a marriage license. Note that in order for the wedding to have official character, you also need a witness. Live-streaming the ceremony doesn’t cut it: you are going to need someone physically present.
It helps to schedule city hall appointments. Feel free to ask all the questions you have. Some states are not overly responsive and attentive when it comes to this, so you might be forced to wait quite a bit. They accommodate couples on the first-come, first-served basis.
Leaving a mark
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Of course, some general wedding rules apply.
First off, you want to come fully dressed and cut a dash on the big day. You can research brands such as Celine in Sydney or any other city to find an outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks. Just remember there are no dressing rooms at the courthouse, so arrive ready. Any prep you require should be handled beforehand. Don’t do your hair and makeup at the last minute.
Furthermore, it is a good idea to hire a wedding photographer to capture memories that you will be able to cherish forever. Letting your talented cousin take photos is a way to cut the spending, but if you ask me, hiring a professional really pays off. Ideally, it should be someone who has shot at city hall before.
The show must go on
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One thing that puts people off is that in city hall, you are not the only star of the show. There are other brides and grooms around, but that should not be such a problem, provided that you don’t step on each other’s toes. You typically have 10 or 15 minutes to regroup after the ceremony, after which you have to move on. That is why couples usually invite only the family members and closest friends.
Along similar lines, notice that most often, couples are not allowed to read wows. This is another thing you have to accept, but don’t fret. There are many other ways to add personal touches and feel like you are calling the shots. Namely, many couples decide to make the day a true reflection of who they are by planning post-ceremony celebration activities.
After all, the affordability of city hall ceremonies allows you to splurge on other things. So, go for a fancy evening at a hotel later and dance the night away. Or, even better, you can go the extra mile and treat yourself to the honeymoon of your dreams.
Love’s eternal flame
Many couples are ditching traditional weddings and flocking to a city hall wedding. They want a simple, affordable, and no-fuss ceremony. Tying the knot in a government building doesn’t take anything away from the importance of the wedding. If anything, it can make everything run nice and smoothly.
At the same time, it is of the utmost importance to do your homework well ahead of time. Meet the official requirements and legal obligations. Give yourself time to prepare for the ceremony and don’t overlook a single detail, be it an important document or a makeup. Make the day truly your own and let your love shine and dazzle attendees.
