We are on a limited budget as far as our wedding goes. We want to spend more money on the rings and honeymoon than the wedding. So, we want something intimate and special but small.

So these were the two options that we were thinking:
1. A small ceremony in his parent's backyard. There would be flowers, us, close friends and family and his ordained father (who we intend on asking to do this).

2. Court House. My question? Do they just say the words and give you the certificate?? Or can they have an actual ceremony with dress and tux and perhaps a flower girl??

Thanks in advance for all the help and advice.

KeepItSimpleStupid

1. The coolest back yard wedding I went to was a wedding/pig roast/pool party for a cousin. They had the whole pig. It was really cool. Yes, the bride got thrown in the pool. That one was very informal.

2. I went to a court house wedding. Maybe 10 people tops. Dressed yes. Flower girl. I don't remember. Reception was at a nearby restauraunt.

mwilliams15

Definitely backyard. It seems a lot more special and personal. I think after you get married you would really be thankful that it was at a place that you can revisit. If it is in the backyard, you can decorate it however you want to, have it anytime you want to, have however many people you would like there, and have the ceremony the way you want it. I also think the backyard wedding could have endless possibilities even on a tight budget.
I really know nothing of court house weddings. I would imagine that it smells like an old building with a lot of books, lol . There also probably wouldnt be very much room either.
So I say absolutely go for the backyard wedding. It could be very pretty in any season you choose (besides winter=too cold). Fall- you would have all the pretty leaves changing colors and so on. Spring- would be warm and flowers would be blooming..
I think once you start planning the backyard wedding you wont regret it =).

Fr_Chuck

In our area the court house wedding, the couple, the judge and a witness. Most here are done in the judges office while the judge is not on the bench.

And you actually don't get any certificate at the wedding, not even a church wedding, the real marriage license is signed and return to the court house, and in a few weeks you can go to the court house and get a copy of it.

Some pastors give thier own personal certificates but they are just for frameing, not a real license.

I do alot of backyard weddings, some are really fun, the best couple was a cowboy theme ( western) or a beach party theme.

LearningAsIGo

If you're asking his father, you don't need a courthouse wedding which would be performed by a judge.

If you do the backyard wedding, all you need is the marriage license to sign, his dad, the two of you and some witnesses. My father-in-law married us a few months ago. I vote for a nice backyard wedding which would be so much more personal.

Good luck deciding!

ChihuahuaMomma

We would only be asking his father if we decided against the backyard wedding. I can't decide which one I want, and wanted some feedback on people's opinions.

I want my friends and family there, and that is one of the reasons that I'm thinking about the backyard wedding...

ChihuahuaMomma

Thank you. Good advice, but unfortunately I didn't think about the fact that there are dog houses in the backyard, I was just focused on the fact that there is a beautiful pond. We are going to talk to his parents and see if there is some way to move the dog houses out for the day.,...they are huge. And also the back yard is kinda small so I don't think that we could really have that many people there.

LearningAsIGo

If the backyard isn't big enough, you could get a permit to have it in a public/private park or on the beach. It all depends, but sometimes those permits may only cost $50 or $100.

ChihuahuaMomma

Thanks for the advice..

RustyFairmount

Fr. Chuck,

Is that a Tennessee thing where you don't get a copy of the license? Or is that particular to your church? The reason I ask is that in Michigan, the groom is provided one of three copies of the marriage certificate immediately following the (Roman Catholic) ceremony. The officiant keeps one copy for the church, and the third copy is sent to the state for filing.

My vote (if I may offer one) is to do the backyard thing. Marriage is all about a man and a woman growing the family. What better way to celebrate the union than to do so with your family, at your family's home?

But no matter what you choose, it's going to be fan-freaking-tastic. Congratulations!