Booking suppliers before the Registrar

There’s no harm in contacting the registrar and see if they can even just pencil your date in. If they can’t book in for over 2 years before then least you know that that date isn’t booked yet as no one can book it.
If the caterers are the ones you want and you know they are being booked up fast then I’d book them now.
Always better to be over prepared.
If you can’t book the registrar on the date you have booked everything then there’s always ways around it like getting a friend to officiate it etc.

If the registrar isn’t taking bookings in advance of 2 years then no one else will be able to book them either. But your supplier might well be booked by that point. I say go ahead and secure the supplier you want but make sure you’re quick off the mark once the registrar bookings open.

Thank you! I was worried I was over reacting and rushing into things but you have made me feel better and see sense! x

It would be worth a call to the registrar to explain the situation and ask their advice. They might be prepared to pencil the date in provisionally or give you the earliest date on which they would accept bookings, so that you could make a note to ring them the first moment it becomes possible to book your date.

Worst case scenario: if the registrar books up on your day, you could go ahead with the reception and even get someone to officiate a wedding 'blessing' or 'celebration', but you would have to do the legal marriage bit on another day - this may or may not be something that you would consider doing.

It does depend on how big the registry office is and how many registrars are available.

You should contact your registrars sooner rather than later. My wedding is October 2022, I booked my venue and a couple of suppliers. I went to book the registrar a couple of weeks ago for my 2pm ceremony only to be told they had no o available for that time. there was a 12pm slot on the same day. The earlier start time has been stressing me out since. If you have your heart set on a day and time, then book as early as you can.

I should also mention..if you’re not already aware - you can actually book the registrar up to 3 years in advance of your wedding date xx

View quoted message It varies from office to office. Some Register Offices only book 2 years in advance, some don't. It's down to how their diaries are organised.

My local registrar only takes bookings 12 months in advance so I would urge people to check their individual register offices! X

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I think I would be way too anxious about this! I'm bad enough now! Are you booking everything else and this just when you are able? x

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Thank you! I am going to book the caterer and then keep everything crossed! x

View quoted message So I'm having everything in one place so I have a provisional booking with the venue already (I'm not getting married til Oct 2023). The only other things I'll need to book will be photographer and cake maker. I'll be looking at them probably early next year, so round about 18months before. The registrar I have no choice with which sucks, I'm just hoping when it comes time they have my date available! X

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I will keep everything crossed for you! You sound very organised! x