Compromise - Religious and non-religious wedding - HELP

It's hard to advise without knowing you or your fiance but something you should think about is why you want a religious aspect to your wedding. Is it just to keep your family happy or is it something that is important to you? You don't need to answer here but if it is important to you then you should talk to your fiance about it more and explain why it is important. It will be easier to work something out if he really understands how important it is to you. If you have to compromise on your wedding then you'll may have to compromise on how your bring up your children (if you have any of course!) and it's better to talk these things out before it becomes an issue.

A friend of mine was married at the registry office one day, where she wore just a normal dress and there was only the immediate family present (think there were 6 of them in the room altogether) and then had her ceremony in her husband's marine corps chapel the day after, this is the one she wore her dress to and treated as her wedding day. As Frandy says it is hard to offer ideas without really knowing you but could you do it the other way round? Married in a church with immediate family before and then onto your wedding at the venue you have found.

I currently have the exact same dilemma- I want to know if I can have a religious ceremony in a non-church venue with the registrar in a side room, like one would in a church wedding

Any insight/ experience greatly appreciated!