Two wedding ceremonies??!

That's a bit odd really but for whatever reason, I believe it's possible.

I don't think it would or could be the same actually because the second ceremony has no legal standing and so would not have the relevant legal references. I don't think a registrar could do it as theirs is a legal function and a vicar/priest would do a blessing.

This was my understanding also, I did recommend a blessing however the service will different and she does to want her mum or any family to know they had an emergency wedding, her husband to be has got himself In Trouble with the law so he may not be able to attend their booked ceremony so they want an emergbecy ceremony with the two of them and In the event he can attend the booked ceremony they would like to go along with it as though they were not married a few weeks prior.

i recommended they tell the important family members but she's Adament she only wants to tell if absolutely necessary which I suppose you can understand if it's a private and embarrassing issue for them.

I s'pose it depends on how well versed the people attending are with the legalities of a wedding ceremony, and the venue. Plenty of people here are having humanist/handfasting ceremonies and many of their guests aren't aware that it isn't a 'real' wedding. It seems to me like it would be totally possible to have a friend or someone else perform the ceremony and just not sign a real register, but at least three people would have to be in on it (the 'officiant' and the witnesses). But you couldn't do it with a real registrar or minister.

Well my self and my partner would be in on it as well as my sister in law and her partner who are the ones getting married.il tell her to look up the type of ceremonies you mentioned,

in regards to having two witnesses sign thief marriage certificate could this still happen but I just wouldn't be official?

I did suggest this but my sil said out of embarrassment it's not something they want to discuss with their wedding coordinator, what a horrible situation to be in a few weeks before your wedding. I really feel sorry for my SIL

She could just tell everyone at the second ceremony that they had a bit of a wobble, the stress of organising a wedding was getting a bit much for them and they were considering postponing their wedding. Then her OH suggested they just went ahead and got married straight away because it was the wedding giving them the wobbles - not the actual marriage. So they grabbed a couple of witnesses off the street and went in and did the deed. Pressure gone - organising the wedding became fun again and for that reason they've decided to just have a blessing in front of their friends and family at the original time and date. Sounds quite elaborate now I've written it down but it could work...?!

That is an awkward situation to be in.

She will need to speak to the wedding coordinator/registrar already booked for the original day as if they are already legally married beforehand then the ceremony won't be able to take place as planned. It would also meaning paying for a registrar that you don't need.

What would make the most sense to me would be to do the official legal ceremony in advance and book a humanist ceremony for the big day. That way they are already legally married should the groom not be able to attend, and if he can and anyone asks she can use the reason that they wanted a humanist ceremony but as they are not legally recognised in this country (they are in Scotland) they had to have the legal parts done in advance.

Good idea il def suggest it however I know My mother in law would be devastated is she did this (said she grabbed a few witnesses because of the wobbles) specially as she paid for half the wedding, they are very close much closer then fiancé is with her (Sam mum!)

July 24th!!!

Thanks everyone one for all your help I know she will appreciate all suggestions x

So basically if I've got this right - they're due to get married in three weeks and want to do it now? Is that right? If so then I think they're stuffed because they need to give notice again and ask for a special license which they might not be granted. They also would need to think if they need to cancel the registrar for the original date as I don't think they'd let them have two dates booked.

I've been trying to find if the notice period can be waived for someone if they are potentially going to prison (as this seems to be the situation), but can't find the relevant bit of info anywhere. I'm probably just not googling the right phrase.

I can only find reference to an emergency licence for a critical illness where one party is not expected to live. Medical evidence is required.

Wait though, have we misread the OP? It says an emergency real ceremony and then the 'fake' one 3wks later. I don't think it mentions 3wks from now. Or have I missed that bit?

I think the real one is booked for three weeks from now. They want to change that one to a 'fake' one if OH doesn't go AWOL. And get married for real ASAP. That's my understanding...

OP said after that the real ceremony is booked for the 24th July.

I think your SIL needs to call the registry office to find out what her options are.

Yeah, I had missed it. So that's not enough time to give notice, unless you can somehow transfer the notice you've already given to a new date without the minimum waiting period.

I'd be honest with the registrar at the very least. He/she may have some tips on what can be done and how.

Thank you everyone for your input I have given my SIL all your answers and advice so how pulley she works something out x

If they have already given notice they could try and bring the date forward but they would have to get married at the venue given in the notice. They could give a fresh notice for another venue

and each of them apply for a waiver of the 15 day notice period but this is only granted in exceptional circumstances and I can't see these circumstances qualifying. They can only try though. There is a fee to be payable which is non refundable. Therefore they would be paying for 2 notices and 2 waiver applications which is getting expensive. I would have thought that the vagueness of her Fiance's situation would go against them.

You can not have 2 legal ceremonies. If they do manage to marry earlier they can have a celebrant for the existing booking as a registrar would not attend. As it is not legal this could be anyone. Humanist or just a celebrant or friend even. The guests may twig if there is no register signing though.