My parents did city hall and encouraged us to do the same.
We didn’t but that was fine, too.
I don’t like City Hall because wedding is the time to celebrate. Town Hall seems a little bit too sparse of a celebration and perhaps a bit too practical for me.
My SIL and her husband did the town hall, they got divorced after 25 years, I’m sure it’s not the reason.Needless to say one of their daughters had a big wedding.
If you send an announcement before the wedding, people are likely going to expect an invitation to the wedding. I’d tell (1) close family in person or on the phone and (2) mention it in holiday cards to more far flung relatives, then send change of address and/or name cards after the wedding to everyone else. If the young people aren’t moving and nobody’s changing their name, I don’t think there’s anything to announce to anyone not already contacted from list one and list two.
I received a wedding announcement 2 days before the couple married. I sent a check. I wish the announcement had arrived later.
I don’t need a religious ceremony, or even a big one, but City Halls have always seemed a bit impersonal. We got married in an olive garden on the Cal Tech campus by a judge.
Th celebration would take place elsewhere after the city hall ceremony. We have some pretty nice city hall buildings in our area!
alumother’s pictures of her wedding at San Francisco City Hall were gorgeous.
My DD and her H decided to compact the process. Engament party into wedding. Everything went well except they missed out on wedding gifts. I admit that’s the least thing when planning a wedding, but it kind of shows up later when the couple is trying to furnish their apartment…
We have a pretty sweet City Hall here in Pasadena. On the national register of historic places.
www.cityofpasadena.net
www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/City_Hall.aspx
I have to laugh there are a few churches nearby and even when people get married in those churches they head over to City Hall for their pictures.
DD and her DH had a SF City Hall wedding with only (widowed) Moms as witnesses (and a photographer) - spectacular venue
The juxtaposition of talk about Hong Kong and City Hall made me remember the Hong Kong City hall, on the waterfront, where many marriages were performed, in full western dress. It was a glorious harbor side venue for photos. Unfortunately the harbor side location has become more inland these days due to landfill.
In HK last fall, during the Occupy demonstrations, I was very impressed with the growing sense of HK as a unique entity. The culture is separate and different from the mainland, not that the mainland would admit or appreciate this distinct identity.