So today was the big day - 8.8.8 and my fiance and I went down to Southwark council to get legally married. Coincidently, my fiance woke up at 8.08 today because when he was brushing his teeth, I turned on the TV and saw that the clock just struck 8.09 a few minutes afterwards. I hope this brings lots of luck to us, and maybe even 88 years of married life! I’ve been reading news reports where lots of women planned C-sections so that their babies would be born on this day. Is that going a bit too far?

Anyways, I thought I’d write a note about how it work so that other couples will know what to expect. First, we arrived 40 minutes early to Southwark Council. They asked us to arrive 10-15 minutes before the stated time on the Notice of Marriage certificate they give you but we arrived earlier to avoid traffic and other stressful events. 

I got a little stressed out earlier when I read the notice and it says I need to call a certain number to get the authority. But when I called the Council they said this is only necessary if you marry in a council other than the one you are registered in. Phew!

Back to the Register: They made us wait almost an hour because there was a problem with the system. My fiance once worked for a Council when he was younger and he sad they are so inefficient that he wasnt suprised. They explained that there were a lot of communities that also observed the lucky number 8 such as the Philipino and the Vietnamese community so they had to schedule them in as well. I was a bit suprised to hear this because when we went last month to register our intention to get married that day, there was no one for that period. I guess there was a mad rush a few weeks later. Im glad to have booked early. 

First the Assistant Register calls the bride and groom and asks us questions to see that all the details about our names, age, home address still matches. This is very important because they need to make sure all information is correct on the day of the legal registration. They use a really fancy pen and hand write all details again on a piece of paper. They also ask additional questions about the bride and groom’s father and even his occupation. I dont understand why they hand write it, it would be more efficient to just type or print it out. I guess they have to justify the fee (£135 pounds) that they charge. 

Then they bring the guests inside and the Register makes a speech, asking if anyone has any objections or knows of any legal impediments why the two should be joined in matrimony blah blah blah. Then she asks us each to repeat a long sentence on how we take each other as spouses to love and cherish. She asks us then to exchange rings a traditional way to exchange the contract. We only had one ring as my fiance doesnt like to wear a ring. My future mother in law shouted at me the night before because we didnt buy a ring. Earlier, she suggested that we borrow her husbands and then when we asked her for her husband’s ring, she said its bad in Chinese culture and that it means my husband will take another wife. We tried to go buy a ring but everything was closed. So I’ve decided I’ll buy him a ring later and exchange it at the ceremony we plan next year. 

It can get quite emotional when you are asked to repeat your vows so keep a tissue handy. Also they allow photography and video. Our memory card was full (just out luck) so make sure everything recharged and clear before. 

Then they ask for the two witnesses to sign. 

Afterwards, they let us into the Garden room for photos. The ceremony takes around 15 minutes in total and they let you take photos for as long as you like. 

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