Registry Office or Together Forever? A Simple Way to Get Married in NSW
Not everyone dreams of having a huge wedding. Some couples simply want to get married, have the people they love there, take some lovely photos and celebrate the moment without spending thousands of dollars or spending months planning a wedding. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
For many couples in NSW, a registry office is the obvious choice when they want something simple and affordable. But there is another option that is worth knowing about too. Our Together Forever package was created for couples who like the idea of a simple, registry style wedding, but would still like it to feel a little more personal and special.
What does a registry office wedding cost in NSW?
Registry wedding prices vary depending on where you go, the day of the week, the room you choose and the type of ceremony. As an example, the NSW Registry at Pyrmont currently lists ceremonies from $482 Monday to Friday, with Saturday ceremonies from $597. Some of the larger or evening options cost more.
These prices can change, so it's always worth checking the current NSW Government fees when you're looking at your options.
A registry wedding is certainly a straightforward way to get married. You arrive with your paperwork and two witnesses, the Registry staff check everything is in order and the ceremony itself generally takes around 10 to 20 minutes. You can exchange rings if you want to and there is also the opportunity for some personal vows, depending on the ceremony you've booked. You then sign the marriage paperwork and you're officially married.
For some couples, that's exactly what they want. It's quick, simple and takes care of the legal side of getting married.
The thing is, not everyone wants their wedding to feel quite so much like an appointment.
So what is Together Forever?
This is where Together Forever comes in.
For $300, you can have your legal marriage ceremony with us at our Weston location, without needing to organise a traditional wedding around it. You can choose from our available ceremony setups, including our beautiful Pure Rose arbour, or keep things really simple with our desk signing option.
You can have up to 20 guests, so there is still plenty of room for your kids, parents, siblings, best friends or whoever you want standing beside you. And if you don't have two witnesses, that's completely fine too. We can provide two witnesses for you at no extra cost, or you are more than welcome to bring your own.
Your $300 includes your celebrant, legal marriage ceremony, pre written ceremony options, music, bouquet, ceremony styling and setup, as well as the legal paperwork and registration of your marriage.
The only additional cost is the $70 official NSW BDM marriage certificate or add $300 Taylor O'Hara's Photography.
But isn't a registry office cheaper?
This is where it's worth looking at the whole picture rather than just comparing the first number you see.
At the time of writing, a NSW Registry ceremony at Pyrmont starts at $482 on a weekday. Together Forever is $300, and you are getting a styled ceremony, music, a bouquet and the option to have up to 20 guests at our location.
There are also some practical differences. A Registry ceremony runs to a schedule and you need to arrive at least 15 minutes beforehand with your two witnesses. Registry rooms also have their own capacity limits, depending on the room and ceremony you've booked.
With Together Forever, the idea is a little different. You aren't walking into a government building for a quick legal appointment. You're coming to a space that has been set up for your wedding, with your people around you and a ceremony that still feels like an actual wedding day.
And that's really what we were trying to create.
You don't have to choose between a registry office and a big wedding
We think there is a bit of a gap between the two.
You don't have to spend $20,000 on a wedding just because you want to make getting married feel special. And you don't necessarily have to go to a registry office simply because you want something small and affordable.
Maybe you want to wear a proper wedding dress. Maybe you want flowers and music. Maybe you want your children there. Maybe you want your parents watching, a few photos afterwards and a beautiful little ceremony that feels like it belongs to you.
But maybe you don't want a reception, a giant guest list, months of planning or a huge wedding bill.
That's exactly who we had in mind when we created Together Forever.
It's still a real wedding. You're still legally getting married. You can still have your favourite people there and have a beautiful ceremony. It's just without all the stuff you don't actually want.
Which option is right for you?
There isn't a right or wrong choice. If you love the idea of a registry office ceremony and want something quick and straightforward, a Registry wedding may be exactly what you're looking for.
But if you like the simplicity of a registry style wedding and would prefer a more relaxed setting with ceremony styling, music, flowers, more flexibility and up to 20 guests, Together Forever could be a great alternative.
And at $300, it gives couples another way to have a beautiful, affordable wedding without feeling like they're settling for less simply because they don't want a huge wedding.
Sometimes you don't need a massive wedding.
Sometimes you just need the person you love, the people who matter most, a beautiful little ceremony and someone to officially pronounce you married.
And that's more than enough.
Together Forever | $300
Located at our Weston Styling Suite in the Hunter Valley. Up to 20 guests, with ceremony setups to choose from, music, bouquet, celebrant and legal ceremony all included.
The official NSW BDM marriage certificate is an additional $70 and Taylor O'Hara Photography Package is an additional $300.
If you're not sure whether a registry office or Together Forever is right for you, we're always happy to have a chat and explain how it all works. No pressure, no awkward sales pitch. Just a chat about what you're actually looking for.
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