How many people are allowed in the room at a JOP wedding?

bwy

Hi all! 

My fiance is joining the army, and we're planning on having a small ceremony at the JOP after he gets out of basic, and I was wondering if anybody here knows how many people are allowed in the room when you get married at a JOP? I'd really like for both of our sets of parents and our siblings to be there, which is... 12 people? We're also on the fence about inviting FI's brother because he's been doing drugs and he's not a fan of marriage and we haven't told him about FI joining the army, but if we did invite him that'd be 13. 

Also I wasn't sure what board to put this on, sorry!! 

misshart00

I think this is a question for your local courthouse. Every one has different rules and regulations, as well as room sizes.

OliveOilsMom

bc+rw16 said:

Hi all! 

My fiance is joining the army, and we're planning on having a small ceremony at the JOP after he gets out of basic, and I was wondering if anybody here knows how many people are allowed in the room when you get married at a JOP? I'd really like for both of our sets of parents and our siblings to be there, which is... 12 people? We're also on the fence about inviting FI's brother because he's been doing drugs and he's not a fan of marriage and we haven't told him about FI joining the army, but if we did invite him that'd be 13. 

Also I wasn't sure what board to put this on, sorry!! 

Contact your local courthouse. If their limit doesn't permit your full guest list, perhaps you can look into booking a private room at a restuarant and having your JOP perform your ceremony there.

huskypuppy14

bc+rw16 said:

Hi all! 

My fiance is joining the army, and we're planning on having a small ceremony at the JOP after he gets out of basic, and I was wondering if anybody here knows how many people are allowed in the room when you get married at a JOP? I'd really like for both of our sets of parents and our siblings to be there, which is... 12 people? We're also on the fence about inviting FI's brother because he's been doing drugs and he's not a fan of marriage and we haven't told him about FI joining the army, but if we did invite him that'd be 13. 

Also I wasn't sure what board to put this on, sorry!! 

A JOP stands for Justice of the Peace. This is a person you hire to officiate your wedding. I had 110 people at my wedding at a country club that was officiated by a JOP.

I think you mean a courthouse wedding.

bwy

huskypuppy14 said:

A JOP stands for Justice of the Peace. This is a person you hire to officiate your wedding. I had 110 people at my wedding at a country club that was officiated by a JOP.

I think you mean a courthouse wedding.

Yeah, I guess so? I've just seen it said as JOP around here, sorry for the confusion! 

huskypuppy14

My aunt got married in her house by a JOP. She had 30 people at her wedding. My point is you don't have to do it at the courthouse.

Get married in a park, on the steps of the courthouse, at a restaurant. The venue doesn't matter, and you can make it fit the number of people you need.

bwy

huskypuppy14 said:

My aunt got married in her house by a JOP. She had 30 people at her wedding. My point is you don't have to do it at the courthouse.

Get married in a park, on the steps of the courthouse, at a restaurant. The venue doesn't matter, and you can make it fit the number of people you need.

That could work, though that kind of limits the places we can go since it'll be in winter! 

CMGragain

Remember, if you have any guests at your wedding ceremony, you must also have a reception of some kind, even if it is only cake and punch in the afternoon at your home.

Also, a small private ceremony needn't be a civil ceremony.  If you are religious, a minister can come to your home and marry you there.  This is what used to be done 100 years ago.

bwy

CMGragain said:

Remember, if you have any guests at your wedding ceremony, you must also have a reception of some kind, even if it is only cake and punch in the afternoon at your home.

Also, a small private ceremony needn't be a civil ceremony.  If you are religious, a minister can come to your home and marry you there.  This is what used to be done 100 years ago.

Is home-made cake and punch acceptable? 

We're not religious, but that's how my grandparents got married and they always loved their wedding. 

misshart00

bc+rw16 said:

CMGragain said:

Remember, if you have any guests at your wedding ceremony, you must also have a reception of some kind, even if it is only cake and punch in the afternoon at your home.

Also, a small private ceremony needn't be a civil ceremony.  If you are religious, a minister can come to your home and marry you there.  This is what used to be done 100 years ago.

Is home-made cake and punch acceptable? 

We're not religious, but that's how my grandparents got married and they always loved their wedding. 

That honestly sounds wonderful. Just make sure you have enough for everyone.

LadyMillil

misshart00 said:

bc+rw16 said:

CMGragain said:

Remember, if you have any guests at your wedding ceremony, you must also have a reception of some kind, even if it is only cake and punch in the afternoon at your home.

Also, a small private ceremony needn't be a civil ceremony.  If you are religious, a minister can come to your home and marry you there.  This is what used to be done 100 years ago.

Is home-made cake and punch acceptable? 

We're not religious, but that's how my grandparents got married and they always loved their wedding. 

That honestly sounds wonderful. Just make sure you have enough for everyone.

And that it isn't over a meal time. A mid-afternoon cake and punch reception sounds lovely.

CMGragain

bc+rw16 said:

CMGragain said:

Remember, if you have any guests at your wedding ceremony, you must also have a reception of some kind, even if it is only cake and punch in the afternoon at your home.

Also, a small private ceremony needn't be a civil ceremony.  If you are religious, a minister can come to your home and marry you there.  This is what used to be done 100 years ago.

Is home-made cake and punch acceptable? 

We're not religious, but that's how my grandparents got married and they always loved their wedding. 

Home made cake, punch and coffee is ABSOLUTELY acceptable, and probably will please your guests more than bakery cake!
As for the ceremony, you can always have an officiant, minister or otherwise, come marry you in your home, just like Grandma!  Have Uncle Fred take pictures with his fancy new digital camera.  You can even wear a wedding gown if you like.  My sister borrowed one from a friend - nobody knew except me!

bwy

Does anyone know how much it costs to get a JOP to come out to you? 

CMGragain

Officiant fees vary by area.  The officiant only needs to be licensed to perform marriages in your state.  They do not need to be an actual justice of the peace.  Call your local courthouse for information on licensed officiants.  In many states, a friend or relative can perform the marriage ceremony after being ordained on line.