Well we were living on the other side of the globe from all our family so it was a bit of a different situation.

We let everyone know we were getting married (had to wait 6 months for the registrary office here, so had plenty of time). Our parents wanted to come and we asked a couple of friends who actually lived nearby to be witnesses. Had a small ceremony at the registrary office with our two witnesses, parents and a couple of other friends who happened to be in the area. We hanged out with our visitors for the rest of the day.

It was nice and exactly what we wanted for the ceremony. Sometimes I regret not having more of a party with more friends and family there, but that's the way it went. I've got some friends who got married at the registrary office with a small ceremony and then 7 years later decided they wanted a wedding party so they organised one then and had one. So you can always do that. (We might have a moving home party if we ever do that)