Multiple Person Family/Peer Registrations

How can an administrator enter a family or couple registration?
Why can't I enter a second family/couple with an existing email? It always kicks me back into single mode.

Definition of a Family/Peer Group
It's important to understand how the family/couple/group (FCG) registration works. When this option is used it takes one attendee and designates them as the primary contact. All other attendees in that family/couple/group are designated by a special code in a special field (famgrp). Each group is given a unique group ID with the primary person given a special designation.  The family/couple grouping is different than the linking of invoices or grouping by invoice number. It is possible to have multiple family groups underneath one primary linked invoice.

A Design Decision
In the design process of how to set up these groups, we initially launched with the ability for an end-user to be able to create multiple family groups on one invoice. But we quickly learned that it started causing confusion. The vast majority of the attendees who desire a family/couple/group registration come to the site with the intent of doing only one registration. It is the exception where you have one person (an end user) who needs to create multiple family groups. We had to make a decision as to how to handle these exceptions and we decided that it was best to not confuse the many (those doing simple registrations) for the sake of the few who needed to register mutiple family groups.

How a Family Registration Works
When you arrive at a site that offers a "Register As" option (as turned on in admin set up), the end-user is given a "Register As" dropdown in the home page signup box. When changed, it automatically repaints the screen to provide the appropriate slots (for a spouse, kids or other group members).  You enter that data and you are then taken to the next screen where you fill out the basic information (name, title, email, registration type) for each of the attendees in this group. This is the ONLY time you'll see this mulit-person signup screen.  The core fields are required on this page and once filled out the names are grouped. From there on out all editing and completion of data is done on a record by record basis. You cannot return to this page.  For more on the "Register As" option, with pictures, read this answer.

Returinging to an Existing Family/Couple/Group Registration
To return to this type of registration, you enter the email address of the primary attendee and change the "Register As" dropdown to "Return to Record." You will then be sent a validation code to re-enter that registration.
 
What Doesn't Work
Only one FCG registration can be associated with a primary email address. If you try to set up a second one with the same email address, it takes you to a screen asking for the validation code. If you enter that code, you're taken back into the original record.

Multiple Family Groups with the Same Email
If you have a situation where you need to set up multiple family groups with the same email address it can only be done with administrator assistance. You would first need to set up each of the attendees as individual records and then an administrator will need to convert them into a single family registration.