Civil Wedding Ceremonies

Not religious? Your groom has a different religion? Want more control over the ceremony? Want more flexibility? Want an informal outdoor ceremony? Sounds right? Then consider having a civil ceremony. Civil wedding ceremonies can be performed anywhere outside of a church: from a registry office to a park, from a boat to a reception hall, from a beach to your own backyard, and so on. Wherever you like, perhaps even where the two of you first kissed! Just make sure to get any necessary permits.

Whether you choose to have a civil wedding ceremony or not, select an officiant at least nine months before the wedding. This will give you ample time to get to know him or her, as well as get marriage counselling, if required.

Individuals who are legally authorised (by the Attorney-General) to perform civil ceremonies include justices of the peace, judges, and civil marriage celebrants.

The greatest advantage of having a civil wedding ceremony is its flexibility. Apart from being able to have it at any location you want, you will have more control over the ceremony. There will, for example, be no restrictions in terms of type of music played or readings read during the service. Some churches even have certain dress codes, e.g. some don't allow strapless gowns. At civil ceremonies there will be no such limitations. So if you want to walk down the aisle in a strapless gown to a rock song, no one can stop you! And if a priest won't allow your favourite poem to be read, a civil officiant will. A civil ceremony allows you to personalise your wedding to suit your personal tastes and needs.

In terms of the order of events, however, a civil ceremony is no different to a traditional religious ceremony. The order of events still includes the processional, the actual service and, finally, the recessional. Just like at a religious ceremony the actual service encompasses, in order of occurrence, opening words, readings, consent, wedding vows, exchange of rings, pronouncement of the couple as husband and wife, and closing words. The only difference is that no religious remarks will be mentioned and there are no restrictions.

Now continue planning your perfect wedding day!

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