How to plan a civil ceremony for your wedding

plan a civil ceremony for your wedding

It's interesting:
"Now, I appreciate that you're all missing the Wimbledon final to be here today, but let this wedding be a reminder that there's more to life than single events ..."

Plan a civil ceremony for your wedding if you want to provide flexibility and allow a bit more creativity in your wedding ceremony. Whether you want to hold your ceremony somewhere other than a church or you'd prefer a non-religious wedding, a civil ceremony may be the best option for you.

Things You'll Need

• Marriage license
• Venue
• Officiate

Instructions

1. • 1

     Find a venue. Most civil ceremonies are held in a city hall or office, but you don't have to limit your options. You can hold your civil ceremony in a hotel, in a garden, in a rented mansion or even in a sports stadium!

   • 2

     Find an officiate. After you've decided where to have your venue, decide who will marry you. Check with the local marriage license bureau or county clerk to find out how is legally able to marry you.

   • 3

     Get a marriage license. While you are inquiring about an officiate, find out which forms and paperwork you need in order to get married. Generally, you'll need to appear in person to apply for a marriage license and bring identification.

   • 4

     Consider your guests and family. While planning a civil ceremony, there are no rules. But you still want to take your family and guests expectations into consideration. Think about what is important to them traditionally and religiously and be sure to include those aspects into the ceremony.

   • 5

     Choose music, readings and rites. Again, there are no rules. Make selections according to your personal wants. Music and rites should have symbolic meaning that apply to you and your partner.

   • 6

     Work with your officiate. After you've decided what you want, go over the ceremony with your officiate and plan out the ceremony.

Tips &- Warnings

• Begin with a template of a traditional wedding and modify it according to your tastes.

• Many officiates who do civil unions have experience writing ceremonies. Ask them for their input.

• If you are planning on eloping or are on a tight budget, a civil ceremony is perfect for you.

• The basic ceremony includes opening words, a reading or tow, consent and vows, the exchange of rings and some final thoughts or readings or a sermon. But feel free to deviate.

• You are only restricted by the bounds of your imagination! Formal attire, stodgy rites and hymns, rings and vows are by no means a requirement.

• In the United Kingdom and other European countries, it is illegal to include religious hymns and readings in a civil ceremony.

• Consider the feelings of those you include and those you don't include. Marriage is a monumental step in your life and it means a lot to your loved ones for them to be there.

Source: www.ehow.com

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