|
Civil Wedding Ceremonies
By Susan M. Keenan ©2006
With the frequent intermingling of religions as couples
unite in marriage, weddings have turned more and more to civil ceremonies.
While civil ceremonies allow for the inclusion of religious elements, they do
not require them, nor do they restrict them. With a civil ceremony, both
participants can show respect for the other’s religious beliefs or lack of a
religious standing.
Moreover, as more and more couples go through a second
wedding, large ceremonies are passed over in favor of smaller and more
personalized ceremonies that bring even greater pleasure to the couple. More
and more, these ceremonies are civil ceremonies that have been carefully
composed and orchestrated by the couple down to the very last detail.
Furthermore, civil ceremonies have the flexibility to allow
each individual to include aspects that are important to him or her. The
couple may personalize every detail of the ceremony, making it a unique and
memorable occasion. Special vows, carefully selected readings, a distinctive
wedding theme, sentimental symbols, and an unforgettable location can all
contribute to a wonderfully orchestrated wedding ceremony.
Traditional and nontraditional elements are often
incorporated into civil ceremonies, including the unity candle, the rose
ceremony, the wine ceremony, sand ceremony, salt ceremony, breaking bread
ceremony, the garland ceremony, the broom jumping ceremony, or the circling
ceremony. Many of these are cultural traditions that have been handed down
from generation to generation. In fact, current times have brought about a
revival of such wonderful traditions and they are becoming increasingly popular
as part of wedding ceremonies.
Civil ceremonies take place in a variety of locations,
depending solely on the discretion of the couple and the individual performing
the ceremony. Whether they are performed in a judge’s chamber, lawyer’s
office, Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, or the home of the bride and groom, today’s
civil ceremonies are just as elegant as religious weddings.
Local courthouses, as well as several online sites, provide
a wealth of information concerning civil ceremonies. They outline what is
required to obtain the marriage license, as well as how to go about scheduling
a civil ceremony, or find someone to officiate at their wedding. All that is
needed for the actual event are the same basic ingredients that are needed for
a religious wedding ceremony: the marriage license, wedding fee, two witnesses,
someone to perform the ceremony, a location, and, of course, the wedding
couple.
With a civil ceremony, any number of venues may be selected
for the location, including colorful gardens, sandy beaches, grand ballrooms,
expensive yachts, adventurous theme parks, exhilarating mountains, serene
courtyards, and more. Wedding settings, which set the theme for the wedding,
have entered a new realm of “anywhere goes.” Couples select locations that
have special meaning for them or for their entire family. Today, no place is
too strange, too distant, or too unique for a civil wedding.
The couples determine the length of the ceremony with their
choices of wedding vows, readings, and the ceremonial words. Therefore, it is
extremely important for the couple to contact someone who not only is legally
capable of performing the ceremony, but also, is willing to be flexible and
allow specific changes.
Most officials of civil ceremonies have standard texts
available for performing them. At the local courthouse, the limitations may be
a bit more stringent than ceremonies taking place at a venue of the couple’s
choosing. While the couple is able to incorporate variations, they need to
discuss this in advance with their wedding official.
Reading through what is available ahead of time, or the
sample ceremonies, is highly recommended. If the couple decides they want
something slightly different, they can discuss it with the official they have
hired. In fact, the couple should be sure to discuss all of the pertinent
details with their official prior to the wedding, including ceremony location,
readings or vow changes, reception location and invitation if it is being
offered, fees for the ceremony, and their availability for a rehearsal.
Civil ceremony fees may vary across state lines. Typically,
courthouse weddings have set fees. Some officials may not accept a gratuity or
charge a fee outside of the standard charge at the courthouse. However, when
hiring an official to perform a ceremony outside of the official location,
additional costs may be incurred.
Today’s civil ceremonies also include the opportunity for
the wedding couple to turn and face their audience as they express their
special sentiments and vows to each other. Whether the wedding ceremony
portrays any elements of religious, secular, or personal nature isn’t the
important issue. Civil ceremonies allow the couple to express their hopes for
the future, their dreams for their marriage, and their belief in each other.
Civil ceremonies offer an excellent way to have a meaningful
wedding ceremony outside of the element of religion. They provide an avenue
for customizing one of the most important days in the lifetime of the couple.
When the official pronounces the special union of husband and wife before their
family, friends, and co-workers, the newly forged bond between the couple is
permanent.
|
