Planning a civil wedding is a cool and special way to declare your love. A civil wedding ceremony is non-religious and is officiated by a government representative, usually in a city hall courthouse. It’s intimate, swift, and a great way to tie the knot. You’ll also save a lot of money by planning an intimate courthouse wedding, which is ideal for couples who are saving for a home or would rather spend their funds on an incredible honeymoon. All it takes is an officiant, a marriage license, and a couple of witnesses. Here’s how to plan a civil wedding ceremony that you’ll cherish forever.
4 Things to Consider When Planning a Civil Wedding Ceremony
- The guest list. Who do you want to be there with you? Would you like it just to be the two of you and your witnesses, or do you want your immediate families there? Or perhaps you have a small group of best friends you can’t imagine getting married without. Ask your courthouse how many guests are allowed, then send out your invites.
- Determine your budget. Many people opt for a civil wedding ceremony because it’s a more affordable option than a bigger celebration. Decide what you’d like for your day with budget in mind. Do you want to keep it super simple and go for a slice of pizza and champagne just the two of you once the ceremony is over? Or would you like to have an intimate dinner celebration with your closest loved ones? Do you want to get your hair and makeup done? Hire a photographer? Figure out what feels best as a couple.
- Plan your looks. The best weddings are ones that are personal and one way you can do this through your wedding day looks. Choose an outfit that displays your personality- wear something that’s truly special to you. Since you’re not spending a ton of money on a big wedding, you can splurge on your wedding day look (if that’s something that’s important to you!).
- Do you want a bouquet? Having a bouquet is a really nice touch for a civil ceremony. It makes it feel more “wedding like” and will also look amazing in photos. Of course you can also opt to forgo a bouquet and keep it nice and simple. This goes for a boutonniere as well!
How to Plan a Civil Wedding Ceremony: 7 Tips & Ideas
1. Book Your Day at City Hall
Depending where you live, appointments for civil ceremonies can book up quickly. Choose the city hall you’d like to get married at and get your date locked in. Most courthouses provide services Monday through Friday, so keep this in mind and check with your local courthouse to confirm. Make sure to bring your marriage license, required IDs, and your witnesses on the day of. Also check if you’re allowed to incorporate elements that are important to you such as reciting your own vows or having a photographer.
2. Don’t Forget Your Marriage License
If you want your civil ceremony to be legal, you’ll need a marriage license. You may need to book an appointment for a marriage license, so be sure to look into it. And remember, your marriage license is only valid for a period of time, so plan backward from your civil ceremony date. Make sure to find out which legal documents you need to bring to the appointment to obtain your marriage license.
3. Book a Photographer
You’ll want your wedding ceremony documented, so hire a photographer that can capture your special day. Save some time for a short photoshoot afterwards- city hall wedding photos are some of the most gorgeous out there, just do a quick search for inspo on Pinterest. Just because you’re not having a huge celebration doesn’t mean you can’t have jaw dropping photos.
4. Choose an Outfit
Just because you’re not having an elaborate wedding, doesn’t mean you can’t look absolutely amazing. In fact, a budget-friendly civil ceremony gives you more room to play around with a gorgeous dress or outfit. Choose something as formal or casual as you like- the most important thing is that it feels like you and makes you feel special! Whether you opt for a shorter cocktail-style dress, pant suit, or full on wedding gown, you should wear whatever makes you feel your best.
5. Plan a Small Celebration Afterwards
If you want to celebrate with your close friends and family, consider planning a small celebration afterwards. You could have an intimate dinner at one of your favourite restaurants, or even rent out a restaurant or cocktail bar for a standing event. Decorate with flowers and have a cake and champagne toast! Decide how many people you want to celebrate with and plan a celebration you and your partner will love.
6. Or Just Celebrate the Two of You
If you really want to celebrate just the two of you, find something special you can do after. Maybe this means dressing up and going to a fancy lunch or dinner, or it can be as simple as grabbing pizza from your favourite pizza place and eating takeout at home. We also love the idea of booking a room at a boutique hotel for a night or going out of town for the weekend to celebrate your new wedded bliss.
7. Consider Writing Your Own Vows
With a civil wedding ceremony, you don’t get a ton of time with the officiant, so consider saying your own vows to make the ceremony more personalized. It’s a special way to express your love and commitment to one another, and you can also get special vow books to write them in that you can keep as a memento of the day. Don’t be afraid to get creative and infuse your personality into your vows.
If you’re planning a civil wedding ceremony, we hope these tips and ideas help you plan an amazing day!
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