Are you planning a legal wedding first, followed by a symbolic wedding? You are not alone! One in seven couples now separates their legal wedding from the main celebration. But what is a symbolic wedding ceremony?
What is a symbolic wedding? It keeps traditions alive, builds strong family connections, and creates a sense of community and unity. The event fits perfectly with a civil wedding ceremony. The Times recently reported that double weddings are reshaping modern nuptials. And symbolic weddings are on the rise, too.
Look, to marry or remarry, what is the question? Celebrating love with words that resonate who you are as individuals and couple! Basically, getting married is an important decision. It’s the new chapter of your lives, joy and happiness. So, celebrate it your way. There are plenty of symbolic wedding ceremonies for both legal and non-legal marriages. Lets dive in – read on…
Symbolic Weddings • Non-legally Binding Ceremonies
1. Non-religious officiant ceremony costs
A non-religious officiant serves the needs of non-traditional wedding couples who want a secular symbolic wedding. Officiants can be referred to as non-traditional or secular ministers of love. What do they do? Officiants welcome guests, lead the ceremony and guide couples through their vows and ring exchange. Most importantly, they tell your love story to kick-start the marriage celebrations. What does it cost? The cost for a symbolic wedding ceremony varies from €700 to €1,500, depending on the selected venue and officiant (celebrant). Did you know that for a non-legal – secular wedding, a family member can marry you? Just ensure they have experience in public speaking. This gives your symbolic wedding an extra boost! Source: bridebook.com.
2. Marriage registrar
Planning a wedding with or without a marriage registrar? It’s a life-changing wedding experience. Registrars conduct legally binding marriages and civil partnership ceremonies. The local authority employs them. These marriage registrars can perform ceremonies in register offices or any building/space that is licensed for civil weddings. Source: independent celebrants.com
3. Symbolic weddings abroad
There is a lot of preparation involved in a celebrating a symbolic marriage abroad. From soul searching questions about location, budget and invites. Does it truly resonate deeply with you? Symbolic weddings strengthens bond with your guests, kick-starting your new shared life together. Discovering love later in life should be celebrated. So, are you ready to plan a wedding or remarry abroad? Whether you envision a rooftop venue, a castle on a hill, or a floating wedding location, your dream destination is within reach. Find your special place at www.theweddingtravelcompany.com/destinations.
4. Symbolic wedding timeline
A symbolic wedding and a civil ceremony differ in some ways, yet they share common ceremonial elements and timelines. Typically, these ceremonies last between 20 and 45 minutes. Couples can choose the length of their ceremony, during which they can exchange rings, speak vows, and sign a certificate. However, it’s important to note that a symbolic wedding is not legally binding. If you are officially married in your country but wish to celebrate your union abroad, a symbolic wedding is a popular and ideal option for overseas celebrations.
5. Symbolic wedding ceremony elements
At the heart of a symbolic wedding is a celebration of love and commitment. Are you a couple seeking to unite your diverse backgrounds through a meaningful ceremony? Do you require an English-speaking officiant? As your personable celebrant I offer personalised, heartfelt and symbolic ceremonies. Each one is crafted to reflect your unique story. Most importantly, your friends and family feel included in this special occasion. This is a key aspect of planning your wedding. Incorporate unique elements. Raise the spirit of the day by including elements such as your love story, poems, ring exchanges, readings, and rituals.
6. Second wedding ceremony elements
Are you getting married for the second or third time? If so, consider having a symbolic wedding. The order of events for your remarriage is more flexible than for a first wedding. You can choose to have either a legal ceremony, a non-binding ceremony, or both. Second marriages allow you to incorporate meaningful symbols and establish new traditions. Planning a timeline for an event can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s important to avoid keeping your guests seated for too long, as this can make the event boring and uncomfortable for them. Brides.com offers excellent advice on planning a second marriage.
7. Legal requirements second marriage
Make your marriage legal with a license, if you want. First sort out the paperwork at your local city or town hall. According to remarriage law, a ceremony conducted by a registrar will officially recognize your bond. For more information about planning it, visit europa.eu/youreurope
8. Witnesses for a second marriage
Yes and no. An official remarriage ceremony requires 2 to 4 witnesses. However, second wedding doesn’t requre witnesses to attend. On the other hand, if you want 4 or more witnesses. Remember, extra space is needed on the symbolic certificate for the signing of the names. When planning, invite as many people as you like to support you during the ceremony. That said, you can still plan a special day without them.
9. Second wedding, second chance story
Are you planning to remarry? I’m sure many things were different with your first marriage. Perhaps you are older, and have a better sense of yourself. So you know the wedding you’d like. Whether you plan to remarry within six, twelve or twenty-four months. Remember your views on life have change, and therefore this time round it will be more rewarding. For inspiration read a second wedding, second chance real story at Bridal Guide.com
10.Second wedding vows
What’s the difference between planning your first and second marriage vows? Well, you are truly blessed to have found love again. Second time around your meaningful vows are more powerful and you can express exactly how you truly feel. Exchange your vows for your second marriage during an officiant or celebrant-led wedding. This act symbolizes love and hopes for your new life together. Here are great readings about love to help you tackle the (daunting) task of writing personal vows for your better half. Beautiful wedding vows for the second time around can be found at Marriage.com.
11. Wedding outfit
You’ve have been given a second chance to love and that means finding a wedding outfit. This time round you can dump the traditional white wedding dress and navy suit for him. Outfits for remarriage comes in many colours and styles. And depending on your mood it’s customary for the bride to wear an off-white or colourful dress; to be worn at any length (within reason). For your partner they can wear whatever makes them feel comfortable. Plan it the way you want!
Second Chance Ceremony Officiants
Elopement ceremony for 2
Celebrate your love with an elopement, the perfect ceremony for getting married second time around. Find an officiant who takes the time to understand your couple’s unique journey. This allows them to craft your symbolic ceremony without religious content. However, some officiants can add bible readings to honour love – just ask them? Plan it the way you want!
Ritual ceremony
Whether you are an atheist, or interfaith couple a symbolic ritual ceremony could be right for you. The special elements and acts of love enrich your commitment to each other. Whatever your beliefs and backgrounds this could work for you both. Ask an experienced non-religious officiant to guide you through the planning process. From a ritual such as handfasting or sand ritual, they will respect your couple’s individual faiths.
Humanists
Finding love the first or second time around is lovely. However, if you’ve been married before, you may prefer a symbolic wedding. This can be done without using the word “marriage.” This is where humanists come in. These wordsmiths craft and deliver beautiful ceremonies without legal marriage terms. While humanist ceremonies are non-religious and generally non-binding, they are considered a real wedding. So, whether single, widowed or divorced, you can say ‘yes, I do’ for the first or second time during a humanist wedding. In addition, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, humanist weddings are legally recognised, and you can remarry legally or non-legally. Showcase your couple’s personality in a heartfelt way.
Universal life ceremony
Get a family member or close friend ordained at The Universal Life Church to officiate a second wedding ceremony. Within minutes, they can become officiated. Planning to remarry is a big step, and you want to do it right this time. Plan it your way with a simple ceremony. Your chosen family officiant can join the many celebrities like Adele who have effortlessly become officiants. A Universal Life Church minister can perform couples dream non-legally binding ceremony (USA only). Your officiant delivers a love story of memories, past and new adventures. Source: www.ulc.org
While you’re here…….
Please leave your thoughts, ideas and comments about planning a symbolic wedding below.
When I officiate my sons symbolic wedding do I read the vows to them and do I pronounce them husband and wife.
Hi Angela Marshall, Congratulations on officiating your son’s upcoming wedding and thank you for your question. Here’s the answer: YES, you read the ‘official vows’, first then you pronounce them husband and wife. For more tips about a symbolic ceremony script guideline https://www.cloverjean.com/symbolic-ceremony-or-real-wedding/ Good luck, kind regards, Clover Jean