Symbolic Weddings: Celebrating Love Your Way!

Symbolic weddings are for couples of any faith or no faith, with or without getting married, who want to celebrate love, commitment and a strong connection their way. This can be achieved through rituals, traditions, and symbolic gestures. But is it a legal wedding?

Does a symbolic wedding follow the same outline as a traditional wedding? Getting married is exciting, but you might be nervous about saying “I DO”! One thing is for sure, your wedding doesn’t have to be a cheesy, long, or boring ceremony to be meaningful and memorable.

Let me explain…a symbolic wedding does not carry any legal marriage obligations; couples determine the content, length and time of the ceremony. Is it right for you? Dive into the guide for symbolic wedding ceremonies, all about YOU as an individual and as a couple.

Symbolic Weddings • Non-Traditional Wedding Ceremonies.

1. When To Plan A Symbolic Wedding

When should you start planning your symbolic wedding? The best time to plan your special day is 8 to 15 months before the actual date. This ensures you have plenty of time to secure a celebrant for your ceremony and venue.

2. Symbolic weddings outline

A symbolic wedding ceremony lasts between 20 and 45 minutes and follows the structure of a traditional wedding. There are 14 steps, and couples can choose those that are right for them; see below.

1.   Processional with or without music
2.   Welcome/Opening Remarks
3.   Readings/poems
4.   Officiant’s words of commitment
5.   Couples’ love story
6.   Personal vow exchange
7.   Symbolic vows
8.   Ring Exchange
9.   Optional Unity ceremony
10. Optional Handfasting ceremony
11. Pronouncement of commitment
12. First Kiss
13. Officiant’s closing words | completion of ceremony
14. Recessional with or without music

This format can be meaningful for partners—whether they are married, considering marriage, or simply want to celebrate their love.

3. Symbolic Wedding vs Marriage registrar

Planning a symbolic wedding with or without a legal marriage? Marriage 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

4. Symbolic wedding ceremonies abroad

Intimate symbolic celebrations abroad are popular. The investment for non-traditional wedding ceremony can be less than one in your country. From the location, budget and guestlist, where do you start? Search for symbolic wedding celebrants where you want to marry. Otherwise select an international wedding planner. Whether you envision a rooftop venue, a castle on a hill, or a boat wedding, your dream destination is within reach. Choose for a story-led intimate symbolic celebration at www.theweddingtravelcompany.com.

5. Symbolic weddings officiant costs

A non-religious officiant serves non-traditional wedding couples seeking a symbolic wedding. Secular officiants and non-traditional celebrants can welcome guests and lead the ceremony. The symbolic ceremony officiant guides couples through their vows, ring exchange and the first kiss. Most importantly, a story-led ceremony enriches the intimate symbolic celebrations. What does it cost? A symbolic wedding costs between €800 and €1,500 without the venue. So, take into consideration booking the venue and officiant (celebrant). Did you know your mum, dad or family member can marry you? The non-legally binding symbolic ceremony enhances your legal wedding! Source: bridebook.com.

6. Symbolic wedding ceremony elements

At the heart of a symbolic wedding is a celebration of love and commitment. And the key aspect of a symbolic ceremony is to incorporate special elements. Raise the spirit of the day by sharing your love story, poems, music, ring exchanges, ceremony readings, and rituals. Do you want prayers or emotional wedding vows? Don’t hesitate to ask your celebrant for tips.

7. Symbolic community vows

Are choosing to have a couples wedding, just the two of you? Or will you be inviting a few guests? Make your symbolic wedding a collective experience with community vows. This promise ceremony unites couples together and invites guests to support their new union. You can incorporate meaningful symbols of love and create new traditions for your family and friends.

8. Legal requirements – symbolic marriage

A symbolic wedding requires no legal paperwork, it is a non-binding ceremony. Is this your first, second, or third marriage? Whether you plan to (re)marry and celebrate within six, twelve or twenty-four months. You can make your marriage legal with a license, if you want. First sort out the paperwork at your local city or town hall. According to marriage law, a ceremony conducted by a registrar will officially recognize your bond. For more information about planning it, visit europa.eu/youreurope. Remember your views on life have change, and therefore this time round it will be more rewarding.

9. Witnesses for a symbolic marriage

Yes and no. An official ceremony requires 2 to 4 witnesses even if it is yourFor second wedding. However, symbolic weddings do not requre witnesses to attend. On the other hand, if you want 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.

10. Venues For Symbolic weddings

Planning a symbolic wedding can be fun and exciting, yet overwhelming. So, you may overlook hiring a venue. Where is the best place to hold a symbolic wedding? From your home, a romantic castle, a park venue or hotel suite; the symbolic wedding can be held at unapproved or unlicensed venues.

11. Symbolic wedding without legal wording

A symbolic wedding gives couples the opportunity to celebrate love without legal wording. However, you can have a civil wedding at the municipalty to ensure their wedding is legal. The Times said that ‘double weddings are reshaping modern nuptials. So, if you are living together, but your unmarried status makes you feel uncomfortable choose for wedding without official words. Contact me to plan your symbolic wedding today.

12. Symbolic wedding vows

Planning marriage vows can be challenging, but it’s a blessing to find love, right? Whether it’s your first or you found it again. Symbolic gestures and  your vows express deeper emotions. Exchange vows during a celebrant-led ceremony or an anniversary party to symbolise love and hope for your new life together. Check out Marriage.com for beautiful and emotional wedding vow ideas that can help you write personal vows for your partner.

13. Wedding outfit

You’ve have been given a chance to love and that means finding a wedding outfit. So,  dump the traditional white wedding dress and navy suit for him. Outfits for symbolic weddings come 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!

Who Can Officiate Symbolic Wedding Ceremonies?

Symbolic weddings celebrant

A symbolic ceremony can be officiated by a celebrant. Celebrate your love with the perfect symbolic ceremony for 2. Find a celebrant who takes the time to understand your couple’s unique journey. This allows them to craft your symbolic ceremony without religious content. However, some celebrants can add a symbolic gesture or  bible readings to honour love – just ask them? Celebrating love your way at home or abroad!

Non-religious Officiant

An experienced non-religious officiant can guide you through a symbolic ceremony. Whether you are an atheist or an interfaith couple, a symbolic ceremony full of special elements, gestures, and acts of love adds a personal touch. Whatever your beliefs and backgrounds, an officiant works with you both to create the wedding of your dreams.

Humanists symbolic weddings  

Humanist celebrants are highly trained officiants and wordsmiths who craft and deliver beautiful symbolic ceremonies. Humanist weddings are symbolic weddings that signify a non-legal marriage, which feels like a real wedding day! With a humanist celebrant, you can showcase your couple’s personality in a special way.

Have a Friend Officiate Your Symbolic Wedding

You can ask a trusted friend or family member to officiate your symbolic wedding, adding a personal touch. This choice highlights your relationship and allows someone who knows you well to share meaningful stories. Your chosen officiant can join the many celebrities, such as Adele. Here are some tips for having a friend officiate your wedding. Source: www.ulc.org

Interfaith Officiant For Symbolic Weddings

An interfaith officiant also called a minister can deliver and bless a couple’s symbolic wedding. These trained spiritual leaders are familiar with various religions and inter-spirituality. They assist couples in planning wedding ceremonies that respect their beliefs and values, focusing on love, compassion, and genuine spirituality without promoting any specific religion.

 

Symbolic Wedding – Blessing of the Hands by Rev. Daniel L. Harris

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. Source: One Fab Day

While you’re here…….

Planning a symbolic wedding ceremony? I would love to hear about it below.