Weddings are one of the most important milestones of couples’ lives. It is at that moment when they finally “seal the deal” and declare themselves as husband and wife. It is indeed something to be celebrated with friends and family along with free-flowing food, drinks, good music, and good memories that everyone will never forget.
However, planning a wedding is no walk in the park. You should consider a lot of things to ensure the success of your wedding day. For example, you need to find a professional wedding tent rentals vendor if you are planning for an outdoor wedding. You might also need professional staging and dance floor rentals and table and chair rentals suppliers for your big day.
All about civil wedding
Most couples want to get married in a spectacular venue – may it be in a church, a garden, or the beach. It’s up to you whether you want an indoor or outdoor wedding. However, there can be some challenges you might encounter when planning for your wedding.
For example, your partner may not share the same religious beliefs as you are. Hence, a church wedding may not be the best option. This is when a civil wedding ceremony comes into the picture. In fact, there are a lot of couples who opt for a civil wedding ceremony not only due to religious reasons.
A civil wedding is similar to a church wedding. The main difference is that the former does not include the religious traditions that are included in a church wedding. Instead of a priest, civil weddings are usually officiated by a judge, the town or city mayor, a pastor, and other allowed officiants. As a church wedding, it is legally binding and recognized by the state.
Civil weddings are also a good option for those who have a limited budget for a grand wedding. However, there are some couples who choose to have a simple wedding ceremony first and then have a grand church wedding later on. You can also incorporate some church wedding traditions to a civil wedding such as the bouquet throwing, getting godparents, and even selecting your own bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Preparing for a civil wedding
As mentioned, civil weddings are usually for couples who have different sets of religious beliefs. Having a civil wedding is also a practical and budget-friendly way to legalize your union. The good news is that you can make your civil wedding special and most definitely memorable.
Civil weddings can also be held indoors or outdoors. You can rent a wedding tent for your big day or plan for a beachfront or garden wedding. You can also avail of wedding rental packages for your civil wedding. More importantly, couples should comply with the legal requirements in time for the wedding day. Make sure to complete the said requirements to avoid hassles as your wedding nears.
You can have your civil wedding in your preferred location – whether it’s in a presiding judge’s chamber, the mayor’s office, a nearby park, a rented theatre house, or even in your own backyard. You can choose as many guests as you want and even appoint your own bridesmaids and groomsmen. You should also have at least two witnesses present during the ceremony.
Other things to consider in a civil wedding
Here are other things you can include in your civil wedding budget.
Hiring a coordinator
You have the option to hire someone to help you with the wedding preparations. A civil wedding should not be as complicated as you think. Choose a coordinator that has experience in preparing for civil weddings.
Venue décor
You can also do the décor with friends and someone who has a knack in event decorating. It does not have to be necessarily grand – it’s all about unleashing your creativity. For inspiration, you can check a couple of samples online such as in Pinterest.
Attire
In a civil wedding, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on your dream wedding gown. You can save that for later if you are planning for a separate church wedding. In the meantime, a white ankle-length dress or a white cocktail dress can be enough for your special day. For the groom, they can wear the usual suit. For the guest, they can wear a nice dress and suit fit for the occasion.
Reception
You can have your reception by renting a restaurant nearby or invite your guests to your home. You can also avail wedding rental packages that may also include catering and entertainment services.
Saying your “I do’s”
Whether you choose a civil or a church wedding, what’s more important is to be able to say your “I do’s”. No matter how fancy or simple the wedding is, it’s the memories of the wedding that you and your guests will always remember. For your wedding needs, you should find the best suppliers that offer event rentals in Maryland. Contact one today!