Not everyone is interested in having a traditional, religious ceremony. The good news is, you don't have to! There are many different things you can do in a ceremony to become legally married without having a church presence or clergy on hand.
- Decide what you want. It is imperative that you both agree to have a non-religious ceremony. You also need to decide what type of atmosphere you want to achieve and to make sure your guests are comfortable in the setting.
- Outdoor ceremony. This is becoming an increasingly popular option. Many sites have outdoor ceremony sites and reception areas in the same location. It makes it easy for the couple to get married and then immediately step into their reception. You can get married in a mountain setting, on the beach or at a site specified for weddings/receptions.
- Destination weddings. Maybe your honey and you want to get away to a luxurious beach resort for your wedding in Hawaii or Mexico. You can go alone and have a private, intimate ceremony or invite a few friends and family members to join you. Then you get a fun vacation with everyone and a honeymoon all in one.
- Officiant. The person conducting the ceremony does not have to be a clergyperson, but does need to be licensed in most cases. Each state has different requirements for who can conduct ceremonies. Check with your state to make sure your marriage is legally valid. Ask the management at your reception location if they have a list of local officiants to interview or you can do an Internet search to find a non-religious officiant. If you opt to have a friend or family member conduct the ceremony, be sure to give him enough advance notice so that he can meet whatever certification requirements will make your ceremony legally valid....
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Author: Laura Johnston