It’s the wedding ceremony that really holds the meaning and the heart of your wedding day, so you’ll want to find a good match for you. 

A wedding ceremony isn’t just a formality, it’s a huge part of a very memorable and meaningful day. And despite the centuries of tradition surrounding wedding ceremonies, this is an opportunity for you to personalise your ceremony and make it just right for you.

The type of wedding ceremony you choose determines many of your later decisions. So, getting this piece of the day sorted will lead to a whole lot of ease for the rest of your planning. Take a look at your options.

Religious or belief-based wedding

If you’re a follower of a certain faith or religion, you might want to recognise your marriage under this faith. If your ceremony is to take place at a sacred place of worship, there are likely rules to follow, and you may be restricted from bringing some of your own personality into the ceremony.

Civil marriage

The main alternative to a religious wedding is a civil ceremony, where your marriage is made under the law rather than faith or beliefs. This type of ceremony can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Most of the time, you will just need a registered celebrant present, but you have many more options to make it your own.

Know what you want

It’s crucial to get clear on what’s important to you. Do you want to have the ceremony and reception at the same place? Is your faith a significant part of your life? Do you want to make your wedding ceremony casual or formal? Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll need to consider the location if you’re after a civil ceremony.

Location, location, location

There are so many venue options out there, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. My advice is to keep an open mind on this. From clifftop to beach, woodland to winery, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a location for your ceremony. So, consider what best sums up your personalities. You’ll also need to factor in the time of the year, the likely weather forecast, photography options and your guest list size.