Neither my boyfriend nor I are religious so we would feel very hypocritical if we had a religious wedding. Both of our families are Catholic and neither one of us have ever been to a wedding that wasn't in a church. Any suggestions on a pretty place to have a civil wedding (prefer indoors) and how to get married the non-religious way we want to without hurting our families? We do want a little ceremony with the white dress and all that...
2006-06-18 12:25:12 · 11 answers · asked by az 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I know there are such things as civil ceremonies, I've just never been to one so I'm having trouble picturing what it will look like.
Marriage used to be a religious institution, now it is a legal contract too. We want to buy a house together, have the same last name, things like that, so we do need to get married. We also want to celebrate our love and share it with our families in a fun and exciting way...not just at some court house in jeans.
The dress I like is white and red, so I can have a little family tradition with my own unique flare. It is alot for the photo shoot, but what girl doesn't want a day where she gets to be the pretty one?
I like the hotel idea, do art galleries ever have wedding ceremonies? Or universities with unique achitecture?
2006-06-18 12:49:30 · update #1
its your wedding and can be any way you want it. you could have the ceremony in a hotel or nice indoor location. have the ceremony performed by a judge or some other official that can legally marry you other than a priest or minister or what have you. i think the vows used in court house weddings are not supposed to be religious, i'd look into that. or you could write your own vows. i'm sure the internet has tons of resourses for non-religious ceremonies. congrats and best wishes.
2006-06-18 12:34:55 · answer #1 · answered by little_puffit 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
All of my favorite weddings have been the ones that aren't in churches.
Garden weddings are just fabulous.... look for a local musuem with gardens, a horticultural center, or state park. Ususally, they can offer some kind of shelter in case of bad weather. Some even have indoor facilities which look out over the gardens.
Another idea is an art musuem. There are several in my area which offer wedding packages that include the ceremony and reception. Your guests can browse around the works of art while you go off for pictures.
In terms of your ceremony, there is a lot you can do. You can get a Justice of the Peace to come to the location of your choosing, or find a non-denominational minister. I know either can offer numerous scripts for non-religious ceremonies, or will work with you to write you own.
The most memorable ceremony I ever attended was an American couple, both of whom had Scottish ancestry. They based their ceremony on ancient Scottish traditions. It was beautiful, non-religious, and very meaningful to them. I think they researched it through a local Scottish club or something.
Good luck to you, and enjoy it no matter what you decide. It's your day, and don't let anyone pressure you into making it something you don't want!
2006-06-18 14:26:39 · answer #2 · answered by home.and.self 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you could just choose a place that's not a church, but that does wedding ceremonies. I dont know what to sugguest because I dont know where you are. Here's a place around Dallas that my friend got married at. It was nice, but not a church and you have both in indoor and outdoor option. www.hanginggardens.com. Also, I would imagine the ceremony would be something similar to a Christian wedding (not Catholic) except there wouldnt be a preacher and you wouldnt pray. Everything else is pretty much the same. Bridesmaids walk in, flower girl, then the bride. Her father gives her away, say vows, light candle, pronouce you husband and wife, kiss the bride and walk out. No kneeling or praying, but everything else. Also, keep in mind most importantly, it's your wedding, and anything you want goes.
2006-06-19 04:14:41 · answer #3 · answered by rdnkchic2003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would also suggest to go to a chapel that is specifically used for weddings. I honestly don't see how you can have a non-religious wedding in a church. Each church has their own religion and tradition, so there WILL be some kind of religion in your wedding. Do it at a hall or at home or somewhere other than a church if you really do not want to incorporate religion.
2016-05-20 00:59:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Philadelphia there are a ton of places to get married, I'm not sure where you are, but here are some suggestions.
The Philadelphia Zoo
The Camden Aquarium
The Moshulu (a restaurant on a ship in the water)
University of Penn's Museum
All of the upscale hotels
The Franklin Institute (science museum)
most national parks rent their spaces for weddings
There are alot of historical mansions that are available
These are suggestions for Philly, but they give you an idea of what you can do in your area. Good Luck
2006-06-18 20:33:55 · answer #5 · answered by maigen_obx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you say you're both 'non-religious' then why have a wedding to begin with, aren't you being a hypocrite there too. Afterall, a wedding an instituition that has roots in religious beliefs and since you don't believe in it, why get married. Just for the show and the pretty wedding album...??
2006-06-18 12:31:18 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
my fiance and i have the same issue. we are going to get a non-denominational minister and have a ceremony that is spiritual in tone but does not focus on one kind of organized religion to the exclusion of other faiths.
2006-06-18 13:51:57 · answer #7 · answered by fancy_muskrat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one of the prettiest weddings not in a church was in a historical home in our city
2006-06-18 13:56:02 · answer #8 · answered by Library Eyes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF YOU LIVE IN NYC TRY HAVING IT AT A LOFT IN SOHO WENT TO WEDDING AT ONE BOY WAS IT NICE THEN STRAIT FROM WEDDING TO RECEPTION DON'T GIVE RELIGIOUS FAMILY MEMBERS TIME TO TALK
2006-06-18 16:33:37 · answer #9 · answered by LIZA P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well id try maybe like a really nice nice hotel . . .bleh idk hard one .. . id guess make it like more elegant and be sure that ur family understands its ur wedding the way u want it
2006-06-18 12:29:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋