What is the difference between a civil ceremony and religous ceremony?

Answer 1

one is done by a member of a church and the person performing the ceremony is ordained by that church to perform weddings .
the other is a judge or other state licensed official who my preside over the ceremony.

Answer 2

You've gotten some terrible answers thus far. I'm sorry for that.

The general idea is correct but the 'provisions' are mostly incorrect.

A civil ceremony is void of any religious overtones. It still has vows, 'sermon', and love. It can be performed by anyone who is legally able to perform a marriage - judge, ship's captain, reverend, clergyman, friend ordained on the net, etc. It does not have to be performed at the courthouse or any other civil building. We had a gorgeous non-god ceremony, performed by a reverend, in a beautiful location that most certainly was not a courthouse - far from it.

A religious ceremony marries you under you god. In a single denomination ceremony, you are married under the rules of that religion and are expected to maintain those rules of marriage. These ceremonies are performed by anyone who is able to perform marriage, but usually more of reverends, priests, ministers, etc. The officiant can be non-denominational but you can still have a marriage blessed by your god. These can also take place virtually anywhere weddings are allowed, but I do not know if some religions require the marriage to take place in their 'house of god'. I've been to religious ceremonies on Golf Courses, in Churches, in hotels, etc.

Answer 3

A civil ceremony is performed by either a judge, Justice of the Peace or other person ordained/authorized to perform marriage ceremonies (ie: Elivis impersonator in Vegas).

A religous ceremony is performed by clergy of a particular religion (minister, rabbi, priest, etc.)

Good luck!

Answer 4

A religious ceremony uses the name "God" in the vows, and a civil ceremony just skips the religious stuff. We had a civil ceremony because we're not religious and it was performed by a notary republic. A religious ceremony would be performed by a minister or a priest.

Answer 5

a civil ceremony has a justice of the peace or a judge marrying the couple. a religious ceremony has a minister, rabbi, priest, etc. marrying the couple. a civil ceremony does not mean you are married in god's eyes (at least if you are christian) but a religious ceremony is.

Answer 6

Civil ceremonies can be performed anywhere, and usually by a justice of the peace.

Religous ceremonies are usually done in a church, and performed by a priest or reverend/minister.

Answer 7

usually a civil ceremony takes place at a courthouse. you say the vows and sign the cert.
a religious ceremony will include a message from the pastor/priest/rabbi or other religious officiant. there is usually a prayer and other traditions like lighting a unity candle/ breaking glass etc. (depending on the religion).