2006-11-10 17:29:22 · 14 answers · asked by ***MAF*** 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Absolutely, I did it myself. We asked a friend to officiate for us, invited our family and friends, held a reception, the whole deal.
Of course, his parents started asking when we were "really" getting married. My step-mother refused to attend a "pretend" wedding and didn't show. We couldn't claim the rights of married couples (like getting each other on our health insurance), but it was a lovely ceremony and WE felt like we got married.
We had a small, simple ceremony about 6 months later with a minister and the paperwork and closest family, but always considered our first wedding to be our REAL one (even if his parents and my step-mother didn't...).
Some officiants will refuse to perform a ceremony without a license, so make sure the one you choose is OK with it and HAVE FUN!!
2006-11-11 10:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by Kya Rose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can have all the ceremonies you want, but it is not legal until the papers are signed. The whole ceremony is more of tradition than anything else, the I Do's have to be said, but other than that the papers are what make you truly married in the eyes of the law.
2006-11-10 17:34:57 · answer #2 · answered by Ferosia 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
actually, there are two parts to a wedding
marriage ceremony and civil union
the marriage ceremony is a religious rite performed by members of the clergy - MOST are also qualified legally to sign the paperwork for the civil union part
the civil union involves the legal paperwork you fill out for the state for the marriage to be legally recognized - you can do this without having a religious ceremony (there is a fee for filing the paperwork)
you can have a religious ceremony without having a legal civil union, but your marriage will not be recognized as a legal marriage in the state
2006-11-11 00:20:38 · answer #3 · answered by Pam 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Do the papers before hand, at a courthouse or a clerk's office, then have your ceremony later on( after the ceremony, though, you will have to sign and date your certificate with the Rabbi, Minister, ect. This is part of the actual ceremony, though.)
2006-11-10 17:37:53 · answer #4 · answered by Helf-luke-bitte 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wouldn't be a wedding without the papers...the papers are what makes everything legal. What is the use of going through the steps if you aren't doing it for real??
2006-11-11 02:13:26 · answer #5 · answered by VAWeddingSpecialist 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, if persons were also wiling to play dress up and have a ceremony for no reason like acting. But as long as no one is misled that it is an actual legally binding marriage, when its not, and all consent go for it, but sounds a litter pointless don't you think?
2006-11-10 17:33:43 · answer #6 · answered by Mensa Head 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course you can have the ceremony without the papers. That is what couples do when they "renew" their vows.
2006-11-10 17:32:33 · answer #7 · answered by physandchemteach 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can have all the ceremonies you want. You won't be legally married and you generally won't be able to have a real officiant (as in, most won't agree to do it) unless you are doing a vow renewal. You would just have to have a friend pretend to do it.
2006-11-10 17:32:54 · answer #8 · answered by Esma 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sure, rude people do this all the time! It's called a mock wedding.
Don't expect anyone to speak to you ever again, afterwards, if you decide to do this.
2006-11-11 16:13:07 · answer #9 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no,you have to have marriage license signed and sent back to court house with signature of complete.
2006-11-10 17:44:36 · answer #10 · answered by shalaa2u 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋