Civil Wedding Etiquette in California
Civil wedding ceremonies feature a variety of benefits for many couples. Civil ceremonies can be performed quickly and without a long waiting period. They are often inexpensive and simple to plan. Civil ceremonies are a popular choice in California, where many couples want a short ceremony in an nontraditional venue. Although a civil ceremony can be more informal than a religious ceremony, couples should still follow wedding etiquette when planning a civil wedding in California.
Other People Are Reading
-
Venue
-
Civil ceremonies can be performed in a wide variety of locations and do not have to adhere to the etiquette of any particular religious denomination. Although the most common location is at a city hall, civil ceremonies are also performed in parks, homes, backyards, hotels and ballrooms. When selecting a venue, follow wedding etiquette by ensuring that the location is comfortable and quiet. Although outdoor ceremonies feature a beautiful environment, California summers can be quite hot and uncomfortable. Carefully consider the expected weather forecast when planning an outdoor ceremony.
Time Frame
-
Contact the county clerk for the California county you will be married in to determine the necessary time frame for civil marriages. Some counties require couples to have a wedding ceremony within a set amount of time from receiving the marriage license. For example, Ventura County allows a maximum of 90 days between purchasing the marriage license and getting married. When setting the date for your civil ceremony, allow plenty of time to notify guests. Proper wedding etiquette dictates that you notify your guests of the wedding date as early as possible. This is particularly important if your date is near a holiday or if your location in California requires guests to travel.
-
Guest List
-
Civil ceremonies tend to be significantly smaller and more intimate than traditional religious wedding ceremonies. If the ceremony will take place at a city hall or in a small room of your home, it may be difficult to accommodate a large number of guests. Additionally, some wedding venues, such as restaurants and ballrooms, enforce a strict maximum capacity rule to ensure guest safety. Before compiling a guest list, determine the maximum capacity of your venue. In many cases, you will need to limit the guest list to family members and close friends.
Attire
-
A bride and groom can ultimately wear whatever they want to wear for their civil wedding ceremony. While some couples choose to follow the traditional route with a wedding dress and tuxedo, other couples opt for more casual clothing. As a matter of etiquette, wedding invitations should indicate the formality of the event; in some cases, it's appropriate to suggest a specific type of attire for wedding guests, such as formal or casual. If the wedding will be held outdoors in the hot California sun, allow guests to dress accordingly. Requesting that guests sit outdoors in formal suits and heavy dresses is not only impolite, but also a risk to their health.
Officiants
-
When planning a civil wedding ceremony in California, you must ensure that the person marrying you is authorized to do so according to state legislation. When following the traditional route, most couples get married by a judge or city commissioner. Other authorized officiants include a United States magistrate, California state legislator, a member of Congress who represents a California district and captains of the Salvation Army. Additionally, certain counties in California offer a "Deputy Commissioner for a Day" program. With this program, the bride and groom can select a friend or family member to marry them; this person will then be authorized by the California county to perform this one specific marriage ceremony.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Wedding image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
