SHOULD I HAVE A CIVIL CEREMONY OR CHURCH CEREMONY?
Over the years, people have managed to develop different types of wedding ceremonies. Some can turn to the spiritual, while some focus on the sanctity of marriage. Many individuals see marriage as a civil commitment; others manage to view it as a merging of assets. Today, I will delve deeper into the subject of the two most famous types of nuptials.
Now, if you are the happy couple considering their options, before rushing to conclusions, ask yourself this – should I have a civil ceremony or a church ceremony?
Civil ceremony vs. Church Ceremony
Choosing a civil ceremony vs. a church ceremony, especially in England and Wales, can be a difficult decision to make. Depending on your beliefs and guidance in life, you can opt for a church ceremony, where God is the most frequently mentioned witness to your love. On the other hand, you can go for a civil ceremony; this choice gives you a plethora of options to tie the knot – various venues or the registry office.
Evaluate the Situation
When you ask yourself whether I should have a civil or a church ceremony, first and foremost, you have to be mentally prepared to weigh all the pros and cons of both options. Nowadays, we witness many couples getting married in a church, but they only do that because they believe it is the “right thing to do.”
In this case, the one thing you need to do is be in charge of the situation and control the narrative. Take a look at the positive and the negative sides from an objective point of view.
For example, in some church ceremonies, often the vicars do not allow the photographers to take photos, or they are not allowed to use their flash. This can cause poor lighting and strange colour reflections.
Furthermore, another aspect is the ease of access for all the guests attending the ceremony. They would like to have effortless access to the event instead of constantly being reminded to be quiet and having difficulty being physically present to witness it.
An Indoor or an Outdoor Ceremony
Another thing to consider when you think about whether you should have a civil or a church ceremony is the site. And whether you want an indoor or an outdoor ceremony. Thankfully, many locations in the U.K offer an outside ceremony as part of their package – if the weather permits.
Where Can I Have a Civil Ceremony?
As a Grantham Wedding Photographer, some of my favourite wedding venues include Harlaxton Manor, Stapleford Park, Prestwold Hall, and The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel. All of them have incredible spaces for wedding preparations. And, of course, it is much easier and less stressful to go downstairs for the exchanging of vows than it is to go from location to location, no matter whether it is an indoor or an outdoor ceremony.
Well, the truth is, the right thing to do is to follow your intuition. If you and your partner feel the best option is to have a civil ceremony instead of a church one, then so be it. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to make each other happy. So, the next time you ask yourself should I have a civil ceremony or a church ceremony, see what matches your personality, and stick with it!
If you are looking for someone to make your wedding photography dreams come true, don’t hesitate to contact me! I would be happy to sit down with you and discuss your vision for your special day. You can find my contact information here. I am based in Grantham and always happy to meet for a coffee!
