FeaTure
how to plan a
civil
ceremony
Civil weddings have
grown in popularity in
Ireland, but how can
couples organise to get
married in a register
office or civil building
of their choice?
Lucy Taylor finds out
n increasing number of well as older couples, those who were and beautiful celebration of their life
a
couples in ireland are brought up in different religions or have together. They can also make their
opting for civil marriage no religion. own vows if they wish. These elements
ceremonies. latest “When we got married in 2002 we will have to be agreed in advance with
statistics from the Central didn’t want a religious ceremony,” the registrar.
statistics office (Cso) show that civil says anna from Dublin. “neither of us like a church wedding, a civil
marriages accounted for six per cent practices a religion and we didn’t want wedding is a very special occasion as the
of all marriages across ireland in 1996, to be hypocritical. i was concerned that couple declare their love, commitment
increasing to over 23 per cent in 2006. the ceremony might not be personal, and dedication to one another in the
it seems that opting for an alternative but it didn’t work out that way at all. company of family and friends and they
to a church ceremony is most popular We had readings and music and we can make it as dignified and meaningful
in urban areas. The general register thought it was beautiful. our guests, as they wish.
office records that those figures many of whom had never been to a civil The good news for couples choosing
remained steady at 22 per cent in wedding, said they enjoyed the brevity a civil ceremony now is that a change
2007 and 23 per cent in 2008, so it and happiness of the ceremony.” in the law in 2007 means that couples
looks as though civil weddings will Civil ceremonies must not contain can now get married in the building of
continue to be popular. religious references, but couples can their choice, including a hotel, castle or
Many couples marrying for the second personalise their ceremony with music, country house as long as it is approved
time opt for a register office wedding, as poetry and readings, making it a unique by the registrar.
96 The WhiTe pages
TWP_87-132-EM.indd 96 28/07/2009 16:07:41
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