My wedding without religion?

My Father used to perform non-religious marriage ceremonies. He was a Justice of the Peace (now called a Town Justice). Most places have a town, city, county, someone who performs the weddings. So start by finding out who performs Civil (as opposed to religious) ceremonies in your area. The person should have something that s/he reads. You can read it and add what you want. My Father only had few sentences (questions). Do you take her, Do you take him? Do you take each other of your own free will? Can anyone show just cause why they shouldn't be married? Do you both pledge to each other your love and life? You may now profess your love to each other (each person reads a poem or just says "I love you" or sings a song, whatever). By the power invested in me by the State of NY, the County of Clinton and the town of ___________________, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss each other. Think I was the witness a few times when my Dad was a JOP? You need two witnesses. One for him (best man) and one for you (maid of honor or matron of honor). Sometimes I and my Mom were witnesses and we signed, but that could be different depending on the stae. You may not need them to sign, just be there or you may not even need witnesses. Then everyone has to sign the marriage certificate and the person officating gets it filed and sends you an official copy for your records. I would call your town, city, or county court house and ask them where you go and what you do. You will need to get a license first and we had to wait a required amount of time. Some places require blood tests. It's been decades, but I loved watching those weddings. Some in our livingroom. Some under our old weeping willow in the front yard. Sometimes the couple brought flowers and recorded music. Sometimes we used dried flowers we had. My cousin got married by my Father. That one was very special to me. I hope this helps.

Just like many people have said before me, a civil marriage is what you are looking at. Here in India, people who just don’t want a traditional marriage or when people of different faiths get married and there is a lot of confusion about which religious rules are to be followed, they just go to the civil court and get married as per civil laws. Also, not only for religion, but civil registration of all marriages is now compulsory in India…it saves a lot of trouble if there is any complication about property, maintenance, child custody… you never really know the future so its best to be safe.

In Indonesia, the atheist is not a religion, but classified as an ancient culture. In Indonesia, a marriage considered valid if done in faith or based a religion them and follow all the terms - procedure established by law. For those who atheists, if wanna to get married and their marriage can be listed in a registry office, previously, they must get permission to marry from the court

Hi natnickeep, Thank you very much for this post, this is what exactly problem I'm facing at the moment. I'm also getting married next year, I'm not an atheist but my future husband is. But even though I'm not an Atheist, I've only been baptised which is not qualifies me to get married in a churh. I found so many helpful answer right here and I'm very glad to have found your discussion. Have a nice day :)

There is a kind of stereotyping when one gets a person whom to live with. If you decide that you found someone or you feel that you are found by someone, then you can actually live a life not necessarily getting married. Having a marriage celebration is just a dictate of culture and also of the religious people. Are the people not blessed in their relationship just because they do not have the wedding ceremony? Many couple lives good lives without having those ceremonies. For pragmatic issue, get married to someone who love, then benefits comes in.

My father got married to my stepmother about five years ago, and the ceremony wasn't religious. The preacher didn't talk about God and such; he talked about nature and life. It wasn't a Pagan wedding per se, but just a union among friends and loved ones. I don't think weddings need to have anything to do with religion, I don't believe God is the only one who has to be around during a ceremony, but just take a look around. Explain the situation to a wedding planner or someone you know, and they may be able to help you.

You go to a Justice of the Peace and ask for civil ceremony. Yes, you do want to get married because of the civil benefits of being married. Insurance, visitation rights if one of you is hospitalized, right of inheritance, etc.

In Indonesia, the atheist is not a religion, but classified as an ancient culture. In Indonesia, a marriage considered valid if done in faith or based a religion them and follow all the terms - procedure established by law. For those who atheists, if wanna to get married and their marriage can be listed in a registry office, previously, they must get permission to marry from the court

awwww dat's sweet ^_^