Civil ceremony – how it works

Civil wedding ceremony

The civil wedding ceremony can be held at your local town hall. The venue is often decorated with candles and a bouquet of flowers. Two witnesses are required. You do not need to exchange rings, you can dress casually, and you can bring a bridal bouquet if you wish. However, if you prefer, you can also make the civil ceremony a formal occasion and hold a reception afterwards. It is also perfectly fine to invite friends and acquaintances to the ceremony.

There are two versions of the civil marriage ceremony form, a long one and a short one:

The long version at Stockholm City Hall:

“You wish to enter into marriage with one another. Marriage is based on love and trust. By entering into marriage, you promise to respect and support one another. As spouses, you are two independent individuals who can draw strength from your union. Since you have declared that you wish to marry one another, I ask: Do you, N.N., take this N.N. to be your wife/husband, to love her/him in good times and bad?
(Answer: Yes.)
Do you, N.N., take this N.N. to be your wife/husband, to love her/him in good times and bad?
(Answer: Yes.)
(The couple may exchange rings.)
I now declare you to be husband and wife.
As you now go out into the world and return to everyday life, may you remember the desire for togetherness, the love for one another and the respect for one another that you have felt at this moment and which has brought you here. (Text written by Per Anders Fogelström.) Let me wish you happiness and prosperity in your marriage.”

The short version at Stockholm City Hall:

"You have declared that you wish to marry one another.
Do you, N.N., take this N.N. to be your wife/husband?
(Answer: Yes.)
Do you, N.N., take this N.N. to be your wife/husband?
(Answer: Yes.)
I now declare you to be husband and wife."

Once the civil ceremony has concluded, a marriage certificate is issued. The guidelines for civil ceremonies do not mention a wedding speech, but it is not uncommon for the officiant to say a few words. After the ceremony, the officiant records the details in a marriage register.

If you wish to have a church blessing for a civil marriage, this is possible. In that case, you should contact your local parish, which can arrange a so-called blessing service.

» Book a date online for a civil ceremony at Stockholm City Hall or privately at another venue

. USEFUL LINKS: Civil ceremonies elsewhere in Sweden:

» Civil ceremony in
Kiruna» Civil ceremony in
Gothenburg» Civil ceremony in
Malmö» Civil ceremony in
Uppsala» Civil ceremony in
Västerås» Civil ceremony in Örebro»
Civil ceremony in Linköping»
Civil ceremony in
Helsingborg» Civil ceremony in
Jönköping» Civil ceremony in
Norrköping» Civil ceremony in
Lund» Civil ceremony in Umeå

TIP: ATHEISTIC WEDDING CEREMONY!
A civil wedding ceremony inspired by the Christian tradition but with all references to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, etc. removed.

Business directory

Do you need help finding suppliers for your wedding? Have a look at our business directory.

CLICK HERE