Weddings are as different as the couples themselves. One of the first questions the couple has to ask themselves is what kind of wedding they want. Here is an overview of the most important points, with a few extra tips from our experience.
Civil wedding
Duration: approx. 20 minutes, so relatively short, with couples usually following each other in quick succession.
Cost: The fees for a civil wedding range between CHF 300 and 400 throughout Switzerland.
Typical procedure: The typical component of a civil wedding is its legal validity and thus the civil law act, including the legal text. However, most officials also incorporate a romantic touch very successfully. The bride and groom can also decide whether personal elements such as music (perhaps even live music), personal wedding vows, and the exchange of rings should be included in the ceremony.
Other expenses: Prepare various papers/documents, marriage preparation procedures, organize two witnesses.
Emotions: We were surprised at how moving a civil wedding can be (as with all weddings, it depends very much on the officiant).
Individuality: Due to the short duration and the fairly fixed framework, there is little scope for individuality and self-expression at the registry office. The choice of location offers possibilities here. In many cantons, for example, legally valid civil marriages are offered in beautiful locations such as castles.
Outdoor option: In compliance with the requirements of civil status law (e.g., the location must be within the registry office district), a civil wedding ceremony in the open air is possible in principle.
Legal consequences: This wedding ceremony is legally binding and has secular significance.
Diversity: #MarriageForAll since December 2020
Tip: In our opinion, it is well worth looking into alternative, beautiful locations. Try to be the last couple to be scheduled so that you are not pressed for time after the ceremony. Live music for the entrance and exit makes the ceremony particularly romantic. Plan something festive immediately after the wedding ceremony to let the mood linger: a toast together, a nice photo session, followed by drinks nearby with live music. Our recommendations for locations where civil wedding ceremonies are possible:
You can find more wedding venues at heiraten.ch
Church wedding
Duration: approx. 1 hour.
Cost: The local pastor conducts the wedding service as part of their duties as parish pastor. There are no costs for the bride and groom. For weddings that do not take place at the bride and groom's place of residence, the couple may occasionally be charged for the use of the facilities. (Source: kirchenhochzeit.ch)
Typical procedure: Although the basic procedure for a church wedding is fixed, the bride and groom and the pastor contribute a great deal to giving it a personal touch. Here is an example of a church wedding ceremony: http://www.kirchenhochzeit.ch/trauung/katholische-liturgie
Other expenses: prior civil wedding ceremony mandatory, church marriage preparation procedure, organize two witnesses. As a prerequisite for a church wedding, the bride and groom must have been baptized (this can also be done later).
Emotions: Since the couple can get to know the pastor beforehand and, in most cases, choose them themselves, and since there is a joint marriage preparation meeting beforehand, many things can be tailored to the wedding couple. A beautiful church or chapel provides the perfect setting for a wedding with a religious theme.
Individuality: A church wedding can be made very personal, especially with the choice of Bible and other texts, music, personal wedding vows, and the involvement of important people from the couple's lives.
Outdoor option: Depends very much on the pastor. A forest grotto can be a beautiful option.
Legal consequences: This wedding ceremony is valid before God and the church and is spiritual in nature. However, since a church wedding is only possible after a civil wedding, there is no church wedding without secular significance.
Diversity: The Reformed Church offers same-sex couples the opportunity to have their partnership blessed in a church service. The Roman Catholic Church offers respectful pastoral care as support, which is available to everyone in every situation in life. (We have already had the privilege of providing musical accompaniment for church blessings of same-sex couples and experienced an openness that allowed the couple to put their love at the forefront.)
Tip: Keep in mind that very few people are regular churchgoers these days. If there are texts or songs that you would like your wedding guests to recite or sing along with, we recommend providing a booklet for your guests and perhaps letting some of them know in advance. In addition, wedding guests often don't know whether it's okay to clap, for example. Clarify this in advance with your pastor and include a note in the booklet or ask the pastor to mention it. In any case, clapping was always allowed immediately after the kiss. Also clarify the moment when you are to kiss. Some ministers do not mention this explicitly, and the phrase “You may now kiss the bride,” familiar from films, is not said, which has led to weddings without a kiss.
Independent wedding ceremony
Duration:approx. 45 minutes, depending on the officiant and your preferences.
Cost: approx. CHF 1,500 to CHF 5,000 for a professional wedding officiant. For independent ceremonies with a Marry You wedding officiant, you will receive a voucher worth up to CHF 200 for our musical services! The costs for the venue vary greatly, of course. However, most wedding venues offer interesting packages that include drinks, dinner, and/or a party.
Typical procedure: Individualism is the order of the day here. When choosing your ceremony leader, pay attention to their personal style (emotional, spiritual, humorous...) and how well they respond to your wishes. After the bride or bride and groom make their entrance, typical elements include: welcoming the guests, words about you and how you met and got engaged, beautiful poems and texts with references to the wedding ceremony and your love, creative rituals that focus on you as a couple and may even involve your guests, musical interludes and accompaniment, contributions from close friends and family, vows, exchange of rings, kiss, and symbolic or spiritual blessings/actions/moments.
Other expenses: There is usually a meeting with the officiant, and you are heavily involved in deciding what the ceremony will look like. Witnesses are also possible here.
Emotions: Individualism also means a great deal of responsibility and, as with all weddings, is very dependent on the officiant. We have also provided musical accompaniment for weddings conducted by the bride's father or a close friend. In our opinion, these were more emotional, personal, and to the point than ever before. However, keep in mind that this responsibility can be very stressful and should only be considered if you have someone in your circle of acquaintances who is truly up to the task and will enjoy it.
Individuality: From the wedding venue to the atmosphere to the schedule – with a non-religious wedding, anything is possible. There are no rules that must be followed, and you can make the ceremony as unique as you want.
Outdoor option: With a non-religious wedding, getting married outdoors is easy and very common. Since you always have to be prepared for anything with Swiss weather, there are many locations that offer a beautiful outdoor backdrop as well as a nice alternative in case of bad weather. Scroll to our “Wedding Tips” page for our recommendations on locations or simply ask us who we would recommend for your specific case.
Legal consequences: The ceremony is only legally valid if performed by a celebrant who is also a civil registrar or if preceded by a civil wedding.
Diversity: Free wedding ceremonies are as colorful as the couples themselves. Without barriers.
Tip: On our “Wedding Tips” page, you will find our recommendations for wedding venues, officiants, florists, photographers, makeup artists, bridal fashion, and anything else you might need for a free wedding ceremony. Be sure to have the courage to stay true to yourselves.
