Are you looking to get married at city hall and wondering where to start? Would you like to know how the ceremony works and how to plan the celebrations?
I’m here to help you.
As a florist specializing in wedding decorations, my role also involves guiding engaged couples through the preparation of every step of their union, ensuring that their special day meets all of their expectations.
Every year, more and more couples choose to get married at City Hall. That’s why today, I’ve decided to create this guide where I share with you everything you need to know about civil marriage.
To get married at City Hall, you need to submit a marriage application a few months in advance (birth certificate, identification documents, proof of residence) to the City Hall of the municipality where you or your parents reside. Once your application is approved, you will choose a date with the civil officer who will officiate your wedding, and the marriage banns will be published. The ceremony at City Hall is free and will officially recognize your union in the eyes of the state.
Want to learn more? Read this article to discover:
- What sets a church ceremony apart from a courthouse wedding,
- What are the administrative requirements for civil unions,
- What to expect on the big day,
- How to plan such an event: preparations, invitations, decorations…
What is the difference between a church wedding and a civil wedding?
Getting married at City Hall is a secular ceremony, which means you and your partner are united in the eyes of the Republic rather than in front of a church or any other religion. It’s also referred to as a civil marriage. Of course, if you wish, it can be followed by a religious ceremony that celebrates your union according to your beliefs.
The ceremony at the city hall is free: however, if you choose to create a marriage contract, you will be responsible for the necessary fees to have it prepared by a notary.
This type of union officializes your romantic relationship. A marriage at the city hall celebrates your love, but it also grants you certain rights:
- Social Benefits: Partners share the same social coverage (health insurance), a survivor’s allowance (under certain conditions), and a survivor’s pension in the event of death after age 55…
- In terms of inheritance: unlike civil partners and cohabitants, your husband or wife is considered a potential heir in the event of death.
According to labor laws, if you are an employee, getting married entitles you to 4 days of leave, which allows you time to celebrate the occasion.
In any case, marriage is a commitment to mutual support, which represents and formalizes the feelings you share with your partner. Regardless of the type of marriage you choose, it’s also a moment that, if you wish, is perfect for celebrating with your loved ones and creating wonderful memories.
👉 In addition, a civil wedding must take place in the presence of a civil registrar (usually the mayor or a council member), as well as witnesses. There is one for each partner, and their official role is to confirm that you are married in their presence. Traditionally, the future husband chooses a man as his witness (father, brother, friend…) and the future wife chooses a woman (mother, sister, friend…). However, this has evolved in recent years, just like marriage itself, which is now available for same-sex couples.
What Administrative Steps Need to Be Taken Before a Civil Marriage?
Since this is an official administrative act, a civil marriage requires some preliminary steps, which I will outline in the following paragraphs.
Which Town Hall?
The first thing to do is to choose which town hall will host the ceremony. In France, you cannot get married just anywhere. The wedding must be held at:
- either at the town hall of the residence or home of at least one of the future spouses,
- or at the town hall of the residence or home of at least one of the parents of the future spouses.
It can serve as a second home if that’s what you want.
👉 Have you always dreamed of getting married in a special location, but you don’t live there? Don’t lose hope. If a civil officer from the town hall in that community gives you permission, it will be possible—exceptionally—to get married in a municipality where you don’t reside.
How to Submit Your Marriage Proposal?
Once you have selected the town where you want to get married, you will need to submit a marriage application at the city hall. Be sure to make this request several months in advance, if possible. In any case, there is a minimum waiting period of a few weeks that must be observed for administrative reasons.
The wedding file consists of several documents:
- A birth certificate issued within the last three months for each of the future spouses,
- An original and a photocopy of an official identification document,
- Proof of residence dated within the last six months.
Other documents may also be required: a marriage contract signed by a notary, the divorce decree if either spouse was previously married, and specific documents if one of the future spouses is a foreign national, …
Your witnesses also need to provide some documents. This includes their full names, date and place of birth, occupation, address, and a copy of a government-issued ID.
What is the role of the city hall?
Once the application is submitted, there will be a meeting between the future spouses and the civil registry officer who will officiate the wedding. During this meeting, the officer will ask questions to the future spouses to get to know them better and prepare their speech for the ceremony.
During this meeting, the wedding date is typically established. This date is determined by mutual agreement between the city hall and the couple, taking into account everyone’s availability.
The marriage proposal will then be validated and officially announced through what is known as the publication of the banns. This involves announcing the ceremony: a document displaying the identities of the future spouses, the date, and the location of the wedding will be posted at the town hall for at least ten days. This is an ancient tradition that continues today: it allowed anyone in the past to be informed of the union and to raise any objections.
👉 The wedding must then take place within the year following the announcement of the banns.
How Does a Town Hall Wedding Work?
A wedding is a public event: it can be celebrated at city hall, in a community building, or even outdoors. If that’s the case, however, it will be necessary for the soon-to-be-married couple to sign the registers at city hall afterward to make it official.
On your wedding day, you are invited to go to the town hall, accompanied by your witnesses and the loved ones you have invited to celebrate your union. I recommend that you schedule a meeting time for everyone a little in advance to avoid any delays in the ceremony.
The couple will be invited to stand before the officiant who will officiate the wedding, accompanied by their witnesses. Guests will be seated in the venue, arranged in rows. Traditionally, the front rows are reserved for the closest family and friends of the couple: parents, children, siblings, best friends, etc. Other guests can then seat themselves as they wish.
The officiant will then begin the ceremony by briefly introducing the couple. They will then be invited to verbally accept several commitments related to marriage: mutual support and solidarity between spouses, shared and respectful upbringing of children, and more.
Finally, the couple will be officially declared married, and they will then sign the marriage register along with their witnesses. At this moment, they will also receive a family booklet.
🎶 If you would like to personalize your ceremony with speeches from loved ones or specific music, you can request this in advance during your meeting with the officiant who will celebrate your union. This is generally accepted as long as it is feasible.
Once the wedding ceremony is over, the newlyweds and their guests can leave the venue to enjoy the cocktail hour, the meal, or attend the religious wedding ceremony if one is planned.
How to Plan a Wedding at City Hall?
So far, this guide has primarily focused on the administrative aspects of civil marriage. However, planning such an event requires some organization, or even a lot, especially if you plan to invite a large number of guests. In the following lines, I will briefly outline the various steps involved in preparing for the festivities.
Step 1: Define Your Wedding Project
Once your engagement is official, you shouldn’t wait too long to start planning your wedding together. To begin, it is essential to define the type of ceremony you want. There is no one-size-fits-all approach: this is your union, so choose what feels right and what you’ll enjoy the most. You can celebrate your wedding in a small, intimate gathering, or take the opportunity to bring all your friends and family together for a big celebration.
To help you out, I’ve put together a list of questions to consider:
- How many people do you plan to invite?
- In which city do you want to get married?
- What time of year are you considering?
- Where would you like the celebrations to take place (at your home? at a reception venue? at a restaurant? in a rented event hall for the occasion?)
- What is your budget for the wedding?
- Who will be your witnesses? Will they be able to help you plan your wedding?
- Will your family be able to assist you financially or with the planning? If so, how?
Step 2: Invite Your Loved Ones!
Once you and your partner have settled on your wedding plans, it’s time to send out the first invitations. If you’re renting a venue, make sure that your date is available before inviting your guests.
To help you stay organized, provide a RSVP deadline for your guests. Once this date has passed, you’ll know your total number of guests: this information is crucial for moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Reach Out to Your Service Providers and Request Estimates
Once you’ve received most of the responses to your invitations, it’s time to reach out to your vendors. Start with the rental of your venue first, if that is necessary.
Next, reach out as soon as possible to your caterer, florist, DJ, or music band as well as any individuals responsible for babysitting, if needed. If you have the time, get quotes from two or three professionals in each category to ensure you get the best rates.
Step 4: Prepare Your Decorations and Plan the Festivities
Finally, you can move on to planning the day of your wedding. Create a realistic schedule that allows for some possible delays. This is when your witnesses and family can be invaluable allies: whether it’s for creating and purchasing decorations, designing the seating chart, or choosing your dress. Surround yourself with trustworthy people and trust your instincts! In any case, don’t put too much pressure on yourself and always remember that even if everything isn’t perfect, the most important thing is that you enjoy the moment with your loved ones!
I hope this guide has helped you with the organization of your wedding at city hall. You are now familiar with the main steps to prepare for this event as well as the essential elements not to forget!
If you’re looking for unique décor for your wedding, I invite you to visit our online store, dedicated to the world of floral decoration and gifts. There, you’ll find flower crowns perfect for your event, as well as decorative flower walls and eternal roses that will symbolize your love.
