Italian Civil Wedding Ceremonies

An Italian civil wedding provides a lovely option for those who wish to keep their nuptials simple and meaningful. Photo by Sweet Ice Cream Photography on Unsplash.   An Italian civil wedding offers a lovely option for those who wish to keep their nuptials simple while still providing plenty of meaning and decorum. It takes place before a magistrate at a Town Hall in one of the cities. Several days before the wedding, the bride and groom present documentation to the Town Hall. There they also make a declaration before the Registrar.  

Registering at Town Hall

Several days prior to a civil wedding, the bride and groom must present a declaration at Town Hall. At this time, the legal documents are offered to the clerks, and identification is shown to prove their identities. The declaration expresses that the couple wishes to marry in a Town Hall without the reading of the banns. The Registrar reads the written declaration of the couple out loud in Italian, with an interpreter translating her words into English. Following the reading of the declaration, the bride and groom affirms that no obstacles exist that would prevent their marriage. Next, the Italian laws of marriage are read aloud and translated into English. Then it's on to finalizing all the wedding details in the last days leading up to the ceremony.  

The Procession

On the day of the wedding, the bride and groom arrive together. They may process through the streets on foot, followed by their guests. Or they can arrive at their chosen location by car. In some regions, the procession to the ceremony location involves a series of tasks the bride and groom must perform together. These might include navigating a falling broom, soothing a crying baby, as well as numerous household tasks. By proving that they are able to sustain their love even through hardships, they demonstrate to those observing that their marriage will endure. As they make their way through the streets, spectators shout their encouragement with a loud "Auguri" (which translates to "best wishes").  

An Italian Civil Wedding Ceremony

The bride and groom meet their guests outside Town Hall 15 to 20 minutes before their scheduled appointment. The groom and the guests enter the meeting room first. The Mayor or the mayor's representative, dressed in their official uniform, greet the groom and his guests. Then the bride makes her entrance. As a courtesy, the Town Hall typically provides recorded music, including the wedding march and a few other selections. Alternatively, the bride and groom can hire a live soloist, such as a violinist, a flutist, or a singer, to perform during the ceremony. Typically, music accompanies the bride's entrance to the meeting room. Another opportunity for music is the signing of the final deed of marriage. Once the bride takes her place beside her groom, the officiant reads from the Civil Code of the Republic of Italy. Specifically, he reads three articles of law relating to the mutual duties and rights of a married couple. Following the signing of the final deed of marriage, the bride and groom recite their vows and exchange rings. The whole ceremony typically takes half an hour. Then, the entire wedding party departs for the reception. ~Angela Magnotti Andrews