The civil wedding ceremony is the most common type of wedding. This type of wedding is a secular event that takes place in a public space. It is not required to be religious and has no religious connotations. The ceremony can be performed by a minister or justice of the peace, but it is more common for couples to have their own private ceremony in their home or at an outdoor venue such as a park or beach.
The typical civil wedding ceremony includes the following:
- A ring exchange that symbolizes the couple's commitment to each other.
- A kiss.
- The recitation of vows and rings.
- The signing of the marriage license.
- A declaration from both parties that they take each other as husband and wife.