CIVIL OR CHURCH MARRIAGE

What is a wedding? What is the difference between civil and religious marriage in Sweden? What do you need before a wedding? We sort out the answers.

What is a wedding ceremony? Marriage is the act in which a legally valid marriage is concluded. The wedding ceremony can take place before civil authority or in a church, it's up to you. Couples who do not want to get married in the church usually choose to marry civilly, because they do not feel that the Church needs to be the place of their wedding. We have listed our tips for the big day! Happy reading!

THE CIVIL MARRIAGE CEREMONY

Just because you choose to marry civilly does not mean you can not have it festive. The only difference between a civil marriage and a wedding in the church is the marriage officer is not ecclesiastical and that one does not get married in a church. Most of those who choose to marry civilly want wedding dress, bridesmaids, wedding bouquet and of course a wedding party. Others choose to do it quickly and easily, completely without wedding dress and rings.

THE CHURCH WEDDING CEREMONY

Looking back in time, the church has been the place for weddings to take place. It is free to have your wedding in the church, if you are a member of the Church of Sweden. What is required is that you report to your congregation, book a priest and which church you want to get married in.

The religious ceremony is quite ritualized, the priest begins the marriage ceremony by talking about marriages overall. Then the priest asks questions to the bride and groom, the priest prays for the bride and groom and also bless them. After these steps, the bride and groom are newlyweds. For many, the church wedding ceremony is more about tradition, the atmosphere you feel in the church and its rituals that it brings. If you strive for a traditional wedding, the church wedding ceremony is the choice for you!

DOCUMENTATION

In order to be married under Swedish law, you must first carry out an obstacle test, in order to find out that there are no obstacles for you to marry each other. These three obstacles exist against getting married in Sweden.

• Your age. You both must be over 18 years old, or you can't get married.

• Kinship. If you are too closely relatives, you can not get married.

• If one of you is already married or has a partner registered, you won't be able to get married.

First you get a certificate of obstacle testing, when it is completed there will be a marriage certificate from the Swedish Tax Agency. These two certificates will be sent home and they are valid for four months. Contact the marriage operator in advance of your scheduled wedding ceremony. The two certificates you have received must be submitted to the marriage representative, after the marriage ceremony the marriage representative sends the two certificates to the Swedish Tax Agency.