SYMBOLIC WEDDING CEREMONY

Why opting for a symbolic wedding ceremony is the best decision you’ll make.

First things first:

WHAT IS A SYMBOLIC WEDDING CEREMONY?

A symbolic wedding ceremony, also known as humanist wedding - is a type of ceremony that focuses on the promise partners makes to each other. This type of ceremony is a beautiful way to frame the vows in the most personal way possible, without having to worry about all the formalities a civil ceremony requires.

R&T's symbolic wedding ceremony setup with the sea as their backdrop Photography: La Dichosa | Wedding Planning & Art Direction: All Things Beautiful

[read more about R&T's Vogue featured wedding on the Amalfi Coast here]

Let's start with numbers.

Most of the Destination Weddings you see on your Instagram, Pinterest, and wedding blogs are in fact, symbolic ceremonies.

According to the wedding industry statistics, up to 85% of destination weddings have symbolic ceremonies

You might be wondering why that is…

The reason is pretty simple actually, it allows the couple to focus on what really matters - celebrating the love between the two of them, in the way that feels the most authentic to them. It allows for the exchange of the vows to take place in some of the most breathtaking locations, where the designated government official wouldn’t necessarily be able to officiate.

[Speaking of breathtaking locations - you can find ATB's curated venues selection in Greece here & a list of some of our favorite venues in Puglia, Italy here]

H&D symbolic wedding ceremony with a stunning views of the Greek Islands in the distance Wedding Planning & Art Direction: All Things Beautiful | Photo: Your White Moments

[you can read about the details of H&D's symbolic wedding ceremony setup here]

When it comes to the ceremony itself, unlike in other elements of your destination wedding event, you really have to consider the human factor.

The fact that your caterer has, let’s say, dry sense of humor doesn’t affect the dinner served, but if your officiant lacks charisma… well, that might seriously affect one of the most important moments of your wedding.

The government official assigned to officiate your wedding might be a lovely person, but marrying people is just one of the many tasks on their list of duties. Do you really want to risk a stranger (or two, because you’ll likely need a translator) to recite to you your legal obligations? Way to kill the romance, *queue the horror music*.

S&J's symbolic wedding ceremony officiated by their dear friends Photography: La Dichosa | Wedding Planning & Art Direction: All Things Beautiful

Isn’t it better to leave this job in the capable hands of a professional?

Officiant is a person who lives and breathes weddings. They are someone who will make sure your ceremony is beautifully worded and delivered.

You can go even further - if you are not in a mood to have a stranger present during this intimate moment, a symbolic ceremony allows you to choose someone close to the two of you to officiate. A relative? A close friend? It’s entirely up to you.

R&T's symbolic wedding ceremony was officiated by the groom's uncle who married his parents 40 years prior Photography: La Dichosa | Wedding Planning & Art Direction: All Things Beautiful

How to find a professional symbolic wedding officiant?

This is where your experienced destination wedding planner comes in. As planners we can either find you a professional wedding celebrant to officiate, or we can guide one of your closest friends or family member in this role.

What about religion?

"We would like to get married somewhere with a stunning view but don't want to compromise on the spiritual aspect of our union."

I hear this conundrum a lot. And I have great news for you again – you don't have to compromise on what is important to you. While your symbolic wedding ceremony might not be a complete service you'd normally attend in a place of worship, symbolic wedding ceremony can still include religious elements and/or be led by a spiritual leader. Whether it will be getting married under a chuppah, paying mahr, or reading passages from a respective holly book, or simply having your spiritual leader lead the prayer, or deliver a blessing, you absolutely can (and should!) have religion be part of your symbolic wedding ceremony, if that is something important and meaningful to the two of you.

Georgia & Rory's symbolic wedding ceremony lead by a family friend - Rev. Alan, delivering a blessing. Photo: La Dichosa | Wedding Planner & Designer: All Things Beautiful

You are perhaps still thinking: but why can’t I just have it done in one go – the romantic setting AND the legal formalities? 

I am not saying that choosing a civil ceremony for your destination wedding is a bad idea. I’m only asking: is your wedding really the day when you want to compromise for the sake of convenience?

Symbolic ceremony frees your wedding day from the, sometimes unnecessary, formalities.

You might be thinking now:

Hold on now! formalities are important! If it wasn’t for these formalities, we wouldn’t be legally married! symbolic ceremony doesn’t feel real because we won’t be *really* married.

I am not saying the formalities are not important. The act of signing the legal documents is what makes you a married couple in the eyes of the law, but is the signing of the proverbial paper what getting married is really about?

D&C symbolic wedding in Lisbon officiated by their friend Sam Photography: Couplet Photo | Wedding Planning & Art Direction: All Things Beautiful

I like to use a driving test analogy here. Odd, I know, but it will make sense in a moment, I promise.

Do you remember the day you passed your driving test? I remember it like it was yesterday. I was so happy and excited, I immediately called all my friends and family to share the good news. Do you know what I shouted to my phone? I'm a driver!

Was I allowed to drive a car immediately? No. I needed to wait 3 weeks until I received the actual document. But to me, I became a driver the second my instructor said: congratulations, you have passed the exam. I assume it was similar for you, am I right? Did your proud friends and family members wait with their congratulations until you received the document itself?

I think not! Because, to both you and them, passing the test was the essence of it. You did it, and that was the reason to celebrate. 

Symbolic wedding ceremony focuses on just that - the very essence of what getting married is about: the two of you declaring your love and commitment to one another, in front of your closest friends and families. I don’t think it can get anymore *real* than that, do you?

Ask yourself this - if the main reason behind a wedding is its legal consequences, why don’t we all just go to the courthouse and call it a day? Because there is so much more to getting married, and humanist wedding ceremony allows you to choose the very best way to frame your vows.

H&T's symbolic wedding ceremony in the olive grove in Puglia, officiated by a professional celebrant Photography: Adriana Morais | Wedding Planning & Art Direction: All Things Beautiful

And what about the legal aspect? I advise my couples to head to the courthouse before they embark on their destination wedding journey. It’s a great way to prep for the big day and perhaps celebrate with those who won’t be able to travel abroad for various reasons. It doesn’t have to be big - a dinner at your favorite restaurant or even just a drink in a bar - whatever feels the most *you* is exactly what you should do.

ARE YOU READY TO PLAN YOUR SYMBOLIC WEDDING CEREMONY?

Head to ATB's contact form and I'll take it from there!

I can't wait to hear from you!

xo