Symbolic wedding ceremony in Cape Town

What is a symbolic wedding ceremony in Cape Town?

Many couples choose to get legally married before their actual wedding day. Such couples often refer to their wedding ceremony as symbolic. I don’t really agree with the “terminology” of symbolic. For me, a ceremony stands on its own and it has its own power and binding nature. It is more than symbolic. From my perspective, a ceremony without the legal aspects is as much of a wedding ceremony as any other.

If I’m honest, I get a little giddy whenever I receive an enquiry from a couple looking for a symbolic wedding ceremony in Cape Town. Why? I get to focus on the absolute best part of being a marriage officer and celebrant: The ceremony (without worrying about any of the admin).

A lot of couples looking to separate their legal marriage from the ceremony ask whether I am comfortable doing so? I think what I’ve already written spells it out but let me be abundantly clear: YES! A thousand times, yes!

Symbolic wedding and elopement ceremonies hold all the power, meaning and depth as traditional ceremonies (paired with legal documents)

Why do some couples opt for symbolic ceremonies?

For foreign couples it is often easier to handle the legal side of their marriage in their home country. Getting married at home is usually quite a simple process. It also means your marriage is registered without delays. That said, some couples feel very strongly about getting legally married on the same day as they exchange vows. For such couples, let me assure you that I marry foreign couples in South Africa all the time. It is not a difficult task.

There are, however, some added costs. For starters, I recommend that all such couples attain their unabridged marriage certificates. This involves a cost as we need to utilise the services of a contact to attain it. Fortunately I provide this service so you don’t have to go through the rigmarole. Then there’s the fact that these certificates aren’t issued within a matter of days – it usually takes about a month to land and then the certificate must then me couriered to the couple via DHL (another cost).

Most couples don’t mind the costs involved but for personal reasons they may need the registration of their marriage in their home country to go through faster than is possible if getting married in South Africa. Or perhaps they want to travel to their wedding with the peace of mind of knowing that all the finer details of their legal marriage are sorted. They can then relax and be present for the most important part of their celebration: Their commitment, vows and ceremony.

To me, wedding ceremonies contain their own magic and power. The legal paperwork has no bearing on that magic.

What would be included in a symbolic wedding ceremony in Cape Town?

Many couples wonder what will be included in the wedding ceremony if it is not a legally binding ‘service’? The short answer: Whatever we feel would best represent the two of you, your story and your love. The truth is a wedding ceremony with the legal elements and a wedding ceremony without the legal touchstones are very similar.

Although we do have free reign without any of the legal parameters, in my view, a symbolic ceremony should still ‘hit’ certain key touchtones of a wedding ceremony. For a more in depth discussion about how to create a meaningful and beautiful ceremony, have a look at this piece I wrote.

Whether you’re eloping barefoot on one of Cape Town’s many exquisite beaches or walking down the aisle at the big wedding you always dreamed of – I’d love to be a part of creating a ceremony that reflects your love

Let’s create symbolic wedding ceremony in Cape Town with all the beauty and nuance you deserve

I already emphasised that I love being a part of symbolic wedding ceremonies in Cape Town as all of the admin is sorted so we get to focus on what is truly important. If you’d like to bring your dream of eloping in Cape Town alive, please get in touch: marriageofficerlara@gmail.com

(For more information on getting married in South Africa as two foreigners, look here. And if one of you is a foreigner and the other a South African citizen, look here.)

What I love about elopements is that you get to decide what traditions you want to honour and what traditions you feel no connection to. In this way, you create a celebration and ceremony that is true to you and your love.