The type of ceremony you select will have a lot to do with your religious upbringing. You also need to take into account your fiancé's views, not to mention your parents' belief system.

Religious Ceremonies

Must all religious weddings take place in a house of worship? No, but it depends on your particular religion or wishes. Some officiants are willing to marry you in the location of your choice.

Civil Ceremonies

What is a civil ceremony? Civil ceremonies are nonreligious and presided over by a civil or government official. Civil ceremonies can be as formal and dramatic as traditional church weddings, just without the limitations of religious laws or regulations. You will need a marriage license, and you may need witnesses; each state has different requirements.

Nondenominational Ceremonies

What is a nondenominational wedding ceremony? This is a ceremony that emphasizes religion without being associated with any particular religion. It is often free of the structure and restrictions of traditional religious ceremonies but does have a religious tone.

Interfaith Ceremonies

What is an interfaith ceremony? An interfaith marriage joins two people from different religions. Some religions will permit and recognize these unions, while some prohibit them and will not recognize the union.

What are the rules regarding interfaith marriages? Early in the planning, make it a high priority to consult with both sets of clergy to get a clear picture of what rules and restrictions each religion, clergy, and house of worship have on the matter. Some will happily accept this union, others will have stipulations, and there are some that will not allow this at all.

In general, the Catholic Church will sanction a marriage between a Catholic and non-Catholic providing that all of the Church's concerns are met. In marriages between a Protestant and a Catholic, officiants from both religions may take part in the ceremony if the couple wishes, and arrangements are made in advance. Quakers, Hindus, and Buddhists, to name a few, are more open and accepting of interfaith marriages. The Church of Latter Day Saints, Reform Judaism, and Islam will also tolerate these unions. On the bright side of all of this, there are (for-hire) officiants representing all denominations, and they are usually more flexible with their terms of services. Now you may not be able to marry in a house of worship, but you just might be able to have officiants from both faiths freely perform the ceremony at a neutral or agreed-upon location.