A ceremonial wedding – Why, when & how does it work?

What is a ceremonial wedding

A ceremonial wedding means that you are not legally marrying, but that doesn’t mean your wedding day won’t feel like a real wedding! “No, but we want to actually get married,” is something I often hear. I completely understand that! But take a moment to read this blog about ceremonial weddings—I think it might change your perspective!

When thinking about ceremonial weddings, people often picture couples who have been together for years, those who have already been married and want to relive the ceremony, or even something completely different—like a wedding ceremony with your favorite pet, your best friend, or even your entire group of girlfriends! Yes, that’s possible too.

No hassle & save money

However, here’s something important to consider: even couples who plan to legally marry can opt for a ceremonial wedding—mainly for financial reasons. Did you know that getting married at a chosen venue involves costs from both the municipality and the independent wedding officiant (BABS in Dutch: Buitengewoon ambtenaar Burgerlijke stand / Trouwambtenaar)?

Most independent wedding officiants are officially appointed and sworn in by a municipality. When we officiate weddings outside our designated municipality, we must apply for a special appointment, which comes with additional costs—varying from one municipality to another. So, when you choose a wedding at a special venue, you pay both the municipal fees and the fee for the independent officiant. These costs can add up, but they can also be avoided with a ceremonial wedding!

How does it work?

Here’s how it works: couples often choose to have their legal wedding at the town hall a week before the ceremonial wedding. You can make this as simple or as special as you like—just a quick signing with your witnesses, or a more intimate moment with close family. The best part? You get to celebrate your wedding twice and have an extra reason to party!

On the day of your ceremonial wedding, nothing is different from a legal wedding—you still say your vows, exchange rings, and your witnesses can even sign a (symbolic) certificate. And whether or not you tell your guests is entirely up to you—they won’t even notice the difference!

So… have I convinced you yet? 😊

Read more about what to expect from the wedding ceremony!