Civil or Religious Wedding: Which Option is Best for You?

Deciding how to celebrate your union is one of the first and most important steps in planning your wedding. In Spain, the two main options are civil and Catholic religious weddings. Both have legal validity, but their ceremonies, requirements, and meanings are very different. Are you torn between the flexibility of a civil ceremony and the solemnity of a religious tradition?

Take a deep breath—this is a very common and completely normal question. The right choice isn't the same for every couple; it depends on your beliefs, values, and the type of celebration you dream of. Let's review together the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each option so you can make a decision that truly reflects who you are as a couple.

What is a Civil Wedding?

A civil wedding is the legal union of two people formalized before a public authority. Its validity is purely legal and is not tied to any religious belief. It's a ceremony that focuses on the couple's mutual commitment before the law and society.

Options for a Civil Ceremony

Until a few years ago, civil weddings were almost exclusively held in a courthouse or town hall. However, now you have more flexibility, and that's great. These are the three main routes:

• Courthouse: This is the most formal and direct option. The ceremony is officiated by a judge in a Civil Registry room. It's usually brief, focused on reading articles from the Civil Code and signing the certificate. It's perfect if you're looking for quick formality at no cost.
• Town Hall: Many town halls have council chambers or other spaces set up for weddings. A councillor or the mayor officiates the ceremony, which often allows a bit more personalization than the courthouse, such as including music or special readings.
• Notary: Since 2015, notaries can also marry couples. This is the fastest and most private route. You can get married in the notary's office itself, which greatly simplifies the paperwork. It's perfect for couples who want to avoid waiting lists and are looking for an efficient solution.

Advantages of a Civil Wedding

• Flexibility and personalization: This is its biggest draw, and you'll love it. You can design a ceremony completely tailored to you, from the location (a country estate, the beach, a forest) to the vows, music, and symbolic rituals (like the sand ceremony or unity candle).
• Quick paperwork: Especially if you choose a notary, the process can be much faster than a religious wedding, without additional stress.
• Inclusivity: It's the only option for same-sex couples and for those where one or both members are divorced by the Church.
• No religious requirements: You don't need to be baptized or complete premarital courses. The wedding is based solely on your desire to legally unite.

Disadvantages of a Civil Wedding

• Less tradition: For some families or couples, the lack of a religious rite may make the ceremony feel less solemn or meaningful.
• Dual venue management: If you get married at an estate, you'll have to manage two things: the legal signing (at the courthouse, notary, or town hall) and the symbolic ceremony at the estate. Although many venues offer mock ceremonies with an officiant, the actual marriage is formalized at another time. Don't worry, it's simpler than it seems.

What is a Catholic Wedding?

A Catholic wedding is a sacrament, a sacred rite that unites a man and woman before God and the community. Beyond a legal contract, it's considered an indissoluble spiritual covenant, blessed by the Church.

Requirements for a Catholic Wedding

To marry in the Catholic Church in Spain, both parties must meet a series of requirements. If you choose a Catholic wedding, check our complete guide on Catholic wedding protocol to know all requirements. Don't worry, I'll guide you step by step:

• At least one must be a practicing Catholic.
• Both must be baptized. You'll need to provide your baptismal certificate.
• Not previously married by the Church. Catholic marriage is for life.
• Complete the premarital course. This is mandatory training covering topics about marriage and life as a couple from a Christian perspective.
• Process the marriage file at the parish of one of you.

Advantages of a Catholic Wedding

• Spiritual meaning and tradition: For believing couples, receiving the sacrament of marriage is the foundation of their union. The ceremony is filled with symbolism and family tradition.
• Beautiful surroundings: Churches and cathedrals are often places of great architectural and historical beauty, creating an incomparable setting for the wedding.
• Community participation: The ceremony involves the parish community and family in a very special way.
• Automatic legal validity: Marriage celebrated by the Catholic Church has immediate civil effects in Spain. The parish priest sends the certificate to the Civil Registry for registration, so that's one less thing to worry about.

Disadvantages of a Catholic Wedding

• Rigidity and little flexibility: Catholic liturgy has a fixed structure that doesn't allow major customizations. The readings are biblical texts and the music must be sacred or liturgical.
• Strict requirements: The bureaucratic process and religious requirements can be an obstacle if you're not practicing or if one of you is not Catholic.
• Exclusivity: It's not an option for same-sex couples or divorced persons.
• Associated costs: Although the ceremony itself doesn't have a "price," a donation to the church is expected. Additionally, floral decoration or music costs are usually higher in these spaces.

Key Differences to Consider

Now that you know each option separately, let's compare the key aspects that will help you decide clearly.

Paperwork and Legal Aspects

Ceremony Structure and Personalization

A civil wedding is like a blank canvas where you can create exactly what you dream of. You can choose who officiates (a friend, a family member), what music plays, write your own vows, and add symbolic rituals that represent your unique story.

A religious wedding, on the other hand, follows an established liturgical script. The vows are a fixed formula, the readings are biblical, and the music must be approved by the parish priest. Personalization is minimal and focuses on choosing readings or involving loved ones at specific moments.

Ceremony Location

In a civil wedding, the sky really is the limit. You can get married at a rustic estate, a modern hotel, a beach at sunset, or even in your own garden. The only limitation is that the legal signing must take place in an authorized location (courthouse, town hall, or notary). Many couples sign the papers days before and hold a symbolic ceremony on the wedding day, and it works perfectly.

In a Catholic wedding, the ceremony must take place in a consecrated temple: a church, chapel, or cathedral. It's not possible to celebrate the sacrament outdoors or at an estate.

Wedding Costs

Generally, a civil wedding at the courthouse or town hall is free or has a symbolic fee. If you choose a notary, the cost is around €150-300. The big expense comes if you hire an officiant and decorate a space for a symbolic ceremony (between €500 and over €2,000).

In a religious wedding, although the ceremony is "free," a donation to the parish is expected (between €100 and €600, depending on the location). Additionally, costs for flowers, choir, or photographers often have specific rates for churches, which can be higher.

How to Make the Right Decision for You

The final choice doesn't depend on which option is objectively "better," but which one resonates more with your values, beliefs, and desires. Here are some questions to help you reflect calmly:

• What does marriage mean to us? Is it a legal and social contract, a spiritual sacrament, or both?
• What type of ceremony do we envision? An intimate and personalized celebration or a solemn and traditional act?
• Are religious traditions important to us or our families? Sometimes family pressure plays a role, but remember that the wedding is yours and should reflect your wishes.
• What level of personalization do we want? Do we dream of writing our own vows and choosing every detail, or do we prefer to follow an already defined structure?
• Where would we like to celebrate the ceremony? If you dream of an outdoor wedding, the civil option is the only way.

For civil weddings, review the civil wedding protocol and necessary registry procedures.

Requirements for wedding witnesses vary depending on the type of ceremony you choose.

Regardless of ceremony type, you'll need an excellent celebration venue for the banquet.