If you are not marrying in a church, you will have a civil ceremony. A civil ceremony in Cyprus is quick compared to a UK wedding, and the wording is quite direct. Below we have included the full wording, as used by the officiants in Cyprus.
Typically, the whole ceremony takes between 7 to 12 minutes. If you feel this is quick, don’t worry, there are a few things you can do to extend and personalise the ceremony.
Guest readings
There is no reason you can’t have a guest read a poem, or heartfelt testimonial about you both, during the ceremony.
Plan how you walk in
Don’t march in quickly, instead, plan out how the bridesmaids go in one by one, in time with the music, with a gap between each bridesmaid. Again, walk-in slowly, engaging with the guests on the way down the aisle and enjoy the moment.
Write and read your own vows
The official wording can come over as a little formal, and very quick. You can write your own vows from the heart. Taking your time to read them to each other will make your ceremony really engaging, and a lot more meaningful to you both.
Top tip. Have a Celebrant
A celebrant will take the time to understand you both, and design a bespoke ceremony that starts once the Officiant has finished. Using a celebrant really will give you a ceremony that is meaningful and engaging for you, your children and your family. Something you will all remember.
After the ceremony
Time to chill out while we shoot some photography. We work with you, so the flow feels seamless.
Ceremony wording
In the first part of the ceremony, the Officiant will say
John Smith and Jane Jones, know that by your simultaneous consent which is given publicly and formally in my presence and in the presence of the persons now here, accept each other as your lawful spouse and with the confirmation of this fact by your signature you contract a lawful marriage for all the purposes of civil law.
You should further know that your marriage cannot be dissolved during your lifetime except by a valid judgment of a court. If either of you (before the death of the other) contracts a marriage while this one remains undissolved you will thereby be guilty of bigamy and be liable to the consequences provided by the law.
Then you repeat after the Officiant
I call upon all persons here present to witness that I John Smith accept you Jane Jones as my lawful spouse, to love and to share with you as from this day, moments of joy and sorrow, wealth and poverty, happiness and unhappiness, throughout our life until death do separate us.
Followed by
I call upon all persons here present to witness that I Jane Jones accept you John Smith as my lawful spouse, to love and to share with you as from this day, moments of joy and sorrow, wealth and poverty, happiness and unhappiness, throughout our life until death do separate us.
During the third part, the officiant will say
As from this moment I pronounce you man and wife. You are joined together by your free consent in matrimony and you owe each other love, fidelity, and respect throughout your life. This marriage constitutes the fulfillment of your life and links your destinies on good and rainy days, in happiness and unhappiness, in wealth and poverty, until death do separate you.
On the basis of equality, you should face together all the problems and all the difficulties of life. Together you should shoulder the burdens of marriage each one according to your capabilities. You have both the right and obligation to take care of the upbringing and education of your children so that they may become useful and good citizens and free personalities.
Finally the rings and marriage certificate
Next up, you will be exchanging rings. Then you, have the first kiss, and then you both, along with at least two witnesses and the registrar will sign the marriage certificates.