When a couple wishes to unite, different avenues are available to them. Different types of marriages are possible and will be chosen according to the wishes of the future spouses.
Secular marriage, religious marriage or civil marriage – each type of marriage responds to specific rules and objectives.
Definition of a secular marriage ceremony
When we speak of a secular event, we are referring to an event independent of religions, not subject to religious dogmas and rituals.
With regard to marriage, a secular marriage can take two forms:
- a civil marriage celebrated by an authorized celebrant in Quebec
- a symbolic marriage with purely symbolic value without legal value
A civil secular marriage will have legal value while a symbolic secular marriage will have none.
Conduct of a symbolic secular ceremony
The form of a secular wedding ceremony is not codified and can be organized according to the needs and desires of the couple.
Generally, a secular marriage ceremony will take place according to the following steps:
- arrival of providers, guests and groom
- arrival of the bride
- speech by the celebrant
- speeches by the guests
- exchange of vows
- ritual of sand, candle or other
- exchange of wedding rings
Recognition of secular marriage
A symbolic secular marriage will not be recognized and will have no legal value.
A civil marriage will, if it meets the validity criteria of a civil marriage in Quebec, be considered valid.
The civil marriage solution
Couples who want a non-religious marriage will have to turn to civil marriage to have a marriage that will be recognized by different states.