One of the most important decisions in the wedding planning process is whether to have your wedding conducted in a civil ceremony. Although a lot of couples would jump right in and reject the option outright for a more formal religious ceremony, having a civil wedding still has its advantages too.

It is easier – A civil wedding ceremony is carried out within legal proceedings the state where you are taking your vows. Since it is officiated by a legal official such as mayor, judge, or anybody else, making your marriage official and legal is a lot faster compared to a religious ceremony.

It is more open to creativity – Since no religion is involved (or unless the Catholic priest is fine officiating a wedding while skydiving), how you want your ceremony be done is pretty much open to you. A civil wedding ceremony is more fitting for couples who are adventurous and like to take risks.

It can be done anywhere – Some religions restrict couples on where to conduct weddings, while civil ceremonies give you the flexibility to be married in a number of different places (except in a place of worship, of course). If you are looking for an easy and quick wedding, having a wedding in a courtroom or mayor’s office is a brilliant idea. If you have more time to plan, you may want to take advantage of having a destination wedding.

Couples need not be tied to a particular religion – If a couple has different religions, have conflicting views about religion, or they are not as devout to their own religion, or that they do not believe in a religion at all, civil wedding ceremonies is a perfect option. It allows a wedding to go on, but in a much more neutral manner.

It is not have that sense of "sanctity" – In a religious perspective, marriage is a sacred celebration. Having it held in a non-sacred venue such as a garden or a courtroom gives it a feeling of "impurity."