At UAUU, we know that every couple has their own way of loving each other and their own way of celebrating. A civil wedding is the perfect opportunity to create a tailor-made ceremony: freer, more intimate, and absolutely personal. There are no strict rules, only the ones you decide together.
And that, when well thought out, can lead to beautiful and unforgettable moments. After organizing dozens of civil weddings in Barcelona and the surrounding area, we’ve seen it all: symbolic rituals full of meaning, readings that bring tears (of emotion and laughter), intimate ceremonies among vineyards or under a centuries-old oak tree.
That’s why today we want to share with you some original ideas that can truly make a difference. Some are simple, others a bit more daring, but they all have one thing in common: they make your story sound like you.
Symbolic Rituals to Personalize a Civil Wedding
One of the advantages of having a civil wedding is that you can include symbolic elements that represent your story and your way of understanding commitment. There are no fixed rules, and that opens up a whole range of beautiful possibilities. Here are some of the rituals that have moved us the most, and that you can easily adapt.
The Sand Ritual (or a Personalized Version)
It’s a timeless classic. Each partner pours sand of a different color into a shared container, creating a unique design that represents their union. Our recommendation? Personalize the colors or even use other materials that hold meaning for you: salt, spices, pebbles…
Time Capsule
Write a letter to each other before the big day and place it together with a bottle of wine, photos, or small keepsakes. During the ceremony, seal it with the promise to open it on your fifth anniversary (or whenever you need to remember why you started). Emotional and 100% yours.
Wine Ritual
Similar to the sand ritual, but with two different wines poured into a single glass to drink together. It represents the fusion of two stories, two families, two ways of being. Choose a red and a white, or even better: one from your region and one from the place where you met.
Other Meaningful Rituals
- Handfasting: your hands are tied with ribbons as a symbol of union. Very visual and full of tradition.
- Wishing Tree: your guests hang messages or good wishes on a small tree or decorative structure.
- Candle Ceremony: you light a common candle from two individual ones. Simple, intimate, and deeply symbolic.
The most important thing is that whatever ritual you choose makes sense to you. It’s not about doing something just to do it, but about giving space to the emotional and building a memory that will always stay with you.
Readings and Vows: How to Get Emotional Without Falling Into Clichés
If there’s one moment that defines a civil wedding, it’s when you look into each other’s eyes and finally say what you’ve been thinking for a long time. Vows and readings are the heart of the ceremony. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to write poetry or make everyone cry (though it may happen). What matters is that it sounds like you.
Writing Your Vows Without Pressure
A good vow doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be true. You can write it together or separately, long or short, humorous or emotional. Our advice: let your relationship set the tone. Think about everyday moments, anecdotes, or phrases only you understand. That’s where the magic lies.
Choosing the Right Person to Read (and What They Read)
Do you have someone close who’s good at speaking in public? It can be beautiful for a friend or family member to read a passage from a book, a song, or even a text they wrote themselves. But don’t feel you have to push anyone into speaking if they’re not comfortable: better a few sincere speeches than many forced ones.
A Fun Twist: Texts That Surprise and Connect
Some couples choose to include unexpected passages: a scene from their favorite series, a paragraph from an old letter, or even an inside joke. If the atmosphere is right, these touches can ease the moment and bring smiles without losing the emotion. In the end, wedding vows and readings are a gift — for you, and for those who share the day with you. Taking time on them is worth it.
Music to Accompany Every Key Moment
Music has that invisible power to change everything. It can turn a beautiful moment into an unforgettable one. In a civil wedding, choosing the right songs for each part of the ceremony is a wonderful way to set the emotional rhythm of the day. And it doesn’t have to be complicated: what matters is intention.
Ceremony Entrance: Emotion From the First Step
The first song of the day is unforgettable. It’s the soundtrack of the “here we go,” the moment when it all begins. It can be intimate, epic, or unexpected, but it should always resonate with who you are. One tip? Choose a song that makes you hold your breath when you hear it in rehearsal. If it does that, it’s the one.
The “I Do” Moment
Some couples prefer absolute silence at this moment. Others want a soft song playing in the background while they exchange vows. Anything goes. The key is that the music doesn’t distract, but enhances. Consider an instrumental piece or an acoustic version that moves you without drawing focus away.
The Triumphal Exit: Let the Party Begin
This is the time to release the nerves. To smile without filter. Here, a joyful, energetic, even unexpected song fits perfectly. From an 80s classic to a current hit that defines you as a couple. If guests get up to clap or start tapping their feet, you nailed it. And if you’re unsure, ask your DJ — many know exactly how to match the music to the atmosphere. In the end, music isn’t just background. It’s part of your story.
Visual Ideas to Give Personality to the Space
You don’t need a big production for a civil wedding to have soul. Sometimes, a single well-placed detail can transform the atmosphere. Here are some visual ideas we’ve seen work beautifully in civil ceremonies, which you can adapt to your style or chosen setting.
- Warm light garlands: perfect for sunset weddings, they add warmth and create a magical atmosphere effortlessly.
- Decorative backdrop: it could be a floral arch, hanging fabrics, dry branches, or a wooden frame. It serves as the backdrop for the “I do” and many of the day’s photos.
- Personalized signage: with meaningful phrases, your names, or simply a warm welcome to the space. A simple touch that makes a difference.
- Message or memory corner: from a beautiful guestbook to a box where guests can leave notes, photos, or handwritten wishes.
These elements aren’t essential, but they help reinforce the aesthetics of the ceremony and ensure everything feels coherent and personal. You can do it yourselves or get advice from wedding styling professionals. The important thing is that every detail has meaning for you.
What to Keep in Mind When Celebrating a Civil Wedding in Barcelona and Surroundings
If you want your civil wedding to be legally valid, there are some important aspects you should know. And although the ceremony can take place wherever you wish (from a country house in the Igualada area to a garden overlooking the sea), the legal paperwork is usually done separately or symbolically during the celebration.
Legal or Symbolic Ceremony: Which Option is Best for You?
In many civil weddings, couples choose to sign the papers at the registry office or with a notary a few days before, and then celebrate the symbolic ceremony with their guests. This gives you plenty of freedom: you can do it wherever you like, with the script you choose, and without depending on official schedules. The legal part, however, must be done on working days and usually requires an appointment.
Documentation and Approximate Timelines
To legally marry in the province of Barcelona, you’ll need:
- Valid ID card, NIE, or passport
- Literal birth certificate
- Certificate of residence (minimum two years back)
- Sworn declaration of marital status
The documents must be submitted to the corresponding civil registry, and the process can take between one and three months depending on the municipality. Our advice: start early and, if you have any doubts, check directly with the registry office where you plan to handle the paperwork.
Who Can Officiate a Civil Wedding
For symbolic ceremonies, you can count on a professional celebrant, a close friend, or even a family member who feels comfortable speaking in public. If you prefer the ceremony itself to be legally binding, it must be officiated by a councilor, a judge, or a licensed notary. In any case, the most important thing is that the moment feels meaningful to you. The legal side can be signed in a boardroom. But the emotional side… that deserves a special setting.
Checklist to Organize Your Civil Wedding
To make sure nothing slips through the cracks, here’s a list of the essential steps we recommend keeping in mind when preparing a civil ceremony. You can adapt it depending on the type of celebration you want, but as a base, it works very well:
- Decide whether it will be a legal or symbolic ceremony.
- Search for and book the venue in advance.
- Check the legal paperwork and gather the documentation.
- Confirm the officiant and witnesses.
- Design the ceremony script (with or without rituals).
- Choose readings, vows, and participants.
- Select the music for each moment.
- Decide if you want to include decorative details.
- Coordinate schedules with the rest of the vendors.
- Do at least one rehearsal (even an informal one).
And most importantly: enjoy the process. Planning is also part of the memory.
Conclusion
A civil wedding can be everything you imagine and more. All it takes is surrounding yourselves with good ideas, good professionals, and plenty of intention. Because what really matters is not following a perfect script, but creating one that makes sense to you.
At UAUU, we’ve been helping couples shape their “I do” for years, with personality and emotion. If you’re starting to picture your wedding, we’ll be delighted to accompany you along the way.