A civil union between two people whether religious or otherwise is commonly called a wedding. Marriage is still a legal contract despite the religious background, and the legal act of marriage only occurs once the signing a marriage license or other legal document is complete. The religious ceremony (if you have one) may mean that you're married according to your religion or culture, but you won't be recognized as married - i.e. as husband and wife - under the law until you have completed the legal requirements.

Church Ceremonies

Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Although it may seem like the world has turned away from the Christian religion generally, it has not stopped the popularity of a Church ceremony complete with wedding ceremony music. White weddings may be quite normal for those of us that live in the United States, UK, Ireland and the Commonwealth but they are not always pracised worldwide amongst Christian faiths.

Twin Ceremonies

A different type occasion often difficult to arrange is where two couples are married simultaneously, usually called a double wedding. If twins or two sisters or two brothers happen to be considering marriage at around the same time, they may consider a double wedding, particularly if they are close. It can also save some money, of course, since many of the guests would be invited to both weddings if they occurred separately. And of course, there's only one set of wedding ceremony decorations, and wedding ceremony music to arrange (unless the couples have consecutive ceremonies rather than simultaneous, in which case the wedding ceremony music can be different).

Destination Weddings

Marriages in foreign countries are called destination weddings where guests can arrive either just before the ceremony or actually travel with the couple; it doesn't matter exactly where you travel to, whether it is in Egypt or just to Las Vegas it will still be considered a destination wedding. Wedding ceremony music can be, and usually is, a part of a destination wedding, alhtough wedding ceremony decorations may need to be used sparingly, or you may not get a choice on the types of wedding ceremony decorations you have, or perhaps you can choose a venue with the particular wedding ceremony decorations you's like (this is particularly so in places like Las Vegas, where wedding venues abound.

Weekend Break Weddings

A weekend wedding is where couples and their guests celebrate over the course of a weekend. Special activities, such as spa treatments and golf tournaments, are scheduled into the itinerary for guests' enjoyment throughout the weekend. Accommodation for these is normally arranged at the place where the service is going to take place and where the other events are also being held. Wedding ceremony music, wedding ceremony decorations and wedding ceremony readings may certainly form part of a weekend wedding, just a they would with any type of wedding.

An Online Wedding Ceremony

Although it has not really caught on yet, a few bold and different people have decided to tie the knot online but it may be sometime before this style of wedding really becomes more popular; internet based specialists are already available to help organize your ceremony. Marriages that are broadcast live online are also referred to as online weddings.

Civil Wedding Ceremony

Local civil authority services are called civil weddings as they do not take place in a church and must be performed by a locally elected or appointed official. For people that elect this type of ceremony it is not important to them if God or religion is referred to in such a brief service. Many civil ceremonies take place in local town or city halls or courthouses in judge's chambers, and wedding ceremony music is unlikely to be present, or if it is it will certainly be kept to a minimum. Wedding ceremony readings will similarly need to be kept extremely short, and wedding ceremony decorations may also be absent.