Can You Have a Non-Religious Wedding in Virginia?
When planning your wedding, one of the most personal choices you’ll make is the type of ceremony that reflects your love and values. If you and your partner prefer a wedding that is not tied to religious traditions, you may be wondering: Can you have a non-religious wedding in Virginia? The answer is absolutely yes! A nonreligious wedding in Virginia allows couples to create a ceremony that is meaningful and personal without any religious affiliation.
Legal Requirements for Marriage in Virginia
Virginia has straightforward requirements for legal marriage, and religion does not play a role in these laws. To be legally married in Virginia, you must:
Obtain a marriage license from any Virginia Circuit Court Clerk’s office.
Have your wedding officiated by an authorized officiant. This includes judges, court-appointed civil celebrants, and registered officiants, such as professional celebrants like myself.
Have your officiant sign the marriage license and return it to the issuing clerk’s office.
Choosing a Non-Religious Ceremony
A nonreligious wedding officiant can help craft a ceremony that is as meaningful and heartfelt as any other. The key is making it personal and reflective of your love story. Here are some elements to consider:
1. The Officiant
Choosing the right officiant is crucial for setting the tone of your ceremony. As a professional celebrant and humanist, I specialize in creating custom, nonreligious wedding scripts that highlight your unique relationship, values, and vision for marriage. Humanism is rooted in the belief that we can create meaningful, ethical, and fulfilling lives guided by reason, compassion, and a deep respect for one another. A humanist ceremony is centered on the couple, their love, and their commitment to building a shared life based on mutual support and understanding.
2. The Ceremony Script
Unlike religious ceremonies that follow specific traditions and texts, a civil wedding ceremony is entirely customizable. You can include:
Personal vows
Readings from poetry, literature, or meaningful speeches
Unity rituals such as a handfasting, cocktail/toasts, or something custom-made
Involvement of family and friends in special roles
3. Location Flexibility
Virginia offers a variety of beautiful settings for your nonreligious wedding. Whether you dream of an outdoor ceremony in a scenic park, a historic estate, or even an intimate backyard gathering, you can choose any location that fits your vision. There are no restrictions requiring weddings to be held in religious venues.
Common Myths About Non-Religious Weddings
There are a few misconceptions about nonreligious weddings in Virginia that are important to clear up:
Myth: You need a church or religious leader to officiate. Not true! Professional officiants like myself are legally authorized to conduct civil wedding ceremonies without any religious affiliation. My authorization is due to the fact that I am endorsed through the Humanist Society.
Myth: Non-religious weddings are impersonal. In reality, they can be deeply personal and even more meaningful since they are fully customized to reflect your relationship.
Myth: You can’t include traditional elements. You can still incorporate elements like rings, vows, or cultural traditions without religious connotations.
Why Choose a Non-Religious Wedding?
Couples opt for a nonreligious wedding ceremony for many reasons, including:
Having different religious or cultural backgrounds
Identifying as secular or atheist
Wanting a fully personalized civil wedding ceremony without traditional constraints
Simply preferring a ceremony that focuses on love, commitment, and partnership rather than religious doctrine
Valuing humanist principles that celebrate reason, compassion, and shared human experience
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering a nonreligious wedding in Virginia, rest assured that you have the freedom to create a ceremony that is legally recognized, deeply personal, and reflective of your love. As a nonreligious wedding officiant and humanist, I’m here to help craft and officiate a ceremony that feels right for you—one that tells your story in a way that is heartfelt, inclusive, and memorable.
If you’d like to learn more or start planning your civil wedding ceremony, contact me at Sincerely Pete to discuss how we can make your special day uniquely yours!