Civil vs church wedding – what's the difference and which suits you best?

Saying yes to each other is one of life's biggest moments – and choosing a wedding venue is often the first decision you need to make together. Should it be a civil wedding or a church wedding? What does it really mean, what are the differences, and what do you need to consider when planning your big day?

In this guide, we'll explain what distinguishes a civil wedding from a church wedding, what you need to get married, and what might be good to keep in mind – regardless of which one you choose.

What is a civil wedding?

A civil wedding is a non-religious ceremony performed by a marriage officer appointed by the municipality or the County Administrative Board. It is legally binding and can take place in a variety of locations – from the city hall to a castle, a beach or your own garden.

Advantages of a civil wedding:

• Flexibility: You can choose the location, time and design yourself.
• Shorter ceremony: The act itself often only takes 5–10 minutes.
• Non-religious: Suitable for those of you who are not believers or belong to different faiths.
• No membership fee: You do not need to be a member of the Church of Sweden.

Things to consider:

• Book a wedding officiant well in advance.
• Some municipalities offer free weddings, others charge a fee if you want to get married outside of city hall or office hours.
• You need an impediment assessment from the Swedish Tax Agency before the wedding.

What is a church wedding?

A church wedding takes place in a church and is a religious ceremony where you are blessed by God. In Sweden, it is most common to have a wedding within the Church of Sweden, but there are also other denominations. Even a church wedding is legally valid if it is performed by a qualified priest.

Advantages of a church wedding:

• Tradition and symbolism: Many couples dream of church bells, organ music, and the spiritual dimension.
• Ceremonial setting: The wedding ceremony is often framed with music, prayers, Bible readings, and vows.
• Personal content: The priest often gets to know you beforehand, which makes the wedding more personal.

Things to consider:

• At least one of you must be a member of the Church of Sweden.
• You need to book both the church and the priest well in advance.
• Obstacle testing is also required here.

Civil vs. church wedding – a comparison

Aspect	Civil marriage	Church wedding
Length of the ceremony	Short, often under 10 minutes	20–40 minutes
Place	Flexible, can be kept anywhere	Church or chapel
Religious character	No	Yes
Marriage officiant	Municipally appointed person	Priest in the Church of Sweden
Membership required	No	At least one must be a member
Adaptation	Very flexible	Partially flexible within the framework of church ritual

What do you need to get married?

Regardless of whether you choose a civil or church wedding, the following is required:

Obstacle test

Ordered from the Swedish Tax Agency and valid for four months. It shows that there are no legal obstacles to your marriage, for example, that you are not close relatives or already married.

Marriage certificate

After passing the obstacle test, you will also receive a marriage certificate, which you will hand over to the officiant or priest.

Two witnesses

Legal requirement for all weddings – both civil and church. Witnesses must be over 18 years of age.

How do you choose the right shape?

There is no right or wrong – the most important thing is that it feels right for you as a couple. Consider the following:

• Is religion important to any of you?
• Are you dreaming of a specific wedding theme or location?
• Do you want a quick and simple ceremony or something more grand?
• Are you a member of the Church of Sweden?

If you want to combine the best of both worlds, you can also choose to have a civil wedding first, and then a symbolic ceremony or blessing in front of friends and family.

Schalins – a symbol of love regardless of the wedding ceremony

No matter how you choose to say yes to each other, we at Schalins are here to create a ring that reflects your love. Our rings are handmade in Sweden and customized to your wishes – whether you dream of something classic, modern or unique.

Explore our selection of wedding rings for women &men here
Read more about how to choose the right ring in our guide to wedding rings.

Summary – what should you consider?

• Decide whether you want a religious or secular ceremony
• Book your wedding venue and officiant well in advance
• Arrange for a disability test and marriage certificate
• Choose two witnesses
• Consider what type of ring and ceremony best reflects your love.

The most important thing is that it feels genuine and right for you. And no matter which path you choose – we at Schalins are with you all the way, from proposal to wedding and long beyond.

Would you like help choosing the right wedding ring? Contact our customer service or make an appointment at a retailer near you.