Do I receive a wedding certificate?
Yes, you do receive a wedding certificate on your wedding day.
It’s a keepsake document and it’s printed with the location of your wedding, your full names, your witnesses names and the date of your wedding. Typically during the “signing” part of your ceremony, you and your partner will sign the certificate, alongside your two witnesses.
Signing your wedding certificate
Most people do this part within their ceremony but there are no rules to say you can’t do this after your ceremony as an alternative.
This is also a fabulous time to take a moment with each other, to sit down and breathe, to have a chat, and a laugh. It’s great to have some music playing whilst you are signing the wedding certificate to enhance the atmosphere and to signify that the ceremony isn’t over just yet.
We just need to coordinate with the DJ that your favourite song or music is played. During or after the official “signing” is the perfect photo opportunity to capture the moment with your witnesses.
What name do you use to sign the certificate?
On the actual day of the ceremony, you sign your wedding certificate with the same name/signature that you used in all the pre-ceremony paperwork.
So if your name was Ms Clair Waston and you were planning to take your partner’s name after marriage – you would still sign the marriage certificate as Ms Clair Watson.
A renewal of vows certificate
For a married couple to reaffirm their commitment to each other, I can alter the words in the certificate to read: “Renewal Of Vows”. The same as for the newlyweds, the couple can bring in their witnesses who will sign the certificate alongside you.
Is the ceremonial wedding certificate legal?
The ceremonial wedding certificate given to you during your wedding in Crete by the celebrant is not official. You cannot use it to prove your relationship.
Witnesses signing the certificate
The certificate allows for a maximum of 4 people to sign alongside the Groom’s and Bride’s signature. Although this is a ceremonial wedding ceremony, the signing of the wedding certificate is still an important moment in the ceremony. The certificate is the lasting proof that you are both married in Crete.
Wedding certificate tip
I’m sure you agree that no one wants to lose their wedding certificate! So here’s a tip, if your wedding is at a venue and then moving to a different venue for your reception it’s a really good idea to nominate a trusted person to take care of your wedding certificate. Let me know who that person is so that I can pass on this important document before he leaves.
This might be a parent or a family member or a friend who has a car at the ceremony. Or someone who has a special bag to put important “things” into. Doing this ensures that everyone knows exactly where your wedding certificate is and eliminates any panic and confusion the next day. Your wedding certificate is safe and sound.
Read more about your wedding certificate on the Service page.