SYMBOLIC MARRIAGE – THE ART OF PROMISING, BEYOND THE PAPERWORK

There's a moment on your wedding day when time stops: hands reach for each other, voices lower, and an invisible thread connects two gazes. It's the moment when a promise becomes a story. A symbolic wedding was created precisely to give shape—and heart—to that moment: a free, authentic, and tailor-made ceremony, capable of telling your love story with words, gestures, music, and symbols that truly represent you.

WHAT IS A SYMBOLIC MARRIAGE?

A symbolic wedding is a personalized celebration of the union between two people, devoid of legal consequences but rich in emotional and spiritual meaning. It's the perfect choice for those seeking an intimate, poetic ceremony, completely free from conventions and protocols. It can take place anywhere: in a flower-filled garden, on a beach, in a historic villa, or among the rows of a vineyard. There are no rigid rules: the ceremony can include readings, personal vows, live music, the involvement of family and friends, or symbolic rituals such as the sand , the union candle , the handfasting ritual , or the ring warming . Every detail stems from your experience and the emotions you wish to convey.

WHY IS IT SO EXCITING?

Because it's yours . In the symbolic ceremony, you aren't spectators to a predefined script, but protagonists in a story written in your own words. You can recount your journey, include anecdotes, read letters, and let those who have been close to you speak. It's a moment of pure authenticity, where every gesture has value and every word carries weight. It's also the most inclusive form of ceremony: it embraces cultural differences, different languages, extended families, children, and beliefs of all kinds. The symbolic wedding has no boundaries, because it speaks a universal language: that of love.

THE BUREAUCRATIC PART: WHAT TO DO FIRST

Since a symbolic marriage has no legal value , it is necessary to celebrate first (or even on the same day) a civil or religious marriage with civil effects , to make the union official before the State.

Here are the basic steps:

1. Marriage banns are requested from the municipality where one of the future spouses resides. They remain posted for eight days , plus three days for any objections. From the fourth day following , the marriage can be celebrated within 180 days .

2. Witnesses At least two are required (one for each spouse), both adults and with a valid document.

3. Choice of property regime During the civil or religious ceremony, you can choose between community of property or separation of property . Unless otherwise specified, community of property applies by law.

4. Couples of different nationalities: A nulla osta or equivalent document from the country of origin certifying that there are no impediments to the marriage is required.

5. Authorized location: If you wish to have a civil wedding outside of the Town Hall, the venue must be recognized by the Municipality as a town hall . Only then will the Civil Registrar be able to perform the legal ceremony. A symbolic wedding, however, can be performed anywhere, without any restrictions.

HOW A PERFECT SYMBOLIC CEREMONY IS BORN

• The concept: Everything starts with an idea, with three key words that represent your essence—for example , intimacy, light, roots . These will guide the choice of lyrics, music, colors, and scenography.

• The narrator The celebrant, or celebrant , is the figure who gives rhythm and harmony to the entire ceremony. This can be an experienced professional or a loved one, trained and guided in the role with care and sensitivity.

• The symbolic ritual : Choose one that makes sense to you: pouring two sands into a vase, lighting a candle together, weaving a ribbon that joins your hands, or warming the rings between your guests' hands. The important thing is that it authentically represents your union.

• The ideal schedule – Entrance and opening music – Telling your story – Selected interventions (short and heartfelt) – Personal promises – Exchange of rings and symbolic ritual – Final declaration and kiss

• Perfect duration: between 20 and 30 minutes. Equal amounts of intensity and delicacy.

• Music: Three songs are enough to punctuate the most significant moments: one for the entrance, one for the promises, one for the conclusion. Live performances are best, to amplify the emotion.

• Involving Guests A gesture like ring warming —passing the rings around the wedding ring so everyone can share a positive thought—creates a deep, engaging bond, making everyone part of your union.

SYMBOLIC AND LEGAL ON THE SAME DAY

Many couples choose to celebrate the streamlined civil ceremony first, followed by the more dramatic and personal symbolic ceremony , even in the same location. This is possible, provided the location is authorized as a town hall and the Civil Registrar (or a municipal delegate) is present. This combines legal validity with the emotional power of the symbol, creating a complete and unforgettable experience.

IN A SENTENCE

A symbolic wedding is the tailor-made dress of your vows: no imposed rules, just pure emotion. It's the opportunity to say "I do" in the most authentic and poetic way possible, in front of the people you love, in the place you feel is yours.

FROM ME... FOR YOU

I specialize in symbolic and civil ceremonies in authorized venues , which I consider the pinnacle of emotion in every wedding. I rely on a network of professional celebrants, including multilingual ones , trained and capable of expressing your story with sensitivity and style. I can also guide friends or relatives who wish to officiate at your ceremony, helping them to do so in the most elegant and natural way possible. And, if you wish, I can also organize the legal aspects with the same style and emotional direction, provided the venue is authorized by the Municipality.

My goal is only one: to transform your promise into an experience that will remain in your heart forever.