Civil wedding ceremonies
A full ceremony and a legal marriage, all on the same day. No follow-up paperwork, no Home Affairs visits. The celebration is the registration.
- 5 000+ ceremonies officiated
- Licensed marriage officers
- Johannesburg and Pretoria specialists
- Couples from across South Africa
What is a civil wedding?
A civil wedding is a legally recognised marriage ceremony conducted by a licensed marriage officer. It is the most complete wedding ceremony available in South Africa — you celebrate with your guests and you leave legally married. There is no separate visit to Home Affairs, no follow-up paperwork, and no second ceremony required.
The legal requirements for a civil wedding in South Africa are straightforward: both parties must be present, two adult witnesses with valid identity documents must attend, and a licensed marriage officer must officiate and sign the DHA-24 register. We handle the register. You focus on the ceremony.
The ceremony itself
A civil wedding can look like anything. It can be held at a venue, in a garden, on a wine farm, in a restaurant, or at a private home. It can include vows you have written yourselves, readings from people you love, music that matters to you, and cultural elements that reflect who you are. The legal requirements do not constrain the ceremony — they simply define what needs to happen within it.
We have officiated over 5 000 ceremonies. We know the difference between a ceremony that merely covers the requirements and one that actually moves people. We work toward the latter, every time.
What makes a civil wedding different from other options?
A civil wedding is distinct from a symbolic ceremony in that it creates a legal marriage on the day. If you want guests, a real celebration, and to leave legally married — a civil wedding is the right choice.
An elopement is also a legal ceremony, but typically involves only the two of you and your witnesses — no guests. A micro-wedding is a civil wedding scaled for 10–30 guests.
Documents you need
Both parties need valid South African identity documents (or passports for foreign nationals) and two adult witnesses with valid ID. If either party has been previously married, additional documents are required.
See the full documents checklist before your consultation. If either of you is a foreign national, read our guide on foreigners marrying in South Africa — additional paperwork applies and needs to be arranged ahead of time.
Common questions about civil weddings
Can we write our own vows for a civil wedding?
Yes. South African law requires that a specific declaration of consent be made by both parties during the ceremony, but you can write everything else around it. We will guide you on what is legally required and help you build the rest of the ceremony from your own words and ideas.
How many guests can we have?
There is no legal limit on guest numbers for a civil wedding. The practical limit is determined by your venue. If you want something smaller and more intimate, consider a micro-wedding or an elopement.
Where can we have the ceremony?
Anywhere we can travel to with the register. We work across Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the greater Gauteng area. Garden weddings, venue weddings, destination weddings within Gauteng — all are possible.
What happens after the ceremony with the paperwork?
We complete and sign the DHA-24 register on the day. Both parties and the two witnesses also sign. We then submit the register to the Department of Home Affairs. Your marriage is legally valid from the moment of signing.
What's included
- Initial consultation to understand your vision and verify documents
- Custom ceremony script written around you as a couple
- Licensed marriage officer for the full duration of the ceremony
- Completion and submission of the DHA-24 marriage register
- Vow guidance and example wording
- Guidance on ceremony structure, music, and readings
- Pre-ceremony run-through and day-of coordination
- Two witnesses can be arranged if needed
Ready to plan your civil wedding?
Tell us your date, your venue, and what kind of ceremony you have in mind. We will help you take it from there.