If you are not sure whether you should be married in a church or go to a justice of the peace, then read on for some suggestions that can help make this decision easier.
If you and your beloved are religious, then most likely you are going to want to opt for a wedding in a church, which will allow you to feel the presence of God when you exchange your vows.
The justice of the peace is a good option for couples who are not very religious or for those who do not attend church on a regular basis. The justice of the peace (JP) is also an appropriate choice if you do not have the time, energy or resources to plan a big wedding and reception with all the trimmings.
If you are in a hurry to marry, then a justice of the peace wedding can make it official as soon as possible. On the other hand, you may be a person of faith who for any number of reasons is not able to get married in the church of your choice and, therefore, visiting a justice of the peace and having a civil ceremony might be the most appropriate choice for you.
A JP sits as a judge in the Justice of the Peace Court. However, it is worth noting that a justice of the peace does not have to be an attorney. This officer of the court has some, but not all of the powers, that are given to a judge of the higher courts.
Couples who wish to wed in a civil ceremony can visit a JP to take their vows. Two witnesses are all that is required for a justice of the peace wedding. However, if you wish to have a few more guests than that, that is perfectly acceptable.
A wedding performed by a JP may not be as fancy as a church wedding, but you can do everything you can to make it as meaningful as possible if you choose to take this route for your special day.
Church weddings on the other hand offer a level of intimacy, elegance and tradition that a JP wedding does not. If walking down the aisle in a beautiful wedding gown and hearing church bells is what you want most in the world then a church wedding is what you should be planning.
