SA Wedding Guide

Winter is leaping upon us and I desperately needed something to warm me up. As I stirred my cup of hot chocolate I was inspired to put together an Ivory and Chocolate Inspiration Board for those autumn, winter or woodland themed weddings.

On 30 November 2006, South Africa made world headlines when it became the fifth country in the world (and the first in Africa) to legalise marriage between two people of the same sex under the Civil Union Act.

South Africa has become an enormously sought-after location for gay marriages for reasons that include some of the most enviable venues, scenery and beaches in the world.

What is the Civil Union Act?

This is the law that now provides for legal recognition of marriages and civil partnerships, collectively referred to as civil unions, between two persons regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

What does the Civil Union Act provide to lesbian, gay and transgender couples?

• A couple has a choice to have their relationship legally registered as a marriage or a civil partnership.
• A couple will get a certificate that indicates that they have either entered into a marriage or a civil partnership, depending on their choice. Described as a registration certificate, the certificate indicates registration under this Act and is not a marriage certificate under the Marriage Act. The certificate will serve as a legal proof that the two partners are married or civil partnered under this Act.
• All the legal and material benefits and responsibilities that flow from marriages concluded under the Marriage Act of 1961 will also apply to marriages or civil partnerships concluded under the Civil Union Act (hereafter referred to as “the Act”).

Who qualifies to get married or civil partnered under this Act?

• Any unmarried person who is over the age of 18 years
• Any person who has been married before and has proof of divorce or a death certificate of his or her deceased spouse
• A foreign national with a valid ID or passport

Who does not qualify to get married or civil partnered under this Act?

• Any person who is already married or civil partnered under this Act.
• Any person who is currently married under the Marriage Act of 1961 or the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998.

Will the marriage or civil partnership under this Act be recognized outside of South Africa?

• The recognition of marriage and civil partnership under this Act will only be recognized outside of South Africa in countries that have a civil union or same sex marriage with similar provisions as in South Africa.
• Each country would have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Marriages under this Act are more likely to be recognized as marriages abroad, with civil partnerships more likely to attract only civil union (less than marriage in many countries) status.
• The marriages and civil partnerships under this Act will not be recognized in countries where homosexuality is still penalized by law.

Where can couples get married in terms of this Act?

• Any public office, including the department of home affairs and magistrates court in your area.
• Any private dwelling, including your house.
• Any other place that is used for the purposes of marriages or civil partnerships.
• In case of illness, bodily injuries and other physical limitations, the marriage officer may use any other suitable place to marry couples.

What documents do you need to be able to enter into a marriage or civil partnership?

• Identity Document.
• Affidavit (when you don’t have an ID or passport) confirming your identification.
• Application forms specific to the Civil Union Act. These are obtainable from your nearest Department of Home Affairs.
• Divorce decree or death certificate of your deceased spouse, if you were married before.
• Two witnesses will be required in order to conduct a marriage or civil partnership.

Provisions for marriage officers
It is important to note that not all marriage officers in terms of the Marriage Act have to marry same-sex couples. If the marriage officer has an objection of conscience, belief or religion to marrying same-sex couples, he/she has to write to the government after which he/she will be granted exemption from having to perform such marriages.
A marriage officer in terms of the Civil Union Act will not be exempted from performing same-sex marriages.

Who can conduct marriages and/or civil partnerships under this Act?

• Any civil marriage officer (e.g. Magistrate; selected government officials and diplomats; special justice of the peace) recognised by the Marriage Act are automatically entitled to conduct marriages and civil partnerships under the Act.
• Any minister of religion who has been granted authorization by the Minister and where the religious organization or denomination has also been granted permission by the Minister. This permission must be granted in writing, allowing the minister of religion and the denomination or organization to conduct marriages and/or civil partnerships under the Civil Union Act.

Important information for ministers of religion who want to be marriage officers under this Act

• Apply immediately to the Minister of Home Affairs to have your religious organization or denomination designated as an accredited marriage institution in terms of this Act.
• Then as an individual religious minister, you will be required to make an application to marry under this Act, after your denomination has made an application.
• Once you have applied, follow up with the Minister to get a written commitment from her office. It may take time before your application is approved. Even if you are registered to conduct marriages under the Marriage Act, you cannot conduct same sex marriages under the Civil Union Act until permission is granted by the Minister.
• You could also refer couples wishing to marry under this Act to a civil marriage officer that you know has a permit to conduct marriages and/or civil partnerships in terms of the Marriages Act or the Civil Union Act.

Who cannot conduct marriages and /or civil partnerships under this Act?

• Any marriage officer that works for government and has been exempted in writing by the Minister from conducting marriages and civil partnerships on the basis that it is against his/her religion, belief and conscience.
• Any minister of religion that has not been granted permission in writing from the Minister to conduct marriages and/or civil partnerships under this Act. Such a person would have applied to the Minister after his or her denomination or organisation had been designated under this Act (see point 4 above).

More brides are opting for the beach wedding. Getting married on a beach is extremely romantic, fun and different. South Africa’s beaches are renowned for their beauty and cleanliness. One of the most frequently asked questions to me is “Can I get married on a beach in South Africa?”.
The answer…. Yes!!

There are a few things for you to take into consideration when planning a beach wedding.

• In order to marry on a public beach you will need to obtain a permit from the relevant City Council. It usually take at least one week to be issued. The permit cost is between R300.00 – R6000.00 depending of the beach, size of the group and complexity of the function. Many wedding planners and organisers can obtain this permit for you.
• Having a permit to be married on a public beach does not guarantee exclusivity. Your wedding service is open to passers-by.
• From October to December Cape Town can experience very strong winds. The ideal months for a beach wedding are between January and March.
• Before choosing the time to be married, check if the tide will be in or out.
• Be sure to check what time the sun sets.
• You will need a plan “B” in the event of wet weather.
• If possible, visit the beach or have someone visit the beach for you to assess accessability including parking areas (some beaches have small access roads which will not be easy with a limo), decide where exactly on the beach to have the ceremony and proximity to the toilets. You don’t want to be too close to the toilets or too far.
• You will need to do the legal signing of the register indoors, that is, a room or venue after the ceremony. Your minister, marriage officer or wedding planner will be able to provide more information on this.
• Choose a photographer who has done beach weddings. There is a lot of sunlight and glare for them to have to account for.

Having said all that, most of the beach weddings go off without any problems, and the couples and their guests love them. So with proper planning, your beach wedding can be a reality.

Wedding Favours are the perfect way to say thank you to your guests for sharing your special day. If you’re looking for something different, something you haven’t seen before, something fresh, new and unique for your wedding favours then
BuyWeddingFavorsOnline.com is a great place to start looking.

They have a large variety of favours for every taste and theme. If you’re concerned with the enviroment then why not choose green wedding favours that your guests can plant in their gardens and treasure for years to come.

[Visit Website]

DIY Wedding Ideas:

If you have the desire to produce something unique on your wedding day this DIY wedding dessert buffet might be the perfect answer.

With just a little effort you can add something that is not only unique and beautiful, but also inexpensive to your wedding menu.

This dessert buffet may look incredibly detailed but the guys at inspiredbride.net have broken this arrangement down into more manageable pieces, to help you reproduce something similar.

[Visit Website]

October sees the 10 anniversary of the FAB Bridal Expo. The Spring FAB Bridal Expo, the second of two annual shows, is taking place on the 24 & 25 October 2009 at the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC).

Visitors can not only look forward to some interesting and fresh changes to the exhibits but also a fashion ramp, which will be showing off the latest in European Bridal style.

Also visitors will have a chance to enter a competition to win a diamond wedding band and gents titanium ring to the value of R7,000 courtesy of Linde Collection.

DETAILS:
Dates: 24 – 25 Oct 2009
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
Admission: R65.00
Opening Times: 9am- 5:30pm (Sat) 9am – 5pm (Sun)

Tickets can be purchased at the door.

For more information:
www.thepromo.co.za

Do we have to get blood tests before we are married?
No. Blood tests are not a legal requirement in South Africa.

Do we need to get a marriage licence before we are married?
There is no such thing as a marriage licence in South Africa.

Do my witnesses have to be South African and in the country for a set period of time before the wedding?
Your witnesses can be of any nationality and has no legal requirement to be in the country for any length of time prior to the wedding. The only legal requirements are that they witness the wedding (obviously), are 16 years or older and have a copy of proof of identification i.e: copy of identity document or passport.

Do my fiance/fiancee and I need to be in South Africa for any length of time before the wedding?
No, there is no legal requirement for either or both of you to be in South Africa before the wedding but it is advisable that you arrive a couple of days prior to the wedding, to meet your marriage officer and sort out the legal stuff.

Do I have to get married indoors or under a roof?
If you wish to be married outdoors, you are required by South African law to repeat the legal part (the signing of the register) in a venue specified by South African Law, namely ” . . .in a church or other building used for religious services or in a public office (i.e. a Government office) or in a private dwelling house.”Your marriage officer/wedding co-ordinator will be able to advise you on the best way to combine the legal requirements and your specific venue and wedding.

Can I get married on any day and at any time?
South African law has no restrictions on day or time i.e: Monday-Sunday, 24/7, 365 days

Can I keep my maiden/current surname after the ceremony?
South Africa law states that a bride can: 1) keep her maiden name, 2) change here surname to that of her new husband, 3) join her name to that of her new husband or 4) keep a surname she has legally obtained previously. All you have to do is inform your Marriage Officer of your preference and he/she will make the necessary arrangements.

Are Muslim & Hindu Marriages Legal in South Africa
Muslim and Hindu marriages can be polygamous, which means the man can have more than one wife. It is therefore not recognised by South African law.
However, if the couple marry according to both their religious rituals and in accordance with the civil requirements, their marriage will be legally recognised. But, this means that the husband will not be able to take another wife as this is in conflict with civil law.

How can I find out if my marriage was registered in South Africa?
If you or your husband has a South African ID Number you can visit the following website (http://home-affairs.pwv.gov.za/status/marital_status.asp) to check online if your marriage was registered.
If neither of you are/were South African Citizens, you’ll need to either contact the marriage officer who married you or you’ll need to contact the Department of Home Affairs by phone where you marriage would have been registered.

How can I obtain a copy of my marriage certificate?
On the day of your wedding, your marriage officer must issue you with an Abridged Marriage Certificate free of charge.
Once your marriage has been registered, you may apply for any of the following at any time:
1) An abridged certificate
2) An unabridged certificate
3) A vault copy (i.e.: a certified copy of the original register)
You can apply for them at either (within South Africa) your nearest Department Home Affairs or (Internationally) nearest South African Embassy.
All you will need is to downloand and fill in the following form: Form BI-130.

PREVIOUSLY RELATED ARTICLES:
Legal Requirements for Weddings in South Africa

The music at your wedding is, like almost everything else, a very important part of the wedding. It will either be loved or hated and make or break the mood of the day.

If you’re looking to give your wedding the ultimate romantic touch, then having a harpist play at your ceremony and/or your reception is for you.
Most, if not all, harpist can play anything from classical traditional music to your favourite songs.

I’ve been to a couple of weddings (and had one at my own wedding) where there have been harpists and they were extremely romantic, beautiful and the theme and deco was well complimented by the soft background music of the harp.

If you’re still undecided, why not find a harpist nearest you or your wedding location and make an appointment to listen to some samples. You could also use the web to find some sample harp music online.
Here’s one site I used when searching for harp music:
Heavenly Harpist

Hello and congratulations on your engagement! My name is Stephen Nicholson and I am a Uniting Presbyterian Minister. Having conducted numerous weddings in my ten year career it would be a pleasure to be a part of your special day, no matter what your religious background.

I love adventure and am willing (within reason) to conduct your ceremony almost anywhere, whether in a church, up the mountain, on a wine estate, or jumping from a plane!

Don’t be worried about the legal proceedings and documentation; I will lead you painlessly through the entire process.

If you’re looking for a wedding venue in the heart of the Cape Winelands, look no further than Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa. This Cape Dutch style hotel with unequalled views of the spectacular Franshhoek Moutains offers a unique and discerning venue for your special day.

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