When you start planning your wedding, one of the first questions is:
“Is it better to get married in a church or to have a civil ceremony in a special location?”
The answer isn’t the same for everyone: it depends on who you are, what you dream of, and the kind of atmosphere you want to create.
As destination wedding videographers, we’ve had the privilege of filming both types of ceremonies in stunning settings, from historic cathedrals to ancient olive groves. In this article, we’ll help you understand what distinguishes each choice — so you can find the one closest to your heart.
✨ Religious Ceremony in a Church: Solemnity, Tradition, and Spirituality
Choosing a religious ceremony, especially Catholic, means getting married in a sacred place with strong symbolic and spiritual meaning.
✅ Advantages:
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A majestic and historic setting (basilicas, cathedrals, ancient churches)
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A ceremony full of deep emotions and significance
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Perfect for those who want a traditional wedding or share the same faith
🎥 For the video:
Italian churches offer unique lighting effects, intense silences, and mystical atmospheres — perfect for a poetic film. The moments during the liturgy (exchange of rings, blessing, hymns) are rich with emotional impact.
⚠️ Things to consider:
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Schedules and liturgies are often fixed and less customizable
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Church permission is needed (especially for foreign couples)
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Some churches have restrictions on filming and camera placement
🌿 Civil or Symbolic Ceremony in a Location: Freedom, Intimacy, and Scenery
A civil ceremony in a location (legally valid if authorized) or a symbolic ceremony allows for a personalized celebration, outdoors or in spaces with a strong visual impact: masserie (farmhouses), terraces overlooking the sea, gardens, vineyards…
✅ Advantages:
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Maximum flexibility on timing, texts, and music
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The chance to choose a place meaningful to the couple
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A shorter, smoother ceremony, ideal also for international guests
🎥 For the video:
These ceremonies often take place during the golden hour, with warm natural light, intimate emotions, and breathtaking backdrops. Ideal for a cinematic video with a spontaneous, modern style.
⚠️ Things to consider:
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Check if the location is authorized for legal civil ceremonies (otherwise it’s symbolic only)
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Have a backup plan in case of bad weather
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Lacks the “sacred” structure, which some find essential
❤️ How to Truly Choose What’s Right for You
There’s no right or wrong choice — only the one that really represents you.
Here are some questions to help you decide:
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Is your wedding also an act of faith?
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Do you feel moved by the idea of an ancient altar, or would you prefer a sunset by the sea?
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Would you like to write your own vows?
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Are you dreaming of an intimate and free moment, or a solemn and shared one?
🎥 Our advice as videographers? Follow the light and your soul.
In every ceremony, what makes the video unique is the truth of your emotions.
Whether it’s the echo of a Romanesque church or the wind among the olive trees, we’re there to capture the looks, the tears, the smiles.
The rest… is poetry.
📽️ If you want advice on how to tailor your video to the type of ceremony, or want to see real examples, contact us: we’d love to help you tell your story, whatever your beginning may be.