While church weddings are usually set in churches with vicars, a civil ceremony is set in a non-religious setting with registrars. This doesn't mean it's not a proper marriage, it's still completely legal and you have a marriage certificate and everything else. There's just no religious involvement at all. 

Please remember that you require a Nova Scotia Marriage License in order to be married in Nova Scotia. If you reside in HRM,  you may go to any of the following locations:

Halifax

Halifax Access Nova Scotia Centre – 300 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Bayers Lake Business Park

Maritime Centre – 1505 Barrington Street, 9th Floor North (902) 424-4381 (to make am appointment)

Dartmouth

Dartmouth Access Nova Scotia Centre – 250 Baker Drive, Suite 134, Russell Lake West

Sackville

Sackville Access Nova Scotia Centre – 486 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville

Parties to the intended marriage must apply in person to a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences in their community. Find a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences:   

Find a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences

Eloping is great for couples that value experience over a big wedding or would rather put their money toward something that is more important. Most couples that choose to elope crave a day that reflects their relationship. They are couples that value a true experience they can remember forever.

So, if you are planning an out of country wedding and want to take care of the legal paperwork in advance, if you need a marriage certificate for legal reasons, or if you just want to be legally married in a brief ceremony in front of two witnesses ( and yes, we can provide the witnesses and location).

Vow renewals are a celebration of a marriage, a relationship and a life lived together. Often linked to big moments in a couple's life, vow renewal ceremonies offer the opportunity to re-affirm the commitments made on the wedding day and to look ahead to a bright future together.