Civil Wedding Programme in Poland

hi guys. dzien dobre.

does anybody know how the civil wedding programme runs like? i'd really really appreciate it if you could send me the details, such as, the questions that the judge/court staff asks, what he says and what the groom and bride should say or answer.

dziekuje bardzo.

This is what I remember from attending a few civil marriage ceremonies in Poland over the years. Naturally there are bureaucratic preparations with which I am not familiar so this is only about the ceremony itself.

In generally it is a kind of pseudo-religious affair. Attempt are made to give it a solemn, festive air. So in big cities the USC Civil Registrar's Office) is often in a renovated palace (confiscated by the former commie regime from its rightful owners) with marble columns, fancy mirrors, paintings, statues, etc. There are flowers and recorded organ music. Instead of vestments worn by priests the registrar wears a toga and a chain with the Polish eagle on and stands behind a table at the front of the wedding hall. There are two chairs in front of them for the bride and groom, maybe four if the 2 witnesses are included. The b&g are asked to identify themselves with their identity cards and then the registrar asks them whether they have voluntarily agreed to enter the estate of matrimony. They say "tak" and sign some paper. I don’t recall if the registrar gives his little “sermon” about the importance of marriage before or after that. Probably before. The marriage is concluded when he/she says something like: By the power invested me by the Republic of Poland, I hereby proclaim you man and wife. Family and friends congratulate the newly weds and some USC premises have a hospitality room for a champagne toast.

The vows are these:


Just to add to the above description. It does not have to be fancy if you don't want it to be. It can be a 10 min. affair with only your two witnesses and you're off to the Bahamas :)

dziekuje bardzo polonius. again.

i was hoping to get information on the exact things that the registrar would say =(

anyway, thank you 1jola. i appreciate the effort =)

Sylvia,

The registrar only asks if they are decided to go on with the vows. Then they say the vows. You can see it here:

and a longer version here:

youtube.com/watch?v=50heK_MqpNk&feature=related