The wedding registry office is often chosen by couples who want to register their marriage relatively quickly, simply and privately or in a small group of guests.

Although these ceremonies have an official feel, a registry office wedding can also be made personal and special.

Wedding ceremony in the registry office

Weddings at the registry office focus on the legal aspects of marriage, where the couple makes a vow of love to each other and receives a marriage license. Unlike traditional weddings, such an official ceremony requires very minimal planning - you need to submit an application in time and come to the official ceremony with witnesses. In addition, such a wedding is also significantly cheaper, because there is no need to set up and decorate the ceremony place , attract a master of ceremonies and cover other expenses.

Despite the advantages of such a wedding ceremony, couples still tend to hold an off-site ceremony in a specially chosen place or additionally give each other a promise of love in a symbolic ceremony, because the official marriage registration takes place in a standardized format. However, with a few personal touches, you can make a registry office wedding special and unique.

Add personal details to the wedding registry office

The wedding day is just for the two of you and even if you have chosen a simple wedding in the registry office, do not forget about your individuality. We offer ideas on how to make this day special.

• Exchange personal declarations of love and promises - even if you cannot change the text of the official ceremony, you can exchange them privately, in private.
• Choose wedding dresses that make you both feel special and festive - it can be both a traditional white wedding dress and a tuxedo, as well as modern and original holiday dresses.
• Exchange rings , which have sentimental value - order the rings according to a design made especially for you or have special symbols engraved on them, so that the specially thought-out rings will remind you of your wedding day.

• Invite a small number of guests for an intimate and pleasant ceremony. Invite your closest family and friends to witness your special day.
• After the official registration of the marriage, organize a small celebration - maybe a dinner in a restaurant or a festive picnic in the park. It will be an opportunity to share your emotions with the guests.
• Incorporate cultural or family traditions that are meaningful to you into your wedding day, even if it's just a simple symbolic gesture.
• Make a playlist of your favorite songs to play before and after the ceremony. It will evoke pleasant emotions and set you in the mood for the special day.

Have a wedding photo session

Hiring a professional photographer to capture your first moments of official married life will add special meaning to the day. The photographer will make sure that your emotions, the mood of the day and the details are captured beautifully.

It is important to choose a place for the newlywed photo session that evokes pleasant emotions in you and where you will get stunning photos. You can choose a place with which you have some personal memories or where a chapter of your love story took place. It can also be a place with a unique and special aesthetic, such as impressive architecture, gorgeous interiors or fabulous natural scenery.

Also think about personalized photo props - items with sentimental value or fun accessories. The photo session can also be combined with an activity - being active will result in natural and authentic photos.

Don't forget the flowers

Beautiful wedding floristry will also make weddings for registry offices elegant and gorgeous. We offer ways to use flowers to create a festive atmosphere in small and formal weddings.

• Start with the basics - the bride's bouquet and the groom's pin. Choose your favorite flowers, keeping in mind the seasonality and overall style in which you want to keep all your wedding day accessories.
• Beautiful flower decorations can complement a festive picnic or dinner in a restaurant. Check with the restaurant manager to see if you can bring flowers to add a special touch to your gala dinner.

• Don't give up on the wedding cake and decorate it with fresh flowers that match the bride's bouquet and other decorations. Even if you are not having a celebration, the wedding cake can be served immediately after the ceremony.
• Decorate the car with which you will go to the ceremony and the photo shoot of the newlyweds. Driving in a decorated car will make you feel especially festive.

Beautiful floristry can improve the mood of your wedding day even if you do not plan a celebration in specially decorated rooms. Instead, by carefully planning small floral accents, you can create an atmosphere that is visually pleasing and adds an extra festive feel.

Spend time with wedding witnesses

After the wedding ceremony, you can engage in various activities with your witnesses to celebrate and make your wedding day memorable. Make a celebratory toast with champagne or your favorite drink with your witnesses. For an impromptu and intimate wedding celebration, dine together at a local restaurant. Don't forget the wedding cake, toasts and dancing.

If there's a place nearby that's particularly meaningful to you, consider visiting it with witnesses to take photos and soak in the sentiment. Find out if there are any local events or festivals taking place on the day of the wedding. It can be a unique way to celebrate the marriage registration. Remember that your wedding day is a celebration of your love, and these activities can help create unique memories.

Wedding day in absolute double solitude

Starting from July 1, 2024, couples will have the opportunity to enter into a marriage without the presence of witnesses in the Department of Birth Registers. This means that you will be able to plan the entire wedding day based solely on your wishes or act completely spontaneously.

There may be couples who would like to get married and spend the rest of the day in double solitude, but since witnesses had to be called up until now, the couples also involve them in the further course of the day. However, starting this summer, this will no longer be the case.

This new option to get married as a couple also makes it easier to plan a wedding in the event that you want to get married on the same day and celebrate on another day or after a longer period of time. If, however, there is a desire to invite witnesses to the marriage ceremony, this can still be done.

On how to plan a wedding day if you plan to spend it as a couple, read more here.

Skip the party and go on a honeymoon

Honeymoon right after the marriage ceremony - that's an excellent scenario! You will be happy and radiant, this unique energy will add a special magic to your honeymoon . You will be able to spend the first moments of married life undisturbed and together, indulging in the euphoria of love. Enjoy each other's company and prolong the feelings of your wedding day by continuing the celebration in a beautiful and exotic location of your choice.

Consider hiring a wedding planner

Whether you need a wedding planner for a wedding at the registry office depends on your preferences and the scenario of the intended event. If you're planning a simple and minimalist ceremony with just a few guests, you probably won't need a wedding planner. But if you're planning to celebrate after the ceremony, a wedding planner can help you plan the details and create a truly festive feel. Regardless of the size of the wedding, consider how much time and effort you want to put into the planning process. A wedding planner can help reduce stress and streamline planning even for small weddings.

Wedding planners are industry experts and have experience planning a variety of weddings, including registry office weddings. A wedding planner can help with personalized details and various well-thought-out nuances to make the day special and romantic. Wedding planners pay close attention to detail and can ensure that even the smallest details of a wedding are meticulously planned and executed.

Weddings in the registry office - they also have their own charm

Enjoy the simplicity of the wedding registry office. Remember, it's not about the size or grandeur of the wedding, it's about the depth of your love and the meaning of the moments you share. Whether you choose an intimate setting or a ceremony with close family and friends, your registry office wedding can be an unforgettable, meaningful and beautifully personal experience.

All Latvian Birth Register departments

Riga

Birth Registry Department of the city of Riga

Aglonas iela 4B, Latgale suburb, Riga. Phone: +371 67181261

Riga City Pārdaugava Civil Registry Department

28 Dzirciema street, Kurzeme district, Riga. Phone: +371 67181320

Northern Birth Registry Department of Riga City

Rūpniekibs iela 21, Ziemelu district, Riga. Phone: +371 67026670

Riga City Vidzeme Birth Registry Department

1 Zemgaliu street, Vidzeme suburb, Riga. Phone: +371 67181315

Daugavpils

Birth Registry Department of Daugavpils State City

27 Raina street, Daugavpils. Phone: +371 27031199

Liepaja

Birth Registry Department of the city of Liepāja

Leila Street 1A, Liepāja. Phone: +371 63426350

Jelgava

Jelgava State City and District Birth Register Department

15 Liela Street, Jelgava. Phones: +371 63080522; +371 63023733

Jurmala

Birth Register Department of Jurmala State City

Paula Stradiņa Street 6, Jurmala. Phone: +371 67752332

Ventspils

Civil Registry Department of the city of Ventspils

10 Raina Street, Ventspils. Phone: +371 63601244

Rezekne

Department of Birth Registers of the State City of Rēzekne

Pils iela 4, Rēzekne. Phone: +371 64625577

Hood

Birth Registry Department of Aizkraukles County

2 Spidolas Street, Aizkraukle. Phone: +371 65122275

Exhaust

Reception place of the Civil Registry Department of Southern Kurzeme Region in Aizpute

Atmodas iela 22, Aizpute. Phone: +371 23116920

Liver

Jēkabpils county Birth Register Department reception place in Aknīste

Skolas iela 7, Aknīste, Jēkabpils district. Phone: +371 65237757

Alūksne

Birth Registry Department of Alūksne County

Dārza street 11, Alūksne. Phone: +371 64322809

Monkey

Reception place for visitors of the Birth Registry Department of Smiltene county in Ape

Stacijas iela 2, Ape, Smiltenes district. Phones: +371 64307220; +371 26180350

Auce

Reception place of the Birth Registry Department of Dobele County in Auce

Jelgavas iela 1, Auce. Phones: +371 63745159; +371 26609143

Adaži

Department of Birth Registers of Ādaži County

Gaujas iela 33A, Ādaži, 3rd floor (entrance from the side of the municipality of Ādaži), room 324. Phone: +371 25750644

Prizes

Birth Register Department of Balvu County

Sporta iela 1, Balvi. Phone: +371 64507147

Bauska

Bauska county registry department

Rātslaukums 1, Bauska. Phone: +371 63924589

Carnikava

Reception place of the Birth Registry Department of Adaži County in Carnikava

Stacijas iela 5, Carnikava, Carnikava parish, Ādažu county. Phone: +371 26662567

Cesis

Department of Birth Registers of Cēsis County

11 Palasta Street, Cēsis, Cēsis county, LV-4101. Phone: 64122555; 64120282

Dagda

Reception place of the Birth Register Department of Krāslava district in Dagda

Skolas Street 6, Dagda. Phone: +371 65681435

Dobele

Department of Birth Registers of Dobele County

6 Edgara Francmaņa Street, Dobele. Phones: +371 63722122; +371 26519538

Dundaga

Reception place of the Birth Registry Department of Talsu County in Dundaga.

Pils iela 5-1, Dundaga, Dundaga Parish, Talsu County. Phone: +371 29149134

Garkalne

Reception place of the Birth Register Department of Ropaži County in Garkalne Parish

Garkalnes parish, Brīvības gatve 455, Riga. Phone: +371 67800937

Grobiņa

Civil Registry Department of Southern Kurzeme Region

76 Liela Street, Grobiņa. Phone: +371 26423443

Gull

Birth Registry Department of Gulbene County

O. Kalpaka street 60A, Gulbene, Gulbene city, Gulbene district. Phone: +371 64473254

Ecava

Reception place of the birth register department of Bauska county in Iecava

Skolas iela 4, Iecava. Phone: +371 63941773

Ilūkste

Reception place of the birth register department of Augšdaugava district in Ilūkstė

Brīvības street 7, Ilūkstė, room 10.

Jaunpils

Reception place of the Birth Register Department of Tukuma County in Jaunpilis

"Organists", Jaunpils, Jaunpils parish, Tukuma county. Phones: +371 63180958; +371 29199878

Jelgava

Birth Registry Department of Jelgava County

Liela iela 15, Jelgava. Phones: +371 63080522; +371 63023733

Jēkabpils

Jēkabpils county Birth Register Department reception place

Brīvības iela 120, Jēkabpils. Phone: +371 65233322

Kandava

Reception place of the Registry Office of Tukuma County in Kandava

Dārza Street 6, Kandava. Phone: +371 25584420

Karsava

Reception place of the Birth Registry Department of Ludza county in Kārsava

Vienības 53, Kārsava, Ludza district. Phone: +371 29325011

Kočeni

Reception place of Valmiera County Birth Register Department in Kocēni

Alejas iela 8, Kocēni. Phone: +371 27891671

Krāslava

Birth Registry Department of Krāslava County

Brīvības iela 13, Krāslava, Krāslava district. Phone: +371 65624185

Krimulda

Krimulda County Registry Office

2 Emilis Melngailia street, Lēdurga, Krimuldas district. Phones: +371 64064468; +371 64023080

Kuldīga

Birth Registry Department of Kuldīgas county

Baznīcas Street 1, Kuldīga. Phones: +371 63323845; +371 27020765

Jaw

Department of Birth Registers of Kegum County

Lāčplēša street 1, Ķegums. Phones: +371 65055438; +371 26148593

Ķekava

Birth Registry Department of Ķekava County

Uzvaras prospect 1A, Baloži, Baloži city, Ķekava district. Phone: +371 29447270

Big name

Birth Registry Department of Lielvārde County

11A Raini Street, Lielvārde. Phone: +371 65054700

Limbaži

Department of Birth Registers of Limbažu County

Limbažos, Rīgas street 16, room 315. Phone: +371 64070750, +371 28612532, +371 64071979

Livani

Līvāni District Birth Registry Department

Rīgas iela 77, Līvāni. Phone: +371 65307265

Ludza

Department of Birth Registers of Ludza County

16 Raina Street, Ludza. Phone: +371 65707418

Madonna

Madona County Registry Office

12 Raina Street, Madona. Phone: +371 64860073

Mazsalaca

Reception place of Valmiera County Birth Register Department in Mazsalac

Pärnavas iela 4, Mazsalaca. Phone: +371 64207846

Mālpils

Reception place of the Sigulda County Register of Births Department in Mālpili

Nākotnes iela 1, Mālpils. Phone: +371 62203487

Marupe

Department of Birth Registers of Mārupe County

29 Daugavas street, 2nd floor, Mārupe. Phone: +371 67149878

Ogre

Department of Birth Registers of Ogre County

Brīvības iela 35, Ogre, Ogre district. Phone: +371 65023466

Olaine

Department of Birth Registers of Olaine County

Zemgales iela 33, Olaine, 1st floor, room 106 Phone: +371 26174613

Pretzels

Preiļi District Registry Office

Raina bulvāris 24, Preiļi, Preiļi district. Phone: +371 65322692

Priekule

Reception place of the Civil Registry Department of Southern Kurzeme Region in Priekule

Saules iela 1, Priekule. Phone: +371 25677751

Pleasures

Reception place of the Birth Registry Department of Cēsi County in Priekulais

8 Raina street, Priekuļi, Priekuļi parish, Cēsu county

Speech

Reception place of the Birth Registry Department of Smiltene county in Rauna

Vidzemes street 2, Rauna, Rauna parish, Smiltenes district. Phones: +371 64707572; +371 29534547

Cutlet

Department of Birth Registers of Rēzekne County

Rēzekne county municipality building, Rēzekne, Atbrivošanas alley 95A, 1st floor, room 13. Phone: +371 64607178

Roja

Reception place of Talsu County Birth Register Department in Roja

Zvejnieku iela 3, Roja, Roja parish, Talsu district. Phone: +371 28230035

Ropaži

Reception place of the Birth Registry Department of Ropaži County in Ropaži Parish

Rīgas iela 13, Ropažu parish, Ropažu district. Phone: +371 67918522

Rucava

Reception place of the Civil Registry Department of Southern Kurzeme Region in Rucava

"Parish house", Rucava, Rucava parish.

Rundale

Reception place of the Birth Register Department of Bauska county in Rundāle

Rundāle association administration. Phones: +371 63962242, +371 26597960

Rujiena

Reception place of Valmiera County Birth Register Department in Rūjiena

3 Raina Street, Rūjiena. Phone: +371 64263149

Salacgriva

Reception place of the Birth Register Department of Limbažu County in Salacgrīva

Smilšu iela 9, Salacgrīva, room 107. Phone: +371 64071979

Salaspils

Salaspils District Birth Register Department

Livzemes street 8, office 210, Salaspils. Phone: +371 26367582

Sweet

Department of Birth Registers of Saldus County

Avotu street 12, Saldus, Saldus city, Saldus county. Phone: +371 63807951

Sunny Beaches

Saulkrasti District Birth Register Department

Raina 8, Saulkrasti, Saulkrasti district. Phone: +371 66956448

Sigulda

Birth Registry Department of Sigulda County

Pils iela 16, Sigulda. Phone: +371 66912901

Skrunda

Reception place of the Birth Register Department of Kuldīgas county in Skrunda

11 Raina Street, Skrunda. Phone: +371 25484297

Smiltene

Birth Registry Department of Smiltene County

Dārza Street 3, Smiltene, Smiltene city, Smiltene district. Phone: +371 64707572

Tights

Reception place of Valmiera County Birth Register Department in Strenči

Rīgas iela 7, Strenči. Phone: +371 64715620

Talsi

Department of Birth Registers of Talsi County

Liela iela 25, Talsi, Talsi city, Talsi district. Phone: +371 63232333

Tukums

Tukuma County Birth Registry Department

Brīvības Laukums 10, Tukums, Tukums city, Tukums county. Phones: +371 63122525; +371 26600643

Ulbrook

Ropaž County Register of Births Department

Institūta street 3, Ulbroka, Stopiņu parish, Ropažu county, LV-2130. Phone: +371 67910564

Dress

Valka County Register of Births Department

Beverīnas iela 3, Valka, Valka city, Valka county, LV-4701. Phone: +371 64781556

Valmiera

Birth Registry Department of Valmiera County

Cēsu street 2, Valmiera, Valmiera district, LV-4201. Phone: +371 25620055

Vangaži

Reception place of the Birth Registry Department of Ropaži County in Vangaži

Meža street 1, Vangaži, Ropažu district. Phone: +371 67918522

Varaklāni

Birth Register Department of Varakļani County

Rīgas iela 13, Varakļani, Varakļani city, Varakļani district, LV-4838. Phone: +371 64860843

Vecpialga

Reception place of the Birth Register Department of Cēsi County in Vecpiebalga

Alauksta Street 4, Vecpiebalga, Vecpiebalga Parish, Cēsu County

Old people

Reception place of the Birth Register Department of Bauskas county in Vecumnieki

Rātslaukums 1, Bauska, Bauska county, LV-3901. Phone: +371 63924589

Ventspils

Birth Registry Department of Ventspils Region

Skolas Street 4, Ventspils. Phone: +371 63629490

Guest

Jēkabpils county Birth Registry Department reception place in Viesītė

Brīvības iela 120, Jēkabpils, Jēkabpils district. Phone: +371 65233322

Viļani

Reception place of the Birth Register Department of Rēzekne district

Culture square 1A, Viļani, Rēzekne district, LV-4650. Phone: +371 64662089

Author of the article: Renate Berga

Photo: MEGAN KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY, ALLI WOODS