Wedding ceremony
The wedding ceremony, step by step.
Who may marry you, where and when, what is said and signed, and what to prepare. The legal section follows the Czech Civil Code and Registry Act; your registry office confirms local conditions.
- Registry office dateAt the ceremony hall on a day set by the municipality (§ 12 of the Civil Registration Act). Confirm the date before paying a deposit for the reception.
- Questionnaire and documentsAt the registry office responsible for the ceremony location (Section 32 of the Czech Registry Act). The formalities guide shows what to bring for your situation.
- CeremonyA mayor, deputy mayor or authorized council member officiates, with a registrar present unless the officiant has their qualification (Section 11a of the Czech Registry Act). Two witnesses (Section 656 of the Civil Code).
- RecordSigned by the newlyweds, witnesses, officiant and registrar, with an interpreter if applicable (Section 40 of the Czech Registry Act).
Administrative fee Free if both are permanently resident in the Czech Republic; otherwise CZK 3,000 or 5,000 (Act No. 634/2004 Coll., fee schedule, item 12).
Full civil and religious ceremony comparisonTypes of ceremony
Civil, religious or symbolic.
Civilní i církevní sňatek mají stejné právní účinky a oba se uzavírají veřejně a slavnostně před dvěma svědky (§ 656 občanského zákoníku). Liší se tím, kdo oddává, kde a kdy obřad může být a co vyřídíte předem na matrice.
| Civil marriageyour selection | Religious marriage | |
|---|---|---|
| Officiant | Mayor or authorized council member | A person authorized by the church |
| Beforehand at the registry office | Questionnaire and documents | The same, plus a certificate no more than 6 months old |
| Location authorization | Registry office authorization for another location or time | Agree the location and time with the church |
| Administrative fee | Free if both are permanently resident; otherwise CZK 3,000 or 5,000. Another place or time costs an extra CZK 3,000 | Certificate 500 CZK; the church may charge its own fees |
Full wording with legislation below, one ceremony type at a time.
| Civil marriage | Religious marriage | |
|---|---|---|
| Who officiates | A mayor, deputy mayor or authorized council member within their district; in Prague and statutory cities, also the city mayor or deputy. A member of the Chamber of Deputies or Senate may officiate anywhere in the Czech Republic (Section 11a of the Registry Act). | A person authorized by a church or religious society entitled to conduct marriages (Sections 657 and 658 of the Civil Code). |
| Registrar | Present at the ceremony, unless the officiant has the registrar's professional qualification (Section 11a of the Registry Act). | Not present. The couple gives the officiant a certificate from the registry office (Section 666 of the Civil Code). |
| Where and when | In the ceremony hall on a day designated by the municipality. Elsewhere or at another time on application with registry office authorization (Section 12 of the Registry Act); on private land, with the owner's consent. | Agree the location and time with the church. The registry office responsible for the ceremony district issues the certificate. |
| Beforehand at the registry office | Marriage questionnaire and documents (Section 32 of the Registry Act). | The same questionnaire and documents. No more than six months may pass from the certificate's issue to the ceremony. |
| Administrative fee | Free if both partners have permanent residence in the Czech Republic; otherwise 3,000 or 5,000 CZK. Authorization for a different place or time is 3,000 CZK, charged once even for both (Act No. 634/2004 Coll., fee schedule, item 12). | The certificate costs 500 CZK. The church may charge its own fees. |
| Record | Signed by the newlyweds, witnesses, officiant and registrar, and interpreter if applicable (Section 40 of the Registry Act). | Signed by the newlyweds, witnesses and officiant. The officiant delivers it to the registry office within three working days (Section 666 of the Civil Code). |
| A second ceremony afterwards | A subsequent religious ceremony has no legal effect (Section 670 of the Civil Code). | A civil marriage cannot then be entered into (Section 670 of the Civil Code). |
Symbolický obřad, Church requirements
Symbolický obřad. Nemá právní účinky, takže místo, čas, řečník i text jsou na vás. Manželství ale musíte uzavřít zvlášť, civilně nebo církevně. Jedna z možností je krátký obřad na matrice ve všední den a symbolický obřad v den oslavy.
Church requirements. Agree marriage preparation, dates and any church fees with the parish or congregation. These apply alongside the law, not instead of it.
The sequence
The ceremony, step by step.
The law determines the ceremony's legal core. Agree music, the address and entrance order with the officiant.
Seating guests
Guests take their seats 15 to 30 minutes ahead, with the front rows reserved for family. Assign someone to seat guests; otherwise, the front chairs stay empty.
The entrance
Choose your own order, such as groom, witnesses, bridesmaids, then bride with her father. Give a clear music cue for the start and end of the entrance. Agree where everyone stands and sits afterwards.
Address and declarations
The officiant gives an address whose content is not prescribed by law. The couple then declares that they know of no impediments to marriage, know each other's health condition, and have considered their finances, housing and material provision (Section 665 of the Civil Code).
The question and the yes
The officiant asks whether you wish to marry each other, and both affirmative responses establish the marriage (Section 659). You also declare your chosen surname during the ceremony (Section 660). Agree personal vows with the officiant beforehand and bring them on a card.
Rings and signatures
Assign a specific person to bring the rings. The newlyweds, both witnesses, officiant and, for a civil marriage, registrar sign the marriage record, with an interpreter if applicable (Section 40 of the Registry Act). Tell the photographer about the signing in advance.
Congratulations
Immediately after the ceremony, or at the tables for a larger wedding. Choose the location, direction of the line and person to manage it.
Logistics
What people forget at the ceremony.
Practical details are more likely to hold up the ceremony than the vows.
Documents on site
Both partners and witnesses carry valid identity documents. If your surname changes or your Czech identity card records marital status, its marked corner is cut off. Put one witness in charge of the couple's documents so no one searches for them during the ceremony.
Outdoor sound
Without a microphone, only the front rows hear the officiant outdoors. Arrange a microphone for the officiant and vows, music and spare batteries. Agree who switches the equipment on.
Wet-weather plan
Where the ceremony moves if it rains, who decides and when. For a civil ceremony outside the ceremony hall, discuss the backup location with the registry office too.
Interpreter
If a partner makes their declaration in a language other than Czech or Slovak, an interpreter must attend, arranged at that partner's expense (Section 39 of the Registry Act). The registry office arranges an interpreter for a deaf, deafblind or non-speaking partner. Tell the office in advance.
Sources
What the guide is based on.
Current Czech legislation in e-Sbírka and pages from the Ministry of the Interior and Public Administration Portal. Legal provision links in the text lead to the same acts. The registry office confirms local conditions.
Updated
- Ministry of the InteriorMarriage ceremony (opens in a new window)Officiant, documents, questionnaire, fees, interpreter and marriage record.
- Public Administration PortalIssuing a certificate for a marriage ceremony (opens in a new window)Where to apply for the certificate, its fee and six-month validity.
- Public Administration PortalBefore the wedding: civil marriage, both Czech citizens (opens in a new window)What to bring to the registry office and when fees apply.
- e-SbírkaAct No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code (opens in a new window)Sections 655 to 670: establishment of marriage, witnesses, surnames, religious marriage.
- e-SbírkaAct No. 301/2000 Coll., on Civil Registration (opens in a new window)Sections 11a and 12: officiant and location; Sections 32 to 35: documents; Sections 39 and 40: interpreter and record; Sections 45 and 46: certificate; Sections 69 and 81a.
- e-SbírkaAct No. 634/2004 Coll., on Administrative Fees (opens in a new window)Fee schedule, item 12: marriage fees.
Show 6 sources
- Ministry of the InteriorMarriage ceremony (opens in a new window)Officiant, documents, questionnaire, fees, interpreter and marriage record.
- Public Administration PortalIssuing a certificate for a marriage ceremony (opens in a new window)Where to apply for the certificate, its fee and six-month validity.
- Public Administration PortalBefore the wedding: civil marriage, both Czech citizens (opens in a new window)What to bring to the registry office and when fees apply.
- e-SbírkaAct No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code (opens in a new window)Sections 655 to 670: establishment of marriage, witnesses, surnames, religious marriage.
- e-SbírkaAct No. 301/2000 Coll., on Civil Registration (opens in a new window)Sections 11a and 12: officiant and location; Sections 32 to 35: documents; Sections 39 and 40: interpreter and record; Sections 45 and 46: certificate; Sections 69 and 81a.
- e-SbírkaAct No. 634/2004 Coll., on Administrative Fees (opens in a new window)Fee schedule, item 12: marriage fees.
Ceremony in the timeline
The ceremony as timeline items.
In Kruspin, the ceremony is broken down in the wedding timeline: seating, entrance, ceremony, signing and congratulations each have a time, location and responsible people.
Items with times and locations
Guests move to the ceremony at 13:45, the ceremony starts at 14:00, and congratulations and group photos run until 15:30. Every item has a time and location, such as the courtyard under the ash tree. Enter the wet-weather decision as a separate item with the backup location.
Internal checks
Mark the wet-weather decision at 11:30 or the microphone sound check “Internal only”. The team sees them; the client does not.
Vendors on an item
The ceremony lists the photographer, floral studio and DJ, and each sees it in their own timeline. Of the vendors, only the photographer sees the internal “Gather groups for photos” item after congratulations, because they are assigned to it.
A delayed ceremony
If the ceremony moves, edit the timeline items. Vendors receive the new times as a printable PDF or by link.
What you will find in the app
Items with times and locations
Guests move to the ceremony at 13:45, the ceremony starts at 14:00, and congratulations and group photos run until 15:30. Every item has a time and location, such as the courtyard under the ash tree. Enter the wet-weather decision as a separate item with the backup location.
Internal checks
Mark the wet-weather decision at 11:30 or the microphone sound check “Internal only”. The team sees them; the client does not.
Vendors on an item
The ceremony lists the photographer, floral studio and DJ, and each sees it in their own timeline. Of the vendors, only the photographer sees the internal “Gather groups for photos” item after congratulations, because they are assigned to it.
A delayed ceremony
If the ceremony moves, edit the timeline items. Vendors receive the new times as a printable PDF or by link.
Continue planning
After the ceremony, guests and budget.
Wedding budget
Build the budget from the guest count: food, drinks and accommodation are charged per person.
Wedding venuesCeremony and reception venue by region and capacity.
Planning your own wedding? Your coordinator or wedding venue invites you to the app.
Planning ceremonies for clients? Kruspin for wedding coordinators
Frequently asked questions
Ceremony questions.
Did not find an answer? Write to us through the page support.
Can a friend marry us?
Legally in the Czech Republic, only if they are a mayor, deputy mayor or authorized council member of the municipality where you marry, a member of the Chamber of Deputies or Senate, or clergy of a church authorized to conduct marriages. Otherwise, they can lead a symbolic ceremony and you marry separately.