Civil Wedding

Are you looking for a unique and captivating venue to celebrate your civil wedding?

LAC offers the perfect environment for such a special occasion.
Nestled in the vibrant atmosphere of the city of Lugano, LAC welcomes you with its modern architecture and spacious, elegant halls. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration with friends and family, our venue can accommodate all your needs.

With our professional assistance and commitment to excellence, you’ll enjoy a stress-free ceremony filled with joy. We celebrate love in all its forms, offering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all couples.

Choose LAC for your civil wedding and transform your special day into an extraordinary event. Contact us today for more information and bookings. We are ready to help you create the wedding of your dreams.

Celebrate Your Civil Wedding in Style at the LAC Cultural Centre of Lugano.

Download here the Civil wedding Price List
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Civil Wedding at LAC

The Civil Ceremony can be held in the Refettorio Hall of the Cloister of the former Convent of the Angioli, from Monday to Friday, subject to the availability of a Civil Registrar.

You can personalize the ceremony as you wish, with well-wishing speeches by the officiant and guests, as well as readings of texts and poems. Additionally, you may arrange for photography services and musical accompaniment.

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Marriage as an Institution

In Switzerland, civil marriage is a legal institution that regulates the legal union between two people, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. It is a formal act that grants them legal rights and responsibilities.

The structure of civil marriage in Switzerland follows a well-defined process. Here’s an overview of the typical steps:

Request

The first step involves submitting a marriage application at the civil registry office of the city or municipality where at least one of the future spouses resides. A series of documents must be provided, including birth certificates, proof of marital status, and citizenship.

Ceremony

Once the marriage banns period has passed without objections, a date for the ceremony is set. The ceremony can be officiated by an authorized civil official, such as a municipal employee or a notary. During the ceremony, the couple declares their consent to marry in front of the officiant and two witnesses. The official marriage documents are then signed.

Publication of Marriage Banns

After submitting the application, the marriage banns are published. This is a public announcement notifying the public of the intention to marry and provides a period of time (usually 10 days) during which objections may be raised.

Marriage Registration

After the ceremony, the marriage is registered at the local civil registry office. Once the registration is complete, the spouses receive a marriage certificate, which confirms their legal union.

Legal effects

Civil marriage grants a series of legal rights and duties to the spouses, including the sharing of assets, mutual responsibility for support and assistance, and the right to inherit from one another. In the case of separation or divorce, matters related to the division of assets and child custody, if applicable, are regulated.

In Switzerland, civil weddings are officiated by specially designated civil officials. These experienced professionals are employed at the civil registry offices of municipalities or cities and are responsible for presiding over civil wedding ceremonies. However, it is possible, with prior authorization from the competent authorities, to request that the officiant be a relative or a person of your choosing.

The civil wedding ceremony in Switzerland usually takes place at the town hall or a designated public location, such as a specially dedicated hall. Here’s an overview of how the ceremony might unfold:

Welcome and Introduction: The ceremony begins with a welcome from the civil official who will preside over the event. This may include a brief introduction about the legality of civil marriage and its symbolic and social meanings.
Preliminary Statements: The civil official may make preliminary statements about the importance of marriage and the commitment that the couple is about to make.
Exchange of Vows: The couple may be invited to exchange wedding vows, expressing their love, commitment, and promising to support each other in married life. This is often the most emotional part of the ceremony.
Exchange of Rings: If the couple has chosen to exchange rings, this is the moment when they do so. They may exchange rings and speak meaningful words or promises.
Signing of Documents: After the exchanges, the couple and witnesses sign the official marriage documents in front of the civil official. These documents legally attest to the marital union.
Congratulations and Well Wishes: Once the signing is complete, the civil official may congratulate the couple and offer well wishes for their future together. This may be followed by a brief closing speech about the beauty and importance of marriage.
Conclusion: The ceremony concludes with the official announcement of the couple’s marriage and an invitation to celebrate with a party or reception, if planned.

Booking Time for a Civil Wedding Ceremony

The booking time for a civil wedding ceremony can vary depending on the availability of dates at the local civil registry office and the season. However, it is recommended to book at least a few months in advance to ensure the availability of the desired date and to allow enough time for all necessary preparations.

Some helpful tips for booking a civil wedding ceremony in Lugano include:

  • Plan Ahead: Start exploring date and venue options for the ceremony well in advance of your desired date.
  • Contact the Civil Registry Office: Once the date and venue are decided, contact the Lugano civil registry office directly to check availability and book the ceremony.
  • Flexibility with Dates: If possible, keep some flexibility with the dates to increase the chances of finding availability that suits your needs.
  • Confirm the Booking: Ensure that you confirm the booking with the civil registry office once it's made to avoid any last-minute inconveniences.

In general, the earlier you can book the ceremony, the better your chances of securing the desired date and location.

Swiss or Foreign Citizens

If the spouses are Swiss citizens or foreigners, there are some procedural and legal differences to consider regarding civil marriage in Switzerland:

Swiss Citizens:

  • Required Documents: Swiss spouses usually need to submit documents such as birth certificates, citizenship certificates, and, if applicable, divorce certificates or death certificates of a previous spouse.
  • Simplified Procedure: Since both spouses are Swiss citizens, the procedure to obtain authorization for the civil marriage and subsequent registration may be more straightforward and direct.
  • Rights and Duties: Swiss citizens have full rights and duties as stipulated by Swiss law regarding civil marriage.

Foreign Citizens:

  • Required Documents: Foreign spouses need to submit similar documents to those required for Swiss citizens, but additional documents may be required, such as residence certificates or identity documents from their home country.
  • Additional Procedures: Foreign spouses may need to undergo additional procedures, such as legalizing foreign documents or translating them into an official Swiss language.
  • Possible Restrictions: In some cases, additional restrictions or conditions may apply to foreign spouses, such as those related to visas or residence permits in Switzerland.
  • Rights and Duties: Foreign spouses marrying in Switzerland enjoy the fundamental rights provided by Swiss law regarding civil marriage, but may have some limitations or additional conditions.

It is important to note that the procedures and specific requirements can vary depending on the individual situation of the spouses and the applicable laws in Switzerland. It is always advisable to consult the competent authorities or a legal professional for detailed and up-to-date information on the specific procedures and requirements that apply to Swiss or foreign spouses.

The spaces of the Cloister offered by LAC for ceremonies are historic rooms recognized as protected heritage by the Canton: their use is therefore regulated according to their intended purpose, with respect for those who visit these places.

  • Inside the rooms, it is not allowed to:
    – Spill or throw rice,
    – Move furniture or furnishings,
    – Cause damage or disturbances.
  • Any floral decorations are the responsibility of the couple, within the available time frame of the room.

The rooms are available for the agreed-upon hours. The booking refers exclusively to the chosen room for the specified time. The access route to the room will be defined based on the coincidence of events and functions, and may undergo last-minute changes.

If extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances prevent the ceremony from being held in the designated room, the Administration, with adequate notice, commits to offering the couple a venue of similar or greater prestige at no additional charge, and no further claims can be made by the couple.