How to Officiate a Wedding in Belgium

As a Minister of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

Pastafarian minister officiating a wedding

The Short Version

Belgium has a strict civil-only marriage system. Only the mayor or alderman at the town hall can officiate a legally recognized marriage. No religious figure of any kind — Catholic priest, rabbi, imam, or FSM minister — can perform a legally binding marriage. It’s actually illegal to have a religious ceremony before the civil one.

This makes Belgium one of the simplest cases for FSM ministers: you do the ceremony, the town hall does the marriage. No ambiguity. We do the ceremony, the government does the marriage.

How Marriage Works in Belgium

  • Civil ceremony at the municipality (town hall) performed by the mayor or alderman
  • Declaration of intent filed at the Civil Registry at least 14 days before (up to 6 months)
  • Witnesses are optional (up to 4 total)
  • Same-sex marriage legal since 2003
  • Religious ceremonies may follow but cannot precede the civil ceremony

No minister of any religion can handle the legal marriage. Period.

FSM Ordination Package

The Ordination Package — $79

  • Paper Certificate of Ordination
  • Black/Silver Resin Wallet Card
  • Two Vinyl Car Decals
  • Digital credentials (PDF) delivered same-day
  • Free shipping worldwide

Get Ordained →

You Can Do This

Since every couple in Belgium needs a civil ceremony regardless, your Pastafarian ceremony is the celebration — the personal, meaningful part of the day.

Get ordained: Get ordained with the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

Your Ceremony

  1. Talk to the couple — What do they want? The town hall ceremony is often brief and bureaucratic. Your ceremony is where the magic happens.
  2. Write your script — Declaration of Intent, Pronouncement, personal stories, Pastafarian blessings
  3. Coordinate timing — Usually: civil ceremony at town hall, then your ceremony at the venue
  4. Practice — Out loud, at least twice

Belgium Tips

  • Every couple must marry at the town hall first — your ceremony is always the “second” ceremony
  • FSM is not recognized as a religion in Belgium, but it doesn’t matter — no religion can handle legal marriages here
  • Belgium’s separation of church and state for civil status is constitutionally enshrined (Article 21)
  • The civil ceremony can be quite brief — some couples do it with minimal fuss

Questions?

Contact us.

This page is a helpful guide, not legal advice. Laws change. Always verify current requirements with the local municipality.