While most couples have traditional weddings, others go the route of taking the plunge through a civil registrar at the Registrar General's Department.

If the marriage does not take place within three months of the date that the civil registrar's certificate is issued, the certificate becomes void. No person shall proceed to solemnise the marriage until a new notice has been given.

Here's how to do it.

Each person shall give notice of the intended marriage to the civil registrar of the parish in which he or she has resided for a period of not less than 10 clear days.

If both persons reside within the same parish, a single notice shall suffice.

Where one of the persons getting married is not residing in Jamaica, a single notice by the other person shall suffice.

If the civil registrar is satisfied that the notice is correct, he shall enter the particulars set forth in the marriage notice book.

That same day, the civil registrar should put up, in a conspicuous and accessible place on the door or outer wall of his office, a public notice of the intended marriage for seven days.

The marriage notice book shall be open at all reasonable times to any person desiring to inspect it.

The civil registrar, on the expiration of seven clear days, in the event of no objection to the marriage, grants, upon request, a certificate of the due publication, referred to as the civil registrar's certificate.

Persons who have reached 18 years of age, and widowers or widows, may marry without the consent of others.

Where a person under 18 years of age, not being a widower or widow, intends to marry, the father, or if the father is dead, the lawful guardian or guardians, or if there is no such guardian, the mother, if unmarried, shall have authority to consent to the marriage of such person. Such consent is required unless there is no person authorised to give it as resident in this island.

If the parent or guardian, whose consent is necessary, unreasonably withholds consent to the marriage of any person, either party to the intended marriage may refer the matter to a judge of the Supreme Court.

After the issue of a civil registrar's certificate, the marriage may be solemnised between the parties described in the certificate or licence, according to such form and ceremony as the parties may see fit to adopt.

If the parties so desire, they may, after certificate or licence duly granted, contract, and solemnise marriage in the presence of a civil registrar, and in the presence of two witnesses, with open doors, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., making the declaration; but, in such case, no religious service shall be used.

Immediately after the solemnisation of a marriage, the marriage officer before whom it is solemnised shall register it in duplicate.

The registrar general shall give a copy, sealed and stamped with the seal of the General Register Office, to any person requiring it and on payment of the appointed fee.

Marriage and registration fees

1. Notice of marriage - $500

2. Witnessing or solemnising a marriage - $2,500

3. Certified copy of an entry of a register of marriage - $650

4. Certified copy of an entry of special licence register of marriage - $1,250

5. Witnessing a special marriage ceremony and providing a special certificate - $5,000

6. Seven-day expedition fee for each service - $500

7. Same-day expedition fee for each service - $1,500

Source: Registrar General