As of 26 July 2024, Reverend Ryan Edmonds was legally ordained and registered to perform marriages/civil unions under Section 5 of the Civil Union Act, 2006 (Act No. 17 of 2006). His ordination as a Minister of Religion is endorsed by the South African Pagan Council (SAPC) and designated by the South African Department of Home Affairs. 

As such, Rev. Edmonds is licensed to legally perform and register marriages/civil unions to both opposite and same-sex couples who meet the legal requirements to do so as per the laws and constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

Rev. Edmonds holds ordination as a Minister of Pagan Religion, and is a clergical member of the SAPC. This gives him full spiritual status to perform rites of passage for any minority religion/spiritual path that may not officially be recognised by other majority religious institutions. 

Paganism (being the name for the collective Pre-Christian religions of Europe) is a positive, nature-centred spiritual path, with an inclusive, humanistic world-view. Having been raised in the religion, this was the natural path for Rev. Edmonds' clergical development and study. 

You can learn more about Paganism HERE.

There are two important parts required in the process of getting married:

1. The religious/spiritual rites which bless the couple in a sacred union

2. The legal registration of the couple under one of the 3 Marriage Acts of South Africa

Not every spiritual leader is legally designated to register a newly-wed couple with the Department of Home Affairs, giving them all the legal standing of a marriage/civil union according to the laws of South Africa. 

To be qualified as such requires a rigorous process of application, character testimony, recognition within the religion, mentorship, study and examination of the relevant Laws and Acts. 

Paganism is the umbrella term for the pre-Christian religions of Europe. It is a nature-based, life-affirming belief system which has a moral code, and seeks to unite with the Divine through the mythos of an Earth-centred cosmology.

Modern (Neo) Pagans have many different traditions and denominations, but the basic tenants are usually the same: we see the Divine as expressed through two equal-but-opposite forces, who we call the Goddess and God. These cosmic forces are personifications of the balance of the Universe (called Yin-Yang, or Shakti-Shiva in the East). Pagans draw our spiritual teachings from nature directly, and believe in the pursuit of codes of living that uphold moral virtue, wisdom, love, honesty, charity, respect and acceptance of all expressions of life. We respect all religious views that preach a doctrine of tolerance and love.

Not at all. You may be a Humanist, Universalist, Spiritualist, Yogi, Sangoma, Shaman, or not have any specific name for your spiritual world view. Nature-based spirituality is a welcoming path, and honours all names for the Divine as holy. This is why our clergy are happy to consider marrying any loving, consensual couple of legal age who seek out our services. 

1. A meeting with the couple to obtain information on the couple's eligibility for marriage under the laws of South Africa. During this meeting we will discuss the couple's vision for their special day, and what spiritual and personal inclusions they would like to make. 

2. Optional pre-marital counselling: As a registered ASCHP Wellness Counsellor, Rev. Edmonds encourages couples to spend some time in individual and couple's counselling. This is to ensure the married couple start off with beautiful and life-enhancing tools to make the most of their life together as married partners.

3. On the wedding day: Travel to the venue as well as the conducting of the marriage ceremony, as well as signing of all legal documentation to legitimise the Union.

4. Filing of documents and registration at the Department of Home Affairs, and the application for unabridged marriage certificate.