In France many couples choose to have two weddings, only civil weddings are legally recognized (due to the concept of laïcité), they are performed in the town hall by the mayor (or a deputy mayor or another councillor acting on his/her behalf). To be allowed to marry in a specific city, either at least one of the spouses resides in the town where the ceremony takes place, or at least one of their parents does. For people choosing to also have a religious wedding, the religious ceremony can only take place after the civil one, often in the same day.