As to the holding of the Bahá'í and civil marriage
ceremonies on the same day, as the consummation of the marriage should not take
place until both ceremonies have been held, a night should not intervene
between the two ceremonies.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated
April 23, 1971, published in Handbook for Local Spiritual Assemblies in Australia;
Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)