Legal & Symbolic Destination Wedding Ceremonies

There are two types of ceremonies for destination weddings

Legal Destination Weddings

You can have a legal destination wedding ceremony, where you are legally married in your destination and receive a marriage certificate that is recognized at home. Legal ceremonies cost quite a bit more and require extra paperwork and occasionally blood tests. You must follow the laws of the country you are marrying in, which include obtaining a license and using an authorized officiant, usually a judge. You must also satisfy the country's residency requirement, which means arriving 3-5 days prior to the wedding.

Symbolic Destination Weddings

You can have a symbolic ceremony that has no legal documents or filings. To have a symbolic ceremony, you would be legally married at home by your clergy or courthouse before you travel. At your destination wedding, you will celebrate your union as if it were your actual wedding with flowers, music, vows and all the ceremony details. You can choose the officiant, customize your vows and include personal touches that showcase your personalities, faith, culture and traditions.

Did you know? Your guests will most-likely not know the difference between a legal and symbolic ceremony.

Approximately 80% of all destination weddings are symbolic. They cost less and are much easier than legal weddings. Your Romance Travel Group destination wedding travel agent will help you choose, and provide some ideas on how to incorporate your legal and symbolic wedding dates.

Mexico

Only the civil, or legal, ceremony is legally recognized in Mexico and in the United States and must be performed by a Mexican judge. A blood test is required and must be performed in Mexico before the marriage. A religious or non-denominational ceremony has no legal bearing and does not replace in any way the binding civil marriage. Religious ceremonies or renewal of vows ceremonies are symbolic. They are performed by a non-denominational officiant. The bride and groom will receive a symbolic marriage certificate without legal bearing.

Dominican Republic

Civil ceremonies are performed by a judge and Catholic ceremonies are performed by a catholic priest. Both ceremonies are legally recognized. All paperwork must be notarized and translated into Spanish. This typically adds $500-$800 to the wedding costs. Renewal vows are symbolic weddings, they are performed by a non-denominational minister and it does not have a legal bearing.

Jamaica

Civil and religious ceremonies are performed by a minister, both are legally recognized. Renewal of vows are also performed by a minister but they do not have legal bearing and couple must be previously married.

Bahamas

Civil and religious ceremonies are performed by a minister. Both are legally recognized. If the ceremony is civil the minister will not mention God. Symbolic weddings and renewal of vows are also performed by a minister but they do not have legal bearing.

Aruba

The civil ceremony is performed by a judge and it is legally recognized and must be performed in City Hall The religious ceremonies and renewal of vows are performed by a non-denominational minister and they are not legally recognized. The couple need to have their marriage certificate in order to perform this ceremony.

Costa Rica

The civil ceremony is performed by a judge and it is legally recognized. The religious ceremonies and renewal of vows are performed by a non-denominational minister and they do not have a legal bearing.