Legal Ceremony in Cuba ~ personalized???

I am wondering if anyone who has been legally married in Cuba has personalized their ceremony... is this allowed?

I am in the process now of thinking a lot about the ceremony and have been looking at some choices for readings, a hand ceremony (which I love the idea of), and blessings to be had at the ceremony...

when it dawned on me... IS THIS ALLOWED ??

what was your ceremony like, or has your resort told you what to expect?

Thanks A.

I ask this because we'd like to really personalize the ceremony

try PMing JulieG she got married in Cuba. All of the US girls can't help you here since we're not allowed to go to Cuba.

hmm, good point... I guess I should post the same in the Cuba pages.

I do hope that someone has an answer though... :S

I will move this into the cuba area for you.

Hey, sorry I am so late on this.

You have to do the legal vows first, that is what makes it legal, and then you can do what you want after. We did a sand ceremony right after the legal vows and my MIL conducted it. It was perfect and just the personal touch we wanted. The vows were so legal and not romantic or personal at all, so we felt we needed to do something, and we are very happy that we did. I hope that helps.

Thanks! I was wondering this too. My FI and I want to write our own vows to make it more personal, so we can say them after the cuban ones?

Also what is the sand ceremony? (sorry I'm new to this!)

Sand ceremony is where each of you have a container of sand (could be in your wedding colours) and then you both pour your sand into one container

Amarillis, I think you already left, but here is the legal ceremony from our WC at Melia Las Dunas, I think it is the same throughout the country:

MARRIAGE DEED

In the city of _____________ , Republic of Cuba, today ____________ , year 2009

BEFORE ME

Lawyer, ____________ a Public Notary of the International Law Office, with national competence and seat in Cuba.

APPEAR

Mr. _____________ , Canadian citizen, who identifies himself with his passport.

AND

Miss _____________ , also Canadian citizen, who identifies herself with her passport.

They concur by themselves, in the use of their own rights, assisted by a translator, _____________ Cuban citizen, Wedding Coordinator of the _____________ Hotel.

They declare that they are in the full use and enjoyment of their civil rights, they have the necessary legal capacity for this act, according to their personal law. Because nothing in contrary is evident to me, and they declare, advised by me, The Notary, that if they fail to the truth, they will fall in the corresponding penal responsibility.

They also declare that the previous personal data, taken from the declaration before me, are true, ratifying in this act the above- mentioned declaration according to their personal law.

I, the Notary, attest the previous manifestations of the contracting parties and, to the effects of the formalization of the marriage that both have been presented, I proceed to read the Cuban Family Code, Articles 24 to 28.

MARITAL CODE

SECTION ONE: ABOUT MARITAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES

ARTICLE 24: The marriage is constituted based on equal marital rights and duties.

ARTICLE 25: Husband and wife should live together, and maintain the corresponding loyalty, consideration, respect and help for each other.

ARTICLE 26: Husband and wife are bound to take care of the family which they have created and to cooperate with each other in the education, formation and guidance of the children. Likewise, each must participate and cooperate in the maintenance and development of the home.

ARTICLE 27: Husband and wife are bound to contribute to the satisfaction of the needs of the family they have created within the family. If only one person contributes to this support by working at home, and taking care of the children, the other must contribute to the expressed subsistence without relinquishing his or her duty to cooperate to such work and care.

ARTICLE 28: Husband and wife are entitled to carry their professions or skills, and their duties to reciprocally offer cooperation and help for this purpose as well as to start studies or enhance their knowledge; in any case, they will have to organize their home life in such a way that these activities should be coordinated with the fulfillment of the obligations imposed by this code.

Now I will question both parties if they persist in their resolution of getting married.

Do you ___________ accept ____________ to be your lawful wedded wife?

Do you ___________ accept ____________ to be your lawful wedded husband?

Having both confirmed their resolution I proceed to extend the present deed to prove that all procedures established by the above-mentioned code have been accomplished. So testify the witnesses:

Mr. ____________ and Miss. ______________ Canadian Citizens, whose personal details are prescribed in this document.

You may exchange your rings and if you wish to make your vows you may do so.

In view of their resolution and having received no declarations to the contrary from any of the present parties, on behalf of the Cuban State that I hereby represent, I pronounce you Husband and Wife and wish you much happiness. You may kiss the bride.

That is a good idea Sara, my Fiance and I need to discuss the ceremony, I warned him that I found it and that it is very formal. So he's cool with us righting our own vows, I hope we can find some elegant poems to tag on to that.