Diff btn symbolic and legal cerermony

So.... I was set on having a legal ceremony in dr but then i found out that i need to get certain docs translated. My fiance was married before so i was told to expect another $1000-$1500 in fees.

So what really is the diff? Appreciate any help i can get!

Thanks for the help. Do you know if all the "i do's" are said as well?

It really isn't that high of a cost for the fees... My FI is divorced also. check out WEDO they are really affordable and I've seen other brides on here that have used them and were really happy.

also I've seen tons of threads on this if you use the search you probably will find exactly what you're looking for.

The major difference is the translation fee's as was mentioned above. Plus there is processing time and so forth. Wedo definitely makes it easier, but if you wish to avoid all of that which a lot of couples do then its very easy to have a simple legal procedure done at home and usually all resorts ask for it a copy of your certificate once you get there.

There is also a difference in ceremony. In the DR, a legal ceremony has to be performed by a judge and has strict wording, whereas a symbolic ceremony can be performed by your coordinator or basically anyone. This also may make it easier to confirm a date to be married since the resort does not have to reserve a judge for your time slot.

We were going to do the legal ceremony in DR too, but changed our minds a few weeks ago. Between the document translation and fees for the judge, marriage license, etc. it was going to cost us nearly $1000 to be legally married there. So we're getting married at home about a month before we go for $60 total.

The only difference between the two ceremonies is that one is legally binding and the other is not. And as Josh mentioned, you have much more ability to customize your ceremony (vows, etc.) if you don't choose symbolic vs. civil.

I understand why you'd want to have the legal ceremony there, but your guests won't know the difference if you don't tell them (the ladies on here say the coordinators and ministers are very good at making it appear to be the "real thing) if that's what you decide to do.

Good luck!

Thanks you were all very helpful! We decided to get married in NY first. We can use the extra $ on other things, like more time in DR !

Great idea Rosa, money well saved in my opinion.

So we were planning to have the legal ceremony back in Canada after the symbolic...can we do it that way?

I believe you can because the resort I booked is not requesting a marriage certificate. She told me it wasn't necessary and a TA I have spoken to said the same.

That is fantastic news...makes things easier and cheaper and as long as the moms don't find out we are in the clear!!!!