I'm getting married in October (the 2nd). As for the symbolic wedding... at first I was into the legal procedure because I really wanted that day to be our official date. First thing that discourage me was that I would have to wait and see for the judge availability, at that time I wanted to reserve my date right away to be able to send my save the date. Second thing was that I didn't want to pay all the extra fees for translation of document, go to notary for some kind of declaration and then have to send our passports + 2 as witness at the embassy... and then once we are married, wait a good 6 months for the certificate to come by mail and then get it translated and then try and register it..... All of that, was too much for me to handle, I already have enough stress to deal with, I want everything to be smooth and simple. By getting married here, I don't have any translation to do, and I get my paper in a couple of weeks if not days. Do what's best for you.... but keep in mind that you won't have your certificate quickly after the wedding.