Renewal of Vows or legal wedding?

[newfishie]

Has anyone gotten married in the US legally and then done the 'renewal of vows' in Mexico on the beach? Is that any different in terms of the ceremony (do you still get to say 'I do' etc. )? Thank you!

[MsSunshine]

Hi, alot of the girls on this forum get legally married in the U.S. and have the symbolic ceremony or the vow renewal. I believe the symbolic ceremony is the one where you can say "I do" to make it feel more like a wedding

[Kelly C]

Alot of us did that. We got legally married here and didn't tell anyone but our parents and did a symbolic there. No one knows but the girls here.

[newfishie]

ok, sounds good. that's what I hoped. Do you know if you have to be in Mexico 4 days before the 'renewal of vows' ceremony if it's not a legal wedding anyway? (it looks like some resorts say it's necessary, but it may just be a resort policy..)?

Thank you!

[Duchess]

From my research, it does vary by resort, but there are a few other things to consider. I was told that a judge has to do it to make it legal in MX. And they dont guarantee an English speaking judge. So while you could make do, it might not mean as much if there is a language barrier. I got married in Vegas. It was so easy and private (we eloped in secret). We had a beautiful little ceremony and the one we are doing in Mex next week will look to observers just the same as a real wedding anywhere.

 

BTW, anyone who got married in Vegas, wasnt it great? I love that they have a DMV type place but its open 24 hours and everyone is cheerful. And bam, minutes later, you are ready to go get married. So easy.

[ccarmany23]

I have heard that it varies with resorts regarding how long you need to be in Mexico for a legal wedding, but if it is just a renewal of your vows I wouldn't think that it would matter how long you are in the country beforehand. We decided to do the legal signing here (so much easier) and I am so excited- we are doing it on Christmas Eve. I can't wait!!!! Plus, it's so hard to keep the secret but it will be nice to have a quick, private legal ceremony just the two of us.

[MsSunshine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfishie ok, sounds good. that's what I hoped. Do you know if you have to be in Mexico 4 days before the 'renewal of vows' ceremony if it's not a legal wedding anyway? (it looks like some resorts say it's necessary, but it may just be a resort policy..)? Thank you!

The TA I was working with told me for a vow renewal, I need to be in Mexico 2 days prior to the wedding. It does vary for each resort. The best thing to do is contact the resort of your choice and ask them. They do perform the ceremony in spanish but the WC can translate it to english.

[sg1307]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsSunshine The TA I was working with told me for a vow renewal, I need to be in Mexico 2 days prior to the wedding. It does vary for each resort. The best thing to do is contact the resort of your choice and ask them. They do perform the ceremony in spanish but the WC can translate it to english.

This is what I heard too. The wedding date we wanted isn't available, and my fiancee doesn't want to do the legal thing here first instead. I'm trying to convince him that it would be easier (and cheaper!) to do it here then pick pretty much any other day to have the ceremony there.

[missdanelle]

Its true; so much cheaper and alot less hassle. I have heard it is very hard to get all of the paperwork translated to english and transfer everything over when you get back. I think that my fiance and I are actually going to get legally married when we get back. Our thinking is that if you do it before then your passport and identification won't be in order... I could be wrong?

[newfishie]

thank you all for your comments. Missdanelle, good point about the passport. Hmmm, I guess worst case you travel with your old passport and take the marriage certificate from the US along to explain the namechange etc. if necessary ..

 

But I also think that getting married legally in the US and having a symbolic wedding in Mexico may be the easier route.. I do hope that there will be someone who can do the ceremony in English (would not be too happy about a translator, hmmm, hopefully can make this work)..