Renewal of Vows or legal wedding?

[Mystic]

Regarding the name on passport thing, just don't change your name legally until you get back from Mexico. That way you won't have to deal with names on your documents not matching.

 

My fiance and I are getting married here legally before our wedding because it's so much easier. Our parents and a few select wedding guests know.

[newfishie]

yes, sounds like a good idea...

[Jentwo]

I had these same questions and thoughts as I planned my wedding (just married last month in Mexico). I chose the "get married legally in Mexico" route for a few reasons:

 

1) I wanted the ceremony to be the official when we said "I do" - which we did with the Spanish speaking judge and English translation from the wedding coordinator. We wanted to have that excitement be live and real in front of friends and family.

 

2) It wasn't that difficult to get the paperwork in order (nor was it expensive). I guess you can technically save a few hundred dollars by getting legally married in the states because resort packages are cheaper but for a few hundred that wasn't a deal breaker for me.

 

I have not changed my name legally yet so perhaps I'll hit the 'problems' that people have heard of at that point in a few months when I get around to it

 

As for passports....remember that even when you get legally married in the states first, your name is still your maiden name. There's a nice lengthy process to convert your social security card, driver's license, passport and all of your financial info (i.e. credit cards, bank accounts, investments). So...your passport is not a concern unless you do the legal changing in advance of the destination wedding. Make sense?

[freckle]

Thanks everyone for the different perspectives. I too am trying to decide whether or not to do legal or not. Is the getting there 4 days before something like arrive Monday for a Friday wedding?

 

I agree that I think it would mean more if it were the actual "I do's" on the beach that day... but I know the paperwork, and getting 4 people to be there early is kind-of a pain. What to do, what to do! I need to decide pretty quickly!

[Jentwo]

I was married on a Monday and arrived on the Wednesday before. I chose a Monday because as long as most guests were taking a 3 night vacation or more, it didn't matter if we were married on a Sat or Mon. I also hoped to find better airfares for a Sat to Tues flight vs. Friday thru Monday. By arriving on Wed it was nice to be there as all of the guests arrived (Wed-Sun). We happened to have four friends fly in with us on Wed but you don't have to supply the witnesses, the hotel can provide them at no charge.

[soon2bemsleblanc]

My fiancee and I are going to get legally married here in Colorado and then have a symbolic ceremony in Mexico. The blood tests scare me too much!!