Mexico Wedding - Legal ceremony in Canada before going to Mexico

[MJKH]

We got legally married in the Riviera Maya earlier this year.  Honestly, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about...it was incredibly easy.  Yes, we had to do the bloodwork...that cost us $220 USD total.  Yes, we had to allow for three business days after we arrived in Mexico before we could get married so the paperwork could be processed.  But we sure needed that time to get everything in order for our big day.  When we got back to our room the night of our wedding, the certificates were sitting on our bed.  It was no big deal at all...I wouldn't have done it any other way!

[Jessica4LUXE]

Most of our brides and grooms end up doing a symbolic ceremony- but this is completely based on personal preference. I find the biggest reluctance is with the blood work and the fact that the ceremony must be in Spanish!

 

Keep in mind that the officiants for a symbolic ceremony can make it look very legitimate- signing of papers and all! The only ones who would know the difference are those who know the legal requirements of getting married in Mexico, which I doubt there would be too many

[MJKH]

Our ceremony was in English...and we love the fact that we have a marriage certificate in Spanish....complete with our fingerprints (that part came as a complete surprise to me during the ceremony)!

 

Originally Posted by Jessica4LUXE 

Most of our brides and grooms end up doing a symbolic ceremony- but this is completely based on personal preference. I find the biggest reluctance is with the blood work and the fact that the ceremony must be in Spanish!

 

Keep in mind that the officiants for a symbolic ceremony can make it look very legitimate- signing of papers and all! The only ones who would know the difference are those who know the legal requirements of getting married in Mexico, which I doubt there would be too many

[Jessica4LUXE]

Maybe I should have explained it differently! The Notary or the Justice of the Peace will perform the ceremony in spanish, while someone else translates into English (typically the on-site coordinator). Did the notary perform the ceremony in English? If so, that's very rare and you were very lucky!

 

You are correct, the certificate is always in Spanish, though that can also be translated upon your return!

[MJKH]

She did indeed...I didn't realize that was such a rare thing...we totally took that for granted I guess!  

 

We won't be translating the certificate (I'm not changing my last name)...so that's why it was especially easy for us.

 

Jessica4LUXE...do you know what the story is behind getting fingerprinted during the ceremony in Mexico?

Originally Posted by Jessica4LUXE 

Maybe I should have explained it differently! The Notary or the Justice of the Peace will perform the ceremony in spanish, while someone else translates into English (typically the on-site coordinator). Did the notary perform the ceremony in English? If so, that's very rare and you were very lucky!

 

You are correct, the certificate is always in Spanish, though that can also be translated upon your return!

[katman]

MJKH, can I ask which resort you got married at? An English ceremony is fairly important to me and my FI and may be the one thing holding us back from doing the legal ceremony in Mexico.

We aren't too worried about the blood work, etc...but I totally understand where you other girls are coming from. It's a very personal choice, and I say do whatever makes you and your FI happiest...after all, its your day, and the start of YOUR marriage  
 

Originally Posted by MJKH 

She did indeed...I didn't realize that was such a rare thing...we totally took that for granted I guess!  

 

We won't be translating the certificate (I'm not changing my last name)...so that's why it was especially easy for us.

 

Jessica4LUXE...do you know what the story is behind getting fingerprinted during the ceremony in Mexico?

 

Jessica4LUXE, is this policy perhaps something specific to the resort you represent (and I'm sure others)? As if it is a legal thing, then how is it that some venues could offer this service?
I appreciate the feedback!!
 

Originally Posted by Jessica4LUXE 

Maybe I should have explained it differently! The Notary or the Justice of the Peace will perform the ceremony in Spanish, while someone else translates into English (typically the on-site coordinator). Did the notary perform the ceremony in English? If so, that's very rare and you were very lucky!

 

You are correct, the certificate is always in Spanish, though that can also be translated upon your return!

[MJKH]

Hi Katman,

 

We got married at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya...click on our planning thread in my signature line at the bottom of one of my posts and you can read all about it.  You can also check out this thread for more reviews and discussions about this resort:

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/45305/grand-sirenis-riviera-maya-brides

 

Janelle

[katman]

Thanks Janelle!!  Much appreciated 
 

Kat

[sunnymylene]

Hi,

because of the date (3 january 2013) we chose to travel to get married in Mexico, it was impossible to get a legal ceremony in there because of the holidays and weekend. At first I was disappointed, but in the end, it would have been that much more expensive... We didn't tell anyone. It's none of their business, really. We still had a unofficial paper to sign, with our witnesses down there... We just recently got legally married here in Vancouver on our other date, the date we've been celebrating for 12 years, when we started our relationship. We did it near our favorite beach, with two of our friends who couldn't come to Mexico. I thought it was just a formality, but it turned out to be differently important to me. I'm glad we did it this way, and not before.

[BridetobeABCD]

Could someone please tell me the process of legally getting married in Canada (Ontario) first?? Thank you