Weddings in DR

SunnyBride482 · September 16, 2011

I am recently engaged and this is my second wedding. I don't want to fuss with planning anything big here, I want the 2 of us to go off somewhere tropical and have our wedding and honeymoon (he wants the same). I thought this would be an easy process, I would just plan a vacation and happen to get married while we're there. I don't know if the travel agent is making it sound more difficult than it is or if it really is difficult/complicated to get married in another country (I'm in the US). Is it really that difficult? Or is it just in the DR? Those that have been married in the caribbean is there somewhere that's less complicated than another place? I was also looking at Turks and Caicos. The resort websites make it look so simple, just make your reservations and you can get married...without all the small print. I know it won't be as easy as having a ceremony here but I'm curious what others have found.

Cassie South · September 16, 2011

Hi SunnyBride482

Congratulations on your engagement!

Usually people choose to do a destination wedding for the same reason as you sound like you've chosen-they want it to be a simple process, more private and easy!

Nothing is impossible and with the help of a travel agent, the DW process should be as simple as possible. I am sorry to hear that this doesn't seem to be the case with your TA. There are requirements that you need in order to get married in DR, but that is the same as any country outside your own country of residance. There is no blood test needed in DR which is convenient as this is a requirement in Mexico.

Things you will need in order to get married in DR are but are not limited to (just check with the DR consulate to make sure this is it, as these things can change and may have by now) :

Valid passport (if sending by mail, send a photocopy of the page with the picture in it)
Original birth certificate that includes the names of the parents. (translated in Spanish)*
Single Status Affidavit (translated in Spanish)*
Divorce Act (if married before) (translated in Spanish).*

You will also need two witnesses. Your travel agent should be able to assist you in getting all of these documents translated and certified.

If all of this is a little over whelming and seems like too much work, can I suggest considering a "Symbolic Wedding"? These are becoming more and more common because they are much more convenient .

You and your honey can sign the papers before you leave or upon your return and have a symbolic wedding while you're in destination. If you are afraid that friends and family won't come if you do it this way because they won't see the point- no one really has to know.

Otherwise I would say Turks and Caicos or Jamaica are fairly easy countries to marry in. Keep in mind however, that whichever destination you choose you will still have to jump through some hoops. My advise would be to pick based on which destination you like-not what they're requirements are and then you can use your TA for assistance with filing the correct paper work, after all that's what we're here for!

Hope this helps.

Enjoy your planning!

Kielah

Blue Petal Destination Weddings