Who is marrying you??

[Trace2013]

Hi Ladies,

 

We have decided to have a spiritual ceremony for the wedding in order to avoid the paperwork and testing that is involved with a legal ceremony in Mexico. My question is, since it isn't legal can *anyone* perform our ceremony? We'd really like to have a close friend do it versus some stranger JP that the hotel hires. Has anyone done this? Do we need special permission?

[jello]

We are having a symbolic ceremony in Mexico officiated by a family friend.  If it's a symbolic ceremony, there's no legal requirements and don't let the hotel tell you otherwise.  

[Trace2013]

ok thank goodness! Thanks for answering!
 

[cinnagirl]

We're having a friend officiate as well. I think if you're not trying to fill any legal requirements, you should be able to have who ever you want officiate.  

[maridr2012]

Agreed, if you want a friend to officiate, go ahead and proceed with that!  Just make sure its okay with your venue first.  They may require your friend to me a minister of some sort, so maybe he/she can take an online ministry course and be certified to officiate at weddings if they arent already a minister or officate of some sort.    We are getting legally married in the US prior to our DW in DR, to get the legal paperwork out of the way.  Since my parents are very religious, we're having a Christian pastor from the DR officiate at our spiritual ceremony.  That seemed to satisfy all of our needs as well as our parents (err...well, my parents, lol).

[misbosox]

I was thinking about this as well. Also does anyone know if you do have a friend do it, does the hotel give you a credit for not using the officiant?

[chirobride]

If you are having a friend officiate your wedding and you want it to be legal in Mexico is there anything in particular they have to do above and beyond just  a regular online course?

[chirobride]

If you have a friend that does an online certification can they legally marry you in Mexico? We really don't want to get married by someone that barely speaks English that we have never met but we also want it to be legal that day...anyone have any experience with this?

[WesnKris]

I am wanting to have my legal ceremony in Jamaica with my dad as the officiant. My dad is an ordained minister. An I able to do this?

[chirobride]

is that answer for Mexico or Jamaice?