Does Having A Legal Ceremony Take Away From The Dw?

[beckys98]

I was very against getting legally married before we went to Jamaica and, in retrospect, I was wrong. I can admit it! Of course I LOVED our wedding day, but there was something very strange for us having 65 people staring at us while we took our vows. We had a first look before the ceremony so we were together and had about 15 minutes in our room together before the ceremony. We both joked that we wanted the minister to just come up to our room and marry us instead of going down! We don't love the attention.

 

But mostly it just felt like such a personal experience for us that I almost would have preferred that we did it more privately at home and kept it a secret. I think we would have been more relaxed as it would have taken the pressure off - and been kind of fun that we had a little secret between the two of us. I did not at all expect to feel that way!

[rachelia160]

Okay, now that I'm back from my destination wedding, I can say with certainty that having a legal ceremony beforehand did NOT take away anything at all from our wedding day whatsoever!

 

They were two totally and completely separate experiences for us, and felt just the same as if that had been our actual legal ceremony.  It was beautiful, perfect, personal, and emotional. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when we each read our personal vows.

 

 

Having done the small church ceremony at home definitely took away a lot of the big scary pressure, and just left us with giddy nervous excitement that allowed us to enjoy the ceremony SO much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I can't speak for everyone, but from my experience, having a legal ceremony at home before your DW does not take away from your wedding day even in the slightest!

 

 

[Harper370]

Any idea if your marriage license will be valid if church in Mexico signs it or will I need to get married in court then the church in Mexico?

[Cablelove11]

I struggle with this and know that it's just in my head but logistically it's easier to just get married before we leave. I have just always pictured "ONE" wedding day and having two seems to out a damper on it. We won't make a big deal about it or two anyone ahead of time, just a private moment between us two

[ashhtayy]

@@Cablelove11 We're doing pretty much what you explained. We hired an officiant to come to our home and surprise marry us in front of my parents and my brother and my fiances mum and nonna who are flying in for Easter. Short and sweet. The only people that know about this are a couple of my bridesmaids Should be perfect and I don't think it will take away from our Mexico wedding at all - no personal vows, no ring exchange, just a formality.

[AdamnJenn17]

it is always what you make it - and it takes alot of the hassle from the DW in places like mexico where you need a chest scan and blood work

[Mangosong]

I guess I don't understand how having a legal ceremony at a DW and a legal ceremony is any different. We will be getting legally married during our ceremony. 

[kateleigh]

Thanks for this old post everyone!  We originally planned to get married legally at the courthouse (Delaware, USA) but after taking to our photographer and some others, we are going to wait and do the legal stuff after our wedding in Mexico.  The wedding Mexico will be our "real wedding" as we will say our vows in front of everyone, say "I do", etc. and we will consider that our wedding date.  The paperwork stuff isn't as important as when we really say our vows and commit to each other.  

But our photographer said that once you say "I do" there is a small spark gone and you might feel a little different or like you are married.  So are waiting on the legal stuff so our first time saying I DO will be at our DW.

I guess I don't understand how having a legal ceremony at a DW and a legal ceremony is any different. We will be getting legally married during our ceremony. 

In Mexico, it is a lot more expensive to have a legal ceremony.  Also, you have to have blood tests, use their officiant, etc.  A lot of people prefer to get legally married in their home countries to save money or for logistical reasons. 

[Mangosong]

In Mexico, it is a lot more expensive to have a legal ceremony.  Also, you have to have blood tests, use their officiant, etc.  A lot of people prefer to get legally married in their home countries to save money or for logistical reasons. 

 

@@kateleigh I think you misunderstand, I'm aware of why people do it, I just don't agree with it. I looked into mexico before I got married, and yes, there was a lot of red tape, so that was one of the many reasons we didn't get married there. To each his own. 

Edited July 28, 2017 by Mangosong

[kateleigh]

@@kateleigh I think you misunderstand, I'm aware of why people do it, I just don't agree with it. I looked into mexico before I got married, and yes, there was a lot of red tape, so that was one of the many reasons we didn't get married there. To each his own. 

Oh!  I see what you are saying!  Was it an easier (and less expensive) process to have the legal ceremony in Costa Rica?