Catholic Ceremony Caribbean / Florida / East Coast

[earanias]

Hi All!  

I am in the early stages of planning and have always wanted a destination wedding.  We are both catholic and need to get married at a church.  In doing some quick research, I see many places have several restrictions and questions on what is legal and what isn't.  Does anyone have any suggestions on venues that have a church nearby or on site?   I would love to stay on the East Coast or Caribbean somewhere as we are from NJ.  We will probably have about 100-150 guests, so it will be a slightly larger destination wedding.  Any tips or information would be greatly appreciated!  TIA!

[Moments That Matter]

Hi Tia! welcome to the boards and Congrats on your destination wedding coming up - very exciting!!!

 

When I read about you wanting a catholic wedding in church, I was reminded of this amazingly gorgeous church wedding we captured in our beautiful Mayan Riviera at The Royal Playa del Carmen's chapel called Church of Nuestra Senora del Carmen!

 

Here's a sample of what I am talking about.....enjoy!

 

 

Wishing you happy research, and that it all turns out to be just as AMAZING as you envision - cheers!
Moments That Matter Photography team

[Mangosong]

@@earanias Hi and congrats! I think getting married in the Caribbean vs the state might entail different requirements to get married. ie: getting married in the US, in a church, I know you need your baptism records. Getting married in the Caribbean, it might vary country to country and even church to church. One of the reasons I choose not to get married in mexico or DR was because of the legal marriage requirements.

[Moments That Matter]

Here's a link to some Legal Requirements of getting married in Mexico  hope this helps - cheers!

 

Moments That Matter Photography team

[earanias]

​@@Mangosong, thanks for the reply! 

​I see you are getting married in costa rica?  what are the marriage requirements there?

[DreamArtPhotography]

@@earanias Congrats!

 

Perhaps you should ask to your hotel if they have a catholic church for example in Cancun Mx Moon Palace have one, they will help you with the details.

[Mangosong]

@@earanias We actually choose CR because it's SUPER easy to get married there. It's pretty much one of the main reasons. No translation of documents needed, no red tape, and the marriage certificate is accepted pretty much every country. We needed to send a copy of our passports to our attorney and fill out a one page form. Our witnesses needed to send copies of their passports too.

 

We are having a non denominational ceremony, so we only need a Costa Rican attorney, and our venue got us in touch with one. However, as CR is pretty much a catholic country (as I learned during easter), IF you decide to get married in CR, I don't see you having many issues. You would probably just have to contact a church there, maybe have your priest get in contact with the priest at that church to make sure you're attending pre cana and any other requirements. 

Edited July 7, 2016 by Mangosong