If you’ve always imagined tying the knot in an exotic location, look no further than the Dominican Republic. Stunning natural surroundings—pristine white-sand beaches and cerulean blue waters—combined with inspiring local culture makes the D.R., as it is fondly known, the quintessential destination wedding and honeymoon hot spot. Many hotels and resorts have designated wedding planners who are more than happy to take care of all the nitty-gritty details, but there are still some important factors to consider before packing your bags.
Pay to Play
As we all know, nothing in life is free and a wedding abroad is no exception! Prior to the wedding you must register with a city clerk and pay a $455 US fee. However, this amount can vary if a hotel is involved in planning your big day.
Paper Trail
After paying the fee, the next step is to submit your paperwork. The following items are required: your passports, original copies of your birth certificates, single status affidavits (translated into Spanish) and if either of you have been previously married, you must also present a divorce certificate (translated into Spanish). You are also expected to reserve a judge at least one month before your ceremony (this can be handled through your chosen resort). TIP: Save yourself time and hassle by sending copies of your paperwork six months ahead of time, then you can present your original documents upon arriving in the Dominican Republic.
Eye Witness
For the ceremony itself, you are required to have two witnesses over the age of 18, who have proper identification with them (passport and birth certificate). No doubt, this will not be a problem, as you are likely to be surrounded by all of your nearest and dearest friends and relatives!
Seal the Deal
Last but not least, you must request a marriage certificate. This happens after the ceremony and confirms that you are indeed legally wed—consider this your official stamp of approval! The document normally takes one or two days to process.
NOTE: The aforementioned information pertains to civil ceremonies. However, if your heart is set on a religious ceremony (Catholic or Jewish, for example), one can easily be arranged.
Location, Location
For a ceremony site straight out of paradise, choose the Blue Marlin restaurant in Cap Cana (altabellahotels.com). Say your “I dos” on a platform perched above the unbelievably blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, then celebrate in the rustic, elegant dining room by feasting on freshly caught seafood.
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