We can’t think of a more beautiful location for your wedding than Punta Cana with white sandy beaches, coconut palms, crystal-clear turquoise waters but there are a lot of things and requirements to keep in mind when planning your destination wedding.
The biggest piece of advice we can give is to plan ahead. Planning a wedding in a foreign country will require some time to sort out the logistics and legal requirements. Think about your budget, location, dress, flowers, meals, guests, music, destination, and honeymoon, excursions and things to do while in Punta Cana.
If you are considering getting married in Punta Cana or any part of the Dominican Republic, the following are various of the wedding requirements:
REQUIREMENTS FOR A CIVIL CEREMONY IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
- Valid passport; birth certificate; if widowed, the death certificate; if previously married, a divorce decree
- Certificates indicating that both parties are legally single individuals duly signed and stamped by Dominican law are extremely important. This document will be prepared by the Justice of the Peace and translated by a legal translator
- Address and occupation of both people who will be married
- Names of Parents and their addresses
- Names of Grandparents
- Names of Best Man and Maid of Honor, their addresses, names of their parents and a copy of each person’s valid passport or identification.
- Copies of all documents must be received by the Wedding Specialist 14 days prior to the scheduled ceremony. Documents must be approved by the Justice of the Peace in order to permit the wedding ceremony to proceed. Original documents are to be submitted upon arrival to your Hotel Wedding Coordinator
Read about: Things to Do in Punta Cana.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
- Catholic ceremonies are performed in Spanish, (translators may be used).
- The Wedding Planner must receive copies of all required documents prior to the wedding date.
VALID DOCUMENTS FOR A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
- Valid passport, birth certificate, baptism certificate and confirmation certificate. If widowed, a death certificate must be presented; a release from your Church authorizing the marriage in the Dominican Republic; and a prenuptial certificate from your local parish indicating you have received instructions from the Church.
- Your address and occupation
- Names of Parents and their addresses
- Names of Grandparents
- Names of Best Man and Maid of Honor, their addresses, names of their parents and a copy of each person’s valid passport or identification
- Arrangements must be made directly with the Church Officials, with assistance of the Wedding Specialist
- Witnesses are not required for a Catholic Ceremony and the priest provides a Canonical Marriage Certificate after the ceremony.
Note: Most resort wedding coordinators are on-site and available for questions. The best part is wedding coordinators are typically included in the cost of your wedding package!
Read; Punta Cana:l Things to Know Before You Come!
Last, but certainly not least, relax. Take a breath and enjoy! Let yourself take in all of the elements that you have worked so hard to plan out and create memories that will be with you for a lifetime. Congratulations on your wedding in Punta Cana by the way.
