What You Need to Know About Destination Wedding Ceremonies: Legal vs. Symbolic

Planning a wedding is an exciting and often overwhelming experience, especially when it comes to choosing the right destination. Many couples dream of tying the knot in a far-off locale, but when it comes to the logistics, there are two options to consider: a legal wedding and a symbolic wedding. While both options have their pros and cons, it's important to understand the differences between them to make the best decision for your special day. Let’s breakdown the nuances of legal and symbolic destination weddings, and allow me to provide some guidance to help you choose the perfect option for your dream wedding.

Destination Weddings Are More Popular Than Ever

In the past couple of years, destination weddings have experienced a surge in popularity. So much that the trend is making its way across to those who would otherwise not have considered it.

If you're planning to get married in a different country, you will probably be faced with the decision between a legal and symbolic wedding and may be wondering, “what the heck is a symbolic wedding?” or, “is a symbolic wedding legal”, or “what’s the difference between a symbolic ceremony and a civil ceremony?”

This article is going to give you the deets on both a legal (civil) destination wedding ceremony and a symbolic destination wedding ceremony so that you can decide which is best for you.

What is Required For a Legal Ceremony Away?

Documents You May Need

Just like you would experience in your State, there will be documents and proof of identity required, along with any licensing fees. Some countries require notarized copies of your passport, divorce decree, or legal name change. Others will require translation of the documents into their language.

Ceremony Officiated in Language of That Country

Additionally, when doing a legal ceremony in a country where English is not their native language, there is no guarantee that your wedding will be officiated in English. In this case, a translator will translate what the officiant says.

Government Fees:

Then there will be government fees involved, and possibly a blood test done on-site.

Witnesses:

Some countries will require witnesses (who are not related to you) to arrive with you on the same day.

Residency Requirement:

Beyond that, most countries will also require a residency. For example, a requirement may be a 4-day residency and only business days (Monday-Friday) count toward your residency. Others may have a requirement of 48 hours and you can arrive any day of the week.

A Legal Ceremony is Nothing to Worry About:

Don’t let this scare you! Some countries are super easy to get legally married in. It all varies, so I generally advise my clients to do what is best for them based on the country they decide to get married in.

Be Flexible: 

I also suggest being flexible. You may be going into planning a legal destination wedding abroad assuming that you’ll be able to make it legally binding in the destination. Don’t let this pigeonhole you into only a handful of options.

 Benefits of a legal/civil marriage:

• The moment you say “I Do” in front of your friends and family is the real deal.

• You won’t have to decide which day to celebrate your anniversary.

• In my book, it’s kind of cool to say you were legally married in “Mexico”

 A Symbolic Ceremony: 

Second, let’s discuss the mystery of the symbolic wedding and what you need to know. Essentially, a symbolic wedding looks and sounds just like a civil wedding, it just isn’t legally binding. It is like a commitment ceremony or a renewal of vows.

 Avoiding Extra Hoops to Jump Through:

The purpose of choosing a symbolic destination wedding would be to avoid the legal requirements to get married in another country. Maybe due to the hassle, or possibly due to the cost.

Ensure Everyone Can Celebrate:

Sometimes, couples will have certain family members who won’t be able to travel with them, so they choose to get married in the States before heading to their destination so that those family members can be a part of the union.

You Will Need Proof You Are Married:

No matter your reason, with a symbolic destination wedding you will want to get married before heading to the destination because the country you are heading to will want a copy of your marriage records. To them, your ceremony is like a vow renewal, and they want to ensure you are legally married before officiating your ceremony. Make sense?

Benefits of a symbolic wedding ceremony:

1.     Less expensive

2.     Not as much paperwork

3.     No residency requirements

4.     No translation of documents

5.    Ceremony can be officiated by a family member or friend

Choosing between a legal and symbolic destination wedding ultimately comes down to personal preference and practicality.

While a legal wedding offers the advantage of being legally recognized, it can also involve complex procedures and requirements. On the other hand, a symbolic wedding allows for greater flexibility and creativity in the ceremony and can be less stressful to plan. Ultimately, what matters most is that the ceremony reflects the couple's vision for their special day, whether it's a legal or symbolic destination wedding. By weighing the pros and cons of each option, couples can make an informed decision that will allow them to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Now, if you've read this and it only solidified in your mind that you don't want to deal with the stress or time it takes to plan a destination wedding, click here to schedule a free 30-minute strategy session with me! I think we’d be a great fit for planning your big day! (Legal or Symbolic)