THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, A ROMANTIC ESCAPE LIKE NO OTHER
One of the most romantic escapes in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic (DR) is a lush, tropical destination like no other, featuring a growing list of luxury, boutique, upscale and family hotels, villas and more that cater to wedding groups, newlyweds and couples seeking romantic escapes. Add the growing list of deluxe marinas, designer golf courses, amazing beaches and cultural attractions and you have the makings for idyllic weddings, honeymoons or just serene and memorable escapes.
One of the largest islands in the Caribbean and as short as a 2-hour direct flight from many U.S. airports, the DR has emerged into the new “it” destination for couples who seek romantic getaways, memorable weddings, and lavish pampering in the most magnificent settings.With miles of serene and beautiful palm-lined beaches, dramatic mountains and landscapes, and amazing mountains, rivers and historic attractions, the country offers many venues for weddings and honeymoons alike, allowing newlyweds to receive blissful luxury and also kick off their shoes and unwind in the sun. Extravagant or intimate, exciting or relaxed, the country offers options to satisfy every style and budget. Coast to coast, soon-to-be brides and newlyweds will find luxurious indulgence in the midst of magnificent sun, sea and sand that will captivate the senses and refresh the soul.
Steps to Getting Married in the DR I. Register to be married with the Oficialia del Estado Civil (City Clerk). A fee of approximately $450 is needed for registration and requires no waiting period. If a wedding is being planned through a hotel or resort, fees may vary. The hotel or resort wedding coordinator can also assist with getting paperwork submitted to the government. Required documents include: · Passports · Original copies of birth certificates· Single Status Affidavits that have been translated by an official translator into Spanish at the Dominican Consulate where the document was issued. · If divorced, the person(s) will require Divorce Certificate(s) that have been translated by an “official translator” into Spanish at the Dominican Consulate where the document was issued.
II. Contact the Resort to Reserve a Judge. The couple must inform the resort at least one month in advance to reserve a judge. Despite this, it’s recommended that all paperwork be submitted at least six months before the wedding date to ensure a smooth process. In order to speed up the paperwork, photocopies of all submitted documents should be sent to the Oficialia del Estado Civil. The originals will be verified upon arrival.
III. Organize Two Witnesses to be Present During the Marriage. Besides the person who will perform the ceremony, two witnesses over the age of 18 must be present during the marriage. If these witnesses are not DR residents, they will require passports to verify their identity. If the witnesses are residents, they will require DR identification cards to verify their identity.
IV. Request Marriage Certificate. After the ceremony, the bride and groom will be given a document that confirms the wedding took place. A Marriage Certificate must be requested from the local Justice of the Peace. This document is legal and recognized everywhere in the world.
Location Suggestions The DR offers an array of fantastic locations for a wedding or honeymoon. Playa Dorada, on the country’s north coast, is the site of many resorts which offer beautiful settings for wedding ceremonies and impressive ballrooms for receptions. The quiet beaches of Bayahibe and La Romana on the southeast coast allow for a very private, romantic ceremony. On the easternmost tip of the country lies the tropical paradise of Punta Cana, a perfect wedding spot for relaxation.
Accommodations range from extravagant resorts to quiet inns. The majority of hotels and resorts in the DR offer special wedding packages for the convenience of their guests. Utilizing one of these packages takes the planning of this major event out of the hands of the couple, allowing them to take pleasure in the relaxing atmosphere before and after the ceremony. Professional services such as video recording, photography and music are available at extra costs.
Religious Ceremonies For those who like the idea of getting married in a tropical setting but still want a religious ceremony, it is possible to arrange a church wedding in the DR. Since a church wedding needs more formalities than a civil service, the bride and groom must go slightly beyond the civil wedding requirements. Many hotels have experience with church weddings but a Dominican wedding specialist will be able to better assist the couple through the formalities.
If both the bride and groom are foreigners and want to marry in the Dominican Roman Catholic Church, an Archbishop from the home country may need to request permission from the Archbishop of the Diocese of the desired location. Insider’s Tip: The beautiful but quaint Roman Catholic San Estanislao Church at Altos de Chavon in La Romana is chosen by many foreign couples every year. Arrangements are costly but can be made through Casa de Campo (809) 523-3333. The San Estanislao church priest will allow the couple to bring a priest of another denomination to participate in the ceremony. Some Dominican parishes, San Estanislao included, may allow a foreign language-speaking priest to participate in the ceremony.
Church weddings for foreigners have been held at:
San Estanislao Church in Altos de Chavon (La Romana) Basilica La Altagracia, Higuey, La Altagracia (Punta Cana) Cathedral of Puerto Plata Sosua Synagogue (Puerto Plata) Santo Domingo Synagogue Cathedral of Santo Domingo Cathedral of Santiago
A religious marriage has the same legal implications as a civil marriage. In a religious marriage, the parish priest sends a copy of the act of the celebration to the authorized Officer of the Civil State within three days after the marriage so it can be registered. Even if a civil marriage has taken place before the canonical marriage, the parish priest must still send a copy of the act to the Official of the Civil State.
Jewish weddings can be held in the DR with or without the presence of a rabbi. To locate a rabbi, call the Israeli Embassy in Santo Domingo: (809) 542-1635.
