Where to Wed
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From Christina Friedrichsen's Intimate Weddings:
Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your Budget and Style,
www.intimate-weddings.com
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The biggest decision a couple faces for their destination
wedding is where to have it. Some couples might know
right away where they want to say their vows: The
place is a favorite vacation spot, a place they've
always wanted to visit, or a convenient or affordable
location. For other couples the choice might not be
so easy: The couple agrees on the climate but hasn't
made up their minds on the specific place, or worse
yet, they prefer places at different ends of the spectrum-Europe
for her, the tropics for him.
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Photo by
Artistic Images by Sam Chinigo |
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Some
wedding specialists suggest either choosing a location that
you have already visited or visiting the location before your
wedding to ensure that the place meets your expectations-but
that can be expensive. If you have plenty of good information
on the location, you've received recommendations from other
couples or from travel agents, and you don't mind taking risks,
you might want to forgo the visit. If you won't be comfortable
making wedding plans without having set foot in the chosen location,
visit it first.
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Start early.
It's important to nail down a
few possibilities early on. Some wedding specialists suggest
you start planning six months to one year in advance. The sooner
you can start planning your wedding the better. If you plan
well in advance, fewer places will be booked up, and you may
be able to take advantage of cheaper prices on flights and lodging.
Planning ahead will give you more time to research locations.
You will also be able to give your guests plenty of notice so
they can schedule vacation time and save up for the trip.
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Learn
about the legalities. Once you have a few possible
locations, find out about the marriage laws in each region.
France, for instance, has a forty-day residency requirement,
whereas Jamaica has only a one-day residency requirement. Several
Caribbean islands have residency requirements of one to ten
days. If you want to get married in Cancun, you and your sweetie
will be required to submit blood tests and copies of your birth
certificates or passports.
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In the U.S., laws vary from state to state. Hawaii, for
example, simply requires driver's licenses. You can get
information about what documents and health tests are needed by
contacting the county marriage license bureau. Make sure you ask
how long paperwork processing takes.
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Many resorts and hotels throughout the world provide wedding
coordinators who can help you understand the region's
legalities. Some coordinators will even assist you with filing
the required paperwork. To get the necessary information on your
own, contact the location's tourist office or U.S. consulate or
embassy in that country. Some government Web sites and some
travel agents are other possible sources of this information.
Ask the following questions prior to selecting a location for
your wedding.
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What
types of documents are needed? Do they have to be translated
and/or notarized? Are originals required, or are copies
okay?
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What
documentation do you need to produce if you are divorced
or widowed?
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Is
there a residency requirement?
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Are
any other waiting periods required?
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Are
blood tests or other medical tests required? If so, can
your own doctor perform them, or must they be done in the
country of marriage?
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How
many witnesses are required?
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Are
religious wedding ceremonies considered legal, or must they
be preceded by a civil ceremony?
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Find
a place that fits your budget. Your budget will play
a role in the location decision. As you figure out how much
you want to spend, you'll need to decide whether or not you
will pay for your guests' travel expenses. Some couples' wedding
budgets allow them to make this nice gesture. Other couples
have guests pay their own way, which is also fine. Find out
if the hotel or resort offers group rates. Such deals can save
you and your guests a chunk of change. If you are on a tight
budget, consider a wedding set during the off-season. Choosing
a country where the currency exchange rate is favorable can
also ease your budget concerns.
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Find
out about wedding packages and wedding coordinators.
If you choose a package deal, make sure you get the lowdown
on all the vendors. Look at the photographer's work, and listen
to the musicians' demo tape. If a wedding coordinator is included,
find out if he will be on-site during your wedding. Having
someone on-site to help you with the planning process will
make things a lot easier. Many hotels, resorts, and chapels
offer wedding planning services.
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Whether
or not the wedding coordinator's services are part of the
package, do your homework. Get the names of some of the coordinator's
past clients as references-and check them out. Find out how
many out-of-town clients the wedding consultant has had. Check
out some online wedding forums where you can talk to other
brides about wedding coordinators. Seek advice on whom to
consider and whom to avoid.
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If
you choose to forgo the wedding consultant and plan your own
long-distance wedding, find at least one contact who can check
out the vendors for you. This can be someone at the destination
or a reputable travel agent at home who has plenty of experience
with destination weddings.
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Research
the location. Before you make a final location decision,
do plenty of research. Don't choose a place on a whim or just
because it seems like a good deal. For each location you seriously
consider, find out everything you can, including:
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Is
the area safe?
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Is
the water drinkable?
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Do
you need special vaccinations before arriving?
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What's
the weather expected to be like around your wedding date?
What type of attire will be appropriate?
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What
types of sight-seeing activities are available?
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Are
discount rates offered for group tours?
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Does
the hotel or resort offer activities for children?
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How
old is the place of lodging?
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How
many U.S. weddings have been performed at the resort? Are
references available to be contacted? Read travel guides,
talk to other couples, and check with travel agents who
have information on the region.
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Get
it in writing. Do not rely solely on verbal agreements;
get everything in writing! If a vendor doesn't live up to his
end of the deal, a hard copy of the agreement will carry a lot
more weight than a handshake when you seek your due.
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