Destination weddings- a concept that almost everyone dreams of, yet very few dare to go for. Whether you decide to tie the knot in Ibiza, otherwise called the white island- the hottest party island, yet one of the most laid-back wedding destinations that you can think of, or at Bali’s most stunning clifftop chapel, getting married overseas will leave you and your guests in possession of unforgettable memories. Getting married in another country is just as exciting and magical as it may sound, however, there are many things to consider before taking the leap. Although you may have thought about the expenses and the idea of transporting guests, there are many other things to keep in mind. Here are important factors that you should consider before getting married in another country.
Legal Issues
Before you make any travel plans, you must keep in mind that almost all countries require a waiting period that is often lengthy. This is because of the country’s residency requirements that marriages are subject to. Birth certificates, passports, divorce decrees, blood tests, and death certificates are among the most common required documents when you’re getting married overseas. Some countries may require you to authenticate these documents at your country’s consulate (usually a lengthy and costly process) before proceeding. Find out whether the country that you’re getting married in requires parental consent if you fall below a certain age; you may also need to have the consent authenticated at the consulate. An affidavit that states that both parties are free to marry must be executed at the embassy or consulate. In some countries, you may even need to bring a witness indicating freedom of marriage. If you are planning to marry a citizen of that country, you may be automatically made into a citizen or neutralized in that country, affecting your current citizenship.
Planning Your Dream Wedding
Planning your wedding while you are in a different country is not an ideal situation. Wedding preparations are usually made months in advance; it is not practical to leave everything on hold, including your job, to go plan your wedding. In this case, research is key. Look for a local wedding planner that has an excellent reputation and will be able to deal with multiple vendors. Setting a budget is also very important; between the plane tickets and accommodation to the wedding planner and the wedding expenses, a destination wedding can prove costly. However, if you plan it out smartly, depending on the location and how lavish you want it to be, it can end up costing much less than a traditional wedding. While you may feel pressured to invite everyone you know, it is smart to keep your guest list small because this will help you save on the wedding expenses.
You should also make it a point to send out all the invitations early; this will allow your guests to plan their vacations and time-off early on and save on the airfare.
The issue with destination weddings is not being familiar with local specialists and shops. To ensure that everything goes according to plan, you should bring your own hairstylist, makeup artist, and photographer with you. The photographer is one of the most important aspects of a wedding. Without them, you may have no recollection of your big day. Lookup a photographer that is suitable for weddings and review their portfolio. Make sure to discuss travel plans and expenses early on with them. Since it will be hard to pay for the guests’ airfare and accommodation expenses, try to help them out by searching for a hotel near the ceremony location that offers group discounts. You should also provide them with shuttle service to the ceremony on the wedding day.
Making Sure It Goes Smoothly
Make your best to visit the wedding location before committing to it. You can also make a list of all prospective locations and visit them all before making your final decision. Usually, the most popular wedding destinations, especially tropical ones such as Indonesia, have unpredictable weather. It could be 80 degrees with 90% humidity, and it would still downpour with no warning signs. It can be hard to find great vendors off-season, so try to make your wedding happen during tourist season. It is also a great idea to research vendors so that you can keep up with your wedding planner.
Getting married in another country is an exhilarating experience. Not only will it give you wonderful memories that will last a lifetime, but it is also an awesome way to go on an exceptional journey with your loved ones. However, there are several aspects to planning an off-shore wedding. This is why you must keep things in mind to ensure that your big day goes as planned.
