I also thought about getting married before I went over and just doing a symbolic ceremony. However, my travel agent told me that even if you get married in the States, you still have to wait 3 business days before you can have the ceremony. Its a goverenment rule. So I am going on a Tuesday, and will not get married until Saturday (three full business days later.) Bummer right? But I am going for the symbolic anyway becuase it takes off the $500.00 fee for the civil ceremony. I hope this helps.