Hush hush legal ceremony

[Avens]

We did the legal ceremony one year before our real wedding (Jan 12).  So our marriage certificate says Jan 12, 2011, and our wedding is Jan 12, 2012.

 

We invited a witness each (and their spouses) and had a little ceremony in our livingroom, took less than 5 minutes, it was nice - but not my wedding - although I did get a little cake, because I love cake. 

 

I think most people know we have to do the legal stuff beforehand, anyone who hasn't asked, probably just assumed we'll do what we're supposed to make it legal.  Luckily I haven't been asked that question to much!

[Jamie5280]

We are doing a legal ceremony here first.  I didn't want anyone to know, but FI opened up his big mouth and told my older sister (whom is also my BFF) and she was pretty mad that I didn't "think" to ask her to be there to witness it, which is funny, because she didn't care that we are doing the legal stuff here first, she just wants to be there....  So, now we have a witness, I guess.  But it's all personal preference....I just always want our Mexico wedding to be our anniversary.  I  am not dressing up or anything.  Going to keep it as simple as possible!  We will probably do it the week before we leave.

[Jodiann]

Hi ladies, so I was thinking the same thing. My fi and I are getting married in Jamaica in June 2012 .. But I was thinking to save the legal trouble we should legally get married before we go. My only issue is that I'm afraid it won't feel the same on our wedding day in June .. Like it's taking the importance out of getting married .. Ahhh so torn because I don't know how I will feel :confused:

[echraide]

I completely understand your stress. FI and I have gone over the same decision over and over. Regardless of how illogical it is, some people would feel like a DW isn't "worth it" if it isn't legal. We decided to just go with the headache of doing it in mexico, but if I was doing it locally first and formally in Mexico, I would do it the same way you are. Noone will know, it'll be fine =)

[mizpriya]

This is what we plan to do. Do the legal ceremony home the same date in 2012 and then the destination wedding will be next year on the same day in 2013

 

I think everyone knows we have to do it this way. It's way too much to have the big wedding here at home when I can do it for a quarter of the price somewhere else! Just as beautiful and it lasts a whole week rather just for one day
 

Originally Posted by Avens 

We did the legal ceremony one year before our real wedding (Jan 12).  So our marriage certificate says Jan 12, 2011, and our wedding is Jan 12, 2012.

 

We invited a witness each (and their spouses) and had a little ceremony in our livingroom, took less than 5 minutes, it was nice - but not my wedding - although I did get a little cake, because I love cake. 

 

I think most people know we have to do the legal stuff beforehand, anyone who hasn't asked, probably just assumed we'll do what we're supposed to make it legal.  Luckily I haven't been asked that question to much!

 

[Dominican Ally]

I LOVE the idea of having the legal wedding exactly one year before the destination wedding - that is awesome! I may consider this once I lock in my April 2013 date

[dmcr]

I was thinking the same thing im hoping the resort will keep out "symbolic " wedding a secret from our guests.

[favorsmr]

We are also planning to have a legal ceremony before our DW. It is a matter of saving the money, and I can change my name as soon as we return home.

[elissae]

A friend suggested the same thing to my FI & I.  Get legally married before here in NYS before going to Mexico & then just have the spiritual ceremony in Mexico instead of the civil one.....no one the wiser.  

 

At first I thought no, we cannot do that.  Although as I research the civil ceremony & see all the formalities, i.e., translation of pertinent docs to Spanish, have them notarized, the couple & 4 witnesses needing to be in Mexico 3 business days prior to wedding date for blood tests, licences etc., the costs add up.  So I was almost "swayed" to do this.  Although my FI (his 2nd marriage, my 1st) wants to make it official in Mexico.  He wants the anticipation/excitement of the commitment.  

 

It's still early - the jury is out - all depends when we confirm our date.  We want to schedule during the 2013 Easter/School break...anxiously waiting on the school board to approve. Once we have that, we then have to plan not only the wedding date, but the travel dates around those required 3 business days.

 

 

 

 

 

[joda]

We are doing our legal ceremony here as well. We have two friends (a couple) that can't make it to Mexico so they will be our witnesses, and I think we will go out for dinner with them after. But that's it, we aren't making a big deal of it and to me it is not our "real wedding".