Getting Married in Antigua

Are you dreaming of an island getaway but can’t decide where to go? Don’t worry, you are not the only one. With so many beautiful countries, each with their own wonderful people and gorgeous beaches it can be very hard to choose.

Why not consider having your destination wedding in Antigua? Destination weddings are the best! You get to celebrate your wedding in a beautiful place you’ve always wanted to go and your specially selected guests get to have a vacation as well, not necessarily at your expense.

For the last two years, Antigua has been chosen as the best wedding island. It really isn’t surprising because the place truly is beautiful and the people are amazing. They do love weddings and go that extra mile to make sure that every wedding held there is perfect for their clients: the bride and groom.

One of the best reasons to get married in Antigua is that the process is very easy. There isn’t that much of a waiting period, nor are there residency issues. Your marriage here is quick, valid and legal without most of the fuss that surrounds most bureaus.

You can apply for your special license as soon as you get to Antigua but to make the process go a little faster, prepare as much of the paperwork as you can before you leave. The application form for the marriage license is available online. You can download it from here.

You will also need to have your passports ready. These serve as your valid ID. If you have been married previously, you will need to bring the original divorce decree or original marriage and death certificates, whichever is applicable to your case.

In order to get married in Antigua, you must be at least over 15. If you are below 18 you will need parental consent. Your parent or guardian must give written permission to your marriage in order for your marriage to be valid.

If you plan to get marriage in church, you will need consent from the local parish priest. You may want to make arrangements through your local parish priest before you leave home. It will go easier if you are getting married in a church of the same order. Expect that you may be required to undergo some marriage seminars since the church does not take the sacrament likely and want you to be sure that you too take it very seriously.

Generally, here’s what you will pay for the license:

• Registration fee of about GBP20.29 (US$40)
• Application fee for a special marriage license of GBP76.06 (US$150)
• Marriage officer’s fee of GBP25.35 (US$50)

The rest of your money will go as you choose. When you are in paradise, you don’t really need a lot to make the backdrop for your wedding beautiful, but there are definitly a lot of people willing to help you make everything just as you want it.

Sensibly though, spend the money on your honeymoon. Spend on each other, doing things that you will both enjoy. Make the most of being on vacation and in each other’s company. There truly is nothing more wonderful than being alone together in a place as beautiful and romantic than this Caribbean island.

Getting Married in New Orleans

If you want a fun filled, light hearted wedding that is romantic and full of jazz music, then you need to think about getting married in New Orleans. There is absolutely no place like it. New Orleans is definitely one place that will make your memorable occasion absolutely unforgettable.

There are many places to get married in New Orleans. It all depends on your taste and making reservations as soon as you can. There’s the French Quarter if you want a more historic, romantic wedding. With its courtyards and carriage ride you will be absolutely swept off your feet.

If music is your passion you may prefer to get married in the House of Blues or Rosy’s Jazz Hall. Both are beautiful places and have wonderful acoustics so that your wedding entertainment will have perfect sound. Music is after all one of the most famous aspects of New Orleans culture.

Of course if you’d prefer to be married while cruising down the Mississippi, that can be arranged too. The people here are very friendly and accommodating. You can have a very relaxed event on one of the old show boats. Wow! That would be something.

Since for most couples this will be a destination wedding, you should know that New Orleans requires that both parties be over 18 to marry. You can apply for a license if you are 16 to 18 years of age but will need the consent of both your parents or a court order from a judge of the juvenile court. They also require that at least one of you must be physically present to apply for the license.

Now while there is normally a 72 hour waiting period between the issuance of the license and when you can get married, marriage officiants are authorized to waive this waiting period for non-residents such as yourselves. If you are getting the license a head of time, keep in mind that it is valid for a maximum of six months.

Food is another aspect of New Orleans that is well loved. There is nothing like Cajun cooking. It is heavily spiced food that always smells heavenly. No, the food isn’t always hot and spicy but it is always flavored. Your wedding reception will be well remembered by those of your guests who love to eat.

New Orleans weddings are for people who love life and want to savor life to the fullest. There is a vibrancy in the air that will help liven up your wedding. With the great artists and musicians that are available, there is no doubt that your party will be swinging.

There are many fine artisans who will help you prepare for your wedding in this unique city. They have everything! If you want totally unique wedding souvenirs or a gorgeous cake, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what’s available. If you want to look for something old to wear for the special occasion there are many antiques to be found in the city. New Orleans will truly make your nuptials a historic event.

The Wedding Cruise (Love Boat part II)

So you’ve made up your mind to have a cruise destination wedding. That’s great! You get the fun of a vacation and your wedding all rolled into one. Plus you get to explore the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. That is wonderful!

Here are some advantages of this kind of wedding:

No need to book a getaway car. You’ll have cabin rooms to use for getting ready and for your honeymoon on board. No traveling necessary. The farthest you are likely to travel is down to the beach if your nuptials can’t be held on board the ship. If you can have it on the ship, you are exactly where you need to be and don’t need the extra expense.

Everything is one place. If your nuptials will be held onboard, the cruise ship’s team of professionals will serve as your wedding coordinator as well. Think of it like having your reception in a hotel where you avail of their function room and utilize their chef. You will need to discuss your plans thoroughly with your agent before you actually book your trip so that everything will be ready before you even leave shore. Keep in mind that the ship can’t just stop at the nearest department store if you decide that you need something once it has left its berth.

Some cruise ships have tuxedo rentals available. Your groom and his men need not have suits made. This is a great way to cut down on expense and travel light at the same time. Of course, for a better fit, they may still prefer to have their own.

You can have a more intimate and significant a wedding. Like all weddings, your budget plays a major factor in how big your guest list will be. Since this is a destination wedding, like all of its kind, you are further constrained by how many of your guests you can afford to have on board. This will drastically cut down the numbers, unless you have money to burn. The good news is, this means you will have only those who are truly important with you present and you get to give them a great vacation while they attend your nuptials as well.

You will still need to have your bridal gown, and any other entourage outfits, made before you get on board the ship. Make sure to inform your dressmaker that you are getting married on a cruise so that they can provide proper packaging and storage to properly protect your dress.

If you choose a cruise destination wedding, make sure that you both travel well by sea. The last thing you would both want is to feel under the weather during this special occasion. Make sure to have the necessary medicines on hand, just in case any of you do get sea sick.

With this very special kind of destination wedding, it is even more essential than ever that you are very organized. It is to your advantage to very carefully run through your checklists and make sure that nothing gets left undone. Keep in mind that once the ship sails, you won’t have time to buy any missing items unless the ships concessionaires have them.

Destination Weddings : The Love Boat

Love…
exciting and new
Come aboard
we’re expecting you

This is the first verse of the theme of the TV show Love Boat. For many couples, it inspired romance. What was there not to to enjoy. The adventure of going on a cruise, stopping at new places and enjoying a tour of the Carribean or Mediterranean while one was at it was extremely tempting to many.

If you’ve been inspired by this show and have decided to have your destination wedding on a cruise, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind so that your wedding matches your dreams. The last thing you want is to be on the ship but not having any fun. Nor would you want to be on board but unable to get married because something got left undone.

For example, the actual wedding is held at a port on one of the stops of the cruise. This means that you need to check that you have the necessary papers so that you can get married there. This therefore means that you need to know the route that your cruise will take before you start on your paperwork.

That being said, you have two things to do. The first is choose your cruise line or ship. The second is to find out the requirements to get married in the port or country of your choice.

If you want to be on the Love Boat, you’ll want to choose the Grand Princess Cruise Ship. This was the ship used for the the TV show. It truly is a beautiful choice. If you’re open to suggestion there are many other options.

Not all ships will allow you to get married on board. They may have wedding packages but their set-up for your wedding will most likely be done on the beach, which really isn’t a bad alternative. Those couples and guests who aren’t particularly good travelers by sea will surely thank you for the opportunity to have solid ground beneath them as you get married.

These cruise lines will allow you to get married on board:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Princess Cruise
• Royal Carribean Line

These two will not:

• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Line

Since this is a destination wedding of a very special kind, this means that your guests are either all on board or flying to the port where your nuptials will be held. It is best to make sure that the ship will allow your guests to board if they won’t be sailing with you. Again, there is an advantage to the fact that you are getting married at the beach instead of on the ship.

If you will hold it on the ship, don’t expect that the captain will perform the wedding ceremony. Unless he is also a judge, a priest, a minister, a justice of the peace or a notary public, he is unlikely to be your officiant. The cruise lines though will usually provide one if you tell them ahead of time and it is part of their services.

Wedding Destination: Italy

Imagine yourself getting married in a renaissance palace or a church covered in precious artwork. Instead of a limousine, have a gondola ride, watching the sunset together. Have your reception in a secret garden in one of Venice’s palazzos.

For those who feel that the canals of Venice do not invoke enough romance, a wedding in Florence is something to consider. Full of art, this area has remained true to its traditions and gives off an old world charm. Best of all, getting married in this area of Tuscany, the green heart of Italy, you have a wonderful backdrop to your wedding that is all natural.

Getting married in Italy is easy. For one, there is no residency requirement and you can get married on any day of the week (of course, special permission is required for Sunday weddings). Wedding planners and coordinators would be a great help to get everything done especially if you are not living in their town. They would know who the best vendors are for the area, and can help get your wedding details ironed out so that as when you arrive, practically all you’ll have to say is, “I do”.

This beautiful country is an absolute favorite for wedding destinations. There are so many options of where you can hold your ceremony - aside from Venice and Florence, there is Sicily, Rome, Sorento, Capri or even the Amalfi Coast. No matter where you choose, would be in one of the most romantic places in the world. Everywhere there is beauty under the blue Mediterranean sky.

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