Planning a destination wedding is a dream come true for many couples — exchanging vows on a sun-kissed beach, in a quaint European village, or beneath a waterfall in a tropical rainforest. But as romantic as it sounds, destination weddings also come with some logistical challenges. One of the biggest questions couples face is:
Should we get legally married before the destination wedding?
The answer? It depends on your priorities, the laws of the destination country, and what kind of ceremony you want. Let’s break down the pros and cons of both options to help you make the right choice for your big day.
✅ Reasons to Get Legally Married Before the Destination Wedding
1. Legal Simplicity
Many countries have complex requirements for legal marriages — things like residency periods, translated documents, blood tests, or local officiants. Getting legally married in your home country first can save you a lot of bureaucratic headaches.
2. Less Stress, More Celebration
By handling the paperwork at home, your destination ceremony can be purely about the celebration. No legal logistics to worry about, just love, vows, and maybe a little champagne on the beach.
3. Timing and Insurance
Some travel insurance policies only cover legally married spouses. And in case of emergencies while abroad, being officially married beforehand might simplify medical or legal matters.
4. You Can Still Make It Special
A legal ceremony at the courthouse or in your backyard doesn’t have to be boring. Many couples treat it as a private, intimate moment — and then go all-out with the destination ceremony in front of friends and family.
🤔 Reasons You Might Wait to Get Married at the Destination
1. You Want It to Feel “Official”
Some couples want their wedding day to be the day — the moment when everything becomes official. If that emotional connection matters to you, you might prefer to do it all at once, at your chosen destination.
2. You’re Eloping
If you're planning a private elopement in a country where marriage is legally recognized and you’re up for the paperwork challenge, it can be a beautiful way to do it all in one swoop.
3. Destination Country Requirements Are Easy
Some countries make it super simple to legally marry (hello, Denmark!). If that’s the case, and you want the ceremony to be legally binding on location, go for it!
👰♀️💍 A Middle-Ground Option: Symbolic Ceremony
If you get legally married at home but still want your destination wedding to feel like the real thing, consider a symbolic ceremony. These are especially common in destination weddings — and most guests won’t even know the difference unless you tell them.
You can still walk down the aisle, exchange vows and rings, and have your “you may kiss the bride/groom” moment. No one has to know you already signed the papers back home.
So... Should You Do It?
There’s no right or wrong answer here — just what feels best to you as a couple.
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If convenience, travel logistics, and low stress are priorities → Get legally married before.
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If the emotional significance of one big wedding moment is most important → Consider marrying on location.
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Want the best of both worlds? → Get married at home, have a symbolic (and stunning) ceremony abroad.
Whatever you choose, your love and your commitment are what truly matter — whether you say “I do” at the courthouse or on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Have you decided how you’ll handle the legal side of your destination wedding? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below — especially if you’ve done it already and have some advice for others!
