Planning a destination wedding comes with a million little decisions—beach or garden ceremony? Buffet or plated dinner? DJ or live band? But one of the biggest questions you might not even know you have to answer is:

Do you want a legal or symbolic wedding ceremony?

If you’re scratching your head, don’t worry—you’re not alone. A lot of couples don’t realize there’s a choice here, and even fewer know what each one actually means. So, let’s break it down in plain English and help you figure out which one is the right fit for your big day.

In short, we recommend couples legally marry in their hometown, making many destination weddings “symbolic” since the legalities are handled back at home.

What’s a Legal Destination Wedding?

‍

Let’s start with the official stuff.

A legal wedding is exactly what it sounds like—it’s legally binding. You’ll be married in the eyes of the law, therefore, you’ll need to follow the marriage laws of the country where you're tying the knot.

That might include documentation, witnesses, and licensed officiant / judge requirements. 

Oh—and in some places, like Mexico or the Dominican Republic, you may need blood tests. Yep, it’s a thing.

So yes, a legal ceremony can involve a bit of paperwork and planning (and maybe a jab or two). But for couples who want to say, “We got married in Jamaica, and it’s official!”—this is the way to go.

‍

What’s a Symbolic Wedding Ceremony?

‍

Now, let’s talk about symbolic weddings—the chill cousin of ceremonies.

A symbolic wedding looks and feels exactly like a “real” wedding. You walk down the aisle, exchange vows, have a first kiss, and dance the night away with your guests. The only difference? You’re not actually signing legal documents during the ceremony.

Most couples who choose a symbolic wedding get legally married at home—either before or after the trip. Think of it like signing the paperwork at city hall, and then celebrating in paradise with your dream wedding.

With a symbolic wedding:

• There’s no extra paperwork or legal requirements
  
  
• No need to arrive days early
  
  
• No blood tests, no stress
  
  
• You can personalize your ceremony as much as you want
  
  

It’s pure celebration, minus the legal red tape.

‍

Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s the thing—both are valid. Both are meaningful. Both are YOUR wedding.

But depending on your personality, your priorities, and how you want to experience your big day, one might make more sense than the other.

‍

Choose a legal wedding if:

• You love the idea of saying “I do” and being legally married in the same moment
  
  
• You’re excited to make it official in a foreign country
  
  
• You're fine managing lots of documentation abroad and getting them translated and legalized for recognition in your home country.

‍

Choose a symbolic wedding if:

• You want your destination wedding to be completely stress-free
  
  
• You’d rather skip paperwork and focus on the fun
  
  
• You want more flexibility in crafting a ceremony that feels like “you”
  
  

Some couples even keep the legal part private and let the symbolic ceremony be the real emotional moment. Others go big on the legal ceremony and love the idea of having one marriage certificate from their dream destination. There’s no wrong answer—it’s all about what feels right for you.

A destination wedding should feel magical, meaningful, and memorable. Whether you’re signing the paperwork in paradise or back home before boarding the plane, your love story is what makes the day special—not a government stamp.

So legal or symbolic—what’s more important is that you're surrounded by the people you love, in a place that takes your breath away, celebrating the beginning of forever.

‍

Still unsure which route is best?
That’s what we’re here for. Our team helps couples navigate both options all the time, and we’re happy to walk you through the process step-by-step. Let’s make your dream wedding a reality—legal, symbolic, or something in between. ✨ Schedule a consultation with our team today!

‍