You can choose to get married abroad. However, there are many things you need to consider. Getting married abroad is always different than getting married in your own country.

Planning

Start planning in time once you know you’re getting married abroad. It is quite difficult to arrange everything when marrying abroad, and it may take longer than it would at home. That’s why it’s important to start planning early. The process will also be different because you’re probably far away. At home, you can just drive to a location and check it out. Abroad, this is more complicated and requires more time.
During the planning, you’ll need to arrange not only the venue but also, for example, the travel for you and your guests. It’s a lot of work to organize a wedding abroad, so you might consider hiring a wedding planner.

Choosing the country when getting married abroad

When choosing the country together with your partner, it’s best to write down a few suggestions. Then make a list of the pros and cons of each country. Review them and decide which country is the best and where you would most like to go.
Once you’ve chosen the country, check the status, as that’s important too. Look at the political situation and whether there is war – of course, you don’t want to get married in the middle of unrest. Also, consider hurricane or rainy seasons. This will help you when choosing the date, as you don’t want it to rain all day or end up in hurricane season.
You can also choose a date first and pick a country that fits it. It’s also useful to know the specific area where you’ll get married, so explore the surroundings – either by visiting or online.

The law abroad

If you’re getting married abroad, different laws may apply. Look carefully at the legal situation in the country and what is different there. In some countries, a legal marriage might not be valid. For example, in Cuba, a legal marriage is not valid. If you still want to marry there, you can legally marry at home and then have the ceremony with your guests in Cuba. Hire a registrar (BABS) who can perform the symbolic ceremony, where you say your vows and exchange rings. This way, you still get the full wedding experience abroad. Some countries also require more witnesses.

Certificate

In some countries, you’ll need a “certificate of no impediment.” This is an international document stating you are allowed to get married abroad. It’s valid for 6 months and must be requested from your local municipality.
You may also need a certificate of unmarried status. This is an international extract from the civil registry (BRP), showing your marital status, and can also be requested from your municipality.
These documents come with a cost:

• Certificate of no impediment: €23.60
• Certificate of unmarried status (online or at the desk): €16.50
• Certificate by post: €21.05

Do you pay for guests’ accommodation?

You decide how much the budget will be. Getting married abroad is generally more expensive than marrying at home. You can reduce the budget by inviting fewer guests. This way, you have a small group to pay for, and your wedding is intimate and filled with loved ones.
When marrying abroad, keep in mind the cost of travel and overnight stays. Don’t assume all guests can pay for their own travel and accommodation. If you don’t want to cover everything, you can agree to pay part of one of them. Ideally, you pay for at least the accommodation or arrange it for them.
That said, it’s not your obligation to pay – it’s entirely up to you.

Gifts

As a couple marrying abroad, think carefully when making a gift list. Don’t expect guests to bring heavy or large gifts. That would be inconvenient for them and for you. You might not be able to bring large gifts home without paying expensive baggage fees.
You could ask for small gifts or suggest that guests give their presents at home, so you don’t need to bring them back.

Advice for getting married abroad

First and foremost: enjoy your day and everything around it – after all, it’s one of the most special days of your lives. Hire a wedding planner so you don’t forget anything important.
Think carefully about the styling – it completes the overall picture of your wedding. Keep in mind that you’re abroad. Give your family a meaningful role; they are precious to you, so make sure they feel special on your wedding day.
Also, don’t forget to check if your passport or ID is still valid. In some countries, it must be valid for at least six more months upon departure. Mention this to your guests on the invitation or via email.