Legal marriage before destination wedding?

I don't think anyone would know unless you tell them, it might be less of a hassle to do it before.

More people are excited about destination weddings than you think!!

I don't think telling them you were "officially" married beforehand would prevent people from wanting to celebrate with you later. People may be more upset if you keep it from then.

You should check the marriage laws in both your state and the Dominican Republic. Some states will accept a marriage license actually signed in another country, but others won't. If you run to the courthouse either immediately before or immediately after you're in the Dominican, I'm sure it won't feel like a vow renewal - you're getting married at the ceremony, just getting the legal paperwork taken care of separately

1. Why is your travel agent interjecting his opinion - have you talked to your FH about this?

2. What reason do you have to hide getting legally married - does his/your family not approve?

3. There is no reason to hide it, that's just a form of lying. If you're choosing to get legally married before the actual DW, your families deserve to know.

Sorry, but why is your travel person even in this conversation? weird.

have you looked into all of the paperwork etc required to get married in the DR?we had a DW, and no one ever suggested this to us during our 14 months of planning. just seems odd.

Well she was just suggesting we do it before everyone she's booked before did it.

Well luckily you have time to research and figure out the best plan for you... there were definitely a lot of hoops to go through getting married in PR, but this is my only marriage so i don know how different it was than a regular wedding... and maybe it was easier because PR is part of the US...

Regardless if you are interested in getting married prior to the wedding, you need to discuss it to your FH. What if he doesnt want to do it? And if you do it, tell your family. There is no logic & reason in hiding it. I think they'd be pretty mad they didnt get to see you legally get married. That's the real part, the wedding is just a celebration. I know I'd rather have people witness me get married than party with me later on...