As much planning goes into a wedding in Ireland, it will take ten times more to execute the same wedding abroad. Don't worry though, we've got the checklist of everything you need to think about before having a wedding abroad.
What documents do I need?
Obviously, you and your entire wedding entourage will need a valid passport to travel overseas.
Before your ceremony, you need to get a "Certificate of Freedom to Marry", which states you are legally free to marry and this is needed by several states if you intend to marry there. This certificate can be obtained by the Department of Foreign Affairs, and to apply for one you need to bring:
Your original long form birth certificate.
A court order, if you are under 18 years of age.
A copy of the death certificate of your deceased spouse, if widowed.
A copy of your divorce decree, if divorced.
A copy of your naturalisation document, if you were naturalised as an Irish citizen.
A photocopy of your current Irish passport.
You must also fill out a questionnaire and complete a Statutory Declaration form, which must be signed in the presence of a witness who can confirm your identity.
What legal status will my wedding hold in Ireland?
In many church weddings abroad, the ceremony is purely religious and holds no legal status once the ceremony is over, which also affects the legal status of the marriage in Ireland. There are some countries where you may need to be wed in Ireland before having a ceremony abroad to make the marriage legal. Therefore, it's very important that you meet the legal requirements of the country before you plan anything.
How do I register my marriage?
A marriage abroad is registered to the country it took place in and not in Ireland, regardless of whether the couple is Irish, except in very specific circumstances. The registry office in Ireland has no dealings with marriages that occur overseas. Your foreign marriage certificate will usually be accepted for official purposes in Ireland where you need to show evidence that you are married. If the certificate is in a foreign language, you must provide an official translation or a translation from a recognised translation agency.
If you aren't sure of the legal requirements for marriage in the country you will be marrying in, contact the relevant embassy or the religious authorities in that country in advance to find out what is required.
Will I need to bring my own officiant?
Some churches abroad will provide a celebrant, but you may need to bring your own priest for some ceremonies in certain countries.
How will I transport my wedding dress?
There are several options: you can arrange for a seat for the dress, or ask the stewards to hang the dress for you. Some boutiques also provide a box to transport the dress in when they know the wedding will be held abroad, to protect the dress while it's in the hold of aircraft. Make sure you ring the airline you're flying with beforehand so you know what the restrictions are.
Anything else I need to think of?
Don't forget, you have to send your invites out earlier than usual for a wedding abroad. You should also consider the local climate when choosing your destination and remember to keep all essential items such as rings in your hand luggage when flying out
Image credits: Bride and groom in the arch: Jose Villa | Bride and groom at the fence: Rochelle Cheever | Couple in the alley: Babb Photo | Suitcases: Wedding Chicks