How to Plan a Destination Wedding in Dominican Republic
If you want to get married on a beautiful beach, but don’t want to spend a fortune, Dominican Republic is a great place to plan a destination wedding. No matter which area you stay in, there’s lots to do, from scuba and snorkeling to catamaran cruises and ATV jungle tours. You’ll find reasonable room prices and affordable wedding packages in Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and La Romana. No matter if your budget’s big or small, it’ll go a long way in Dominican Republic.
How to Plan a Destination Wedding in Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic has golden sand beaches, perfect for a romantic wedding.
1. Decide How Much You Want to Spend
Just like at home, you can set your budget, then plan a wedding that fits. If you’ve got a small budget, you can stick to a popular, inexpensive resort. If you’ve got a bigger budget, you can look at more upscale or luxury resorts. No matter if you’re spending a little or a lot, you can find a resort that fits your budget in Dominican Republic. There’s tons of all inclusive resorts with great beaches, comfortable rooms and delicious food at every price level.
If you’re not sure how much things cost, you don’t need to set a budget right away. Just choose a number that you’re comfortable spending. Once you’ve looked at some resorts and wedding packages, you can adjust your budget.
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Ready to start planning? The Destination Wedding Planner includes information sheets, worksheets and checklists for everything from choosing a wedding package to packing your suitcases. Check it out on Amazon The Destination Wedding Planner: How to Plan Your Beach Wedding at an All Inclusive Resort
Sample Budget For an All Inclusive Wedding in Dominican Republic
Prices for flights and hotels depend on where you’re flying from and the resort you book. Prices will also change depending on the time of year you want to travel. Check with a travel agent to get the most accurate and current prices. For general prices, you can look for a budget like this:
$1,200 Flights to Dominican Republic (2 people x $600)
$1,750 Week at an all inclusive resort (7 nights x $250)
$2,000 Wedding package
$1,250 Wedding photographer
$100 At home - legal marriage license & ceremony
$300 Wedding rings
$1,200 Wedding clothes
$200 Invitations
Grand Total = $8,000
If you’ve got a smaller budget, you can use a smaller wedding package. Or look for resorts that offer free wedding packages or free room nights when you book a group trip. For more ways to save money, read this next: Cheap Destination Weddings at All Inclusive Resorts.
2. Decide On a Resort For Your Dominican Republic Wedding
The hardest part of planning a destination wedding is picking your resort! There’s so many to choose from. Start by checking your budget and looking at some resorts that fit your price range. Once you have an idea about what you can afford, you might want to adjust your budget up or down. Next, think about what kind of activities you want to do while you’re in Dominican Republic:
Snorkeling
Scuba diving
Horseback riding
Whale watching
Hiking
City tours
Caving
Zip lining
Decide what kind of amenities you want at the resort. Are you planning an adults only trip? Or do you want families to come, too? Some popular amenities are:
Adults only
Family friendly
Kids clubs
Child care
Nightclub
Adult only pools
Spa and salon
Room service
Once you’ve figured out what you’re looking for, you can talk to a travel agent. Most travel agents will not charge you a fee. They’ll get paid a commission when you book your trip. It shouldn’t cost you, or your guests, extra to use them. A travel agent will make sure you book everything you need for your wedding. They’ll help you make a room block and they’ll help keep your guests organized. They’ll also make sure you get all your bonuses and perks for booking a wedding group trip.
3. Plan a Symbolic Ceremony or a Legal Ceremony in Dominican Republic
A legal ceremony performed in Dominican Republic is recognized as legal in the US and Canada. If you decide you get married in Dominican Republic, you’ll be legally married back home.
You’ll need to have your documents translated into Spanish and apostilled ahead of time. When you receive your marriage license, it’ll be in Spanish. You’ll have to have it translated into English to have it recognized back home.
As well as your documents, be aware that a legal ceremony must be performed in Spanish. If you and your guests don’t speak the language, this could be less meaningful than a symbolic ceremony would be.
Most resort wedding packages include a symbolic ceremony. If you decide to have the legal ceremony in Dominican Republic, remember to budget extra for the paperwork, the officiant and the ceremony.
Most couples skip the extra paperwork and language barrier by getting legally married ahead of time, at home. Most choose a simple city hall ceremony, then plan a meaningful symbolic ceremony for your destination wedding.
Sand jar favors given out at a destination wedding.
To Get Legally Married in Dominican Republic, You’ll Need:
Photocopies of your passports
Birth certificates that show both parents names
Notarized Declaration of Single Status for the bride and groom
Two copies of the certificate of divorce, if either of you is divorced
Two certified copies of death certificate, if either of you is widowed
If the bride was previously married, there is a mandatory waiting period of 10 months before she’s allowed to marry again
If your documents aren’t in Spanish, they need to be translated and notarized ahead of time
Plan to arrive 3 days before your wedding date, in order to complete all your paperwork
4. Choose the Best Wedding Package For Your Dominican Republic Wedding
Most resorts offer wedding packages at all price levels. The lowest priced package usually has everything you need for 10 people. It’ll include a symbolic ceremony with chairs, an officiant and music. Plus cake and sparkling wine, with a dinner booked for you in one of the specialty restaurants.
If you’re inviting more than 10 people, you can choose bigger packages. Most resorts offer packages for up to 10 people, 10 to 20 people or 20 to 30 people. As well, many of the bigger packages include extras like private dinners, cocktail hours and more.
For more about choosing and booking your package, read this next: Choosing an All Inclusive Destination Wedding Package.
Bahia Principe Dominican Republic offers great wedding packages at low prices. The resort is affordable, the rooms are nice and the beach is fantastic. If you’re traveling with 16 to 30 people, you can use their free wedding package. The free package includes decorations, bouquet and boutonniere. Plus wedding cake, sparkling wine and a semi private dinner. If you want to upgrade your decorations, or add a cocktail hour and private dinner, you can choose a bigger package. See all the details on their webpage: Destination Weddings at Bahia Principe Dominican Republic
Dreams Punta Cana is another popular resort with fantastic wedding packages. The resort has a free package that includes a ceremony, wedding cake and sparkling wine for up to 10 people. Dreams Punta Cana also offers bigger packages that include everything you need at a reasonable price. You can choose a package that includes a cocktail hour and private dinner. Plus photos, hair and makeup. You can even include a Mexican trio in your wedding package! See the details on their webpage: Destination Wedding at Dreams Punta Cana
Best Locations For a Destination Wedding in Dominican Republic
The best all inclusive resorts in Dominican Republic are found in three main areas: Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and La Romana. In general, the least expensive resorts are in Puerto Plata, but there’s plenty of affordable options in Punta Cana and La Romana. Most resorts offer day trips and excursions, including scuba, snorkeling and catamaran cruises. Plus ATV, dune buggies and zip lining adventures. You can also book tours of nearby cities, museums and tourist attractions.
Romantic wedding reception at the beach in Dominican Republic..
Punta Cana Destination Wedding is Best For:
Whether you’re planning an adults only or family vacation, Punta Cana has resorts for everyone. Plus there’s lots to do in the area, from ecological parks to high energy nightclubs. Punta Cana has fantastic beaches, great resorts and fun excursions for everyone in your group.
Things to do in the Punta Cana area:
Enjoy the culture on a Santa Domingo city tour
Spend the day hiking and swimming in freshwater lagoons at the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park
Swim in a cenote at Hoyo Azul at Scape Park
Try your luck at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino
Plan a fun group night out at Coco Bongo Punta Cana
Puerto Plata Destination Wedding is Best For:
Puerto Plata has gorgeous beaches and inexpensive resorts. Puerto Plata is close to some of the best natural attractions in Dominican Republic. Excursions include river tubing or hiking to waterfalls. If you’re more adventurous, you can even try zip lining, caving or mountain biking.
Things to do in the Puerto Plata area:
Ride the cable car up to Mount Isabel des Torres
Visit the Amber Museum in Puerto Plata
Go hiking or caving in El Choco National Park
Have an adventure at the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua
La Romana Destination Wedding is Best For:
La Romana has beautiful, white sand beaches with turquoise water. Perfect for a vacation - and a wedding! There’s also a nearby coral reef and several golf courses with ocean views. Most resorts have nightclubs, but in general, the area is quieter than Punta Cana or Puerto Plata.
Things to do in the La Romana area:
Book a catamaran cruise to Saona Island
Visit Altos de Chavon, a village with museums, shops and restaurants
Go on a city tour of La Romana
Play golf on scenic, ocean side courses
Romantic sunset after a beach wedding ceremony.
No matter which area you choose, there’s loads of resorts in every price range. It seems like a lot, when you’re first starting out, so take your time looking through the resorts and wedding packages. Once you find the right resort for you, everything else will fall into place. Before you know it, you’ll be getting married - on a tropical beach, with the ocean at your feet!
