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

 
Sunset at a golden sand beach with boats floating in the ocean.

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.

Please note: this article contains affiliate links. That means that I may earn a commission if you decide to buy something.


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.

 
Wedding favor jar filled with sand and shells, with a tag that says "Wedding Ceremony".

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 beach arch and tables set for a wedding with white tulle and pink flowers.

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:

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

 
Bride and groom sitting at the beach during sunset.

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!


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