Planning a destination wedding is an exciting adventure! Whether you're dreaming of exchanging vows on a tropical beach, in a romantic European villa, or atop a scenic mountaintop, an international wedding can be an unforgettable experience. However, navigating the legalities of getting married abroad can be complicated.
Many couples choose to legally marry in the U.S. either before or after their destination wedding to simplify the process and avoid potential legal challenges. In this guide, I’ll walk you through why this approach makes sense, how to do it, and how I can help make the process seamless through my legal license signing and ghostwriting services.
Why Get Legally Married in the U.S. Before or After Your Destination Wedding?
While a symbolic ceremony abroad can be the highlight of your wedding experience, taking care of the legal paperwork in the U.S. can save you stress, time, and even money. Here’s why many couples opt for this route:
1. Avoid Complicated International Paperwork
Every country has its own marriage laws, and some require residency, specific documentation, or additional processing time that may not fit your wedding plans.
2. Ensure Your Marriage is Recognized Back Home
Some international marriages require extra steps to be legally recognized in the U.S., such as translating documents or registering your marriage after returning home. Getting legally married in the U.S. avoids these hurdles.
3. Keep Your Wedding Focused on Celebration, Not Logistics
By handling the legal paperwork before or after your wedding abroad, your destination wedding can be fully about celebrating your love, without worrying about legalities.
Should You Legally Marry Before or After Your Destination Wedding?
✅ Marry Before – If you want to ensure your destination wedding is purely symbolic and avoid international paperwork, legally marrying in the U.S. first is a great choice.
✅ Marry After – If you want your destination wedding to feel like the “official” moment, you can have a private legal signing in the U.S. when you return home.
No matter which option you choose, I can help make it easy!
How to Legally Marry in the U.S. Before or After Your Destination Wedding
If you decide to take care of the legal aspect of your marriage before or after your big day abroad, here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
1. Obtain a Marriage License
Each state has its own requirements for obtaining a marriage license, including waiting periods and expiration dates. Be sure to check the laws in your state to ensure a smooth process.
2. Sign the License with a Licensed Officiant
A legal marriage requires an authorized officiant to sign your license. You don’t need a full ceremony—just a simple signing is enough to make it official.
3. Submit Your Marriage License for Filing
Once signed, your officiant (that’s me!) will file your marriage license with the appropriate county or city office, ensuring everything is properly recorded.
How I Can Help: My Services for Destination Wedding Couples
I offer two key services to help couples planning destination weddings:
1. Legal License Signing (Available Nationwide)
No matter where you are in the U.S., I can legally officiate your marriage and handle your marriage license signing before or after your destination wedding. Whether you prefer a quick signing at home, a private elopement, or something in between, I can help!
✨ What’s Included?
✅ A simple, no-fuss legal marriage license signing
✅ Filing of your marriage license for official registration
This service is perfect for couples who want to focus on their symbolic wedding abroad while ensuring their marriage is legally recognized.
2. Ghostwriting for Your Destination Wedding Ceremony
If you’re planning to have a friend or family member officiate your destination wedding, I can help write a custom wedding script that reflects your love story and values. This ensures your ceremony feels personal and heartfelt while also giving your chosen officiant a polished, professional script to follow.
✨ What’s Included?
✅ A fully customized wedding ceremony script
✅ Guidance for your chosen officiant
✅ Options for vows, readings, and personal touches
This service allows you to have a completely unique and meaningful wedding ceremony without putting pressure on your friend or family member to write it themselves.
Additional Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding
Beyond handling your legal marriage in advance or afterward, here are some extra tips for ensuring a smooth destination wedding experience:
1. Research Your Destination’s Marriage Laws
If you’re considering legally marrying abroad, check the country’s requirements well in advance. Some require residency, specific documents, or a civil ceremony before a symbolic one.
2. Plan for Marriage Certificate Copies
If you legally marry in the U.S., order extra certified copies of your marriage certificate. You may need them for name changes, legal documentation, or proof of marriage abroad.
3. Inform Your Guests About Travel & Legalities
Make sure your guests have all the necessary travel documents and understand any destination-specific requirements (e.g., vaccinations, passports, or visas).
4. Consider Travel & Wedding Insurance
Destination weddings come with unique challenges like weather disruptions, vendor changes, or travel delays. Wedding insurance can help protect your investment.
Let’s Make Your Wedding Plans Easy & Stress-Free!
Getting legally married in the U.S. before or after your destination wedding is a smart way to ensure your marriage is recognized without the extra hassle. Whether you need a quick legal license signing or a beautifully written wedding script, I’m here to help!
📩 Ready to chat? Contact me today to learn more about my services and how I can support your dream wedding.
📍 Based in Virginia | Serving Couples Nationwide
ALL PHOTOS IN THIS BLOG ARE BY KIR2BEN PHOTOGRAPHY