Non Religious ceremony? (Gran Porto Real, Mexico)

[aeroo]

We are planning on getting married at a resort in Mexico. We are going to get legally married at home before the wedding (due to the legal issues, etc), but going to have a 'symbolic' wedding in Mexico. Problem is, for a non legal ceremony in Mexico, it is only performed by a minister. Both of us are not religious and do not want a religious ceremony. Anybody else have this same problem? Or can anybody tell me about their experience having a religious ceremony there?

Thanks!

[TripsDownTheAisle]

Hi,

Congrats on your engagement! As an owner of a destination wedding company hopefully I can give you some information from my experiences. our clients and my own travels.

Each year we are doing more and more symbolic weddings to Mexico with their legal requirements. This past year the ones that I have taken care of in that area run about 80% symbolic and 20% legal. My last one on Saturday they just went to the court house and signed the papers. When they first booked it was a legal one but they found the rules cumbersome. We advised the resort that they did not want their guests to know the extent of their wedding. That was no problem since the resorts respect that. I always hear bridal couples worry that guests traveling with them would be upset but honestly they do not have to know. Many courthouses you are just signing a piece of paper, the ceremony is where the love for one another comes out.

Now with regards to the minister, yes they do use a minister but they will ask you or you can give the wedding coordinator the rules that you want them to follow. Depending upon where you are going, they are very good about honoring your wishes. The main concern I have seen is the honor and obey. So we map out with the coordinator at the venue for the bridal couple their wishes prior. If you don't want something in there or don't want them to say any "God" or items like that, just tell them ahead of time. See if the minister will do it for you now, before you book the date.

That is the main item you need to keep open is an honest line of communication with all people working on your wedding. Do that at the start or you might run into problems later. And get everything in writing. Yes, it might take longer but you will have a record of it.

I hope this information helps! Best wishes on your special day!

Take Care,
Lindsay