Dominican Republic

What about the Dominican Republic?
Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, bathed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea in the south, is the placid and beautiful country of the Dominican Republic. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, it’s natural beauty and rich history fascinates and excites those who get to know it.

Punta Cana

Punta Cana is a most popular destination in the DR. It is a resort town within the Veron-Punta Cana municipal district, in La Altagracia Province, the easternmost province of the DR.
The area has beaches which face both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The weather is hot and humid, especially in late summer and fall.
Many of the excursions in Punta Cana are near the water, it being a beach destination. These activities include snorkeling, windsurfing, banana boat rides, speedboats, scuba diving, catamaran cruises, party boats, deep sea fishing, as well as swimming with dolphins and sharks and snorkeling with stingrays. For visitors who prefer to see more of the Dominican countryside, there are land-based excursions such as safari tours, horseback riding and dune buggies.
Visiting the Dominican Republic's smaller Caribbean islands of Saona and Catalina is a day trip from Punta Cana.
Safety - Punta Cana received negative publicity in the summer of 2019 for a series of American tourist deaths. Initially these deaths were reported as “mysterious,” with tainted alcohol and pesticides being rumored as possible reasons. However, with the help of the FBI and the US Department of State, it was found via toxicology reports that the deaths were from natural causes. To further ensure travelers that Punta Cana safety is of the highest priority, a consortium of 50 hotels developed the Punta Cana Promise which reaffirms their commitment to a set of safety and security guidelines. Punta Cana is generally a very safe travel destination. With regards to unnatural deaths of Americans, Jamaica and the Bahamas are just two destinations in the Caribbean which are more dangerous.

La Romana

Located on the south-eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, La Romana offers the perfect blend of seaside relaxation and natural exploration. Surrounded by picturesque sugar cane fields and overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, this destination has something to offer every traveller. Visit the offshore island of Isla Saona on a catamaran cruise to spend the day soaking up the sun on your very own private island with white-sand beaches and excellent snorkelling conditions. La Romana is also one of the Caribbean’s top golfing destinations. Make sure to explore Altos de Chavón at Casa de Campo during your stay, a replica historic Mediterranean village that features 16th century architecture and offers dramatic sweeping views of Chavón River.

Samana

Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, water sports and nightlife scene. Its cobblestone center is home to the ornate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, boutique shops and a range of restaurants and bars. El Malecón is a beachside promenade with contemporary sculptures, as well as bars, lounges and nightclubs. If you want a gorgeous sunset wedding, Puerto Vallarta is the place to be.

Other Information

What is the best time of year to have a Destination Wedding in the Dominican Republic?
Since June to November is hurricane season, the best time of the year to book your wedding would be from December to May. The average temperature during this period is a high of 29 degrees Celsius during the day and a low of 19 degrees Celsius at night. This allows for perfect wedding conditions: a hot sunny day for the ceremony and a not-so-humid reception at night.

The legal paperwork: In order to get married in the Dominican Republic, the first of many important things you’ll need on hand are two witnesses with valid passports. You will also need your original birth certificates and valid signed passports, and you must send photocopies of these to the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic. Along with these, you’ll need Notarized Statutory Declarations of Single Status. If either party was previously married, you’ll need to send in an original divorce certificate or death certificate or a notarized photocopy. Keep in mind, the birth certificates, Statutory Declaration of Single Status, divorce certificate and death certificate are required to be translated into Spanish, and must be legalized by a Dominican Republic Consulate or Embassy; fees of $100 per legalized document and $40 per translated document will apply.

Most couples decide to hold a symbolic celebration abroad in lieu of a legal ceremony in your destination. Symbolic ceremonies allow you to exchange vows in paradise and take care of the legal formalities at home (either before or after your trip). You need to be in the resort for 3 business days before you can have a ceremony.

Budget :
To get a resort with decent food you would expect to pay between $1800-$2200 per person for 7 nights including accommodation, food, flights, transfers and taxes for an average resort, not over holiday periods.