Why you should get married in Puerto Rico?
This beautiful Caribbean Island with warm weather all year round. With world-class vendors with tons of expertise.
But most of all: kind-hearted people that will go the extra mile to make your dreams come true.
The dollar is the form of currency. Spanish is the main language, but the industry is led by English-speaking vendors. Here you’ll have available a variety of offers in terms of venues for your ceremony and reception.
From beaches to lush country sites and everything in between. From Ballrooms to Haciendas, you’ll have plenty of choices to choose from to celebrate your union and special day.
The island is divided into areas five areas: North and Central. South, West, and East.
The metropolitan area covers a lot of venues and coastal lines.
On the East side, you’ll find three major hotels.
On the West side lots of private properties for rental, and in the center of the Island majestic Haciendas with unforgettable views.
Renting a car would be a good option as you can drive back and forth across the island in a day.
Uber is available only in the metro area at the moment, but you can find taxi services and private transport as well.
For a destination wedding, I would suggest hiring a wedding planner to make the process a breeze. Make sure you look into their certifications and experience before booking. Getting legally married in the island have specific requirements that a planner can help you navigate.
Our little island is a United States Territory. This means we are treated no differently than any other state or territory in the union. So, getting married in Puerto Rico is as legally binding as if you were married at your local courthouse.
Both spouses must be deemed healthy before your wedding gets the green light. If at least one party is a Puerto Rico resident, you must undergo blood tests.
Both parties must give consent to be married and must be 18 (eighteen) years or older.
Legal Requirements
Birth certificates (copies only, as everything, will be submitted online in pdf format)
Copies of your drivers’ licenses or passports
If your name on your birth certificate is different than that on your ID (due to marriage, adoption, name change, etc.), divorce or death certificates or adoption or name change papers that explain the difference are required.
Effective December 2020, the Puerto Rican government requires destination wedding couples to submit a laboratory or blood test (which can be completed in the USA) and a marriage license signed by a Puerto Rican doctor.
The laboratory or blood test required to be married in Puerto Rico is for the STDs of syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. The results must be dated within 14 days of your wedding date. Your local doctor, urgent care center, or hospital should be able to help.
You can submit everything but your lab results as soon as you book your wedding. Ten days before your wedding date, even if you are still at your home in the USA, you’ll send your wedding planner or officiant your lab results digitally in pdf format to be taken care of.
Securing Your Venue
It is important to know that you’ll need to look in advance in order to secure your date and dream venue. You and your partner may do this prior to hiring a wedding planner reaching out to the venue directly, but I would highly suggest that you hire a planner first because they will do site inspections in case you are not able to travel and do it yourself. Video calls may be conducted, and any negotiation or follow up needed on your behalf as well. A year or even a year and a half in advance is the recommended time to do so.
Puerto Rico is known as the “enchanted island,” and for obvious reasons, a beach wedding would be the preferred choice, but that does not mean that you’ll need only to have an outdoor wedding if it’s not what you are dreaming of. We have gorgeous hotels near the coastal line that provides beach ceremonies with indoor reception sites.
We also have lush vegetation and plenty of Haciendas to host your wedding. You’ll find amazing views from the top of the mountain’s sites, and the greenery of its surroundings will be the inspiration for your décor.
Recommended Vendors
Do your research with online platforms showcasing pasts events from vendors like florists, photographers, videographers, etc, but also schedule calls if you are researching this alone. Having direct communication with them will put you at ease, and asking specific questions and getting their answers will help you decide with whom to go.
Experienced wedding planners will provide you with a secure and proofed list of vendors to choose from.
Secure them but do not pay the complete quote in advance. Review the agreement carefully, and do not hesitate to ask for additions to make you feel comfortable.
Key Points
The peak point of the wedding season on the island is between June and September.
Hurricane season goes from June 1st to November 30 every year, with September and October as the peak of the season and the month with more cyclone activity.
Wedding insurance for destination weddings is highly recommended.
Room blocks are available at most hotels. If group transportation is needed, payments will be managed the day of the event at pick-up half and the other half at return.
Malls are available throughout the island with many options for last-minute needs. There are also recognized bridal stores if you choose to buy or rent locally.
How we can help
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This useful information regarding weddings in Puerto Rico is provided by Mariela Gonzalez Tardy from MGT Events