Recommend June 2012 - (Page 80)

fancy-filled MEXICAN continued from page 78 WEDDINGS tie the knot in mexico FOR CIVIL CEREMONIES: Couples and four witnesses must arrive in Mexico at least one to three working days prior to the ceremony to work on the following (with some slight changes for legal ceremonies from state to state, we encourage you to check in with the resort’s coordinator or local convention ofﬁce for updated information): ■ Couples must ﬁll out an application at the corresponding ofﬁce of the Civil Registry ofﬁce, which will include a statement as to whether they wish to marry under the system of joint or separate marital property. This application must be accompanied by blood-test results from a physician in Mexico and that can be arranged at the hotel. ■ The bride and groom must present their original and copies of the U.S. passports, tourist permits (which they receive upon entry to Mexico) and birth certiﬁcates. Except for the valid U.S. passport, all documents from the U.S. must be authenticated by an American authority (usually an ofﬁcer from the Secretary of State ofﬁce where they were born) by attaching an apostille to the document. They must also be translated into Spanish. ■ People who have been married previously must present proof of the termination of that marriage in the form of a divorce decree or death certiﬁcate. If the divorce or death took place outside of Mexico, it must be authenticated and translated. Divorced people cannot marry in Mexico until one year after the termination of the divorce. ■ Marriages are performed at the premises of the Civil Registry ofﬁce. They may also be performed elsewhere, but an additional fee might be in store. After the ceremony, a certiﬁed copy of the marriage certiﬁcate prepared by the Civil Registry should be obtained and authenticated by the corresponding Mexican authority. In Mexico, only civil marriages are recognized as legal. A civil wedding in Mexico is fully valid for legal purposes in the U.S. Persons under the age of 18 cannot be married without the consent of their parents or legal guardians. Please note: Many symbolic marriages take place in Mexico, performed by ministers, shamans or priests—these include vow exchanges and symbolic exchanges. It is very much like a legal ceremony, only it is not legally binding. Couples planning a Roman Catholic ceremony must fulﬁll the following additional requirements, and documents required for Roman Catholic ceremony must be sent by the couple’s bishop to the bishop of the Mexican state prior to ceremony. • Premarital inquiry completed and signed by couple • Baptismal certificates for both parties indicating their freedom to marry • Statement of freedom to marry signed by the couple’s parish priest • Certificate proving participation in a marriage preparation program • Permission to marry or dispensation from the disparity of cult issued by the bishop of the Catholic Church, if only one member of the couple is Catholic • Copies of applicable declarations of nullity, or death certificates for previous marriage ending with spouse’s death • Testimonial letters from the bishop Beachside at Las Alamandas in Costalegre. capella pedregal, los cabos The cliffs and soaring ocean views from Capella Pedregal’s prized Los Cabos location paint a mesmerizing backdrop for the resort’s weddings, each of which is personalized to the couple’s liking. The resort’s signature wedding services, called Yours Truly, has Celebration Specialists whose mission it is to deliver unforgettable nuptials. They’ll walk the soon-to-be-wedded through every aspect of the planning, including pre- and post-activities for themselves or their guests, and arrange everything from a bridal lunch or rehearsal dinner to music on the big day. Among the standouts: a private session with the onsite astronomer, cooking lessons, or together time at the resort’s Ariga Spa. Luxury is a big part of the experience here, and clients should expect it in an abovepar reception dinner as well. These Celebration Specialists can also take it a step further by incorporating Mexican traditions, including a ﬂower offering to the Virgin Mary and the groom gifting 13 gold coins to the bride as a symbol of his ﬁnancial responsibility. And this being Los Cabos, there’s always the possibility of a sunset cruise, a day of golf with the wedding party prior to the big day or a girls-only spa day for much-needed stress relief. Woven fans and umbrellas will greet the entire group by the pool, while a library stocked with cordials and games will help them wind down their days. Couples married here are invited back every year on their anniversary to receive a free 1-night stay and a bottle of champagne. Room rates start at $525 per night. Why we chose it: Deluxe experiences, wedding personalization and beautiful views. Contact: capellapedregal.com ■ Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Mexico Destination Weddings & Honeymoon Planner (May 2011) 80 june 2012 recommend.com http://www.capellapedregal.com http://www.recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend June 2012

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Noble House Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Artisans of Leisure
Romance on Land & Sea
Out of Africa Come Romantic Retreats
Starry-Eyed Bliss in Exotic Surroundings
Enchanting Nuptials American-Style
Honeymoons that Stir the Soul
Latin American Gems Play to the Heart
Brazil Travel Planner
Fairy Tale Honeymoons in Europe
Island Weddings Pump Up the Volume
Once-in-a-Lifetime Honeymoons
Destination Wedding Powerhouses
Fancy-Filled Mexican Weddings
'Mooning in Mexico

Recommend June 2012