The Huron Expositor, 1994-02-23, Page 45How about an offshore wedding?
For Ellie and John Lawson, the
choice was simple.
They had vacationed in The
Dominican Republic with their
combined families and "that's
where we got engaged," Ellie
Lawson said.
"We didn't want a big wedding
with all the people and the family
and everything, so we decided to
get married there."
Just back from their honey-
moon and still sporting a vibrant
tan, the 34 -year-old mother of
two says "the experience was just
fantastic.
'We had a great time."
The Lawson's were one of a
half dozen couples who opted
for offshore weddings last year,
according to local Marlin Travel
agent, Judy Crawford.
'We're not talking big numbers
here, but it is happening more
and more," Crawford said in an
interview.
'Three years ago we had our
first one and last year we had
six," she said.
Crawford said couples on sec-
ond marriages are attracted by
the absence of typical wedding
problems involving guest lists,
families pressures and other
arrangements.
But the selection of the foreign
locale is particularly important,
Crawford says.
Some venues, such as Tahiti,
require 30 days residence before
a wedding licence can be issued.
"A lot of people want to get
married at the beginning of their
trip - not at the end," she
observes wryly.
In Barbados, the wait is 48
hours; three days to a week are
common requirements.
The regulations for each coun-
try must be obtained from the
j.re 's what you'll need to
pack for that exotic wedding
Canadian/United States citi-
zens and residents planning tc
get married in Jamaica will need
to do the following:
REQUIREMENTS:
(1) Take proof of citizenship/ res-
idency, i.e. Birth Certificate with
raised seal, Passport, Alien Card
(Green Card), or Naturalization
papers, Voter's Registration Card
with photo ID.
(2) Divorcees will need to provide
evidence of divorce, i.e. certified
copy or original Certificate of
Divorce and death certificate (if
applicable).
(3) One working day (24 hrs.)
waiting period before application
can be submitted for the Marriage
______License. (Weekends excluded.) ----Court, it is necessary to have a
(4) Parents written consent if
under 21 years of age.
(5) No blood tests required.
COST
From $150 (U.S.), which
includes performing the ceremo-
ny, government stamp duty, all
transportation costs and expenses
incurred, witnesses, and any
other special requests.
application in the islands, an
eight-day waiting period is
required.
If you're planning to marry on
St. Croix, marriage license appli-
cations can be obtained by writ-
ing to the Territorial Court of the
Virgin Islands. Family Division,
P.O. Box 929, Christiansted, St.
Croix 00821. Telephone:
809/778-9750.
If either party is divorced, he or
she must have a certified copy of
the divorce decree or a notarized
affidavit stating when the divorce
was granted.
You must state how the mar-
riage will be performed - by cler-
gy or in the Court. If by the
Virgin Islands
The perfect way to start a mar-
riage: Get married in the U. S.
Virgin Islands!
A ceremony at sunset on the
beach, or in an outdoor gazebo,
or in a lovely chapel, or right at
the Territorial Court - it all can be
easily arranged.
Start by writing for an applica-
tion for a marriage license to the
Territorial Court of the Virgin
Islands, P.O. Box 70, St. Thomas
00804. Attn:
Administrator/Clerk of the Court.
Telephone: 809/774-7325.
Upon receipt of a notarized
prior appointment for a Judge to
perform the ceremony.
Court marriages are performed
Monday through Thursday, with
an appointment.
Naturally, if a holiday falls during
the week, the Court will be
closed. The Court charges an
application fee of $25 (U.S.), a
license fee of $25 (U.S.), and if
you're being married by the
Judge; an extra fee of $200
(U.S.) for the ceremony.
Note: Be sure to call the place
of worship in which you're inter-
ested at least two weeks before
coming to the islands.
Plain or fancy
Some of the couples who con-
tact us just want to know about
the simple way of getting married
here - they'll take if from there
themselves! But others ask about
the true "fantasy" wedding in the
islands - and we can accommo-
date that wish, too!
One suggestion we might make -
See ISLAND, Page 8D
consulate.
In the Lawson's case, for exam-
ple, they were required to pro-
duce divorce certificates that were
approved by the Dominican Re-
public through its Montreal con-
sulate at a cost of $75 U.S.
That country also requires pass-
ports and birth certificates for the
couple and the witnesses.
The judge who married the
Lawson's got a little prickly at the
ceremony, Ellie recalls with a
laugh, and wanted to see some
more documentation.
But their witness, a Spanish
friend and caterer, "just started
yelling at him in Spanish and
everything was fine after that."
Crawford points out that travel
agencies can arrange Just about
everything in advance, including
bargains for large wedding par-
ties, flowers, a marriage official,
pictures and a bottle of cham-
pagne.
Wednesday, February 23, 1994 -PAGE 7D
OPEN SPA
SMILING FACES
Seaforth and District Community Centres is a great place
to hold your wedding reception. We offer bright clean
modern facilities, suitable for gatherings of 50 to 750. Our
main hall is ideal for between 300-400 guests. Smooth
sturdy tables, clean comfortable chairs and full range of
kitchen facilities.
SEAFORTH & DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRES
CaII Graham Nesbitt, Greg Core or Doug Hugill
527-1272
Bring in your Wedding Announcement from
your local paper and receive a...
- from our floral department
This gift is our way of saying
"Congratulations" to you and give you a
special something to brighten your new
home. Available at Goderich location only.
When planning your Wedding...Talk to our
Bakery Specialists
for any custom baking you may need for your wedding,
showers, receptions or any other special occasion
4/11p't
Fine markets...of fine foods 'U `C.�
Huron Rd., Goderich 524-2674
dzehrs