Dreaming of exchanging vows in Paris, celebrating under the stars in Bali, or saying “I do” on the Amalfi Coast? Planning a destination wedding is magical, but the legal side? Not so much.
Your wedding is personal. Your support should be too.
Every destination has its own rules, timelines, and paperwork from residency periods to religious requirements and missing one step could mean your ceremony isn’t legally recognized back home.
That’s where Wedded Wonderland’s Concierge service comes in.
Luxury, cultural, or destination we know who to trust, wherever you are in the world.
Wedded Wonderland’s Concierge Team takes the guesswork out of getting legally married abroad. Whether you’re planning a luxury celebration or a cross-cultural union, we’ll match you with the right experts and simplify every step. From documents to deadlines, we make sure your wedding is recognized both emotionally and legally.
Legal Wedding Requirements by Country
Australia
- Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM): Couples must lodge a NOIM form at least one month (and no more than 18 months) before the wedding.
- Eligibility: Both partners must be at least 18 (or have court approval if 16–17), and neither may be married to someone else or closely related.
- Ceremony: The wedding must be solemnized by an authorized celebrant (civil or religious). Civil ceremonies can take place anywhere; two adult witnesses are required.
- Documentation: Bring original passports (valid 6+ months) and certified birth certificate. If previously married, provide a final divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate.
- No Residency Required: You don’t need to live in Australia to marry there. Even tourists can marry legally in Australia just to meet the notice and documentation rules.
- Recent Updates: As of June 2024, Australia allows NOIM forms to be witnessed remotely (via video), and celebrants must meet separately with each partner in person beforehand.
Let our Concierge handle your Aussie paperwork and your dream day down under.
Egypt
- Civil Ceremony Only: Foreigners must have a civil marriage at the Personal Status Office (Ministry of Justice, Lazoghly) in Cairo. Religious or beach ceremonies alone are not legally valid in Egypt.
- No Objection Certificate: Each foreign spouse needs a certificate from their embassy
- Medical Exam: Both partners must obtain a health certificate from an Egyptian clinic or hospital, confirming they are free of transmissible diseases.
- Age and Witnesses: Both spouses must be at least 18, and the age gap cannot exceed 25 years. Two Egyptian witnesses are required at the ceremony, plus an official translator if either spouse doesn’t speak Arabic.
- Visa/Residency: The foreign partner must enter Egypt on a visa that allows residency beyond tourism (get your passport stamped for temporary residence in Cairo)
- Final Steps: After the marriage contract is notarized, the marriage is registered with the couple’s embassies.
Egyptian weddings are stunning, but the paperwork is complex. We’ll simplify it.
Start with Our Concierge Support and we’ll guide you through every step.
France
- Residency Requirement: To marry in France, at least one partner must have lived there for 40 continuous days before the wedding.
- Civil Ceremony: All marriages in France must be civil ceremonies performed by a French official (officier d’état civil) at a town hall.
- Notice (Banns): The marriage banns must be posted publicly in the town hall for 10 days, starting after you’ve met the 40-day residency. Typically you must give notice at least 28 days before the ceremony.
- Documents: Bring valid passports or ID cards and certified birth certificates (issued within 3 months) for both spouses.
- Other Requirements: Each partner needs a medical certificate (issued within 2 months of the wedding).
Dreaming of a French wedding? Let us handle it
Plan My Luxury Destination Wedding with expert help from our Concierge team.
Indonesia (Bali)
- Couple’s Status: Indonesian law requires the couple to be opposite-sex (no gender reassignment status recognized). Both partners must belong to one of Indonesia’s recognized religions (Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism or Hinduism). If you’re of different faiths, one partner may need to provide a letter consenting to a faith change.
- Single Status: Obtain a sworn Certificate of No Impediment (or single-status affidavit) from your embassy. Indonesian authorities often require a religious leader’s letter confirming your faith and freedom to marry (e.g. a baptismal or church certificate for Christians).
- Photos and Witnesses: Provide eight 4×8 cm passport photos of yourselves (including a pair photo). You also need two witnesses with valid IDs (their passports, if foreign) present at the ceremony.
- Accommodation Proof: Show a letter or hotel booking proving where you will stay in Bali during the wedding.
- On the Wedding Day: Bring all original documents to the civil registry in Bali or the church (for religious wedding). Without originals, the marriage cannot be registered.
For a stress-free Bali wedding, Get Concierge Support Now and we’ll handle the local paperwork for you.
Italy
- No Residency Needed: Italy has no minimum residency requirement for marriage. You can be tourists and still legally wed there.
- Age Requirement: Both partners must be at least 18 years old to marry in Italy.
- Certificate of No Impediment: Each partner must obtain a “nulla osta” or affidavit (often called Dichiarazione Giurata) from their home country’s consulate in Italy, declaring no legal obstacle to the marriage.
- Atto Notorio: Italy also requires an atto notorio. It’s a notarized affidavit by two witnesses (usually prepared by an Italian notary) confirming you are free to marry.
- Ceremony: A civil wedding can be held at a Comune (city hall) or approved venue.
Getting married in Italy? Start with Concierge Support to ensure your documents and ceremony meet all legal requirements.
Philippines
- Legal Capacity: The foreign spouse must obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry (issued by their embassy in the Philippines).
- Documents: Provide original birth certificates for both spouses. If previously married, bring the final divorce decree or deceased spouse’s death certificate.
- Marriage License: After embassy approval, you and your Filipino partner apply for a marriage license at the local Civil Registrar where the Filipino lives.
- Public Notice: By law, the intended marriage is posted on public display for 10 consecutive days. Both partners must stay in the Philippines during this period.
- Religious Requirements: If you plan a church wedding, you’ll also need a prenuptial medical exam (common in the Philippines) and any church-specific documents or counseling certificates.
Not sure about Filipino marriage laws? Get our Concierge Support now for step-by-step guidance on documents and timing.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Civil Marriage (Non-Muslims): The UAE now allows non-Muslim foreigners to marry under a new civil marriage system implemented in 2023.
- Who Can Marry: In Abu Dhabi, any couple (of any nationality) may now marry civilly if both are at least 18, consenting, not already married, and not closely related. Even tourists can use the Abu Dhabi Civil Court for marriage.
- Dubai Requirements: For Dubai’s 24-hour civil marriage, both must be non-Muslim and at least 21 years old, with at least one partner a Dubai resident.
- Documents: Submit a completed application, original passports (or Emirates IDs) for both parties. If either party were previously married, provide proof (divorce decree or death certificate).
- Procedure: Couples can apply online or in person through the Dubai or Abu Dhabi courts. Two witnesses are not required (the court’s notary acts as witness).
Whether civil or cultural, we’ll help you say ‘I do’ in the UAE the legal way. Get married with your dream team and we’ll coordinate your civil ceremony details.
United Kingdom (UK)
- Residency for Notice: In England and Wales, at least one partner must have lived in the registration district for 7 days before giving notice. Notice of marriage must then be given in person at a register office.
- Notice Period: You must give notice at least 28 days before the ceremony. Both partners must give notice together if one person is a foreign national.
- Marriage Venue: The wedding must take place at a licensed venue (a register office or approved premises). At least two witnesses must be present at the ceremony.
- Documents: Couples must bring valid passports or ID, proof of address, and an original birth certificate. If previously married, provide a final divorce certificate or death certificate.
- Visa Requirements: Visitors coming to the UK specifically to marry will generally need a Marriage Visitor visa. Check the UK entry requirements well in advance of the ceremony date to account for this.
For an easy UK wedding, Start With Concierge Support and let us handle the notice, venue booking, and legal paperwork.
Common International Wedding Documents
Passports and Visas: Both partners’ valid passports are required in almost every country. Ensure any necessary visas (tourist or marriage visas) are obtained in advance.
Birth Certificates: Certified (long-form) birth certificates for each partner must be provided. Originals or certified copies are usually required.
Proof of Single Status: If never married, some countries need a Certificate of No Impediment or Single Status Affidavit. If divorced or widowed, bring the final divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate.
Marriage License Forms: Certain countries have specific forms (like Australia’s NOIM). In many cases, you must complete local forms ahead of time and have them authorized (e.g. at an embassy).
Apostilles & Translations: Any foreign-issued documents may need an apostille (to authenticate them) and must be official translations into the local language.
Pre-Marital Certificates: Some places (France, UAE, Philippines, etc.) require extra items like medical certificates or blood tests, or church permission letters. Always check local rules.
Still confused about which documents to bring? Contact our Concierge for a country-specific checklist.
Tips for a Legally Smooth Destination Wedding
Plan Early: Start paperwork months in advance. Legal forms (like affidavits or notices) and embassy appointments can take weeks to prepare and be processed.
Check Local Laws: Rules change. Confirm all requirements with official sources or a wedding specialist. Our Concierge can verify the latest international wedding laws for your destination.
Dual Ceremonies: Some couples choose a symbolic vow renewal abroad and handle the legal marriage at home (or vice versa) to simplify the process. This can be a smart workaround if local rules are very strict.
Professional Help: Use licensed celebrants and translators. Don’t rely on staff at your resort for legal advice. Wedded Wonderland’s expert planners and local partners ensure all translations, certifications, and filings are done correctly.
Secure Witnesses: Verify if your destination requires witnesses and arrange who will stand by your side. In many cases you can ask your wedding planner or concierge to organize this for you.
From Santorini to Sydney, Dubai to Delhi, our concierge brings your wedding vision to life. Our dedicated team will match you with your dream team of planners, legal experts, and cultural insiders to handle everything from paperwork to vendors.
Wedded Wonderland’s Concierge service means you’re never alone in planning your international wedding. Forget the stress of planning international wedding laws yourself, our concierge network provides wedding planning help at every step.
Ready to say “I do” anywhere in the world?
Plan My Luxury Destination Wedding with Wedded Wonderland and enjoy unforgettable celebration, fully supported by experts who know the ins and outs of each country’s requirements
Let our Concierge team turn your destination wedding dreams into reality.
