Rules for getting married abroad in 2022

The lion's share of Russian brides dreams of getting married abroad. Moreover, for many, this is not only a beautiful celebration, but also a real reason for emigrating abroad - foreign citizens are chosen as spouses. But since the ceremony will take place according to the laws of the country where it is being held, it is worth recalling that procedural aspects may differ from the traditional wedding for Russians. It is all the more important to understand the nuances if such a marriage should have legal force in the Russian Federation.

Types of marriages abroad

The legislation of different states has different approaches to the regulation of marriage relations. In Russia, in Bulgaria, for example, the state recognizes only an official marriage concluded in the registry office and confirmed by a documentary certificate. Such an act exists in almost every country.

But outside the Russian Federation, Russians can legitimize family relationships with other forms of civil status acts, for example:

Church marriage. For example, in Poland and Finland, large religious organizations and churches are also given the right to solemnize marriages, but only in relation to their parishioners. Such a union also allows you to obtain a marriage certificate.
Civil partnership. A form of family relationship recognized in some countries. Something in between cohabitation and marriage. Sometimes it can give rise to legal consequences that are partly similar to those of marriage (for example, the right to inherit from each other or to claim maintenance). In some countries, for example, in Germany, same-sex unions are legalized in this form. In essence, this is a “civil marriage” recognized by the state.
Marriage at the consulate. Russian couples living abroad, according to Art. 157, has the right to marry in diplomatic missions of the Russian Federation abroad. Information on acts of civil status is entered by diplomatic staff. Such a marriage can also be concluded by an international couple, where only one of the spouses is Russian. Consular marriage is official.
Same-sex marriage. Depending on the country, it takes different forms and has different legal consequences. In some countries, same-sex spouses are considered equal to opposite-sex spouses.
Actual marriage. The cohabitation of a couple, which is not formalized, but in some countries may still entail legal consequences.

Wherever the wedding is held, a fictitious marriage, that is, a union concluded without the purpose of creating a family, will be illegal and, if detected, will be annulled.

Advantages and disadvantages

To be sure whether you want such a ceremony or not, let’s look at the most important advantages and disadvantages of celebrating abroad.

Positive sides

of course, the registration in question will be unique and inimitable;
you can find absolutely any place and make all your desires and dreams come true;
lovers can choose any date for their holiday.

Negative aspects

official painting abroad is the most expensive of all possible options for holding a wedding celebration today;
will require long and careful preparation, because it is necessary to: choose a suitable country, book a location you like, obtain permission for marriage, open visas, if, of course, they are needed, find specialists;
guests - the issue of their arrival is very complex. After all, providing everyone with flights and accommodation abroad is quite expensive. It's good if they take it upon themselves. If not, then you will either have to save for a long time to organize a large, magnificent celebration, or limit yourself to only your closest people.

Symbolic and official ceremony: what are the differences?

In a wedding ceremony abroad, many are primarily interested not in the legal registration of the marriage, but in a beautiful picture: the sea, landscapes, islands, architecture. For these purposes, there is a “symbolic wedding”, when a festive atmosphere is created in non-standard places, for example, on the ocean, in a nature reserve or national park.

Many wedding agencies even organize special tours, during which they help arrange a turnkey wedding of your dreams. Depending on the budget, the organizers will take care of the flight, accommodation, the official part of the ceremony and even a banquet for the required number of guests.

It is interesting for Russians to organize a wedding in Turkey.

But such a beautiful wedding story will not entail legal consequences, unless the local registration authorities provide for “exit registration”. However, for those living permanently in Russia, leaving for official registration does not make practical sense: it is much easier to register a marriage at the registry office, and hold the ceremony with guests and a photographer abroad.

Regulations and laws

If you contact the consulate in person, you do not need to notarize a copy of the marriage certificate. It is enough to have the original document with you. The consular officer carefully reviews both documents and verifies all data. If everything is correct, a mark is placed on the copy indicating full compliance with the original. As for cases where personal appeal is not planned, the copy must be notarized. The same applies to translating a document into Russian.

More details can be found in the Order of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation dated October 1, 2018. If all norms and rules are observed, the registry office will enter the marriage into the unified state register. Let us remind you that all this will be in effect from January 1, 2022.

Is foreign marriage recognized in Russia?

In accordance with Art. 158 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation, unions concluded by Russians, including if the second spouse is a foreigner, can be recognized on the territory of Russia only if there are no obstacles established by Art. 14 SK.

To be sure whether a marriage is valid in Russia, you need to exclude the following circumstances:

none of the newlyweds is in another official marriage;
the spouses are not close relatives or half-brothers/sisters;
the spouses are not in a relationship of adoptive parent and adopted child;
None of the newlyweds were declared legally incompetent.

If the marriage took place abroad, compliance with local laws and conditions in the country where the ceremony is taking place is sufficient for its recognition. However, for official recognition by the Russian authorities, documents about such a marriage must be legalized.

Fictitious marriage with a foreigner

A fictitious marriage is understood as a union built not on love, but on obtaining benefits (obtaining citizenship, residence permit, etc.).

According to the provisions of the RF IC, a marriage is declared invalid if one of the spouses:

was under duress;
incompetent;
did not know that he had gotten married.

If the marriage is fictitious, then a spouse with foreign citizenship can apply for a Russian passport after 3 years of marriage. When a foreigner receives citizenship, the fictitious marriage is dissolved.

However, in Russia it is difficult to prove the existence of a fictitious marriage, unlike other countries where the requirements are more serious.

If the actions of government agencies led to the expected result (that is, it became known about a fictitious marriage), then:

citizenship or residence permit of a foreigner is revoked;
a foreign citizen leaves the Russian Federation within 15 days from the moment the union is declared invalid;
transactions concluded during marriage become invalid;
Sometimes the measures of the Criminal Code are applied to a foreigner.

If the existence of a fictitious marriage is proven, then the jointly acquired property is divided in half.

Procedure for registering a marriage abroad

In European and other developed countries, the procedure for concluding an official marriage may have its own peculiarities, but in general it is standard. To familiarize yourself with local legal requirements, contact your local registry office or other registration authority for advice, for example:

local government or mayor's office;
district or other court;
parish of a church that is allowed to register marriages.

After consultations, the newlyweds should:

Collect all necessary documents for the wedding.
Order their translation into the desired language, have the translation certified by a competent notary. Legalize documents in the country where the wedding is taking place.
Apply for registration. If necessary, first obtain permission from local or consular authorities. If necessary, a change of surname after the wedding is agreed upon.
Pay the state fee. The cost of registration in different countries may vary significantly.
Wait for the agreed date and register the marriage.
Obtain a marriage certificate.

Package of necessary documents

The package of documents usually includes:

statement of desire to marry, jointly submitted by the spouses;
internal and foreign passports of the spouses (if they were previously stamped with a marriage stamp, this union must be annulled);
certificate of divorce (if one of the two was previously married) or death certificate of the former spouse;
birth certificate;
a document from the Russian Consulate confirming compliance with the conditions for marriage and the absence of obstacles to its conclusion under Russian law (for Russians abroad);
receipt for payment of state duty.

Documents of Russian (or other foreign) origin must be translated into the national language of the state where the ceremony is being held and apostilled at the registry office or consulate of the Russian Federation.

In which registry office can you register a marriage with a foreigner?

Since 2022, the opportunity to register a marriage with a foreigner at the registry office in Moscow has appeared on 5 sites:

Wedding Palace No. 4;
Shipilovsky department;
Meshchansky;
Medvedkovsky;
Gagarinsky.

According to statistics, about 10% of marriages are registered as unions with foreigners.

Prices for weddings in different countries

The wedding budget is a purely individual matter, and the cost of local taxes and state duties is a mere trifle in the list of items of expenses for a wedding. Only those couples who refuse to invite guests at all or limit themselves to traveling abroad with 4-6 witnesses will be able to hold a ceremony relatively cheaply. But a ceremony in a Czech castle or on the Bulgarian coast can be quite budget-friendly.

Relatively inexpensive in this matter:

Baltic countries;
Bulgaria;
Czech Republic;
Spain;
Portugal;
Cyprus;
Greece;
Montenegro and other countries.

The budget for a modest wedding without guests, but with a 5-7 day holiday will be 60-100 thousand rubles. The cost will also depend on the season: for example, in the summer, the cost of living and, accordingly, the size of the budget, can increase by 20-30%.

Among the more expensive countries:

New Zealand;
Australia;
France;
Italy;
Sri Lanka;
Maldives;
Dominican Republic;
Seychelles.

If organized independently, the cost of the ceremony will be 150-200 thousand rubles. If the organization is entrusted to an agency, in 2019 the budget “wedding package” (legal support, rent and decoration of the hall, symbolic ceremony, local taxes and registrar services, paperwork, their legalization in Russia and a number of other services) will cost an additional 70-120 thousand rubles depending on the state.

Change of surname and citizenship upon marriage to a foreign citizen

If a Russian citizen married a foreigner, she has a question about changing her national and foreign passports, as well as how to move to permanent residence with her spouse in another country.

First, you need to change your Russian passport, since without it you cannot get a foreigner with a new surname. You can change documents using two options:

Discharge from the place of registration in Russia and register with the consulate in another state where the spouse plans to live (in this case, citizenship in our country will not be lost). Then you have to familiarize yourself with the procedure for changing documents established in that state and carry it out in accordance with the required rules.
Change passports in Russia in accordance with the established procedure. First, you need to collect a package of documents to change your internal passport, write an application and submit it to the authorized body. After receiving the document, you will have to change your foreigner, bank cards, medical policy, SNILS, etc.

As a rule, you can obtain citizenship of the chosen country three years after marriage, and in some countries the period is shorter. It is impossible to name general rules for obtaining citizenship of another country, since each of them has its own characteristics. Nevertheless, spouses of foreigners can count on a simplified procedure, but before that they must live in another state on the basis of an official temporary permit.

For example, to apply for citizenship in Italy, you need to stay in this country for 2 years or live in an official marriage with an Italian in the territory of another state.

If the surname in a Russian passport is changed, the foreign document is automatically invalidated, since the full name is there are differences. Therefore, the connection between the Russian passport and the foreigner is lost.

Selecting a country: the most popular destinations

When choosing a country, you need to take into account not only beautiful places and cost - this is important only for symbolic registration. For an official marriage, legal features are much more important, for example:

the difficulties of further legalization of marriage in Russia;
the need to obtain permits;
the need to leave in advance and live in the country for a certain period of time;
terms of local legislation.

Here is a list of the countries most popular among Russians for marriage ceremonies:

Czech Republic. A country imbued with the spirit of history and medieval architecture. This is a great place not only for tourism, but also for weddings.
Italy. A unique country where eternal love reigns. Perhaps you couldn’t imagine a more romantic place for a wedding. Florence, Venice, Rome - the dream of any bride.
Greece. Greek beaches are one of the best and relatively inexpensive places for destination weddings on the Mediterranean coast.
Seychelles. Truly a heavenly place, but only for those who can afford it: the most modest ceremony will cost 220-250 thousand rubles.
Sri Lanka. A Ceylon wedding will surprise many with its exotic flavor for relatively little money - from 180 thousand rubles.
Cuba. A Latin wedding with Cuban sauce is a specific and expensive option, prices start from 220 thousand rubles.
Egypt. A relatively budget option for celebrating with guests. A symbolic ceremony at a hotel or right on the beach will cost 80-140 thousand rubles.
New Zealand. An option for avid travelers looking for exotic things.
Dominican Republic A wedding venue for lovers of luxury. It's summer all year round, great service and beautiful wild beaches.
Türkiye. Another place of mass and relatively inexpensive wedding pilgrimage. A budget ceremony here will cost 120-140 thousand rubles.

Apostille and consular procedure

Carrying out legalization using a simplified procedure is very convenient and practical. To do this you will need to do the following:

Contact the authority that issued the marriage registration certificate. In Russia, these are registry offices; in other territories, marriage can be registered both in special bodies and in diplomatic missions.
Place a special stamp on the document, which is called an “apostille”.

After these steps, no further actions will be needed, since the document will be recognized in all countries that have joined the convention, namely:

most countries of the European continent;
Australia;
most island states of Central America;
from African territories - Lesotho, Botswana, Liberia, Namibia, South Africa;
some countries of South America.

Legalization of a marriage certificate according to a simplified procedure is possible without affixing an apostille. The fact is that a special convention on mutual assistance in family, criminal, legal and civil matters has been concluded between the CIS member countries. Within the framework of this legal act, it is established that marriage registration documents issued by the countries of the former USSR are recognized in the CIS. No additional legalization is required. In addition, Russia has entered into agreements with some states on mutual assistance in family matters, within which a simplified legitimation procedure is also used.

Legalization is carried out on a general basis if the state in which the marriage was concluded has not signed or acceded to the Hague Convention, and also does not have agreements with the Russian Federation that simplify the procedure for recognizing the relationship between married couples. To legalize marriage, newlyweds must contact the Russian consulate located in the country where the relationship is registered with the following package of documents:

Statement. The form can be obtained from the consulate or printed from the government services portal. All information must be filled out completely and without erasures.
Foreign and internal passport.
Marriage certificate.
Receipt for payment of state fee in the amount of 30 US dollars.

The consular officer examines the provided papers and accepts them for work simultaneously with the issuance of a receipt indicating the following information:

list of accepted documents;
date of receiving;
when you need to contact again.

Refusal to register documents for legalization of a marriage certificate is possible in the following cases:

violation of Russian legislation;
attempt to legalize same-sex marriage;
the document was issued by a country that is a party to the convention or has entered into an agreement with the Russian Federation;
the application or other documents contain data discrediting the honor and dignity of the citizen;
Forms of documents are not prepared properly.

The marriage will be legalized within the period established by law within a month.

Difficulties in registering marriage

Before choosing a country, carefully study all legal features. Depending on the country, newlyweds may encounter the following difficulties:

Requirement of prior accommodation. In some countries, a mandatory condition for registering a marriage is the permanent residence of one of the spouses on its territory. For example, in Thailand. Other countries may impose a mandatory premarital residence period. For example, in France it is 3 months, in Sri Lanka – 4 days.
Belonging to a confession when concluding church marriages. In countries where church marriages are recognized, such a union can only be formalized in a church or religious organization of which at least one of the spouses is a follower.
The need to obtain permission. It is practiced in a number of European countries (for example, Austria and Germany), where the authorities must study the situation of the newlyweds before issuing permission. The document processing may take from 2 to 6 months.
Further legalization in Russia. To simplify the procedure for official recognition, it is recommended to marry in countries that have signed the 1961 Hague Convention. Such countries confirm the authenticity of documents with an apostille.
Marriage age. In many countries, marriage can be concluded not from the age of 18, as in Russia, but, for example, from the age of 20-21, as in Egypt, Puerto Rico, Taiwan and Japan.

There may be other features - check them out before making a decision.

How to divorce a foreigner

In the Russian Federation, divorce occurs in the registry office or court if one of the parties does not agree. Couples who do not have common children or disputes over joint property apply to the registry office. An application must be submitted to the court if it is necessary to determine the place of residence of children and divide property. Husband and wife pay a fee for government services.

If a foreigner married to a citizen of the Russian Federation does not understand Russian, he needs to translate court documents into English or his native language. It is permissible to invite a certified translator to a court hearing.

Sometimes unions dissolved outside Russia are considered valid on the territory of the Russian Federation. To avoid problems with the divorce process, you need to familiarize yourself with the legislation of both countries or contact lawyers.

Most often, divorce proceedings take place in the country of each spouse. The most difficult are the meetings where issues of raising and living children are considered. Most often, litigation is carried out in both countries of which the parents are citizens. Removal of a child without the knowledge of the other parent falls under administrative liability (payment of a fine) and deprivation of parental rights.

Before registering as spouses, you need to know all the nuances - from the intricacies of marriage to the divorce process.

Dominican Republic

This island has snow-white beaches and the whisper of palm trees all year round, like in a Bounty advertisement. Weddings here are most often held at the very edge of the ocean near a flower arch and accompanied by national songs of Dominican musicians.

After the ceremony, you will take a ride on a yacht, dine on fried lobsters with champagne and, if you want something exotic, go for a walk in the real jungle.

Flight from Moscow:

from 18 o'clock

Ceremony:

both official and symbolic

Waiting for the official certificate:

1-1.5 months

Ceremony cost:

from 45 t.r.
for symbolic and from 125 tr. for official flights Moscow ✈ Punta Cana from 40,500 rub.

Where is it cheaper to organize a ceremony?

When looking through offers from wedding planners, pay attention not only to the cost of the ceremony itself. Undoubtedly, the distance of the chosen country from your hometown is also an important factor. When calculating the budget for a future event, consider airfare prices.

Flight as an expense and test for newlyweds

For example, a symbolic ceremony in unexplored Cambodia can be organized for only $300-500. But just for tickets there from Moscow you will have to pay from $1,200.

Countries of the former USSR or Warsaw Pact , where wedding tourists from Russia are no longer news, may be an acceptable and inexpensive option

Poland, the charm of Krakow is not inferior in architecture to the cities of Western Europe;
Latvia, beautiful Riga or amber Jurmala have attracted tourists since the times of the USSR;
Hungary, beautiful Budapest is a wonderful platform for equally fantastically beautiful wedding photographs;
Armenia, proud Yerevan, will inspire you with the breadth of Caucasian traditions.

If you don’t limit yourself to your imagination, you can choose something more interesting than the usual Montenegro, Turkey and Egypt. Of course, the ocean or seashore will always attract with its beauty and grandeur. And even a long flight will not darken the joy of the newlyweds on the way to the wedding of their dreams. Sunny Spain, Greece and Italy have been working with Russian wedding agencies for several years. But the organizers claim that the list of countries where the bride and groom want to hold their ceremony has long been not limited to Thailand, the Czech Republic, or France.

Iceland (Arctic Ocean and Atlantic)

What attracts you: history, privacy, volcanoes, geysers, black beach, whales.

For a symbolic ceremony for the bride and groom, prepare to shell out 2,000 euros or more. Airfare – from 500 euros. Hotel – from 150 euros per night.

Standard package includes:

decoration of the wedding venue (for example, near a waterfall or on the beach);
stylist services;
cake + champagne + light snack (cheese plate or fruit);
bouquet;
master of ceremonies + translator;
photographer and cameraman.

Additionally, transfer to the chosen ceremony location and other amenities are paid: whale watching, driving around Reykjavik, etc.

New Zealand (Pacific Ocean, Tasman Sea)

What attracts you: nature, the Kiwi bird, the Hobbit village , tribal traditions.

A national-style ceremony wedding package costs about $8,000.

This high price includes:

traditional Maori wedding ceremony;
folklore group services (songs during the ceremony, haka, traditional greeting - pofiri) and concert;
services of an official during the ceremony + interpreter;
administrative fees for use of the ceremony space;
traditional capes, outfits and jade necklaces for the bride and groom (memorable gift);
marriage certificate, issued in traditional style;
traditional flower arrangements for the bride and groom;
sparkling wine after the ceremony for the bride and groom + fruit;
hotel accommodation and transfer to the islands.

An ordinary ceremony in the wonderful parks of Auckland will cost less, but you won’t feel the authenticity of the country there.

Sri Lanka (Indian Ocean)

What attracts us: exoticism, low prices and elephants.

The price of the ceremony starts from $1000. Plus airfare (from $1600) and hotel (from $200).

What is usually included in the standard package:

ceremony on the beach + translator + coordinator;
a bouquet of tropical flowers and decorations for the venue;
fruit, coconut milk, sparkling wine and cake;
souvenir from the company + transfer from the hotel;
photographer.

Additional amenities for an additional fee include: elephant rides, rental of national costumes and jewelry for the bride, hair and makeup, boat rides on the river or ocean, traditional songs performed by musicians and even a small choir.

Norway (Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Norwegian, North and Barents Seas)

What attracts you: the fjords, nature, fishing, the amazingly gentle character of the descendants of the harsh Vikings.

The ceremony will cost no less than the Icelandic one. And the package of services is not much different. The price for a flight to Oslo starts from 280 euros per person. But Norway's geography is wide. You will have to get to the Lofoten Islands or Bergen yourself. Save the poppy “Troll’s Tongue” or Ålesund for your honeymoon. For a quiet ceremony, it is better to choose a cozy fishing town or a site overlooking a picturesque fjord.

Portugal (Atlantic Ocean)

What attracts you: landscapes, cuisine, architecture and culture.

The price of a ceremony on the beach of the Lisbon Riviera ranges around 1800 euros:

license for a beach ceremony and reservation of place and date + decor;
Russian-speaking registrar for the ceremony or translation services + photographer;
a bottle of champagne and traditional sweets;
bride's bouquet and groom's boutonniere;
symbolic wedding certificate;
transfer to the ceremony site and back.

An economy flight option will cost up to 100 euros per person one way, depending on the air carrier and seasonality. Accommodation – from 150 euros per night. But if Portugal begins with Lisbon , then it certainly does not end with it. Popular places for wedding celebrations: Montserrat Palace, Cape Roca, St. George's Fortress and others.

Monaco (Ligurian Sea)

What attracts: intimacy and fame at the same time, gambling business, architecture and beauty of the parks.

The area of the principality is only 2.02 square meters. km. But this does not prevent the concentration of celebrities and the rich in this region from being very high. The cost of a standard package of services for holding a symbolic ceremony varies greatly, as it depends on the location and time of year. But you shouldn’t count on an amount less than 2 thousand euros.

Monaco is an expensive location for a significant wedding

Tunisia (Mediterranean Sea)

What attracts: history, boat trips, diving, the famous Carthage and other cities under UNESCO protection, the Sahara Desert.

Only a symbolic ceremony can be held in this charming African country . Usually, this is a beach celebration on the seashore in the territory of a good hotel - an ideal option for the bride and groom to combine their wedding with their honeymoon. The approximate cost of the ceremony for two (about $1,500) includes:

decoration of the ceremony site;
table with champagne, glasses and sweets;
bridal bouquet and boutonniere for the groom;
photographer and video operator;
wedding coordinator + registrar;
hairstyle and makeup for the bride.

A tour to the selected hotel will be selected for you by an agency employee. The price of flights and accommodation in Tunisia depends greatly on the season.

China (Pacific Ocean, Yellow Sea)

What attracts you: cuisine, culture, nature, bamboo and pandas.

The uniqueness and diversity of this country is so interesting that it is difficult to even choose a specific part of it for a symbolic ceremony. The official one, unfortunately, is too bureaucratically heavy. And few people will undertake its organization. But a symbolic ceremony in big cities like Shanghai is a very expensive pleasure . Agencies often advise celebrating a celebration outdoors or on islands. For example, Hainan Island is famous for its good quality hotels, which offer their territories for such cases:

a bottle of sparkling wine + tropical fruit basket + chocolate + wedding cake;
romantic decoration of the room with flowers and the ceremony location;
bouquet for the bride and boutonniere for the groom;
2 glasses of sparkling wine after the ceremony;
services of a local photographer;
romantic candlelit dinner for two, including a bottle of sparkling wine;
romantic breakfast in your room the morning after the ceremony + yoga lesson.

The cost of such a service in a five-star hotel is from $1,300.

Mexico (Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea)

What attracts you: remoteness, cuisine, culture, nature and music.

A fairly extensive package of wedding services for a symbolic ceremony will cost from $900:

transportation from the hotel to the ceremony site and back;
decoration of the ceremony place + musical arrangement;
a bottle of champagne + fruit basket + water;
flowers for the bride and boutonniere for the groom;
Russian-speaking wedding registrar and certificate in Russian and Spanish;
photoshoot.

A good Mexican hotel will cost $250 per night for all inclusive. And the flight starts from $600 per person. In addition to beaches, Mexico is famous for its national parks and volcanoes, museums and the architecture of ancient tribes.

Difficulty of choice

The choice of country depends on the preferences of the young couple. Among the most typical options are the following:

in an ancient castle or palace (mainly European countries);
on the seashore (island states);
in wedding churches (USA).

You also need to take into account financial capabilities and the ease of resolving all official issues.

The cost of a wedding depends on what additional services are included in the official ceremony and may be adjusted accordingly. And when staying in some hotels in certain island countries, the wedding ceremony is offered completely free of charge.

Among the problems with official registration, it is worth paying attention to:

degree of complexity of the preparatory stage;
number of required documents;
the need to translate documents;
the need to confirm the legal status of documents;
time to wait for permission to conduct the ceremony;
time to legalize a marriage certificate in Russia.

It is necessary to prepare for a wedding abroad in advance, 4 to 6 months before the wedding date.

The greatest attention should be paid to the correct preparation of documents. Wedding planner: don't forget the most important thing.

Italy

Alpine lakes Como, Garda or Maggiore, trips to waterfalls in the heart of the country, walks through olive groves and vineyards, medieval cities of Tuscany or the water canals of Venice - Italy can satisfy any whims of lovers.

From May to October there is a high wedding season in Italy, and most often the newlyweds spend their honeymoon traveling around the towns of the Amalfi Coast or, on the contrary, going to tourist centers: Venice, Rome, Milan.

Flight from Moscow:

~4 hours

Ceremony:

both official and symbolic

Waiting for the official certificate:

3 weeks

Ceremony cost:

from 80 t.r.
for symbolic and from 100 tr. for official flights Moscow ✈ Rome from 14,300 rub.

Orthodox wedding

The Church allows weddings in another country, so travelers can walk down the aisle in any Orthodox church in the world. That is, in most European countries, in Israel, in Cyprus, in Cuba (Kazan Church in Havana), in Japan (Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tokyo) or even in Antarctica, where a small wooden Church of the Holy Trinity stands on Waterloo Island.

The main thing is not to forget birth, baptism and marriage certificates, and for divorced people - about divorce. Sometimes you need to take written permission for a wedding from the rector of your church. Weddings are not held on the eve and during fasting, on Christmastide, on Maslenitsa and on Bright Week, as well as on some other days, so it is better to discuss the date of the ceremony with the rector of the temple in advance, at least a month in advance.

Where to get married?

Castles with a centuries-old history and pompous palaces, terraces on the upper floors of luxury hotels, shining white yachts and cruise ships... Or just warm sand under the shade of palm trees at the edge of the azure ocean, a fishing boat decorated with flowers and candles, a powerful waterfall in the jungle, a snow-capped mountain peak - no one knows better than you yourself what you dream about. Think about the image of your ideal wedding: brides who have dreamed of wearing a voluminous wedding dress with a train since childhood might feel uncomfortable on a windy beach, while a couple of backpackers might feel a little bored in a prim palazzo.

Well, in addition, check the vagaries of the climate. November is not the best time for an elegant European wedding; in central Spain the heat is unbearable in August, and a wedding on a drifting ice floe in the Arctic Ocean is only possible in April. If you dream of swearing eternal love to each other, say, in Cuba, then it is better not to set the wedding date during the peak rainy and hurricane season throughout the Caribbean - September-October.

Accommodation of guests

If your dream is to arrange a wedding dinner abroad for your family and friends, then you should take care of a large number of additional issues: paperwork, flights and accommodation for all arrivals, vacation program. For such purposes, a hotel located near the site where the celebration will take place is ideal. And if you can accommodate everyone right at the venue of the ceremony and dinner, this option will be the most optimal.

It is very important to remember about the transfer, which will allow you to get from the airport to your accommodation and back without any problems. The responsibility for feeding the guests will also fall on your shoulders. Be sure to discuss this issue with the organizer. An interesting option would be a gala dinner on the eve of the wedding: this way you, your guests, and your team will relax.

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Floristry and decor

It is worth noting that floristry in other countries is different from ours. This needs to be emphasized during preparation. You should be prepared not only for the unusual appearance of the compositions, but also for completely different price ranges.

When planning to order flower arrangements or a bouquet, it is very important to take into account the season, temperature and humidity. If you have doubts about the quality of work of local florists, feel free to take your own with you so that the holiday is not spoiled by a disgusting bouquet or an arch that makes you want to cry.

What flowers suit your wedding style and location?

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How long will it take?

When planning a wedding, you need to know that in some countries you will have to spend some time before the ceremony. In some European countries, for example, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, you will have to obtain permission from the authorities. This may take from two to six months.

In other countries such permission is not required. But you need to spend some time there before registering. For example, for Sri Lanka this period is 4 days, for the Seychelles - 11, and for France - as much as 40.

Do husbands return after divorce? This question torments more than one woman. Are you planning to draw up a prenuptial agreement? Our article describes in detail the step-by-step procedure for this procedure.

It describes in detail where and who has the right to register a marriage between citizens of the Russian Federation.

Greece

Greece is an island state, and perhaps that is why it is so popular among those who want a wedding abroad. Stunning views, sunsets, mountains and sea, sea, sea all around. Separately, we note the island of Santorini (Thira), the architecture of which seems to have been created as a backdrop for a wedding celebration.

Flight from Moscow:

~3 hours

Ceremony:

both official and symbolic

Waiting for the official certificate:

about a month

Ceremony cost:

from 50 t.r.
for symbolic and from 115 tr. for official flights Moscow ✈ Athens from 16,400 rub.

Where to go on your honeymoon?

For those couples who nevertheless decided to spend the official part in their hometown with friends and loved ones, and only then go on an unrealistic trip abroad, literally the whole world lies before their feet. Do you want a truly relaxing holiday? Look for it on a white sand beach. Do you like active recreation? Conquer rocky mountains somewhere in South America with your loved one. Or retire with a mug of hot chocolate in an Alpine village. In short, there are a lot of options, but there are places that are especially favorite among our wedding tourists.

The most popular places for getting married and just relaxing are the same Maldives, Bali, Seychelles, Dominican Republic and Cuba. It will be less expensive to visit Egypt, Turkey, sunny Thailand and Indonesia. For those who do not particularly like heat and the eternal scorching sun, the countries of Western Europe are perfect: England, Holland, France. The Mediterranean will give you a lot of impressions, besides, you will not only enjoy a beach holiday, but you will also be able to visit famous museums, temples, squares, and stroll through the narrow streets of the old city. In this regard, the best option would be Italy and Spain. Greece will be a paradise for lovers of ancient history. Every town in this state is home to many interesting places. A wedding photo shoot against the backdrop of the purest Aegean Sea, ancient marble temples and statues will captivate all your friends.

All that remains is to take care of the visa. Although, if you are traveling with relatives, then you should choose countries with visa-free entry. Then you won’t have to wait for permission from the embassy and wonder whether your mom or dad will be given permission.

Cuba

The land of continuous summer. Tropical gardens, pristine beaches with clear lagoons, flamingos and pelicans walking everywhere. The Cuban islands, where you can organize a wedding, will truly be an excellent backdrop for bright and sunny photographs.

Oh yes. Cuba is another reason to get rid of your heavy wedding dress and suit and find something more frivolous and airy.

Flight from Moscow:

~12 hours

Ceremony:

both official and symbolic

Waiting for the official certificate:

3-4 months

Ceremony cost:

from 55 t.r.
for symbolic and from 130 tr. for official* Flights Moscow ✈ Cuba from 74,500 rub.

Certificate stating that I am not married from the embassy

As we said above, a foreigner must provide a certificate confirming that he is currently single. You can get it at the consulate or embassy if it is not possible to come to the registry office. Moreover, this document can look like anything; there is no single standard for all countries. The certificate must indicate:

Full name and surname of the spouse;
Name of the authority that issued the certificate;
Date and signature of the employee who checked the information in the archive;
Seal and stamp of the state standard;
Information for what period the audit was carried out.

In Russia, you will need to pay a state fee of 350 rubles, but check the exact amount on site. Don't forget to get a notarized translation, especially if the wedding is in Italy or the USA. Certificates from some CIS countries may be accepted in Russia without translation, but it is better to ask the consul about this point.

Look at a sample certificate that can be obtained from the Russian Embassy.

And here is what the certificate of absence of marriage looks like, which is issued at the Ukrainian Embassy.