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Getting
Married in Ireland
by Anne Lanier
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more articles on Ireland
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read an interview with Anne Lanier about Irish Castle Weddings
Have you ever considered having your dream wedding in Ireland?
You are not alone. The days of quickie Vegas weddings, cookie-cutter
ceremonies and corporate hotel receptions are on the way out.
Modern couples want a unique wedding location and vacation they
can enjoy together with their intimate circle of family and close
friends.
While the average American wedding can easily cost US$20,000 for
just one evening, couples are finding they can spend four days
celebrating with their guests in Ireland for half of that cost.
It is no surprise that so many American couples and international
celebrities are opting to escape to Ireland for their dream weddings.
The short, five-hour flight from the US makes it both accessible
and irresistible. And a destination wedding takes the pressure
off the couple and their families because no one is hosting from
their home or hometown, so local distractions are immediately
eliminated setting the scene for a dream vacation for everyone
in attendance.
If you intend to have a wedding with more than 10 guests traveling
to Ireland, I would strongly suggest you get some professional
assistance. Assistance may include a specialized travel agent
or an Irish wedding coordinator. Although it can be hard work
if you pursue planning without professional help, it can be done.
Some coordinators like myself offer a vendor and locations list
for a minimal fee. This is great option for couples with experience
in planning or who may be working with a tight budget because
you have access to the top Irish vendors and you get the pre-negotiated
rates.
However, most couples have little or no experience in planning
an event or wedding and finding the perfect location, hiring the
top local vendors and organizing a wedding in another country
may seem daunting. But with the skills and experience of a good
coordinator, planning your wedding in Ireland will be easy and
even fun. When shopping for a coordinator, look for a company
that works on a flat fee system to protect yourself from inflated
'estimate work' (hourly rates and percentages).
Be sure to get a written contract that states exactly what you
will be paying. You don't want to be surprised by the bill on
your special day. Hiring a wedding coordinator could be one of
the best decisions you make for peace of mind as well as making
your budget go further.
All legal marriages in Ireland are recognized in the United States.
Legal marriages may be either religious or civil. Couples must
make notification of the intended marriage to the local registrar
in Ireland 90 days before the ceremony either by mail or in person.
RELIGIOUS CEREMONY
In order to marry legally in the Catholic Church in Ireland, the
couple must be Catholic. There is NO residency requirement for
a religious ceremony in Ireland.
 CIVIL
CEREMONY
In order to marry legally in a civil ceremony the couple must
meet a residency requirement. There are two ways to meet this
residency requirement:
1. By License - Requires that the couple be in the district area
for 15 days before
or
2. By Certificate - Requires that the couple be in the district
area for 7 days and then return to Ireland after 21 days and no
later than one year for the ceremony (2 visits to Ireland).
BLESSING CEREMONY
Many couples are opting to marry legally in their local city hall
in the USA, considering this portion as paperwork, and having
a formal, non-legal ceremony in Ireland at the location of their
choice. This works well because the couple does not have to meet
residency, legal or religious requirements.
Whether you are married in an ancient 16th century castle tower
or in a quaint chapel next to the crashing Atlantic Ocean, the
Irish will embrace your desire to experience their rich and vibrant
culture. As the Irish have a fierce pride in their heritage, there
is an abundance of information on tradition, art, poetry, music
and language that can play an essential role in your Irish wedding.
Good Luck in your planning!
Anne
Lanier is the founder of Anne Lanier Weddings - Ireland Weddings
Visit Anne's website at: www.AnneLanierWeddings.com
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