Reader Mail: Getting Married in Punta Cana

A question from a reader: I would like to get married in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on the beach. Could you please send me information on resorts, wedding planners, and locations?

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Punta Cana is home to numerous resorts, many of them new within the last few years. The area is especially known for its all-inclusives. Last year, we stayed at the Paradisus Palma Real which we really enjoyed; it’s a large property with elegant guest rooms, numerous restaurants and a huge swath of beach. You’ll also find numerous RIU, Bavaro, and Iberostar resorts (all all-inclusives) in the Punta Cana area. Within the region, the prettiest beach we’ve seen is at Cap Cana, an area that’s still under development but has some accommodation areas open at this time.

Getting married in the Dominican Republic involves a little more work than some other islands; you’ll need to have your paperwork translated into Spanish. Here’s an overview of the DR’s wedding regulations:

http://www.lovetripper.com/article/wedding-regulations/dominican-republic.html

Because of the language requirements, many brides rely on the services of a wedding planner. The most common practice is to use the services of the hotel’s wedding planner although there are also independent wedding planners on the island.

Also, remember that the US government now requires passports for Americans traveling via air to the Caribbean.

Best wishes! Paris and John