Most countries require a short waiting period typically of 2-5 business days to ensure all your legal documents can be properly processed prior to getting married. Based on the required waiting period or residency requirements, you’ll have to adjust your actual wedding date to make sure you have fulfilled the requirements prior to getting married.

Check your individual destination for what required documents you have to bring and whether they will need to be translated or notarized before you arrive. Make sure you bring original, official documents such as birth certificates, divorce decrees or death certificates along with a few copies of each of the official documents.

If you have been married before, you’ll need to provide proof that you are no longer married in the form of a divorce decree, death certificate or other official documentation that proves your single status.

Some destinations have additional legal and/or required fees that are separate from your hotel wedding fees, which vary by destination. Check with your individual destination to get an idea of the fees that may be required in addition to the form of payment necessary, especially if you need to pay in cash in the local currency.

Witnesses most likely will be required to make your marriage legal abroad. Check with your individual destination to see if witnesses are required. Many resorts provide witnesses as well.

Many times, your destination will not require this, but some may require you to perform a blood test or physical within the destination either at a clinic or your resort. Check with your destination to see what is required.

If you want to get married under a certain religious denomination or wish to have a secular ceremony, you can generally find out what your options are from the local officiant or your hotel’s wedding coordinator. If you wish to do a religious/civil ceremony, check to see what additional documents you may need from your church such as a baptism record, notice of active status within your church or certification of marital counseling.

If you want to bring your own officiant to perform the ceremony, make sure they check with the destination’s requirements to ensure that they can legally perform your wedding according to local laws.