In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic.
Weddings in the Dominican Republic: What You Need To Know
If you are dreaming of a destination wedding in a tropical paradise then the Dominican Republic is the perfect place to say “I do” surrounded by blue skies, white beaches, and lush vegetation.
The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history, and it is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
From its diverse landscape of mountains, rainforests, and beaches to its vibrant culture and friendly locals, the Dominican Republic has something for everyone.
A destination wedding in the Dominican Republic can be a wonderful way to celebrate your nuptials.
So whether you’re looking for an intimate ceremony on the beach or a lavish celebration at a luxurious resort, the Dominican Republic is sure to make your wedding dreams come true.
But first: you need to know where in the world the Dominican Republic is…
Where is the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic is located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbeans.
It occupies the eastern 5/8 of the island, which it shares with Haiti. The Dominican Republic’s coast to the south is washed by the Caribbean, and to the north by the Atlantic Ocean.
Area: 18,619 sq mi (48,223 sq km). Population: (2022 est.) 10,622,000. Capital: Santo Domingo.
Dominican Republic Facts To Know:
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Dominican peso (DOP)
- Airports: Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), Las Américas International Airport (SDQ), Cibao International Airport (STI)
- Official Tourism Website:https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/
- Driving side: Right
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Dominican Republic for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Dominican Republic
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Dominican Republic:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in the Dominican Republic or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having a Dominican Republic wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in the Dominican Republic:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Dominican Republic:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in the Dominican Republic?
- What are the marriage requirements for the Dominican Republic?
- What is the weather like in the Dominican Republic?
- What should you pack for a trip to the Dominican Republic?
- What things are there to do in the Dominican Republic?
- What are the best Dominican Republic wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in the Dominican Republic Cost?
The marriage license cost in the Dominican Republic is between $55 and $375. The fee depends on the residency status of the bride and groom.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in the Dominican Republic
When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- The original passport, copies of the passport, and copies of last entries stamps.
- Proof of Dominican residence; if not a resident of the Dominican Republic, an additional fee applies, and a tourist card must be presented.
- Sworn declaration before a notary public, of being single and eligible to marry. It needs to be legalized at the Offices of Procuraduría General de La República. If the Sworn declaration is done before a U.S. notary, it then needs to be legalized at the closest Dominican Consulate in the U.S.
- Copy of foreign birth certificate and a legal translation of the certificate with a certificate of apostille.
- Provide the relevant documentation if one or both partners are divorced or widowed, and legal translation of the certificate.
- Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown.
Other legal requirements are:
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- According to the law, 2 witnesses are needed who musn’t be family.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in the Dominican Republic, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- Every foreign document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation Apostilled by the appropriate authority. Alternatively, once the original document is Apostilled it can be sent for translation by the Consular Section.
- Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
- What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
The judge will register your Wedding Certificate with the Central Civil Board and then legalize it with the Dominican Republic’s Department of Foreign Affairs. The Wedding Certificate will then be sent to the couple, which might take up to 15 weeks.
What Is The Weather Like in the Dominican Republic?
The months of December through the middle of April are ideal for travel in the inland valleys and along the south coast (see Santo Domingo and Punta Cana).
On the northern coast, particularly in regions like the province of Samaná and Sabana de la Mar where there isn’t really a distinct dry season, the months of February and March tend to have the lowest average number of rainy days.
Hurricanes are a possible danger during the summer months, when the temperature is consistently high and the humidity is high.
However, if you want to go during the summer, there are several areas where it does not rain very often. In particular, the north-western coast, which stretches from the Haitian border to the Amber Coast (where the least rainy season is the period from June to September), the south-west coast, and the portion of the south coast that is located to the east of Santo Domingo up to Punta Cana.
When compared to August, the chance of hurricanes in June and July is much lower.
What should you pack for your trip?
Between the months of November and April, you should pack light clothing, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a sweater for the evenings. A coat, a sweater, and a good pair of hiking boots are essential for the mountains.
During the months of May through October, you should pack light clothes, as well as perhaps a light sweater and a light raincoat in case there are thunderstorms. For the mountains, bring a jacket, a sweatshirt, and hiking boots.
Dominican Republic Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Dominican Republic:
Average Temperatures in Dominican Republic
The table below shows the average temperatures in Dominican Republic each month:
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
| January | 21.3 | 28.9 | 25.1 | 70 | 84 | 77.2 |
| February | 21.5 | 29.1 | 25.3 | 71 | 84 | 77.5 |
| March | 21.5 | 29.5 | 25.5 | 71 | 85 | 77.9 |
| April | 22.2 | 30.3 | 26.3 | 72 | 87 | 79.3 |
| May | 23.2 | 30.8 | 27 | 74 | 87 | 80.5 |
| June | 23.9 | 31.5 | 27.7 | 75 | 89 | 81.8 |
| July | 24.5 | 31.9 | 28.2 | 76 | 89 | 82.8 |
| August | 24.4 | 32 | 28.2 | 76 | 90 | 82.8 |
| September | 23.9 | 31.9 | 27.9 | 75 | 89 | 82.2 |
| October | 23.4 | 31.6 | 27.5 | 74 | 89 | 81.4 |
| November | 22.7 | 30.3 | 26.5 | 73 | 87 | 79.7 |
| December | 21.9 | 29.5 | 25.7 | 71 | 85 | 78.3 |
| Year | 22.9 | 30.6 | 26.7 | 73.2 | 87.1 | 80 |
Average Rainfall in Dominican Republic
The table below shows the average rainfall in Dominican Republic each month:
| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
| January | 65 | 2.6 | 10 |
| February | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
| March | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
| April | 70 | 2.8 | 7 |
| May | 125 | 4.9 | 10 |
| June | 105 | 4.1 | 9 |
| July | 80 | 3.1 | 9 |
| August | 105 | 4.1 | 10 |
| September | 100 | 3.9 | 10 |
| October | 150 | 5.9 | 11 |
| November | 115 | 4.5 | 12 |
| December | 80 | 3.1 | 11 |
| Year | 1100 | 43.3 | 113 |
Sunshine Hours in Dominican Republic
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Dominican Republic each month:
| Month | Average | Total |
| January | 8.5 | 255 |
| February | 8.5 | 240 |
| March | 9 | 280 |
| April | 9 | 265 |
| May | 8 | 250 |
| June | 8.5 | 255 |
| July | 8.5 | 270 |
| August | 8.5 | 270 |
| September | 8 | 245 |
| October | 8 | 245 |
| November | 8 | 240 |
| December | 7.5 | 235 |
| Year | 8.3 | 3045 |
Sea Temperatures in Dominican Republic
The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Dominican Republic each month:
| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
| January | 27 | 80 |
| February | 26 | 80 |
| March | 26 | 79 |
| April | 27 | 80 |
| May | 28 | 82 |
| June | 28 | 83 |
| July | 28 | 83 |
| August | 29 | 84 |
| September | 29 | 84 |
| October | 29 | 84 |
| November | 28 | 83 |
| December | 27 | 81 |
| Year | 27.7 | 81.9 |
What To Wear in the Dominican Republic? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in the Dominican Republic so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Pack light, airy clothing made from natural fibers like cotton, as the climate is warm and humid.
- A hat or sunglasses: The sun is strong in the Dominican Republic. Be sure to pack a hat or sunglasses to protect your eyes.
- Sunscreen: Don’t forget sunscreen!
- Beachwear: The Dominican Republic is all about beach life. Pack your swimsuit, beach towel, and any other beach gear you need.
- Insect repellent: Pack insect repellent, as mosquitoes can be a problem in some areas.
- A camera: With its stunning beaches, verdant mountains and colorful cities, the Dominican Republic is a photographer’s paradise.
- Comfortable shoes: Comfortable shoes are a must for any trip, but especially if you plan on doing any sightseeing or hiking. There’s no need to pack your fanciest footwear; just make sure your shoes are comfortable and up for any adventure.
- Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
- First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
Things to Do in Dominican Republic
There are many different things to do in the Dominican Republic, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Saona Island
- The 3 Eyes National Park
- Bavaro Beach
- 27 Charcos
- Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial
- Teleferico Puerto Plata Cable Car
- Altos de Chavon
- National Park of the East
- Macao Beach
- Whale Watching in Samaná Bay
- Bahía de Las Águilas
- Jarabacoa
Best Dominican Republic Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in the Dominican Republic?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in Dominican Republic
- Villa Costa Norte in Cabrera
- Hilton La Romana Resort & Spa in Altos de Chavón
- Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort in Punta Cana
- Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences in Las Terrenas
- Villa Castellamonte in Punta Cana
- Le Sivory Punta Cana
- Huracan Cafe in Punta Cana
- Kukua Restaurant Punta Cana
- Jellyfish Restaurant in Punta Cana
- Villa Flor de Cabrera
- Dreams Punta Cana
Hotels in Dominican Republic
- Hotel Santo Cerro Natural Park
- Glamping EcoLodge Cueva De Las Águilas
- Casa Lambí – Cabrera
- Acogedor Espacio en Santo Domingo Este – Mandinga
- Elegant Sunset Apartment at Juan Dolio
- Casa Tropical con Hermosos Atardeceres Caribeños – Santiago de los Caballeros
- Villa Caribbean El Limon de Samana –
- Altamar Village – Boca Chica
- Cabrera Chalet boutique hotel
- El Valle Lodge
- Apartamento Carey – Cabrera
