subject: SAY "I DO" TO YOUR DOMINICAN FIANCEE [print this page] When Anyce signed up for her first bachata dancing lesson, all she hoped for was to lose a few kilos. Well, maybe to meet new people as well. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to meet her future husband and within 6 month start her preparations for the most romantic of marriages in the Dominican republic.
The Dominican Republic is the perfect place to celebrate a wedding. Miles long beaches of white sand, surrounded by palm trees, colorful tropical flowers and live music, it is more than any bride could dream of.
Any Canadian citizen or a lawful permanent resident who is single and aged 18 or over can get married in the Dominican Republic. Before you leave, you must prepare your documents and make sure that there would be no impediments to your marriage ceremony there.
The first thing that you would need is a document proving your single status. It is called an Affidavit of Marital status and can be obtained by your local Registrar of marriages. If you fail to do this before leaving Canada, you can contact the Canadian Embassy or consulate in the Dominican Republic before applying for a Dominican Marriage Licence.
The other important document a Canadian citizen needs for a marriage in the Dominican Republic is a valid Canadian passport. You do not need a visa for the Dominican Republic provided you stay as a tourist for less than 60 days.
The third document a Canadian citizen needs to get married in the Dominican Republic is an original birth certificate. Provided you have all these documents, you can organize your Dominican wedding.
Marriages in the Dominican Republic fall generally into one of two categories: civil marriages and religious marriages.
Civil marriages are those in which the person officiating at the wedding ceremony is a government official, usually a Notary Public. Two witnesses aged at least 18 must be present. After the ceremony takes place, you will be given a document; you must take it to the local Justice of the Peace who will issue your Marriage Certificate
Religious marriages in the Dominican Republic are most often performed by a Roman Catholic priest. Following the ceremony, the church takes responsibility for registering the marriage with the appropriate Dominican government offices.
Once you have your Dominican marriage certificate, you can legalise your marriage in Canada.
Traditional Chinese Marriage: The Canadian Perspective
Chinese fiancees are very popular among Canadian citizens or permanent residents who often marry them in China and then sponsor them back to Canada. Marriage in China is highly traditional, especially in the villages. Here is what a Canadian planning to marry their Chinese fiance(e) might expect in additional to the civil ceremony very formal and very short.
The marriage process begins with an elaborate proposal and acceptance. It is arranged by a go-between, who is negotiating the best terms with the bride's and the groom's parents. Under the traditional system, marriage is arranged in a very un-emotional manner. This can look very strange to a Canadian citizen, because it conflicts with the western idea of free love and courtship. A marriage arrangement begins with a comparison of horoscopes of the future husband and wife. The two families arrange to meet only after the two horoscopes are found to be compatible.
Canadians wishing to marry their Chinese fiance(e) need to know that the legal age for marriage in China is 20. If the Chinese bride or groom is under 20, they will need to produce a written consent from their parents or guardians
On the wedding day the Chinese spouse goes through the "hair dressing ritual" for women or the "capping ritual" for men. Chinese brides dress in red, wear red shoes and a red silk veil or a curtain of beads that hangs from the bridal crown. The groom is required to send a carriage to take the bride home. It is decorated in red, carried by four servants and accompanied by musicians playing wedding music all the way. A lot of gifts are also brought to the bride's family at the same time.
As the procession arrives, the groom's "woman of luck" enters the Chinese bride's house and carries the bride on her back. The bride must not touch the ground with her feet until she arrives at the groom's house. The bride's relatives throw rice into the air, hoping that the chickens around will eat the rice instead of pecking at the bride.
When the bride arrives in the groom's house, the wedding ceremony begins. It consists of the bride and groom kneeling before the family altar and paying homage to Heaven and Earth. After that both spouses take part of the wedding banquet. If the groom's family is rich, the banquet may last up to seven continuous days.
