Getting Married Abroad
 

Hi. My boyfriend and I have been talking about getting married in Rome. I have many friends there and it's where we had our first date. I'm sure there's tons of red tape to wade through in order to get married there, but does anybody have a clue as to how it's done, what needs to be planned and how long it takes? Please send any advice my way. Thanks so much!

If you go to www.theknot.com there is a section devoted to the procedures required to get married in a foreign country. Italy is one of the countries profiled. As I recall, it is one of the easier countries in the world in which to get married.

The easiest way is to use a service that does all the paperwork for you. My friend had her dream wedding (I was there) by using Sogni Italia which can be found at: http://www.sogniitaliani.com. Good luck

The really easiest way is to have a courthouse quickie wedding here and then have a big elaborate ceremonial wedding in Rome. Then you don't have to worry about the red tape!

My husband and I got married in Salzburg. Austria is one of the easiest countries to get married , because of the "no residency requirement." If I recall, Italy has --about 1-2 weeks residency requirement Also if my memory is working, Ireland is also pretty easy to get married.<BR>We did not want to get married first here in the states, and wanted a ceremony that legally was binding. So as you probably know, if this is the path you are taking, only a civil ceremony in their "courthouse" is reciprocal.<BR>

There are a few things you have to do before you can get married in Italy. <BR><BR>Some things you have to do here in the states and otheres in Italy. <BR><BR>You might already know this...., but here are some links.<BR><BR>http://travel.state.gov/italy_marriage.html<BR><BR>This is for the people that live in the area of the Italy Consulate in Chicago, but applies to all Italian Consulates in the states.<BR><BR>http://www.italconschicago.org/english/index.htm<BR><BR>