Beach Wedding Why Here? If you've ever dreamed of getting married on the beach, in a tropical paradise, barefoot at sunset with live music playing in the background -- you've found your destination: Puerto Plata!   What to Know The Dominican Republic is the new wedding destination of the Caribbean. Any couple is able to customize the tropical wedding ceremony of their dreams. The island and its atmosphere make it an ideal candidate for marriage.  When choosing your date, avoid hurricane season -- the period between July and October. Plan early if you want to wed over a long weekend. Some hotels have limited room accommodations and fill up quickly! Hire a local wedding planner who can guide you through all the red tape. Sometimes this service is provided by the hotel with no extra cost.   Marriage Requirements It is fairly easy to arrange for a legal civil ceremony in the Dominican Republic for this special occasion. The document requirements are a passport or original birth certificate, a single status affidavit (in Spanish), and/or a divorce decree (in Spanish) stating you are free to marry. Two witnesses are required, and passports are usually needed; however, Dominicans can witness the wedding and provide "cedulas" for this purpose.  It is recommended that all requirements should be confirmed at the time you make your hotel reservation. The best way to get a single status affidavit is contacting your nearest Dominican Embassy or Consulate. They will send you the exact wording via fax or mail. Then you can retype it, has it notarized, and send it to the Dominican Consulate for their stamps, and legalization. They turn it around in two days. If you are sending the documentation by mail you will need to send a prepaid envelop in order for the Consulate to send the document back. They do not accept personal checks.   Budget For $900 dollars or less, you can have a very nice wedding in the Dominican Republic. Hotels are usually a huge help in the planning required, and there are some outside restaurants and gazebos that serve as the perfect backdrop for this special day (Pier Giorgio's in Sosua is one of our personal favorites).   Wedding Tips There are two ways to find a wedding coordinator. Puerto Plata has resorts with plenty of destination wedding experience. Most employ an entire staff dedicated to making planning as hassle-free as possible. This includes having experienced planners who oversee all the arrangements. They work with a team of local vendors so you don't have to worry about hiring your own individuals. Of course, you always have the option of bringing your favorite caterer or florist along. When working with your on-site coordinator, it's important to give her clear direction, especially if you have a very detailed vision of how you want your wedding to take place. Talk over the phone, fax seating charts, and email instructions and pictures of your ideal bouquet, cake, food, and décor. Most places will make sure all your requests are in place by the time you get there, including the flowers.   Related Articles 13 Must-Read Destination Wedding Tips Save-the-Dates: Destination Wedding Ideas Destination Weddings Basics: Know Before You Go Bridal Beauty: 20 Great Beauty Tips