Getting married Vilamoura, civil ceremony Dublin

jacknala147

How are ye!

We're getting married in Portugal in May 2103 but we are having the civil part done here in the registry office. Just wondering when we should in fact start the ball rolling re the registry office?? anyone with any experience or advice is greatly appreciated

lazygal

You need to give three months notice in Ireland. If you're not fussed about the day or time of the ceremony you might not have to wait too long. The ceremony itself only takes about five/ten minutes. They are used to people doing the legal bit for weddings abroad, give them a call. It costs 150, that covers the marriage bit and premarriage paperwork.

Just remember that will be your legal marriage date for future reference, we had a similar setup and have to remind ourselves to put down the legal wedding date for official documents.

Peregrinus

This can be a little bit tricky, so check out the Portuguese end carefully. If you're having the legal bit done in Dulbin, then what you want is a non-legally-binding ceremony in Portugal. The thing is, Catholic church weddings are legally binding in Portugal, so if you're already legally married, you can't have a Catholic church wedding in Portugal.

You can have what's called a convalidation, and for those attending and participating this looks a lot like a wedding. All you need to do is make sure that the priest understands at the outset that a convalidation, not a wedding, is what you will need.

If you're planning a humanist or nonreligious ceremony, of course, there's no problem. These have no legal significance in Portugal, so the fact that you are already legally married is not a problem.

ABajaninCork

I got engaged in Vilamoura!