Should you get legally married in Canada BEFORE or AFTER your destination wedding out of the country?

Here are the reasons why I would recommend eloping prior to your destination wedding (and a testimony of this by Adina and Harley)!

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1. You will receive a temporary marriage certificate called the Record of Solemnization immediately after signing the paperwork. Taking this with you on your trip may get you better upgrades, more freebies, and extra perks along the way.

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I've heard of couples getting free Uber rides, extra champagne, desserts, or even free meals. People love to see people in LOVE. (Except at Sneaky Dees... but that's another story for another time.)

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2. I love to give my tips and tricks to the couple to make their day go smoothly. They get a mini version of my walkthrough/rehearsal - what to watch out for and how to stay relaxed.

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3. It builds on the upcoming excitement of the big day! I'm not saying that it's always anticlimactic to sign after you get home, but.... many couples seem a bit burnt out after the trip and often put off legally signing for a while until they need the documents urgently. (Buying a house, moving for a job, needing to get on health benefits, etc.)

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4. Some locations require you to have your legal certificate PRIOR to your symbolic ceremony at their venue. If you get legally married 6-8 weeks prior (or more) you can get the legal marriage certificate when you travel.

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5. Some countries require you to have your legal certificate to get a visa to enter the country. This happened to me recently with a couple who were planning their wedding in India and the consulates were giving them the run-around.

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Getting legally married in Canada, rather than abroad, is always an easier option. It's often less expensive, and less hassle. You don't have to waste your holiday dealing with government administration in a foreign country, the documents don't need to be translated later on, and in some cases, it eliminates having to be in the country a week prior and give blood samples.

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Did I miss anything? Drop your thoughts down  below. I'd love to hear your perspective!