If you want to combine your church marriage ceremony with an unforgettable trip, the Dominican Republic is a great option for you.
What makes this country attractive to honeymooners?
Dominica or Dominican Republic is a warm and sunny country located in the eastern part of the island of Haiti. Its shores are washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, and the capital is the loud and colorful city of Santo Domingo. Here, in a tropical atmosphere, on the shores of the warm sea you can play a wonderful wedding, and in one of the Orthodox churches to confirm the seriousness of their intentions in the face of God.
The sea coast, white sand and sprawling palm trees are the first things that come to mind at the mention of the Dominican Republic. All this is certainly present here, but it is not all the attractions! The country delights its visitors with architecture, national parks, and a full palette of various entertainments for lovers of active lifestyle.
Dominican Republic is a country that lives to the rhythm of salsa and bachata. Here every day turns into a small holiday, and the locals are friendly to tourists.
Orthodox parish in the Dominican Republic
Back in 2010, with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, an Orthodox parish in honor of the Most Holy Trinity was opened in the Dominican Republic. A little later, at the request of Orthodox Christians living in cities such as La Romana, Punta Cana and Bavaro on the east coast of Haiti, another Orthodox church was opened.
At the moment various services, Divine Liturgy and prayer services are held there. All these sacraments and ceremonies are conducted in both Russian and Spanish. Local Orthodox Christians, as well as visitors to the Dominican Republic, can confess here, baptize their children, receive Holy Communion, and of course, get married!
Regions and resorts of Dominican Republic
Surely after the church marriage ceremony you will want to relax and visit some sights of this beautiful country. We will tell you about the most interesting places.
— The city of Santo Domingo is the historical and cultural center of the Dominican Republic. This place has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And there are good reasons for this, such as the unprecedented luxury and beauty of the local architecture. The city was founded by the younger brother of Christopher Columbus himself and was originally called New Isabella. It is an ideal place for a so-called sightseeing vacation.
— Boca Chica is a cozy place, which is a cozy lagoon surrounded by a coral reef. This resort, unlike Santo Domingo, is much better suited for beach vacation, combined with active activities, such as diving, surfing, tennis, horseback riding, etc. You should come here for vivid impressions and beautiful photos.
— If you appreciate a secluded vacation away from the hectic beach atmosphere, there is a wonderful place for you in the Dominican Republic, for example — Samana. This is a real paradise of untouched nature and secluded corners. Dolphins, humpback whales and manatees are frequent guests of local waters.
Features of the church wedding ceremony
So, you already know that the church wedding is strikingly different from the usual secular marriage ceremony. Let’s talk about the key features of this procedure.
Unlike the usual church wedding ceremony, the church wedding ceremony lasts much longer. If the secular registration can pass for 10-15 minutes, then for the conclusion of a church marriage will take about 60-90 minutes of time. All Orthodox Christians present at the ceremony are required to carry crosses.
The bride and groom are blessed by their parents prior to the ceremony. If they are unable to attend the ceremony for any reason, the newlyweds have the right to choose a planted father and mother. There is one requirement for these people — they must be married. It is they who have the right to give a blessing to their newborn children. At the same time, the young people should not be called by secular names, but by the names given to them at baptism.
The dress of the bride should be in accordance with the church canons. The girl should not attend the wedding dressed in a pantsuit, the neckline of the dress should not be too deep, and shoulders, back and arms are better closed. The color of the dress should not be too bright or dark, traditionally used white or cream fabrics.
The head of the bride should be covered with a scarf, an elegant hat or veil. It is better not to cover the face, because the future wife should be open both to her groom and to the face of God.
Witnesses can be invited to the wedding ceremony. In an ideal situation — two married couples, necessarily baptized and with breast crosses. However, if you do not have them in your neighborhood, the church wedding is fine without them.
A paradise vacation on Earth
Give yourself and your loved one a wonderful holiday and combine your wedding or church marriage with a trip to the Dominican Republic. Here you will get a lot of bright impressions, which you will share with your friends and relatives for a long time.
Dominican Republic is your piece of tropical paradise, a chance to relax and forget about all the problems and turmoil of ordinary life. Make a sacred union of loving hearts here and your marriage will be the happiest!
Our wedding agency will take on all the responsibilities of organizing a wedding in the Dominican Republic. Great experience and established relationships allow us to organize weddings at a high level. Call!
