How far in advance should I book a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic?+
We recommend 12–18 months ahead for the best resort availability and group rates. Peak season (December–April) and weekends fill up fastest. Smaller groups (20–40 guests) can sometimes be accommodated with 6–8 months lead time depending on date.
Is the Dominican Republic safe for a destination wedding?+
Wedding-resort areas — Punta Cana, Bávaro, Cap Cana, Casa de Campo — are well-policed tourism enclaves with security at all entrances. Travel inside resort grounds and on resort transfers is straightforward. As with any destination, common-sense precautions apply when leaving the resort area; DreamWed only books with established resort partners that we've personally vetted.
Can my wedding be legally binding under Dominican law?+
Yes. The Dominican Republic has no minimum residency requirement and no blood tests, making it one of the easier Caribbean destinations for a legally binding civil ceremony. You'll need apostilled birth certificates, a single-status affidavit (or divorce decree), Spanish translations, and 2 witnesses. Add ~4–6 weeks of paperwork lead time. Most couples still opt for a symbolic ceremony in DR + civil paperwork at home for simplicity.
What happens if a hurricane is forecast for our wedding week?+
Most all-inclusive resorts in the DR offer a hurricane guarantee that lets you reschedule penalty-free if a Category 1+ storm is forecast within a defined window of your wedding. We strongly recommend trip cancellation / interruption insurance for every guest, especially for August–October weddings.
Are airport transfers included?+
Most all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and Cap Cana include shared round-trip airport transfers as part of the room rate, since PUJ is so close. For Casa de Campo (LRM is closer) or Puerto Plata (POP), confirm transfer inclusion with your DreamWed concierge — La Romana is often a 90-minute drive from PUJ.
Can we have a Catholic, Hindu, Sikh, or interfaith ceremony at our resort?+
Yes — most major resorts in Punta Cana and Cap Cana have experience with Catholic, Hindu, Sikh (Anand Karaj), Jewish, and interfaith ceremonies. Several have on-property chapels; others arrange officiants and bring in cultural elements. We match couples to resorts with demonstrated experience for their specific traditions.
How does Punta Cana compare to Cancún for a destination wedding?+
Punta Cana is typically 10–20% cheaper for comparable resort tiers, has shorter airport transfers (15 min vs. 30–60 min in Cancún), and the Bávaro coastline has the iconic palm-lined beach Cancún doesn't. Cancún has more direct flight options from secondary North American cities and a slightly larger total resort selection. We're brand-agnostic and recommend based on your specific guest mix, budget, and aesthetic preference.
Do we need to be in the DR to plan our wedding?+
No. The entire planning process happens via video calls, email, and shared documents. Some couples opt for a 2-night site visit 4–6 months before the wedding, but it's not required. DreamWed handles all on-site coordination and represents you remotely.
