Real love knows no boundaries - neither distance, nor nationality, nor mentality. That is why it has become a common thing that more and more people find their love in other countries, combining two different personalities and mentalities into one. International weddings have become one of the most current trends of recent years, to which wedding planners are also adapting.

Portal Līgavām.lv collected recommendations that couples should take into account when deciding to get married in Latvia, and what are the biggest challenges to be faced in international weddings.

LEGAL SIDE

It is often heard that for international couples, settling the official part of the marriage in Latvia will be a relatively more complicated process, however, wedding organizer Alise Kolosova/ Alise Kolosova Boutique Event Planning, points out that the practical part is not as complicated a process as it might initially seem, as long as everything is planned in time.  "Most of the weddings I organize are international and most often a foreigner is the groom.

1. In this case, the Latvian civil registry department will request a certificate from the relevant state institution, which confirms that the given person is not legally married at the moment (officially it is called - Marital status certificate ). This document (the document must be translated into the national language of Latvia, and its original must be submitted) must be submitted together with the marriage application to the selected registry office within the time specified by law.
2. The second thing that should be taken into account – the bride, when changing to the groom's surname of another nation , will have to go through the process of Latvianization of the surname. A couple of versions are often offered, but it is clear that it is changed, adapting to the Latvian language, and the couple should take this into account," explains Alise Kolosova.

There is a law in Latvia that stipulates that the application for marriage registration must be made no earlier than six months and no later than one month and one day before the planned wedding day. The application for marriage registration must be completed even if the ceremony is planned in a church.

In order not to spoil the feeling of the holiday with formalities, on the website MARRIAGE REGISTRATION you can find information about the necessary documents and the procedure for submitting them.

"I can say from experience that Latvian embassies abroad are not always familiar with the legislation on marriage registration, so it is valuable to be informed yourself", observed Arta Bondare, creative manager of the wedding agency Oga Events .

WHY GET MARRIED IN LATVIA?

If one of the couple is a foreigner, Latvia is often chosen as the place of marriage. Alice Kolosova explains it both with the fact that

A wedding organized even at the highest level in Latvia will also cost much less than, for example, in France or the USA, both with the emotional aspect, respectively, the desire of the bride or groom to marry in their homeland.

"I have noticed that the guests who have flown to the wedding usually leave the wedding with a great feeling of surprise. People like Latvia and it surprises them.

We have not only beautiful nature, but also a high level of service.

When organizing weddings also outside of Latvia, most often in very beautiful and expensive places, where apparently everything should be at the highest level, I have noticed that the quality of service is not always the same. That's why I appreciate our staff even more in terms of catering and presentation," Alice shares her experience.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES

Weddings and challenges can often be equated, as it seems every bride and wedding planner is faced with endless last-minute needs . International weddings are not without challenges either. Alice Kolosova mentions that one of the most typical challenges of international weddings is coordinating the menu, where you have to take into account various restrictions or, on the contrary, know how to cook something very atypical. "Also, in international weddings, you have to take into account the fact that the guests must provide both a hotel and the transportation of guests to the place of celebration. Therefore, much more time must be devoted to more delayed logistics," observed Alice.

If we talk about guests, then you have to take into account that if the guests are from abroad, they will definitely want to see the biggest cities of Latvia, go to castle ruins or a museum and taste traditional dishes. This should also be considered when the couple organizes a wedding in Latvia. Therefore, you should consider the possibility of organizing additional entertainment for them, so that the only thing they will have seen is not only the airport and the place of celebration. It is often useful for foreign guests to organize a shared bus "so that on the wedding day it does not suddenly turn out that the guests have suddenly gone to Valmiera instead of Cēsis", advises Arta Bondare.

DIFFERENT TRADITIONS

When two non-nationals marry, there will be twice as many different customs and traditions and eventually - also two languages. Therefore, couples must understand themselves how they want to feel on their wedding day.

• Most often, couples choose to respect the traditions of both countries alternately or to abandon them altogether , getting the classic format.
• It is similar with the choice of language - a wedding can be held in two languages or, if all the guests understand, for example, English, then only in that language.
• "The most beautiful thing at an international wedding is to experience something new. Customs are very different! For example, in Denmark, the first waltz is danced by turning the groom upside down and cutting his socks, while the bride cuts off a piece of veil tulle. But in Greece, the wedding celebration begins with what in Latvia usually ends with a climax - the appearance of the couple takes place in the background of fireworks and continues immediately with the first dance. On the other hand, at the dinner buffet, the guests go to one table at a time, starting with the closest ones and ending with more distant guests. This is considered a completely normal process," says Alice.
• That is why personality is important in every wedding.

"It is necessary to understand what is essential and significant for the particular couple.

Couples and I talk a lot about this before we start the planning process. For some, it will be honoring traditions and parents, for some - the comfort of guests, for others - richly laid tables and a full entertainment program. There isn't one formula for everyone, and that's the most beautiful thing."

See international wedding photo stories here:

XUQIN & PAUL

ALISE & TOLGA

LOIRE VALLEY WEDDING

CLARA & HAL