There are a million components to consider when planning a wedding, but finding out the legalities of a destination wedding far from home is arguably one of the most important.
It can be quite the challenge though!
We asked Vietnam Wedding Celebrant, Leanne Summers to give us the legal low-down on getting married in Vietnam.
Leanne: "Broadly speaking, a wedding in Vietnam between two foreigners is unlikely to be recognised by your home country. I will explain why in a second. However, before you ditch the romantic notion of jumping on a plane bound for Vietnam, having a picture perfect wedding under the palm trees, on the sand with the waves lapping at your feet, read on. It’s not the end of the world.
I’m officiating a beach wedding today for two Australians on Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. At the moment I’m gazing over one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. The sky is blue, the water is crystal clear and the sand as white and squeaky as snow. The couple marrying here at the JW Marriott Resort (look it up, it's fab) told me they could not imagine getting married anywhere else. Surely Australia has its fair share of jaw dropping beautiful beaches with squeaky white sand, so why do it? Especially if it’s not likely to be recognised in Australia.
The couple have their own reasons - couples who choose to get married in Vietnam always have their own unique and personal reasons. The legalities for them are always a minor point to be addressed either before or after their wedding in Vietnam.
An overseas wedding isn’t for everyone. It might be for you though; that’s why you are here, investigating. Regardless of the reasons the question remains, will your Vietnam wedding be recognised in Australia (or any home country internationally)?
In short, for just about all the countries I have researched, marriages will be recognised in your home country as long as your wedding overseas was recognised as a legal marriage in that country. Basically as long as your wedding in Vietnam is a legal one here in Vietnam, it will be recognised as a marriage at home. (I’m not saying I’ve researched every country on earth, however this is broadly what I am finding".
For further more detailed knot tying head to her comprehensive blog post