Dominica is said to be poised to capitalize on the wedding industry as an amendment to the Marriage Act goes into effect on March 1.
The amendment introduces a series of changes which will make the process of tying the knot in Dominica easier.
One of the major aspects of the amendment is the introduction of the non-day residency requirement which allows couples to obtain a marriage license within a twenty-four hour period.
Furthermore the marriage license application form requires only the signature of a Magistrate, Commissioner of Oath, Justice of the Peace or Notary Public in the couple’s hometown.
This will allow for greater flexibility, convenience and expediency of service as the couple should be able to find a local Notary Public or Justice of the Peace more readily than a Magistrate.
Reports indicate that over the past decade Destination Weddings have evolved to a booming billion-dollar industry. Statistics have shown that more than one out of ten couples make the choice of saying “I do” outside their country of residence.
Based on that trend, authorities in Dominica say the wedding and honeymoon market has been identified as an important niche market for the island which could contribute significantly to the growth in visitor arrivals and expenditure.
The new process will be officially launched here on Wednesday.
wedding in Dominica? hahahahaha please relax people… no normal dry cleaning, no normal or even average florists, no nice hotels, no normal rental villas etc..plus jokers from Liat can always send your wedding dress to San Juan…bottom line is that wedding industry is for places which appreciate tourists and prepare infrastructure..Dominica is a paradise for backpackers and white soon-to-become rustas…
You are really giving Dominica a bad name. No matter what do not bring down your country in such a decrepit manner. The tourists enjoy Dominica’s beauty.
If Dominica was not so mountainous and with white sandy beaches many more tourists would visit. Nevertheless, Dominica has its attractions. Some tourists are bird watchers; some like hiking and so on. There is a little of everything for those who do not expect anything out of the ordinary. Prior to traveling to Dominica they are aware of the geographical set-up of Dominica. I have met a few Canadians who told me that they visited Dominica and loved it, that they had an enjoyable time there. Granted, it may have been prior to the increased crimes and murders. I do hope that if and when tourists visit that their stay will be an enjoyable experience. Pray for your country.
So is there anything in his post that is untruthful?
Alfred Kinsey is the culprit for our sexual moral decay.
the world has truely changed. and man has become more desperate and skillful at how they go around shoving their agenda down our throats…
this is all about money for a service where girl and man, man and man and girl and girl will come together and marry..
So that’s why the bishop of Roseau reiterated the Catholic stance on the sanctity of marriage yesterday. As a non Catholic I applaud him for that! What about the Christian leaders especially those who were very vocal against the UWP in 2000 when they were referred to as idol worshippers, simply because they had a moutain party to celebrate the new year? Are they saying anything about the wedding industry in Dominica? Which one is worse gentlemen: a country trying to make an industry out of what you refer to as “Holy Matrimony” or going on a mountain to celebrate a new year especially the much talked about year 2000?
Brethren, this is a direct attack on God’s word since we believe that marriage was ordained by God. This is a true test of whose servants we are in Dominica. Are we God servants or servants of those who feed us?
In Matthew 21:13 Jesus was quick to rebuke those who used God’s Holy Temple for money making and told them that God’s house is not a den of thieves. Is that the same thing we doing today?
Someone may have told him about this wedding industry which will generate revenue.
When we think of the Wedding at Cana, ‘industry’ is not a nice name for ‘wedding’ and to be added to it.
In this era people have very little regard for marriage. They do not consider it “Holy” given that they marry everywhere, in the sky, in a boat on the sea, on ski slopes, dangling in the air, under water, in backyards, in certain buildings which are not churches and the list goes on. They take marriage as a joke and one that can be turned on and off as a tap or as a door opens and closes as they marry, divorce, re-marry many times. They are not aware that they are committing adultery or could not care less. They expect their marriage to work and children from those marriages to be good children. Their parents are not model ones.
I would think (merely speculating) that three quarters of the people of the world are not married in the eyes of God but living an adulterous life.
These days some of them who live-in with their boyfriends/girlfriends, say ‘their fiance(e) and have no intentions of getting married in the near future. Women love to say that. I heard one of them on a TV Station say ‘her fiance’, broadcasting it to millions of people; real show-off. When asked when she is getting married, she did not have an answer. They live together. I would like to say to her “who asked you?”
For this reason, the world is indeed in a state of sin. They also have no respect and believe that everyone will accept them. This is the world we presently reside in.
A previous Pope, some years ago stated that “People have lost their sense of sin.” Well, God will take care of that when He judges everyone. I also like to say, a mini-judgment while they are still alive. Much more could be stated about that.
That is a good move!
Gays next Change is coming eh !
So is Judgment Day and eternal judgment.
marriage is no longer sacred. it has not join the market. first come agriculture, then tourism and now marriage. wow. times have changed
thank goodness this lovely little island in the caribbean needs some help, i just hope you get the support from the tourist board in Dominica, as you are slowly disappering off the map, for instance i asked a british travel agent to find me a holiday to dominica, i have dived here for the last 8 years, and for the first time ever they have told me that NO travel companies go to Dominica anymore, and i have to book it all seperatly, man thats bad, so if you look into going to the caribbean and a tour operater can do it all for you, or you have to sit on the internet and book trans atlantic flights, then liat and then your hotel, you know what people are gonna choose, i just wanted to make a point, COME ON DOMNINICA YA AN AWESOME LITTLE COUNTRY LET THE WORLD KNOW YOU ARE THE FRIENDLIEST AND HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND THAT WOULD MAKE THE BEST WEDDING PICTURES YOU COULD IMAGINE.
Most of our travel agents holiday guides are found in the United States and Dominica is heavily advertised in the UK and France. One thing with Dominicans is that we advertise our country very well without the help of a travel agent.That is to explain why LIAT is always OVERFLOWING with passengers to Dominica everyday.
i am sorry for your incorrect information, but dominica is NOT advertised in the uk nor the states, i live in london and my sister is in florida and i have spoken to her and in the 36 years she has lived there she has never seen adverts for dominica, as i have never ever seen any adverts for Dominica here, sorry to burst ya bubble mate but who ever told you there was loads, has been pulling ya toes…..
I agree whole heartedly with your comment. When people say to me you have an accent are you Jamaican, I roll my eyes in dispear. Then I say Dominica and they say so you’re Spanish that makes it worse, Well where is Dominica never heard of it. The tourist industry really need to do something about this it’s ashame.
gay marriage was also passed in the Act
budman, i dont think the issue of gay marriage should be on yours or your country mens and womens minds, what should be on your mind is to get some action of the 20 million dollars spent on caribbean wedding by tourist, you have the beauty for it, its about time some one got the brains for it……..nothing comes from negativity
@budsman – well, u interested in that one. hmmmmm
Budman you have something on your chest you want to get off. You have a whole epilogue on the Bishop post for you alone and yet you bring this here? Wait that you will never see in Dominica so don’t hold your breath!
Will same sex marriage be allowed?.I guess more money for the redclinic treasury. Hope the new law is categorically clear on this
Dominica is a Christian country. Woe to Dominica if this abomination is allowed. Those in authority who legalize this stupidity of marrying people of the same gender woe to them, their families, endeavors and household. They will eventually bring down the wrath of God and his punishment on them, on the island and nationals. Christians must never be part and parcel of this abomination. Keep this in mind. Let it also be known, do not take God for granted for He will never be taken for granted just as He will never be deceived.
correction, dominica was a christian country.. right now is who can give the most money buy the majority of the masses.. stealing is not even a crime in that country anymore.
Remember the golden rule of legislation: the more noble the name of the law sounds, the more disastrous its results. This one is no exception.
Trust dem fellas to target gay marriage, seems the bishop see the red light and voice his opinion, Gabriel take what u get for not standing up for corruption, once dem fellas start on that path, they never turn back.
God is patient. Keep in mind that God is not blind, deaf nor sleeping. By this, you should know what I mean.
i remember the days wen marriage was reverential and honorable now its a mere marketing scheme and strategy..smh
the people getting married are taking it seriously. that’s the important thing.
there should be an affiliate program for this… i’d love to promote this on the internet and make some money to… it’s time we get with the times in dominica… and nothing’s better than making internet money…. hoping to show how it’s done on d.n.o in the future…. so again, there can be offline and online marketing of this…. by people who want to earn some money online…. using youtube vids, organic google traffic or paid ads……
I have a friend who is the general manager of a large hotel in Aruba and his wife coordinates these wedding as a business.
Unless one is into nature tourism, why would they select Dominica when they can fly to Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica etc.?
As a matter, one of my friends is getting married in the Bahamas this summer. While they may have considered other places like Jamaica or Dominican Republic, I can bet Dominica would never have been in the running. They would not put themselves and their guests through the hassle of getting to the island. As I said earlier, we need much more than legislation to make this a viable industry.
Hey where there is a will there is a way. A good management team should be able to sort out the whole arrangement and get it to work efficiently.
Now I understand why the Bishop of Roseau warned Dominicans yesterday about respecting the sanctity of marriage and the stance of the Catholic Church on this very important matter. I hope Dominica is not becoming the Los Vagas or the state of Delaware of the caribbean. Dominica, Marriage is honorable before God and even if there is money to be made from it, it is wrong to just turn our country into a wedding industry, just to make money. While it is nice for visitors to come to Dominica to get married, we need to ensure that we don’t lower our position on this God ordained subject.
As a born again christian, I congratulate the bishop of Roseau for making his position and indeed the position of his church known. On the other hand, I am disappointed with the likes of Evangelist Peter R. Augustin and Bishop Bill Daniel of the Pentecostal church and other leading voices of the Faith, who have not addressed this subject. After all Peter, this one is worse than when UWP met on the mountains in 2000 to celebrate the new year, when you used us (the church) to protest it since according to you, was similar to idol worship. Look guys, marriage is one of the most holy institutions of God; how dear we remain quiet when they are about to turn marriage into an industry just as they tried to turn God’s house into a den and thieves Matthew 21:13?
Please permit to correct you “Las Vegas” and “dare”. Those errors are not intentional. It happens to everyone especially when we are typing and quickly.
Nevertheless, what you stated is correct. It is obvious that they ignore what is contained in Holy Scriptures about Marriage. Our Lord spoke about it. St. Paul wrote about it, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. If you recall, there were times St. Paul stated, “Not I but the Lord.”
To ignore the reason why marriage was instituted and turn it into a money-making scheme is greed and disobedience to God. It is a grievous/mortal sin to do so. If this is their attitude, what is occurring in Dominica will become worse. Wait and see. God will turn his back on such people and the nation. There will eventually be much more suffering.
God is not to be mocked. His Holy Sacrament of Marriage is not to be mocked and turned into a get-rich scheme for Dominica, that whosoever will may come and get a marriage license as long as they have money to pay for it. It is not a godly and sincere one. It also means that they could be married in city/town hall or the registry. God does not recognize those marriages. Those who marry in such places are still considered cohabiting, living common law. Those marriages are also not blest. God will not bless what which goes against His Commandments, what we have been taught and his expectations of us. There will be no short-cut to Him, His Heart and to Heaven.
As for those pastors whom you mentioned, they are not sincere ones. They are afraid of their shadow. Our Lord said, “Whoever is ashamed of Him and His Word, He will be ashamed of them…and will not acknowledge them before His (our) Heavenly Father.”
They should know what is contained in Holy Scripture as they teach and preach the Bible and influenced some Catholics to renounce their faith and join their churches.
Thats good news, but we still need better air access. When one can fly from mainland USA, Canada etc to other Caribbean islands for under $500 and get there the same day, we will contine to have major competion in that market despite the ammendment to the mariage act. Just calling it as I see it.
Will this act also make provision for ADAM and STEVE (same sex) get married too?
We live at a time when citizenship is for sale, marriage is for sale, election is for sale, and even the once upon a time ‘Holy Polpit’ is for sale as well. When all these are finalized will we still remain as a God fearing people? Boy look trouble!!!
Do worry your self every thing there is all good !! its all money that will be in my pocket, my kids will confortable !!
Money – the root of all evil. A sure way to Hell.
God fearing people…hmmm the same ppl i saw shaking their a.. only a week ago? interesting.
MONEY HAS ALWAYS BEEN WHAT EVERYTHING WAS ABOUT!!!!
THE SYSTEM my dear friend is a venomous 2 headed snake that feeds of never contented greed and monetary consumerism
God fearing!!! Ha, give me a break. Incest, fornication, adultery, child porn, sexual abuse of minors, – Dominica has all of these and more – and you’re worried about gay marriage? Give me a break!
It is about tme!!!!
Too much up and down, go there, come back, close at 1 for lunch, come back… Registrar not there, come back .. office closes at 3 … go back .. see this person, that person – up and down Ministry step .. up and down Registry .. officers dragging feet — stupesing like crazy — you again??? what a waste of time system and lacking efficiency at all levels. We are leaving in the 1500’s in Dominica. Only in good old Dominica.
My wife and I along with twenty of our family and friends came to Dominica from the US two years ago to be married. The process seemed very antiquated and required two trips from Calibishie to Rousseau to have the paper work finalized from one office to another while waiting on government officials to endorse our paperwork. Simplifying the process, consolidating offices and enabling multiple officials to endorse licenses would go a long way. We have fond memories of our three weeks in Dominica and cannot wait to return but the process of getting our marriage license was indeed harrowing.
I will leave that one alone.Mary??? age???? but good move,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!
How much of the booming billion-dollar industry is Dominica poised to obtain with this new initiative.
That’s a dam good question!
So weddings are now an industry? Soon you’ll be able to get married on a conveyor belt, renting all the accessories you need, including a wedding ring and paying for it all by credit card. Next ting we’ll have a birth industry. Seriously, couldn’t they have chosen a better, more romantic term for what is supposed to be a serious life commitment?
I so agree with you
Oh Please. Get over yourself. Marriage is already primarily an economic decision on who can best be an economic life partner. In addition, marriages have typically been one of the biggest economic events in peoples lives from time immemorial. Look at the bible for importance of the wedding feast. Look at al societies to see what an important econominc driver it is. To not serve that market effectively would be economic foolishness.
so you saying look at the bible in one side of your mouth and and the other side you talking about economic benefits,,, where in god’s good book he gave man the gift of marriage to be used to make money.
Stop majoring on trivial matters. That’s the term used world wide. For your FYI it is an industry. Evolve from mental slavery!
And a very lucrative industry too, given the fact that marriages are not lasting very long,and there is the potential for repeat visitors/marriages.
Perhaps we should think about issuing Marriage Licences ,like driving licenses,renewable every 3 years .
Copycats I suppose, imitating those so-called progressive countries with their bad morals and examples which should not be adopted. It is something that they should never do.
Sooooo long ago they said they were going to pass this ACt, I left Dominica 4 years ago and the ministry was talking about this, does it take that long to get things done ?
The same amount of time it takes to change gun laws, deal with gay marriage and immigration in the US so people like you like go and live there…
meant covering of their stalls on the ground!
Where does this comes in?
That’s a nice venture, but Dominica badly Lacks Air Access, Hotel Rooms,Customer Service and the whole Ambience to go with what folks look for..
Where is their Large scale Marketing..when you think Of islands like St.Lucia,St.Kitts etc to name a few.
Dominica needs to stop thinking small open the Base if they want gains from the Tourist Industry.
Marketing on a High End, International Airport and Tourist related aspect is the way to go.
The overall first impression upon arrival is key Too…Attractiveness!
Thumps down at Melville Hall Airport when you leave the Terminal…look at the state of the Bridge, you think if the Policy Makers in Dominica Were smart they would at least have that Particular Bridge Completely firstly..But again is Dominica..so no need to shout about things, and the Badly outlined Landscape in the surroundings are Visitor Turn off at Dominica!
When you look at the Cruise ship on the bayfront Look at how classless their covering are- these are what makes Dominica gains lower than the rest of the players in the region..
Slavery still exist in many a Dominican way of Thinking….small and happy to have your own cake and eat it…
Since when weeding(s) became an industry? This world of ours boy…
I was thinking the same thing too!
**Weeding(s)** has always been an industry.Haven’t u been checking court matters lately.
“weeding(s)” maybe but definitely not weddings.
Response to ?? and hope:
Note:
Industry – large scale production – organized economic activity connected with the production, manufacture, or construction of a particular product or range of products.
Widespread activity – an activity that many people are involved in, especially one that has become commercialized or standardized.
In this era, this is what the Sacrament of Marriage has come to in the secular era. I foresee when that day comes, some people will not be happy when they meet with their eternal judgment. What we sow we shall surely reap in time.
Live with it ,you have no choice, hehehehe !!
Come to Dominica to get married and LIAT will leave your wedding dress in Antigua. Nice try, but unless one can get easy access to Dominica as they do to the other islands, no change in legislation will make a difference. We may get the odd wedding, but I would not get into the business of organizing destination weddings in Dominica.
I support you. They first need to get the international airport. Without that nothing will happen in Dominica. It is to expensive and it takes to long to fly to Dominica.
Hate to agree with you Jimmy but I must. Just iagine getting all your guests here from different points of the compass. The idea is good but unless we put the necessary infrastucture in place first it is like putting the cart before the horse.
They may be offering free trips to Dominica for this purpose. Oh my!
But how sad! Is the government and it’s administration, the one or those who initiated this ‘wedding industry’ and implement it in their right minds?