Saying 'I Do' in Provence

SHOPPING: Le Petit Comptoir Provencal (Place de l'Horloge, Saignon) features high-quality regional Provencal products including wine, oil, vinegar, table linens and pottery. Proprietor Jean-Claude Michel offers beverages and snacks on the tiny terrace. He might also be persuaded to regale you with tales of the town and the history of the area. La Mandragoule (Place de la Fontaine, Saignon) is a good stop for pottery, antiques, books and cards.

INFORMATION: French Government Tourism Office, 410-286-8310, www.francetourism.com

Getting Married Overseas: Where & How

By Andrea Sachs

What are most popular foreign locations to tie the knot? Try anyplace with swaying palms, steel drums and French kisses. Yet before you hop on a plane, with wedding gown carefully folded in the overhead compartment, it's important to familiarize yourself with that country's prenuptial requirements – or you could be left at the altar because someone forgot her photo I.D.

We consulted Modern Bride and Bride's magazines, tourism offices and our own betrothed staffers to come up with a list of five popular places to say "I do" (or "Oui," or "Ja, mon"). Marriage requirements vary according to each country or island. If all the red tape sounds daunting, we've included information on travel/wedding specialists who can make all arrangements for you, ensuring a smooth trip to – and down – the aisle.

• Jamaica. For a quickie wedding with a reggae-band reception, head to Jamaica. Couples who have been on-island for at least 24 hours can pick up a $45 minister's license and $150-to-$200 marriage license signed by the justice of the peace (witness must be present) at the Ministry of National Security and Justice in Kingston. Or, they can obtain a marriage license at a local registrar (fees in the same price range) and hire their own minister, who may also throw in witnesses. Nondenominational marriage officers are also for hire and can officiate at their offices, in their homes, even on Negril's white-sand beaches.

Info: Ministry of National Security, 2 Oxford Rd., Kingston, 876-906-4908; applications can also be sent beforehand. Jamaica Tourist Board, 800-233-4JTB, www.jamaicatravel.com.

• Bahamas. The Bahamas are the Las Vegas of the Caribbean: You can be married and win a hundred bucks at the casino before the weekend's over. After 24 hours in the islands, couples can obtain a $40 marriage license, flash a U.S. certified photo I.D. and proof of date of arrival, proclaim "I Do," then return to their seat at the craps table.

Info: Ministry of Tourism's Wedding and Honeymoon Division, 242-302-2034; Bahamas Tourism Center, 212-758-2777, www.bahamas.com.

• Mexico. For those who forget how to conjugate aceptar, no worries: Ceremonies in Mexico are bilingual. Besides the standard entry documents (passport, tourist card, etc.), Mexico requires a blood test within 15 days of the wedding and four witnesses to be present at the civil ceremony. Check with each city beforehand, as some require the blood test to be notarized by a Mexican physician and/or the witnesses to be Mexican. Fees vary per city.

In Mexico, only a civil service is binding, yet many couples follow up with a religious ceremony. All documents must be translated into Spanish, and the Mexican tourism office suggests that couples arrive two to four days beforehand to tend to paperwork.

Info: Mexico Government Tourism Office, 800-44-MEXICO, www.mexico-travel.com.

• St. Lucia. Couples must be on the island two days before they can apply for a marriage license, which then takes another two days to process. Fees include $150 for the notary and marriage license, $40 for the registrar and $3 for the marriage certificate. While waiting for the paperwork to go through, you can cop a golden tan that looks great with white satin or black tails.

Info: St. Lucia Tourist Board, 800-456-3984, www.stlucia.org.

• France. Ever hear of a prenuptial honeymoon? To marry in France, the bride or the groom or both must reside in France for at least 40 days, which allows the mayor time to publish the banns (announcements of impending vows).

After the waiting period, and if no exes dispute the marriage, the couple is free to marry – but only civil ceremonies count. Town officials require a raft of (translated) documents, such as a passport, birth and medical certificates, affidavits of law and marital status (available at the embassy for a charge), certificate of "celibacy" (it's not what you think!) and proof of French domicile. Check with the local marie, or town hall, for details and fees.

Info: French Consulate, 202-944-6204, www.france-consulat.org; French Government Tourist Office, 410-286-8310, www.franceguide.com.

For couples too busy or organizationally impaired to whip up a wedding that's oceans away, wedding consultants, travel agents and even resorts can be indispensable. Among the options:

• Sandals and Beaches resorts (888-SANDALS, www.sandals.com; 888-BEACHES, www.beaches.com) are the kings of the McWedding. With the WeddingMoon deal, couples get a free wedding with a five-night stay at any of their properties in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Antigua or St. Lucia. Packages include everything from the best man to "Just Married" T-shirts. Prices vary according to resort, season, room, etc., but expect to pay a couple thousand.

• For a more tailor-made affair, the Association of Bridal Consultants (860-355-0464, www.bridalassn.com) can refer couples to one of 800 consultants, many of whom specialize in weddings abroad. The cost: 10 to 15 percent of the total price of the wedding.

• Tourism offices in your country of choice – such as the Bahamas', which has its own wedding/honey- moon department, and France's, which can refer couples to a wedding specialist (see above) – can help with the details, including events before (bachelor party) and after the wedding (honeymoon).