If you’re planning on tying the knot and you want to get married far from home, you’re not alone. Indeed, with the average UK cost of a wedding approaching £19,000, it’s perhaps not surprising that record numbers are heading abroad to marry on foreign shores to save money and enjoy the sun.
Some figures from last year showed that, in Britain, a record 80,000 people were set to shun the UK for their nuptials. Popular destinations include Las Vegas, Hawaii and the Caribbean, while a strong exchange rate has led many couples to favour Eurozone destinations from Paris to the Italian Lakes. Alternatively, you could also think about getting hitched against a dramatic Kenyan landscape or on the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. Clearly, though, there’s more to take into consideration than if you were getting married at home, so start planning early.
Here’s our checklist for things to start thinking about if you’re planning weddings abroad:
- It may sound obvious, but be sure where you want to have your wedding and look into all the legal requirements, contacting the relevant embassies as necessary. Check you can actually get married there! For example, if you’re looking into marrying and combining it with exotic Maldives holidays 2013, this is a great year to travel to this paradise on earth but you’ll only be able to renew existing vows – or enjoy a wonderfully blissed out, romantic honeymoon in a setting of bone-white sand and azure lagoons.
- When you work out your budget, it needs to include air fares, accommodation, meals, clothes, accommodation and all wedding and legal fees.
- Decide who you want to have with you for your special day – a big crowd of friends or just a few close members of family? Gauge their interest in travelling, and decide what aspects of the trip you can cover and what they would need to pay for themselves. For example, can you afford to fly your guests out to your wedding destination?
- At an early stage, you should also think about your honeymoon. For example, if you are getting wed on one of the islands in the Seychelles, do you want your first holiday as Mr and Mrs on a different tropical isle?
When sending out your invitations, do so a good six months to a year in advance, earlier than you would if you were marrying at home, so your guests can get planning in plenty of time too. Prepare yourself for the fact that they may need help with travel and accommodation advice.
Around four months ahead, look carefully at what exactly is included in your marriage package, and what you need to organise or take yourself. For example, will you be taking your own cake with you? This is also a good time to shop for accessories like wedding shoes and clothes for your honeymoon.
Some two months before you tie the knot, ensure all necessary documentation (including air tickets) is in place, finalise numbers of guests with your venue, and think about how everything you want to take with you will be transported. Equally, if you want some pre-wedding pampering beauty treatments at your destination, book them at this stage.
Then all you have to do is look forward to the overseas wedding of your dreams, safe in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.
Photo:destinology
