Weddings Abroad

Marrying Abroad

  A destination wedding is generally done over a long weekend. These can be hard but if you have your heart set on it then you can have a memorable and wonderful time, along with your guests.

  There are a number of reasons why a destination wedding might work for you and your spouse-to-be:

  Families are far apart and the location is in a neutral and fair place.

  The country has a special meaning for the couple.

  To keep the wedding intimate, with only close friends and family.

  To save money. Fewer guests mean less money and some destinations are much cheaper.

  To make the wedding exotic.

  Destination weddings will cost a lot in flights, accommodation and travel. Only the people who really love you will spend money on airfare and hotels if you are marrying somewhere where travel costs are expensive. Wichita Falls Wedding Photography. There is always the option of paying for your guests’ flight but not many people can afford this. So keep this in mind. On the bright side, fewer people means less money you need to spend on guests. Another good idea if you are worried about the cost to guests is to have the wedding in Europe. It is much cheaper to get there than America or Australia.

  If you do have a wedding abroad then your guests will have spent a lot of money to get there and attend. You must treat them as guests and look after them well. Maybe you could arrange some activities and inviting them to a pre-wedding dinner would also be a wonderful gesture. Make sure you arrange transportations for your guests. A lovely favour, which doesn’t have to be horrendously expensive would also be appreciated. Also make sure that you give your guest all of the information they will need on travel and booking hotels, along with contact names and details of any vital people. Include what the weather will be like, the dress code and any travel requirements.  A run-down of what exactly will be happening is also a good idea. You should be able to get a discount if you have a large group booking. You might also want to include child-care information if your guests have children and you are inviting children to your wedding.

  When you send out your save-the-date cards or invites it would be a good idea to send an email or a letter within with the following information in detail: why you chose that location, flight information, accommodation information, information on transportation, activities, weather, childcare, dress code and where you and your future spouse can be contacted if people have any questions.

  What usually happened with overseas weddings is that the guests are responsible for their own flights and accommodation and then you pay for all of the events that happen over the weekend. 

  Go to a destination off-peak, ask the travel agent for a discount for group bookings and always check the weather. A travel agent will have essential knowledge of whether or not the location and the timing of going there is a good idea or not. Negotiate heavily with the hotel, try to get a room upgrade for yourself and try and to get perks like welcome baskets or free lunch included. Also be aware that you might be financially responsible for hotel rooms even if some of your guests don’t turn up. A nice welcome note and even a goody bag with maps and cute little things inside provided by you will be much appreciated by your guests. Especially after they have made such an effort to get there. 

  If you get married in a truly beautiful location then you won’t have to worry about dressing the venue.

  Below are the top destinations for weddings abroad.

   

  Your marriage should be recognised by UK law as long as it fulfils the legal requirements on age and being free to marry. Your saving grace will be The Foreign Office website which has a lot of information and will also direct you to the British Embassy in the country you want to marry. You should check with a lawyer and the local authorities in the location where you want to get married to be safe.

  Getting married abroad will not be easy. In fact it is notoriously hard and if you do not know the local language it will be even more so. If you can afford a wedding planner with a good reputation in the local area, then go for it. Otherwise think carefully and make sure it is worth it. You will drown in bureaucracy and administration. However, if it is your dream and you have a high tolerance for stress, go for it.

  Many couples get around this by having their legal ceremony in the UK and then having a reception abroad. It is important to make sure that your marriage is legal in the country you marry and your native country too. This is a very good idea and you could even have a blessing/fake ceremony abroad. Just make sure it is all legal as legal requirements will change from country to country. If you don’t you may find out further down the line that you are not actually married like Mike Jagger and Jerry Hall did. Their wedding in Bali ended up being annulled.

  Another idea to keep costs down is to have everything done in-house. Getting an all-inclusive deal will save stress, time and money. Embracing the local culture will also save money. Getting your flowers locally instead of importing English roses will save a fortune.

  A number of travel agencies have designated wedding departments to help you with your overseas wedding.  Having an expert to hand is always a brilliant idea and they could actually save you money. They will help you with the paperwork and can recommend suppliers. They might also offer wedding packages. Check what these packages include and watch out for any extra charges. Some packages will include flights, registrar, accommodation, cake, food, a bouquet and a photographer. The actual wedding planning will probably be done by the venue manager when you arrive.

  Travel agencies which have wedding departments include Thomson (www.thomson.co.uk), Sandals (www.sandals.com), First Choice (www.firstchoice.com), Kuoni (www.kuoni.com) and Virgin Holidays (www.virginholidays.com).

  Check with your registrar or minister that there haven’t been any law changes since this book was published. Contacting the tourist board of the location you want to marry in will also give you invaluable information. The British Embassy in the country you are marrying in will also be very helpful. They will be able to make sure you have all of the documents you need.

  Most countries will need the following three months before the wedding:

  A valid ten-year passport.

  Birth certificate.

  Your decree absolute if you are divorced.

  An affidavit signed by your solicitor which states that there are no legal objections against your marriage.

  Your adoption certificate if you are adopted.

  If you have been widowed you will need the death certificate and marriage certificate of your former spouse.

  You can obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) from your local British Consulate or Embassy. The venue or the travel agent may ask for one. Check whether you need a CNI in the country you are getting married in. More information here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/certificate-of-no-impediment-and-nulla-ostas

  Hiring a wedding planner either in the UK or the country you are getting married in is a good idea if you can afford it. It may even save you money. If you hire one in the UK then make sure they specialise in the area you want to get married in. You don’t want to be a guinea pig, your wedding is far too important for that.

  If you are having your wedding abroad the best thing to do is combine your wedding and honeymoon. This will save money and be the logical thing to do. You could also have a proper honeymoon-wedding: this would be just you and your fiancé getting married with two witnesses and then having your honeymoon afterwards. This can be very intimate and some places will also include the add-on wedding either cheaply or for free. 

  Overseas Wedding Checklist.

  Will you and your guests require vaccinations?

  What documents are needed to legally marry?

  Is it hurricane or tornado season? What is the weather going to be like on your wedding day?

  Do any documents have to be sent before the wedding?

  Will the travel and accommodation be affordable to guests?

  Will you need witnesses?

  What are the religious and legal requirements to get married in your chosen destination?

  Are there any residential requirements?

  How difficult is it to get to the destination?

  Will you need proof of divorce or proof of being widowed?

  Will you need any blood tests or immunisations to be granted a marriage license?

  Is it easy to get any supplies you might need in the area?

  Do you speak the local language?

  Will any of your documents need to be translated into the native language?

  Are original documents needed?

  How long will it take to get your marriage licence?

  Can you visit the venue/location beforehand?

  How long before the wedding should you arrive?

  So if you want to have your wedding abroad it is possible, just be prepared for lots of bureaucracy, administration and stress. Also take into account time differences.

  You may have to contact people at midnight your time and check if you can talk via Skype to save your phone bill. It is also visual so you can see the person and also any flowers etc. that you are planning for your wedding. Also enquire whether or not people speak English. You may need an interpreter.

  Some countries will require that you live there for a certain period of time before you can get married.

  The following countries do not require a period of residency but make sure that you do not need to meet the registrar before the wedding: Australia, Austria, Antigua, Barbados, Bermuda, Croatia, Gibraltar, Italy, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, St Lucia, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand and some states in the United States. New York requires a twenty-four hour stay.

  These countries require between one day to a week: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Cook Islands, Greece, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Mexico, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and the Seychelles.

  Bali requires ten days and France requires forty continuous days.

  All above correct at time of going to press.

  Make sure you inform your bank and your credit card company that you are going away. Otherwise they may cancel your cards when they see a lot of money going out in a foreign location.

  You may also want to think of your style of wedding dress carefully. You will expand in the heat. I got married in July on one of the hottest days of the year and the dress that was just slightly loose three days before fitted perfectly. Thank god for the last-minute stress-induced weight loss!

  Packing for a holiday is stressful at the best of times but this is compounded when packing for your wedding. Especially when forgetting something can ruin the entire thing. No pressure! Here is a helpful checklist of things to pack.

  Wedding dress. Quite important.

  Wedding Shoes plus other accessories like underwear, jewellery, veil and tiara.

  The groom’s outfit and shoes. Don’t forget ties, cravats or cufflinks.

  The rings.

  Stationery like place cards and order of service.

  All of your important paperwork. Include all of your emails with the venue and travel agent or anyone else involved in the wedding.

  Wedding makeup. It might be hard to find the lipstick you have your heart set on elsewhere.

  An iPod filled with your wedding music. Can be used as a backup or instead of a band/DJ.

  Gifts for the wedding party if you are not buying them when you get there.

  A first aid kit would be a very good idea. Include insect repellent, SPF, aftersun, antihistamines, paracetamol, plasters and anything else you can think of.

  Other essentials will include a sewing kit, perfume, baby wipes, body tape, hairspray, deodorant, a lint remover, mints, flat shoes, shoe polish, sanitary towels, a piece of white chalk to cover up smudges on your dress, clear nail varnish for runs on tights or stockings, nail file, hair brush and hair clips, tissues, toothbrush and toothpaste.

  If the wedding you are having abroad is small then you could also have a lavish celebration when you return to the UK. You could even theme it to the location of your wedding. There will also be less sour grapes from people who could not attend.