61% of us Dream of a Wedding Abroad
Dreaming of getting married on a picturesque shore line next to the crystal clear water?
A recent survey of unmarried couples by online independent travel agent Sunshine.co.uk suggests that you are not alone.
The survey found that 61% of respondents would like to get married abroad with the top five destinations being:
1. Cyprus
2. Hawaii
3. Barbados
4. Las Vegas
5. Mauritius
So why do so many of us dream of a wedding abroad?
Well it is probably no surprise that the weather is a major pull.
The British weather can be unpredictable to say the least; a wedding abroad can dramatically increase your chances of having uninterrupted clear blue skies on your big day.
Many also believe that a wedding abroad is less hassle and can be cheaper than a traditional wedding in the UK.
The guest list is often restricted to just close family and friends, meaning that a small wedding abroad can often be less expensive, even with the cost of flights and accommodation factored in.
While the survey found that over half of respondents wanted to get married abroad only 13% were actually due to get married overseas.
So perhaps, when weighing up the pros and cons of a wedding in the sun factors such of absent friends and paperwork fears prevent couples from making their dream a reality.
If you are dreaming of a wedding abroad here are a few tips to follow to help you plan your perfect day:
- Make sure you find out all the wedding details from your venue, tour operator or wedding planner. This will help you to take back some of the control and reduce the chance of an important element being missed.
- Make sure your venue has contingency plans in place, just in case the weather is not as perfect as you hope – ask your operator what would happen if you need to take your ceremony indoors.
- Make suitable arrangements for your luggage – it would be every brides worst nightmare to find that her dress has been ‘lost in transit’. Check with your airline the requirements for carrying your dress with you in the cabin.
- Check if there are any entry or medical requirements for your chosen destination – for example, if you want to get married on a beach in Goa you will need to get India Visas and are advised to take a course of malaria tablets.
You also need to get all your legal paperwork in order.
Most countries require you to be in residence there for a few days prior to the wedding. However countries like France expect you to be a resident for at least 40 days before your wedding day, so if you’re dreaming of a wedding in Paris you may need to have a civil ceremony in the UK before a blessing in France.
You need to make sure you have all the required documents with you. A valid 10 year passport is one obvious requirement however you may also need statutory declarations stating that you are both free to marry. You might also need to give notice in your local registry office and gain a Certificate of No Impediment.
As each country is different it is important to do you research on you chosen destination before you make any booking.
While Many may dream of getting married on a tropical beach a wedding in a foreign culture adds its own levels of stress and risks.
Wedding Insurance can help you to reduce some of the worry associated with planning a wedding from a distance. My-Wedding Insurance offers wedding policies both for the UK and overseas. You can take out either a set wedding policy or create your own insurance package, ensuring that you get the right policy to serve both your needs and your budget. Visit our web page to an instant quote and a 20% online discount www.my-weddinginsurance.co.uk/
