Weddings Abroad
If you are planning to runaway to the sun to get married barefoot on the sand, or under a canopy with the sound of the surf as a back drop- you can either arrange the whole thing yourself; allow a tour operator who specialises in weddings aboard to do it for you; or employ a wedding organiser who works in the country that you want to get married in.
Unlike the UK, weddings abroad can take place almost anywhere, from the bottom of the sea to the top of a mountain. As long as you can get the local magistrate, JP, ships Captain or witch doctor to agree.Weddings abroad are, in general, less expensive than staying at home and inviting everyone you have ever known. Whereas the cost of the average weddings in the UK are currently running at around £15000, a wedding abroad can cost as little as £500 with all the extras included. This does not of course include the price of that dress, or the groom's linen suit. Which, if you are extravagant can cost you the remaining £14,500.
Organising the wedding yourself:
This is probably not the best option. In fact it is a logistical nightmare and a road strewn with pitfalls. It takes a great deal of hard work; endless investigation about local laws and customs and is not recommended. Unless you have buckets of time on your hands and are a planning genius.If, in spite of the possible difficulties, you insist that without the hands on and the worry, it isn't really a wedding, then, it is wise to consider the following.
1- Where do you want to get married?
2- Investigate the legalities of getting married at your chosen location.
3- Contact the relevant officials at the embassy of the chosen country. Ask about documentation and the length of time you have to be in the country before you can legally marry.
4- Compile a list of hotels that are willing to have the wedding performed and seek advice on how to proceed.
5- Ask about guest numbers and whether they provide a free service if the wedding party stays at the venue.
6- Ask if they have a wedding package and a wedding coordinator with whom you can lease.
7- Consider what type of flowers you would like. Remember flowers can be seasonal creatures.
8- Consider the variety of food for the wedding breakfast. Check menus and ask about special requirements.
9- Do you intend to have the honeymoon at the wedding venue or will you be moving on to another location?
10 -How many guests are you intending to invite, if any? Who will pay for the guests fare and accommodation? Organising accommodation will be a joint affair.
11- Passports may need to be renewed as some countries insist that there is at least six months remaining on your passport.
12- Find all documentation - divorce certificates - birth certificates etc.
13- Investigate and fill in all necessary legal documents for both your country of residence and the country in which you intend to marry.
14- Set up a good communication system with the hotel of your choice so that problems can be sorted easily and information exchanged.
15- The organisation of a cake, music, flowers, photography, video and food is time consuming, even when you plan to marry in your own country, and it will be especially difficulty when you are planning a get-away-wedding.16- Contact the hotel of your choice for advice. They generally have the necessary contacts, who will be able to arrange these details.
Specialist Tour Operator:
These organisations are willing to organise the whole wedding, from the licence to the liquor (champagne). It is possible to have a great deal of say in the location, time of the ceremony and the type of wedding that is being organised.If you decide to have a specialist organise you wedding abroad, be sure to find out exactly what you will be paying for.
Do not accept telephone assurances that everything is proceeding fine. Make them put everything in writing.
Find out what is included as standard in the wedding packages under offer.
Ask what extras are available and how much they will cost?Are you allowed to vary the package to suit your own tastes?
What contingency plans are in place if the monsoon should arrive three months early?
How do you stand legally once you are married?
What legal papers do you need to bring. Especially important if this is not your first marriage.
See the section on arranging your own wedding abroad (ABOVE)as many of the things you will be required to do and know, are detailed there.
Local Wedding Organiser:
This choice might look attractive, but would you leave the organisation of your wedding in the hands of someone you don't know, haven't met and can't meet until you arrive, hoping that everything is ready?Having said this, there are undoubtedly good wedding organisers to be found. View web sites and read letters of recommendation. Contact couples who have used local organisers before and ask their opinion and advice.
If you are planning to use a local organisation or individual, good communication is essential.
Do not accept verbal assurances that everything is perfect, if your instinct tells you that they are not.Make sure that you get all quotes in writing and that the organiser provides a list of everything that he or she will be responsible for.
Do not be afraid to make a fuss, if you are not happy with either the time things are taking to organise, the lack of information or the quality of service.
Make sure that the organiser carries insurance. And check it.
Insurance
Remember, if something can go wrong, it might. That's why insurance companies were invented.
Everyone hopes that their perfect day will be just that, Perfect. But what if this happens…..? Or that doesn't…..? And what if those don't arrive….?
Weddings abroad are like everything else, possible victims of mischance. So, it's a good idea to pay a little, to get a lot of peace of mind.
