A guide to getting married abroad

By Karen Rockett 11/05/2008

CYPRUS

This Mediterranean island is home to Aphrodite, the legendary Goddess of Love, so where better to wed the one you adore? One of the most popular destinations for weddings with English language services, plenty of sunshine and reasonable prices, so friends and relatives can join in the celebrations.

MOST ROMANTIC MOMENT: Go for a walk through the cool cedar forests of the Troodos mountains. 

WEDDING PACKAGE: Included is a Co-ordination Service, marriage licence, registrar’s fees, sparkling wine, candlelit dinner for two, fruit and flowers in the room, wedding in the grounds of the hotel and a special breakfast in bed the morning after. Photos extra.

HONEYMOON DEAL: Seven nights’ B&B at the four-star Palm Beach Hotel, Larnaca, costs £860pp in June including wedding package and flights.

TOTAL COST: £1,720. BOOK: www.weddings-abroad.com

NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA

Niagara is the honeymoon capital of Canada but is becoming increasingly popular with Brits. Where else can you visit two countries on one holiday crossing the American-Canadian border over the water? And if you tire of all that water then you can have a flutter in the Niagara Casino or wander through the picturesque town on Niagara-on-the-lake.

MOST ROMANTIC MOMENT:  A breath-taking boat ride under the Falls in the Maid of the Mist.

WEDDING PACKAGE: Outdoor wedding at Oakes Garden Theatre with the Falls in the background, including minister’s fees, wedding arrangements, bouquet and buttonhole, welcome pack and champagne toast costs £389 per couple. Does not include marriage licence fee of $100 Canadian dollars payable locally.

HONEYMOON DEAL:  Four nights at the Sheraton on the Falls, including flights from Heathrow to Toronto, costs £820pp this September.

TOTAL COST: £2,079, BOOK: www.niagarafallsweddings.co.uk

HALKIDIKI, GREECE

Ever since Shirley Valentine it is hard for lovers to resist the romance of Greece.  The country has plenty of sunshine for the wedding pics and is close and cheap enough for family and friends to join you in true Greek-style.

MOST ROMANTIC MOMENT: Explore the peninsula until you find your own private beach in one of the many secluded coves.

WEDDING PACKAGE: Thomas Cook Greek Flavour Wedding Package includes a civil service at Kassandreia Town Hall, marriage fees and administration charges, taxi, flowers and bubbly,  cake, breakfast in bed the morning after, bridal hairstyling and facial, hydro massage for two and candlelit dinner for two, costs a total of £959.

HONEYMOON DEAL: 14 nights’ B&B at the five-star Porto Sani Village Hotel & Spa in Halkidki starts from £955pp in May and June.

TOTAL COST: £2,869, BOOK: www.thomascook.com, 0845 070 2530

NEW YORK

What could be more exciting then a wedding in the city that never sleeps? And where better to tie the knot in New York than Central Park? It is also easy for friends and relatives to get to as flights are relatively short and affordable.

MOST ROMANTIC MOMENT: A ride for two  around Central Park in a horse-drawn carriage.

WEDDING PACKAGE: A Central Park wedding at the Ladies Pavilion, including wedding pack, minister’s fees, bouquet and buttonhole and a dinner cruise round New York harbour, costs £579 per couple. Marriage licence $35 payable locally.

HONEYMOON DEAL: Four nights at the Millennium Broadway Hotel including return flights from Heathrow costs £782pp in September.

TOTAL COST: £2,161, BOOK: www.bigappleweddings.co.uk

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is becoming extremely popular as a honeymoon destination – and more couples are choosing it as a wedding venue too. The attraction for honeymooners, apart from the weather, the natural beauty and fabulous Cape Town nightlife, is the chance to go on safari too. So if you fancy a wedding with a spot of African adventure thrown in this is the place for you.

MOST ROMANTIC MOMENT: Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain.

WEDDING PACKAGE: A wedding at the five-star Mmpumalanga Savanna Private Lodge at the Sabi Sands Game Reserve starts from £600 including fees and flowers. Alternatively, tie the knot on the beach in Cape Town from £450 per couple, including photographer.

HONEYMOON DEAL: Seven nights – three at the Savanna and four at the four-star Waterfront Hotel in Cape Town – costs £1,937pp including flights to Jo’burg and internal flights, plus two safari drives.

TOTAL COST: From £4,324, BOOK: www.weddings-abroad.com

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

With its tropical climate, beautiful beaches and national parks, this Caribbean island is a firm favourite with the Brits. More affordable than most islands in the region, it also has a lively nightlife, casinos and water sports.

MOST ROMANTIC MOMENT: A sunset walk along the beach. 

WEDDING PACKAGE: The ceremony, marriage licence and certificate, flowers and and wedding cake starts at £699.

HONEYMOON DEAL: 14 nights at the five-star Excellence Punta Cana in Uvero Alto on all-inclusive basis including flights from the UK costs from £1,397pp this June.

TOTAL COST: £3,493, BOOK: www.thomascook.com, 0845 070 2530

SRI LANKA

Long-haul travel specialist Kuoni say Sri Lanka is their most popular wedding and honeymoon destination. This Buddhist island off the south coast of India has sun, sea, sand and the jungle! Wedding package is original, unusual and great value.

MOST ROMANTIC MOMENT:  An elephant ride for two.

WEDDING PACKAGE: A wedding package at the Heritance Ahungallaa hotel costs £572 and includes the ceremony, marriage certificate, wedding cake, dancers and drummers, an elephant greeting and ride, traditional blessing by Sri Lankan girls, champagne and canapes, five-course seafood dinner, wedding cake and photos plus wine, fruit and flowers in room on arrival.

HONEYMOON DEAL: Seven nights’ B&B at the Heritance Ahungallaa including flights with Sri Lankan Airlines costs from £906pp in June.

TOTAL COST: £2,384, BOOK: www.kuoni.co.uk or call 01306 747007

THAILAND

Thailand is the most-visited country in south-east Asia and with its beaches and temples, not to mention fantastic food, it is easy to see why. Marrying in Thailand, with all those good vibes and harmony, is perfect wedded bliss.

MOST ROMANTIC MOMENT: Planting a love tree in the grounds of the hotel with your names on it.

WEDDING PACKAGE: You can choose to marry in the gardens of the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa or on the beach. The wedding package includes legal fees and certificate, services of a wedding co-ordinator, bouquet and buttonhole, wedding cake, manicure and pedicure for the bride, romantic dinner for two and costs from £1,619.

HONEYMOON DEAL: Five nights at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa overlooking Karon Beach costs from £979pp (August-October) and includes flights with Thai Airways.

TOTAL COST: £3,577 BOOK: www.virginholidays.com, 0844 5573 861

ST LUCIA

This Caribbean island is a favourite with Brits marrying abroad. Smaller and quieter than many neighbouring islands, with palm-fringed white sand beaches and small intimate hotels, it is not surprising why.

MOST ROMANTIC MOMENT: Rent a convertible and go for a drive along the mountain roads to reach the famous Twin Peaks of St Lucia the Pitons.

WEDDING PACKAGE: Get married for nothing (except the cost of your rings) when you stay for 10 or more nights at the Almond Smugglers’ Cove.

HONEYMOON DEAL: Ten nights at the Almond Smugglers’ Cove in a garden room on an all-inclusive basis costs from £1,362pp including flights from Gatwick in June.

TOTAL COST: £2,724 BOOK: www.kuoni.co.uk, 01306 747007