We get more enquiries than ever about weddings abroad, with money saving a huge factor in the decision-making process – the average UK wedding costs £20,000, while the average price for an abroad wedding is only £6,500.
This, along with the guarantee of beautiful weather, and the novelty of combining the ceremony with a holiday, and an intimate guest list, has convinced thousands of couples to tie the knot in another country.
We gathered some handy tips and statistics about getting married abroad in 2017/18:
The major wedding destinations for weddings differ seasonally – of course, there’s consistently popular options like Italy – but the range of countries we see couples choosing changes every year.
The hotels and facilities in established wedding locations, like Cyprus and Mexico, are used to hosting ceremonies and receptions, which makes finding a venue much easier. Cyprus is a particularly good option, because, unlike other countries, the paperwork and ceremony are in English.
More unusual options, such as New York, Thailand, and New Zealand have grown significantly in popularity in recent years, with some couples opting to make their wedding part of a longer break. Sri Lanka is another emerging location, but bear in mind that you’ll need to be in the country for a minimum of 5 days before the ceremony.
While France is known as the city of love, it can be a tricky destination to get married in. You’ll need to be in the country 40 continuous days before the ceremony, with copies of your birth certificates- issued less than 6 months ago, with proof of domicile, certificates of your single status, and translations of all documents, to name just a few of the requirements. If your heart is set on getting married in France, we recommend performing the legal element in UK beforehand, with a symbolic ceremony in France.
Booking early will help you save even more money, as well as make the possibility of amazing weather even more certain. More couples are looking to make a wedding part of a longer experience, with multiple days spent in different destinations in the build-up and directly after the ceremony.
Multi-centre holidays are a great way to experience a city break, a beach holiday, and a wedding, all in one trip, but you need to get with so much to plan, get in there early. To avoid disappointment book tickets and reservations for all the activities and day trips you have planned well in advance.
Research the climate at the time of year you are considering booking your wedding. Flexibility is the key when getting married abroad, so be prepared to move things around if the month you had in mind clashes with adverse weather.
Organising a wedding is stressful enough without taking into account different laws and customs, so hiring a multilingual wedding planner to translate and organise the logistics and legal requirements can be a lifesaver.
There are horror stories out there of couples who opted for an untested travel agent for their wedding, resulting in wasted money. Using a reliable travel agent to arrange hotels and flights will ensure you get personal requirements you’re looking for, and give you peace of mind.
A certificate of no impediment is a legal document that non-commonwealth countries require to prove you are free and able to marry of your own free will. The rules of a CNI differ for Scotland – they are only valid for 3 months after being sent out – so make sure you apply close enough so these documents are valid for the big day.
CNIs from England, Northern Ireland, and Wales don’t have any time restrictions, so get one early doors. Both you and your partner will need a CNI, unless you’re getting married in a Commonwealth countries and both British citizens,
While there’s considerable benefit to getting married in another country – the beautiful weather, idyllic setting, and financial savings – there’s also added risk. Hotter climates can be susceptible to storms and other forms of extreme weather, not to mention issues around hotels and air travel that could impact, or worse, make your ceremony impossible. Wedding insurance gives you the security that you’ll be able to reschedule your special day, whatever happens.
Despite what we often see at the movies or on TV shows, flight upgrades for nearly-weds or honeymooners rarely occur. You’ll stand your best chance of getting an upgrade while travelling alone, so don’t expect to be bumped into business or first class on the way to your destination.
Most hotels will offer an upgraded room for the couple if you’re getting married abroad. Las Vegas, due to the frequency of weddings in the city, won’t offer an upgrade, so you’ll have to book your own if you’re looking for luxury.
Many trendy locations like Thailand, and other destinations found on the Indian ocean, will upgrade your rooms as standard if you’re getting married, but make sure to check availability before your trip.
If you’re a same-sex couple and you’re looking to get married abroad, unfortunately your options are slightly limited. Despite the year being 2017 rather than 1017, there are many countries where same-sex married still isn’t legal. Luckily, most of the most popular destinations are available, but check out our infographic to see which countries you can choose from.
Our experienced personal travel consultants will ensure you find the most suitable holiday, whilst taking care of every last detail. Everything from start to finish will be effortless.
We can use any hotel, in any destination, so we will craft an itinerary to suit your exact needs. Also, as we can provide any itinerary, the only holiday we'll offer, is the one that's right for you.
Our ATOL bonding provides you with the financial protection you need and as a member of the Travel Trust Association, you'll have 100% financial protection. Covering you for any eventuality.
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We were recommended Kadie by friends and has now been our holiday representative for the last 4 years travelling throughout Asia, she is always so helpful, friendly and available to answer queries. Everything always runs very smoothly. Thank you Kadie, we would always recommend you too
Asked for a specific itinerary for Sicily - Emma came up with one, plus all transfer options; we then did some changes and she put together exactly the holiday we wanted! Very easy and pleasant to talk to; very professional.
I always feel that eShores listen to what I want from my trip and put together a package that suits my needs. Anna has been charming to deal with. She put together a wonderful tour of Malaysia and Borneo for me and has just arranged a trip to Costa Rica for me which I am…
Book every time with Dave at eshores always excellent service, wouldn't go anywhere else
We haven't had the holiday yet but the booking process was excellent. Looking to see several of the smaller islands of Greece the suggested itinerary met our requirements exactly. Each location had an option of three different hotels but our in depth research of each island just confirmed that the suggested one was the best.…
Used Eshores earlier this year for a trip to Venice and Florence. Excellent holiday. All arrangements by Eshores were brilliant. Have recently booked another holiday with them. Again, easy to deal with. They take care to ensure everything arranged to your wishes.
Claire at eShores was friendly, professional and creative in setting up a multi-centre holiday over Christmas and New Year, including all international and inter-Caribbean flights. Nothing was too much trouble and our whims and wishes were all taken into account. Ongoing support is excellent. We cannot recommend eShores highly enough.
Good communication, prompt service, love the way the quote is laid out all details are included also with the option of upgrading your hotel. So far so good.
Very friends staff always available to answer my questions re availability and costs . Willing to research my requests and advise possibilities .
We have now used eShores probably 6 times and every time they have been so informative and helpful, thoroughly recommend
Kadie delivers with professional, empathetic and prompt efficiency. She always goes that extra mile, making us feel confident and reassured as oldies with our travelling plans.
Emily was very helpful she gave me different options till I got the right holiday for me abd my family.
Great value and Emily the consultant was both knowledgeable and efficient . Will definately use this Company again
Kadie went over and above and it wasnt her working day she responded to evey email .It was really easy and communication has bern great so far
Having made enquiries about a year ago for a Greek trip we had to put trip on hold. Recenetly we were in avposiitionto book and e shores had held pur original itinerary and were able to update it swiftly. Rob and Cath Pusey excellent
Booked a holiday to Canada with e-Shores. From the first moment we spoke to Hannah, I felt confident that we would achieve the type of holiday we wanted. Hannnah was invaluable in putting together an itinerary that will take us to all the places we want to visit and nothing was too much trouble for…
It is the third holiday we have booked through Claire Smith at e-shores. We give her a budget, wish to fly in or out of different airports, discuss itinerary/journeys to be booked, often by train or ferry, airport transfers, any excursions. She takes time to get to know you and the types of accommodation you…
Third trip booked with Michelle.Excellent service. Lots of patience to get our perfect trip and at a great price.
Booked tours with eshores a few times Andy goes out of his way to plan everything flights hotels transfers everything always done to perfection highly recommend
Great advice & knowledge given by Andy. Nothing to much trouble and we have now planned our perfect 17 nights in Thailand
