Getting married overseas has become more popular over the past few years, offering a great alternative to marrying in the UK. The attraction of guaranteed sunshine, beautiful unblemished beaches and fabulous luxury resorts is almost too good to miss, and we found that many couples conclude that this would be the ideal setting to exchange their vows. 5 Star Wedding Directory found the most popular wedding destinations include:
Barbados, Florida, Mauritius, St Lucia, Antigua, Maldives, Venice, Paris, Las Vegas, Seychelles, Cyprus and the Dominican Republic.
Here are a few things to consider if you decide to marry abroad.
- A minimum of 24 hours of residence
- Return air tickets
- You will be required to produce documents such as a passport, and if you have been married previously, you will need proof of your divorce certificate.
- If you are under 21, you will need parental consent.
- Most registrars will want to meet you at least 24 hours before the marriage so that they can talk you through their requirements and any payments.
Another point to remember is that even though your wedding will be official and you will have a marriage certificate, you must register your marriage with your local registrar on your return home.
There are several benefits to getting married abroad.
- You can invite close friends and family to share your big day as part of a unique holiday.
- You will have a private and very personal ceremony.
- If you have complicated family issues, it can be a good way of celebrating a marriage without the traditional constraints.
- It can be more cost-effective; on average, a marriage and a two-week holiday will cost between £2,000 and £6,000, depending on your chosen location.
- It also allows you to have another party when you arrive home to celebrate.
Check out our luxury wedding directory to find out more!