Thinking of marrying abroad?

More and more of us are ditching the UK in favour of a wedding abroad and it’s easy to see why. You can have a relaxed, chic wedding in stunning surroundings without the price tag of a traditional reception, and you’ll avoid those pre-wedding worries over the unpredictable weather.
Before you start sticking pins in the map, think through the practicalities of marrying abroad. What are the legal requirements in the country you’ve set your heart on, will your friends and family be able to afford to travel with you, is there a suitable venue available for your chosen date, and what will the weather be like at that time of year?

Family affair?
Family circumstances are a big consideration. If you have grandparents who are too old for a long-haul flight, or friends on a budget, then a European destination catered for by budget airlines may be the best option.

Even if you’re choosing a destination that’s just a short flight away, bear in mind that you’ll be asking your guests to pay a lot to attend your wedding. Try to choose somewhere that they’ll enjoy, and you may even want to earmark some of your budget to help pay for their accommodation.

Let your guests know as early as possible that you’re planning a wedding abroad so they have time to save, and help them as much as possible with organising flights and accommodation. It might be a good idea to create a wedding website which will give your guests all the information they will need in one easy-to-access place.

Legal matters
The next question to ask yourself is whether it’s going to be possible to marry in the country you’ve set your heart on. Most countries have minimum residency requirements before they legally allow you to marry, and you’ll also need certain paperwork with you before you can legally say ‘I do’.

This often includes birth certificates, certificates of no impediment and the original decree absolute if you’re divorced. Make sure you have absolutely everything you need as it could make the wedding impossible if you forget something.

Some countries make it much easier for British nationals to get married than others. For example, France requires the bride and groom to have been living in their place of marriage for at least 30 days prior to tying the knot, while in Las Vegas you can get a marriage licence on arrival at the registry – no wonder it’s the home of the quickie wedding!

It’s best to choose a country where there’s not too much red tape – this way a wedding abroad can cut out much of the stress of getting married. To make the experience even more relaxed, choose a resort where there’s an experienced in-house wedding planner to manage every aspect of your wedding day, or go through a travel operator.

Seasonal variations
Lastly, consider the time of year that’s going to be best. If you have your heart set on Italy then summer is going to be best unless you’re happy to risk it being cold and rainy. For the Caribbean, however, it’ll be basking in sunshine and relatively dry during January and February, making it the ideal winter wedding location. And there are other destinations which are particularly beautiful in the autumn or when it’s snowing – think New England, New York or Switzerland!