You’ve got the ring — now jump into the planning! First step: Decide where to go. Brides all over the world are ditching tradition and opting for a more stress-free, luxurious, and cheaper wedding option.
Yes, you read that right—CHEAPER! Destination weddings aren’t just for those with big money. 1 in 4 brides have a destination wedding.To help, we’ve rounded up 6 of the best wedding destinations around the world eager to host your big day.
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Italy
Whether your choice for nuptials is the rocky Amalfi Coast, sunflower fields of Tuscany, bridges of Venice or ancient ruins of Rome, Italy is a country that places friends, family, wining and dining at the top. Sourcing farm-fresh ingredients and local vino for your reception feast is easy (this is the birthplace of the slow-food movement, after all). And you can’t beat the Mediterranean climate.
Getting married in Italy is possible, provided you allow yourself at least 4 months of time to deal with all the legal bureaucracy, more to secure the most renowned venues.
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Portugal
Only a 3 hour flight from the UK, Portugal is increasingly popular for both British weddings and honeymoons, it is set to be one of the most sought-after destinations, with its fantastic climate, stunning views and incredible unique mixture of historic, contemporary and innovative venues not found anywhere else in Europe! Portugal is best known for it’s long sandy beaches, good quality food at excellent prices and lovely welcoming people – not to mention glorious sunny weather.
There are two kinds of lawful marriage in Portugal – that is the civil or Catholic and civil ceremony. To marry in any other religious church is not legally binding due to Portuguese law. As with all weddings abroad, before the marriage can proceed it requires some paperwork on the part of the couple. You will find detailed information about the paperwork on the British Embassy website.
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Cyprus
Cyprus is one of the most popular wedding locations in the world. This island has some amazing wedding venues and locations, ideal for an overseas wedding.
With the mild weather, the beautiful scenery and the delicious food, you have all the ingredients of a dream wedding. In Cyprus, it’s common to get married outdoors in a beach or villa setting, without depleting your life savings in the process.
The legal requirements to get married in Cyprus aren’t very strict. You must apply in-person for the wedding with a marriage officer. You can do so in the municipality where you’ll be marrying. You must provide all required documentation, and be in Cyprus for three clear business days before your wedding day. You’ll need two witnesses for the ceremony.
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Aruba
Breezy Aruba is the sixth most visited island in the Caribbean for a reason — for starters, it’s located south of the hurricane belt, so there’s no danger of tropical storms threatening your big day. Other draws include its sugar strands (Baby Beach is a favorite), ample nightlife (there are a dozen casinos) and multicultural history (Arubans are a mix of Caquetio Indian, African and European). High-rise hotels populate Palm Beach, while smaller boutiques occupy Eagle Beach; venture inland, and you’ll find an arid, hilly landscape best showcased at Arikok National Park.
Thanks to a new marriage law passed by the Aruba Parliament recently, couples wishing to have a legal marriage ceremony in Aruba can now do so.
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Miami
Surf, sand, swaying palms, gentle breezes—subtropical Miami Beach has all the feel of a Caribbean destination wedding location while still being a part of the USA. But there’s so much more to Miami Beach than its balmy days and temperate nights. In fact, some of the best destination wedding venues here have nary a speck of sand underfoot: think, a gorgeous jewel box theater venue, a Modernist rooftop oasis, an Ocean Drive mansion that was once the private residence of a famous fashion designer.
You don’t have to be a resident to marry in Florida, but you must be at least 18 years old to apply for a marriage license.
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St Lucia
Blending British and French influences, Saint Lucia is almost synonymous with its iconic Piton Mountains. The romance extends beyond the twin peaks, from Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and 19,000 acres of rainforest to palm-fringed beaches and the world’s only drive-in volcano. Some of the top resorts are located in and around the island’s two main towns (Castries, the capital, and Soufriere at the foot of the Pitons).
In true Caribbean style, it’s easy to get married in Saint Lucia. There’s no residency period, so you can host your ceremony within 24 hours of arrival as long as you apply for a same-day marriage license and you have all the necessary, original documentation.
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Want to have a destination wedding but don’t know where to start? Contact us for help.
