Tips to help you plan the perfect wedding overseas
When there are so many details already to organize for your wedding day, the idea of planning a destination wedding can seem overwhelming.
But if you’re tossing and turning over visions of your special day turning soggy after an unexpected shower or you’re craving something a little more exotic than the local courthouse, a wedding abroad could be the perfect solution. What’s more, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Cheapflights has compiled a go-to guide to help make your big day perfect, without hurting your – and your new spouse’s – wallet.
Choose your destination
Where would your fantasy wedding be? Winter wonderland or a sun-drenched beach? The climate you want to enjoy on the big day will help you choose the perfect destination. There’s no limit to what you could do, whether you’re tying the knot on a paradise Caribbean beach, getting hitched in Las Vegas or declaring underwater love at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. You really can let your imagination run wild. Have a look at wedding brochures, check the internet, speak to friends, or think about revisiting places that have a special significance for you as a couple.
Research legal requirements
Once you’ve decided in which country you want to get married, make sure you do some thorough research about the legal requirements. Some places, such as Las Vegas, require only that you get a marriage license when you arrive. Others, such as France, will need one of you to be living in your chosen place of marriage for at least 30 days before the ceremony. Speak to the embassy or consulate of the country that you want to go to. It is common that you will need to produce a certificate of no impediment. In order to get this you need to post the notice of marriage at your local registry office at home for three weeks. Many places also require parental consent if one of you is under 19. And remember that a wedding abroad will often be a civil ceremony.
Choose the style of ceremony
Once you’ve chosen the country and checked that the union will be recognized in the United States, think about what style of service you want. The choices are endless: You could tie the knot overlooking the sea in the gardens of a hotel on the Amalfi Coast, at a Civil Service in a town hall, on top of a mountain, on the beach, or even in an ice chapel in Sweden.
Where will your guests stay?
Assuming you’re inviting friends and family to join in on the international festivities, we recommend suggesting that all of your guests stay in the same hotel (though whether you want to stay there too, or at a hotel up the road is your choice). Have a look at hotels available in the area, and book numbers as soon as you can. It is often possible to hire entire hotels for weddings at a reduced rate. Many will offer wedding services at an extra cost.
Book your flights
Look at flights deals on Cheapflights.com for price comparisons by season. You can book for everyone and arrive on the same flight, which makes it easier to arrange onward transport and extends the party atmosphere a bit longer, or leave them to find their own deals.
Before you go
So all the practicalities are organized and booked. Remember that nuptial traditions in the United States may not hold true overseas. If you’re getting married in a very hot climate, a three-tiered wedding cake can very quickly melt and start to look droopy. Research the traditional customs of the country where you’re planning on getting married – it may be more practical, not to mention “exotic”, to follow these. And work out how to pack and transport your wedding clothes well in advance, checking with your airline to see if this is one item that should be with you on the flight, or tucked away safely in checked storage.
(Featured image: amy32080)
