Destination Guide
Some essential facts
and
frequently asked questions
FAQ
Will my marriage abroad be legal?
Yes, all weddings which we can arrange for UK residents are legally recognised in the UK
What's included in the wedding package, and what does it cost?
Wedding packages and prices vary by destination, hotel and tour operator, some weddings are even free of charge. Individual tour operator's brochures should be reviewed for further details of what's included.
When and where will the wedding take place, and who will conduct the ceremony?
Generally your wedding will take place in the gardens of the hotel. Wedding coordinators will review the location options with you on arrival at the hotel. The majority of weddings are conducted by a marriage officer and will be on a non denominational nature.
What should we wear on the day?
Generally your clothing should reflect the climate of the country in which you are due to marry. You are free to be as formal or informal as you like (making sure you respect local customs). Generally clothing should be of a lighweight nature in tropical climates.
Can I bring guests to my wedding?
Of course! You may choose for your guests to stay in the same hotel as you, or one close by. Remember that at all inclusive properties, you may need to purchase a day pass for non resident guests, and that some hotels are Adult Only and may not allow children into the hotel, even for a wedding. If you are going to book a large wedding party, we would recommend that as many people as possible book at the same time, as sometimes this will qualify you for a group discount.
Can we arrange for hair and beauty appointments for the wedding?
This can be arranged on arrival at most hotels. If the hotel does not have the facilites, the wedding coordinator can normally book these for you at a nearby hotel or salon.
What about flowers, buttonholes, wedding cakes and many other extras like music?
These can normally be arranged once in resort with the wedding coordinator. Wherever possible, we like to make contact with the wedding coordinator on your behalf, once your wedding is booked so that we can obtain details on all of these finer points.
Can I have a Wedding Photographer, and is it possible to arrange for a video of our wedding?
Generally videos and photos can be taken by a local photographer. As such it can be difficult to guarantee standards and some videos may need converting to UK specifications.
What name do I travel under, and do we get a wedding certificate?
Brides should travel under their maiden name - tickets for both inbound and outbound flights will be printed as such and your passport will still show your maiden name. Your wedding will be registered locally within the country of your marriage and, yes, you will get a wedding certificate. In most cases this will be given to you during your stay. In some cases, this certificate may be posted on to you at a later date.
Hows the weather?
Bali: Tropical climate with a dry season during our summer and a rainy season in our winter; year round showers. Average temperature 30 degrees centigrade
Caribbean: Sunny and warm all of the time, but beware hurricane season runs from September to October. Temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees centigrade
Cyprus: Very hot in Summer, mild the rest of the year; lots of sunshine. Temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees centigrade.
Florida: Sunny all year round, very hot and humid in the summer but can be chilly in mid-winter, particularly in Orlando. Temperatures between 15 and 40 degrees centigrade.
Greece: Very hot in Summer, mild in Winter, year round sunshine. Temperatures between 5 and 30 degrees centigrade.
Kenya: Year-round warmth, with a dry season in our winter and a rainy season in our summer. Temperatures vary between 25 and 30 degrees centigrade.
Las Vegas: Sunny all year, extremely hot in the summer and ocld in winter. Temperatures between -5 and 40 degrees centigrade.
Mauritius: Year round tropical warmth. Temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees centigrade.
Maldives: Warm all year, with a rainy season during our summer. Temperatures between 30 and 35 degrees centigrade.
New York: Very cold and snowy from November to March, steaming hot in mid summer. Temperatures between -5 and 35 degrees centigrade.
Sri Lanka: Hot and humid all year round with two distinct monsoon seasons from May to July and December to January. Average temperatures 30 degrees centigrade.
Sydney: Seasons are opposite to the UK, so warm in our winter and cooler, although never really cold, in our summer, can rain in winter, but constantly sunny in summer. Temperatures between 12 and 25 degrees centigrade.
For detailed weather information, visit www.wunderground.com
| Destination | Flight Time from UK (hours) | Time difference | Currency |
|---|
| Bali | 22.5 | +8 | rupiahs |
|---|
| Caribbean | 7 - 10 | -4/-5 | local dollar |
|---|
| Cyprus | 5 | +2 | Euro |
|---|
| Florida | 9 | -5 | US dollar |
|---|
| Greece | 4 | +1 | Euro |
|---|
| Kenya | 8 | +3 | Shilling |
|---|
| Las Vegas | 10.5 | -8 | US dollar |
|---|
| Mauritius | 10 | +3 | rupee |
|---|
| Maldives | 10 | +5 | rufiyaa |
|---|
| New York | 7 | -5 | US dollar |
|---|
| Sri Lanka | 12 | +5 | rupee |
|---|
| Sydney | 22 | +10 | Aus dollar |
|---|
For full information on currencies, visit www.oanda.com
The following are countries where you can legally marry abroad.
Mexico and the Caribbean
Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenadines, Grenada, Jamaica, Margarita, Mexico, St Lucia, Tobago, Turks and Caicos
USA and Canada
Canada, Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, New England
Short Haul Destinations
Cyprus, Greece, Italy/Sicily, Lapland, Malta/Gozo, Turkey
Far East and Africa
Bali, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Thailand
The Maldivian Government intends to amend legislation to allow weddings on these beautiful islands. Call us for latest information.
The Rest of the World
Australia, Cook Islands, Cruising, Fiji, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands
Required documents/legal requirements
The information shown is for a guide only – documentation and legal requirements change regularly, so it is vital that you check before arranging all your documentation.
For all destinations shown, a full 10 year British Passport is needed, usually with at least six months validity after you will return home. You will also need birth certificates, in some cases these must be a full birth certificate.
You will normally be required to spend a minimum number of days in the country where you are due to be married before your actual marriage date. This does not include the day of your arrival, weekends and bank holidays.
In some cases, visits and other documentation may need to be processed in resort prior to the wedding.
In addition other documents may be required such as: Single status statutory declaration, certificate o no impediment, if divorced, decree absolute, if widowed, spouses death certificate and previous marriage certificate, if adopted, adoption certificate, if name changed, deed poll, parental consent if under 18, certification/legalisation/translation of all documents.
In some instances, witnesses must not be related to the bride or groom, and in some cases the marriage certificate may be issued in the local language.
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