12 WEDDING TIPS AND IDEAS TO GETTING MARRIED ABROAD

12 WEDDING TIPS AND IDEAS TO GETTING MARRIED ABROAD

1. LEAVE ENOUGH TIME FOR THE PAPERWORK...
   
   
   • Couples should make sure they allow plenty of time to sort out the marriage documents, which can take between three to six months to complete depending on the country.


2. SEND SAVE THE DATES EARLY...
   
   
   • Couples should post "save the date" cards well in advance. The more notice given, the more likely friends and family will be able to fly over and save for the trip.


3. LOOK OUT FOR FREE CEREMONIES...
   
   • Caribbean or North American resorts often offer a "free" wedding ceremony, if couples stay for a certain number of nights or bring a certain number of guests.


4. LISTEN TO THE WEATHER...
   
   
   
   • When choosing a dress, brides should always have the weather of the country in mind, at the particular time of year they plan to marry. A heavy wedding dress on a tropical beach may make brides look uncomfortable and overheated in the photos. Hurricane or rainy seasons may also not be an ideal time of year for outdoor weddings, which is particularly true of the Caribbean and South East Asia. If couples are flexible about the date, then they should consider getting married in low season when hotel rates are better.


5. TALK TO THE AIRLINE...
   
   
   
   • Most airlines will allow brides to bring their wedding dress as hand luggage, however brides would need to contact the airline directly prior to booking. Also, if a family is traveling together, the whole party should ask for a group travel rate to save even more money.


6. BOOK FLIGHTS IN YOUR MAIDEN NAME...
   
   
   
   • Brides should remember to book airline tickets in their maiden name, unless they change their name legally before they fly.


7. CHECK AND COMPARE CURRENCIES...
   
   
   
   • When choosing a destination, couples should check and compare currency exchange rates to save substantially on costs.


8. LEGAL RECOGNITION AND DOCUMENTS...
   
   
   
   • Contact the relevant foreign embassy or consulate and check that getting married abroad will be legally. Understand what documentation you need and take two spare copies of each one. Most countries require the following legal documents – passports; full birth certificates showing both parents' names; if divorced, original final divorce papers; if widowed, death certificate of former spouse; if the bride/groom has changed their name(s), legal proof of the change. If marrying in a non-English speaking country then documents may need to be translated by an official translator and stamped with an apostille. In the UK the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can legalese documents for a small fee. Two additional certificates may also be necessary – a certificate of no impediment to marriage which can be obtained from a local department of foreign affairs, registrar or embassy in the chosen country; a certificate of single status/sworn affidavit that you are free to marry. These are similar to a certificate of no impediment, but instead you have to swear you are single in front of a legal representative such as a solicitor or notary.


9. WEDDING PLANNER...
   
   
   
   • A good wedding planner will often have established relationships with local suppliers and can obtain better deals than if you go direct. Their advice on what is and isn’t possible will also help to make the whole process seamless and fun.


10. EXTRAS...
    
    
    
    • Apart from settling the balance of the actual wedding abroad, such as travel and wedding insurance, getting documents translated (if required), and getting the correct documents legalized.


11. INSURANCE...
    
    
    
    • Take out a specialist wedding insurance policy which covers your destination. Consider covering things like suppliers, cancellation because of poor weather and so on.


12. WEDDING WEBSITE...
    
    
    
    • Save the date and give your guests as much warning and information as possible, to make it easy for your guests to book and plan ahead.