TOP 10 Dream weddings
From thrilling safaris to cruise ship glamour, here’s a world of hot options to make your big day a huge success
1 BAREFOOT BEAUTY
Where? On the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Why? Sandals South Coast offers a picture-perfect formula of sand, sky, and a fairytale chapel sitting atop azure seas. The secluded resort is village-themed and set on a pristine beach within a 500-acre nature preserve, so there’s no need to set foot outside the grounds. The new Over-the-water wedding chapel even has a glass-floored aisle. THE DEAL: Sandals offer seven nights all-inclusive from €2,352pp, including
flights. If you stay three nights or longer you get the starter Beautiful Beginnings wedding package for free, to include the ceremony, a bouquet and a cake. 2 mirror.co.uk/traveltop10 THE FULL ENGLISH Where? Tylney Hall, Hampshire. Why? For traditional elegance, easy access – and for the chance to check it out in advance, which is especially important when celebrating with friends and family. If baronial halls, vaulted ceilings, minstrel’s galleries and the gardens of a quintessentially English country house are your kind of thing, then this Hampshire hotel pretty much fits the bill. There are four venues available catering for up to 120 people. THE DEAL: Tylney’s Signature Package in the Hampshire Suite costs from €6,000 for a minimum of 40 guests, to include the ceremony and reception with Prosecco, followed by a three-course wedding breakfast, including half a bottle of wine and a glass of champagne per person. The happy couple get an overnight stay. mirror.co.uk/traveltop103 IT’S AMORE Where? Sorrento in Italy. Why? A glorious landscape where sea and mountain, valleys and citrus groves come together around an ancient hillside town with sweeping views and cafe-lined squares. You could be starring in
your own black and white romance here, in the spirit of Cary Grant and Sophia Loren. Marry in the 13th century Cloister of San Francesco then drink champagne whilst gazing over the Bay of Naples. THE DEAL: The classic Cloister package costs €1,646 and includes the ceremony and all fees, the venue and a bouquet, as arranged by Italian specialist Citalia. Additionally, seven nights’ half-board in Sorrento’s Grand Hotel Vesuvio, where La Loren herself has stayed, costs from €938pp, including4 flights. mirror.co.uk/traveltop10 OCEAN OF LOVE Where? On the last remaining ocean liner heading for New
York City. Why? Because there’s nothing quite like the glamour of the RMS Queen Mary 2, with her fine restaurants and grand ballrooms, and the chance of being escorted by White Star bellmen to a ceremony presided over by the ship’s captain. You get to marry in mid-atlantic, and can honeymoon in the USA. THE DEAL: The seven-night transatlantic crossing from Southampton costs from €1,527pp including flight home. A €3,200 wedding package covers ceremony, flowers, music etc, plus the services of an on-board wedding co-ordinator. 5 mirror.co.uk/traveltop10 WHITE ON BLUE Where? Pernera Blue Waters, Cyprus. Why? Because you don’t need to shell out big money for those idyllic sun-lit images. The Cypriots, on their island of olives, vineyards and beaches know all about hospitality. Pernera Blue Waters by Ayia Napa is a purpose-built seaside wedding platform set against the azure backdrop of the Med and linked by walkway to adjacent tavernas.
THE DEAL: Planet Holidays offers seven nights’ B&B at the Cavo Maris Beach Hotel, plus flights, from €676pp. Sister company Planet Weddings sorts the paperwork and venue, liaises with the tavernas and provides an on-site co-ordinator for 6€895. mirror.co.uk/traveltop10 TAKE A MOONDANCE Where? On the exotic island of Sri Lanka. Why? Koggala is on the beach near Unesco-registered gem Galle, an old Portuguese fortresscity. Just inland is a valley where
moonstones are mined, and beyond are rainforested highlands, all within easy reach.
THE DEAL: The Fortress Resort at Koggala offers beautiful views of the Indian Ocean, plus four restaurants and a relaxed spa. Its Moonstone Wedding package includes the ceremony, paperwork, welcome champagne, bouquets and Sri Lankan dancers, with a seven-night B&B stay
from €2,300pp (plus flights) via Destinology. mirror.co.uk/ 7 traveltop10 FOR NATURE LOVERS
Where? On the Caribbean island of Tobago. Why? Tobago is a nice mix of forested interior known for its colourful birdlife and beaches that welcome egg-laying turtles. The Grand Courlan, a hotel on a turtle beach, has a Turtle Wedding package in nesting season (March to September) which includes turtle-watching and adopting a
turtle via local charity Save Our Sea Turtles.
THE DEAL: Golden Holidays has seven nights all-inclusive at Le Grand Courlan from €1,090pp, including flights. The Turtle Wedding package is €735 and includes a wedding arch, flowers, the ceremony, cake, bubbly and a candlelit dinner. 8 mirror.co.uk/traveltop10 THE CALL OF THE WILD
Where? On safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Why? Combining the thrill of the Big Five with the romance of the Big Day. Not everyone fancies a tent for their wedding night, but safari camps ooze glamour. Mara Bushtops comes with butlers, hot tubs and spa treatments. THE DEAL: Mara’s wedding package includes the ceremony, champagne and canapés, bouquets and cake, Maasai dancers, a candlelit dinner, and a private game drive. This, plus three nights’ full board, one night in Nairobi and flights, costs from 9 €6,713pp via Kuoni. mirror.co.uk/traveltop10 ALL AT SEA Where? On a cruise ship in the Med. Why? Get married and see the world – or key bits of it. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic sails out of Rome for a seven-night cruise to the lovely Italian cities of Florence and Pisa with glamorous Cannes, Barcelona and the holiday island of Majorca, before heading back to Naples and Rome. THE DEAL: €1,198pp for a seven-night cruise, including flights. The €3,552 Wedding at Sea package includes bouquet, cake, champagne and wedding coordinator. The ceremony is conducted 10by the captain. mirror.co.uk/traveltop10 FULL-ON FIESTA Where? In a Mexican resort that knows how to party. Why? The land of the Mayans is a nice mix of culture, adventure and tequila. Cancun’s Grand at Moon Palace is lavish with nine pools, 10 restaurants, and a nightclub. THE DEAL: The wedding package of ceremony, bouquet, cake and wedding co-ordinator is €468, plus a €468 government fee which includes blood tests. Thomas Cook Signature offers seven nights all-inclusive at the Grand for €1,704pp with flights and a €1,400 per room credit. Stay 14 nights and wedding package is free. mirror.co.uk/traveltop10