MARRYING ABROAD
Dreaming of a flyaway wedding at an exotic location? Here’s our essential guide to guarantee a big day – with smaller bills
FOLLOW THE RULES
DELIVER DOCUMENTS. Most countries have a set timeframe for receiving legal paperwork. Check what is required at gov.uk/marriage-abroad.
RESIDENCY RULES. In some countries you cannot have a legal wedding unless you or a close relative are resident. In France, for instance, you, your partner or one of your parents need to have lived in the town where you want to marry for at least 40 days.
TIMING NUPTIALS. Couples will need to register their ‘intent to marry’ on arrival in the country – so a ceremony may well be a few days after arriving. But in Florida and some Caribbean countries, you can arrive and marry the same day.
NAME ACCURACY. Ensure the name on your passport is the name on all legal and travel documents. DELEGATE ORGANISATION. Consider using a local wedding planner to save time, money and hassle. A planner will know the area and can suggest locations and suppliers – they can also smooth out any problems.
BAGGAGE CHECK. Most airlines will allow a bride to be to bring the wedding dress as hand luggage – but check before booking.
CONSIDER COVER. A marriage abroad is a holiday – with (wedding) bells on – so travel insurance should reflect the difference. Amber Moon, of insurer Holidaysafe, says: ‘You need to purchase travel insurance that includes all aspects of a destination wedding, such as loss of rings, gifts and wedding attire, and problems with the photographer. If your wedding is doubling as your honeymoon, it is important to ensure your travel insurance covers both the big day and the vacation afterwards.’
M EVENT ADD-ON. Find out if a policy offers a separate ‘wedding extension’ to the basic travel cover. Alternatively, look at standalone overseas wedding policies. This should offer protection for a range of eventualities. This might be covering the costs of an alternative supplier if a pre-booked service provider goes bankrupt or fails to turn up or if the wedding has to be postponed due to illness. Unfortunately, being jilted at the altar is not included.
PRUNE BRIDAL BUDGET
FREE WEDDINGS. Many Caribbean resorts offer a ‘free’ wedding if you book to stay there – a great way to combine the ceremony and honeymoon. GUESTS WITH BENEFITS. Find out if your resort will give you a free room if you bring a certain number of guests. MARRY OUT OF SEASON. Brides and grooms who are flexible with dates can trim costs dramatically. Getting married outside your chosen country’s peak tourist season should yield lower villa rental and hotel rates. FORGET THE PRICEY PHOTOGRAPHER. Ask your guests to tap into their inner David Bailey to upload their Instagram-worthy shots to a photo-sharing app, such as WedPics.
HERE COMES THE BILL – FOR GUESTS
MILLIONS of people will attend weddings as guests this year and spend hundreds of pounds.
Research from credit card provider American Express says nearly a third of people will attend one wedding this year, spending an average of £432. But like Hugh Grant in the famous weddingthemed romcom, some will attend an average of four celebrations this year, seeing their bills mount with each of the nuptials.
The largest expense for guests is usually the wedding gift (£85), followed by hotel accommodation (£74), and an outfit (£71). Those invited overseas will see bills rocket.
Separate research carried out by the Post Office reveals Britons are willing to travel up to 1,163 miles on average to a close relation or best friend’s wedding – and invest a hefty £827 on being a guest. Its findings also suggest a third of people welcome the idea of a wedding abroad.
That said, it is still worth taking all the steps you can to keep costs down, and avoid an overseas wedding burning a hole in your pocket.
KEEP COSTS DOWN
BOOK both accommodation and travel well in advance. TEAM UP with others. If the accommodation offered at a venue is too expensive get in touch other guests to share a local Airbnb property.
BE CANNY on flights. Try flight comparison websites such as Momondo and Skyscanner.
Neil James Cartwright, from travel site Momondo, says: ‘Book your flights in advance and bear in mind that departures between 6pm and midnight typically offer the cheapest fares, while Tuesday is generally the cheapest day to fly.’
IF THE wedding is part of a package holiday, see whether you can get a group rate if you all book together. SHOP wisely for outfits, gifts, travel and accommodation, and make use of discount, voucher and cashback websites such as Voucher Codes, HotUKDeals and TopCashback.