Any wedding requires careful planning and the Brides Magazine guide will help you put timeframes on all of your tasks. It involves everything from defining the budget to minor things like specifying cakes, flowers and food.
If you’re still keen on getting married abroad, you must next think about your guests - are they all fit to fly, and do the majority have the economic means to make the trip to sunnier climes? As much as the day is about you, it’s important to think about who you want to come.
Next you need to choose the destination. Do you envision a starry night looking over the Tuscan moors or an idyllic beach venue in the Bahamas? There are dramatically different costs involved in the venue of your choice and you’ll need to be aware of the additional costs of arranging your day from home. Foreign weddings can be delivered on a much more intimate scale, and you may have to narrow that guest list down to those most important to you.
If you’re getting married abroad, you must focus on legality and required documentation. For example, if you’re taking that dreamy ‘Tuscan moor’ option and getting hitched in Italy, you’ll both need documents like a CNI (Certificate of No Impediment). You’ll need to get these documents legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and remember that the names must match your passports exactly.
The admin is vital for your foreign wedding to go without any mishaps and it’s important that you get some form of wedding insurance policy. Also consider how you’ll manage your packing; some airlines will let you travel with your wedding dress as hand luggage and some will even hang it on board for you. Others however, may demand you pack it, which is an art form in itself.
Getting married abroad isn’t an impossible dream but there are obstacles – just like any wedding. If you want it- plan it and go for it!