Wedding Forum - Tips for getting married abroad!...

TAKEN FROM MY ON LINE SEARCH FOR HINTS AND TIPS

GETTING MARRIED ABROAD
Initially the prospect of planning a wedding abroad may appear slightly daunting and there may be times along the way when you wonder what you’re getting yourselves into! I can’t promise it will all be smooth sailing but I know from personal experience it's not nearly as difficult to get married abroad as you may first believe.

With a little bit of research and careful planning you will be able to create a wedding that is unique, a wedding that is distinctive, a wedding that surpasses all your expectations and is talked about and remembered by your guests for years to come.

Getting Married Abroad
Getting wed abroad has become a very popular choice. There are a few tips that may help you before you make the decision about the date and place where you decide to have your big day.

Firstly, if you are heading further a field then consider the climate and weather conditions. These can vary from all over the world to beautiful hot temperatures to force 10 tornados!!!!

Check online for weather conditions in the designated area before setting the date as August/September in many long haul destinations can be temperamental.

Check vaccination requirements too. This is a health and safety requirement for some countries and its best to make sure you are fully covered before heading somewhere of a high risk location.

Make sure you have adequate Insurance. Check with the tour operator that your insurance covers you for bridal and bride groom attire.

Also make sure you have insurance to cover any valuables. This can be purchased additional to a holiday policy or may already be offered as a wedding insurance package.

Check the countries minimum day of residency before be able to be married as some countries do need 5 working days before you cam marry.

Please also be aware that other countries bank holidays and religious days which don’t count as part of the working week and this can effect the wedding date.
This can also effect your party , for example if your party are staying with you for the first week and you are to be married in that first week, you need to clarify with the country to make sure you and your party can al celebrate together.

Also if booking online look on trip advisor for hotel feedback and make sure the company you book with is ABTA and ATOL bonded.

Below is a list of some of the requirements. Please do note these may change for each individual company so please check with a travel agent or through a brochure.

• Notice of Marriage / Certificate of Freedom to Marry – this is a document that certain countries require for non-nationals to marry in their country.

• Proof of Residence – you may be required to produce documentation with proof of your current residence.

• If you are divorced – a Decree Absolute is necessary

• If you are a widower – a Death certificate and previous Marriage Certificate must be taken with you as proof.

• If you are adopted – an Adoption certificate.

• If you are under 18 – letter of consent from a parent or guardian.

• If you have changed your name by deed poll – stamped proof by a solicitor.

• Full Long Form Birth Certificate.

• 10 Year Passport, please bear in mind this must have 6 months validity.

• Sworn Affidavits – this is a statement which needs to be signed and stamped by a solicitor as a confirmation that both parties are free to be married.

For some countries this must be prepared one month or less before your wedding date.

When getting married abroad, your wedding often becomes more than just one day. Many couples make the most of having all their guests in the one location and carry their wedding celebrations over a number of days.

As a result extra work is often required to plan these additional celebrations but this does give you the added bonus of your wedding not being over in the blink of an eye. You may also find the additional celebrations are just as memorable as your wedding day itself.

When planning a wedding abroad it pays to be organised. Before you jump in with both feet read the following pages which are designed to help you get started on the right foot.

Booking direct with the wedding planner who actually organises your wedding will save you time and money. They can get you the best deal on all aspects of the wedding, and best of all you pay no commission to a tour operator or other third party
Some hotel chains offer "free" weddings if you stay for a certain number of nights - this is especially popular in the Caribbean



If you have more than 15 guests staying at a hotel you may qualify as a group and receive a free room or other discount

Send out "save the date" cards to your guests well ahead of the wedding date. The more notice they have the more likely they are to be able to join you.

Make sure you have all the visas and paperwork you need well before the wedding day. Sometimes it can take several months to obtain the correct documentation from the relevant authorities.
Check the weather for the time of year in which you want to get married. You may not dream of exchanging your vows in a monsoon downpour.

Make sure you buy a wedding dress which is appropriate for the weather in which you are getting married. A heavy, full skirted dress may be too warm if you get married in the tropics Don't forget the wedding insurance, just in case!

Aww, I've always wanted to marry in Disney World in Florida!
My h2b just won't go for it though....there's no way he'll leave England to be married.
We might be having it as part of the honey moon though as he feels guilty lol
...good tips for those marrying away though!
:)
xx

thanks for posting this... have you found any tips or info on cruise weddings by any chance?

Found this on my search too so another one taken from on-line

GETTING MARRIED ON A CRUISE
•Step 1
Understand that most weddings on board cruise ships actually take place in port, whether it's at the place of departure or somewhere along the way during your trip.

•Step 2
Decide if you want to be married on the ship itself or if you prefer to exchange your vows on a beach or in a chapel on land.

•Step 3
Obtain a marriage license for the location where the ship will be docked for your marriage. Ask your travel agent or the cruise company for tips on how to do this.

•Step 4
Realize that it's possible to be married at sea if you have your heart set on it. The Grand Princess cruise ship (part of Princess Cruises, which is the line used in the "Love Boat" television series) actually has a wedding chapel. Go to its Web site (princess.com) for more information.

•Step 5
Take into account that if you get married at sea on the Grand Princess, your wedding license will be from Liberia, since this is where the Princess cruise line is registered. Make sure this license will be accepted in your state.

•Step 6
Consider the range of wedding options that exist: from a £300 package that includes a notary, witnesses, cake and champagne to a package that costs $75 per person for each guest to provide an open bar and buffet.

•Step 7
Remember that you arrange for flowers, music and a photographer as part of your package. Talk to the ship's wedding consultant to explain your preferences.

•Step 8
Shop around. There are many cruise lines out there. Some of the popular ones are Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, among many others. Do a search online to find out more.



Getting married on a cruise is something every woman would enjoy. Somehow getting married on the ocean carries a romantic notion that appeals to almost everyone. It is a novel experience that is bound to be unique and enticing.

In the past few years, getting married on a cruise has become quite the rage. This is because wedding cruise packages are now available making it very affordable. Cruise ships have cashed in on this fact and are striving to provide all that is necessary for a perfectly romantic wedding on the sea.

Many cruise liners take care of all the arrangements for the wedding and the reception. All the bride and groom have to do is make an appearance on the big day. Most of the hassles of planning for “”the big day”" are taken care of and the bride and groom, family and friends can sit back and enjoy. The bride and groom would discuss their plans with a wedding planner provided by the liner. The planner takes care of all the details with minimum fuss.

An advantage of having a wedding on a cruise ship is that along with taking care of the whole wedding, the cruise ship will also drop the couple off at their honeymoon port later on. This saves time and money.

Different cruise liners are presently offering a number of packages that include everything for the perfect wedding, except clergy (the bride and groom have to bring their own).

Most weddings take place in a stateroom on the ship. This room would also be used for the reception. Some prefer to get married on a beach and then embark on their cruise. Still, many opt to getting married on board. However, in order for the wedding to be legal, it needs to be done while the ship is in port before leaving the dock.

Only one liner, The Grand Princess, has a wedding chapel and a clergyman on board that allows couples to get married before the ship leaves for the high seas. In the event the couple wishes to marry on the ocean, the captain of any cruise is authorized to preside over the ceremony. This is perfectly legal as long as the couple registers in the port the ship docks in.

Many cruises allow the wedding guests to come on board for the ceremony and get off after the ceremony so the couple can embark on their honeymoon alone. This is the best option as it is cost effective and a good alternative for wedding guests who do not wish to go along for the honeymoon.

There seems to be a lot of newbies joining who are planning to get married abroard at the moment so just bumping this to the top of the page for them to see

lol ermmm no!!!

Well my dream wedding would be in disney's wedding pavillion which was our 1st plan as you know and ive not heard of many ppl with the same plan :-) but to be honest Ive heard alot of ppl saying they would like to get married in cyprus and to be honest I want to be different and unique lol
I used to live in cyprus when i was little as my dad was in the forces and this was one of his postings so i know its a beautiful place and an ideal wedding destination ..........just not for me although i would move back there in a heartbeat hehehe

totally and utterly agree with that one babe!!

We also lived in gibralter (loved it) when i was younger too and the same can be said for there too :-(
we have been looking into going there for a honeymoon :-) (one of many destinations at the moment lol)

BUMPING TO THE TOP

our wedding package is ....
strech limo to and from venue
Champagne in limo
rose bouqeut for bride
button hole for groom
long stem rose for every lady guest
minister
min 150 photos
dvd of ceremony

total $899

Bumping to the top of the page!

Melvis, do you mind giving me the link to your wedding advisor xx

BRIDETOBE 2013... omg just seen that you wanted the link... ive posted it on ur wall... hopefully youll get to have a look!! xx weve gone for the opal plan, its got absolitely everything youd need for a wedding!! all for £2500 xx

Thanks for this Hails!!

We are considering this with just a few close friends as our witnesses. Will still have to wait to check over all the details as it will take us till 2015 to save after buying the house this year :D x

We are gettin married in orlando florida and havin a yacht to watch the disney fireworks on the night. Im wearing a huge dress though :/ not a great idea in that heat x

We're getting married in Cyprus. Water proof/sweat proof make up- yay or nay?! That is the question!! X

Thanks, Anna! I was thinking that the streaky make up and runny mascara look probably wouldn't look too great in the photo's! Where in Cyprus are you getting married? xxx

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Yeah I wouldn't commit to anything until I knew all the exclusions and the additional costs as often companies say this isn't included is extra and you have to use us as well. Def don't book- do research and often doing it yourself is cheaper- may take a bit more effort by worth it in savings

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