34-39 client match v2 19/9/08 11:34 Page 38
Essential Knowledge
Client
Match
Budget
weddings
SUZANNE BARNEY, TRAVEL
COUNSELLORS, COVENTRY
“Many honeymooners
want the luxury of
the Caribbean but
can’t afford to go to
somewhere such as
SAFARIS THEMED WEDDINGS
Barbados, so I often
recommend the
The level of luxury, combined with Why stick to a traditional British Dominican Republic
the chance to see some of the planet’s style wedding abroad? Thailand is a as an alternative. It’s
most fascinating animals, make Africa a great place for an exotic wedding. good value for money
prime destination for honeymoons. Traditions include a drum procession, and not affected so
In Botswana, Expert Africa offers a and the groom accompanied by dancers much by hurricanes.
10-day safari staying in two tented in traditional dress and Siamese It used to have a bad
camps with claw-foot baths and warriors. The resort of Santhiya on the reputation but is
outdoor showers. It costs from £2,584 island of Ko Pha Ngan offers traditional better now, and if you
per person, including flights. weddings with blessings and prayers by know the properties,
Thomson Worldwide offers a luxury Buddhist monks. Wedding packages you know what to
three-day wedding package at the start at around £15,000. recommend.
Shamwari Game Reserve in South Sri Lanka is another long-haul option You should not just
Africa’s Eastern Cape, including game where the happy couple can dress up in concentrate on the
drives, “bush” breakfasts and dinners traditional wedding outfits, or even package price as
under the stars from £3,099. have an elephant transport them to the clients need to realise
African weddings can be arranged ceremony. Virgin Holidays has seven- how much they may
through operators such as CC Africa. night packages from £779. have to spend while in
the destination. This
makes all-inclusives
good value,
particularly resorts
such as Couples,
where excursions are
included in the price.
With our bridal
registry system,
wedding guests can
choose to contribute
to the cost of the
honeymoon. These
gifts can often exceed
the honeymoon cost
– then the couple
ECO-FRIENDLY SPA
receive the nice bonus
of a cheque from us.
For couples with one eye on the Many couples on their honeymoon Another way to work
environment, then the growing range of will enjoy combining mind and body with a smaller budget
eco-resorts could be the answer. True experiences such as yoga or biking with is for the couple to
Blue Bay Resort in Grenada offers a relaxing spa treatments. Spa guru Katy take a chance with the
rainforest wedding where couples can Appleton will be hosting treatments at weather and go out of
wed beside the island’s Grand Etang the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island season, when the
Crater Lake. Prices for seven nights plus next month. Seven-day packages start prices will be cheaper
ceremony start at $3,400. at £3,150 through ITC Classics. – so they may go to
Or they could marry on the beach at The One&Only Reethi Rah in the Thailand in the rainy
the Banyan Tree Seychelles, where Maldives has two private spa suites season, for example.
endangered Hawksbill turtles visit for suspended over the Indian Ocean. This solution doesn’t
six months of the year to bury their eggs. Specialist operators such as Erna Low really apply to the
For an urban eco-conscious venue, try and Thermalia offer a range of spa Caribbean’s hurricane
Andaz Liverpool Street in London, holidays around the world for those season, when people
which can be booked for weddings. It couples who want to make spa are a bit too nervous
has several energy-savings initiatives treatments a bigger part of their to go.
and a fair trade purchasing policy. honeymoon experience.
38
TTG Knowledge WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS September 2008
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