04-06 market focus 19/9/08 14:50 Page 6
a hot-air balloon above the Masai
Mara; on an elephant in the 20%
jungles of Thailand; or
marry
swimming with dolphins in
the Bahamas or Mexico.
overseas
They can tie the knot at
iconic sites such as Sydney’s
Opera House, Sydney
Harbour Bridge, New York’s
80% marry
Empire State Building or the
in the UK
city’s Brooklyn Bridge. Those
wanting to add extra magic can
choose Walt Disney World in
Abroad:
Florida or liven up proceedings withthis could be you...
50,000 UK
an Elvis-styled wedding in Las Vegas.
However, demand for such wacky weddings
couples
remains fairly small. Couples are more likely to
now marry
...taking some time out
want more individual arrangements, such as
overseas
marrying on a yacht or in a rainforest, while
each year
trinidad &tobago style!
others like to add some local culture.
“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in weddings in
REMEMBER,
the US,” said Ann Ashley, Thomas Cook Signature
product manager. “Couples are looking for
to keep registering your bookings something a little more unusual like an Elvis
with Trinidad and Tobago’s
weddings in Las Vegas, or the Empire State
exciting Trade Campaign
Building or Central Park in New York.”
‘TAKE SOME TIME OUT’.
A WEDDING WITH A THEME
Why? Because each month, one lucky agent
Operators such as Kuoni, Virgin Holidays, Planet
will be selected and WIN a place on a fabulous trip to
Holidays and Argo Holidays can arrange themed
occasions. Ceremonies can feature elephants,
Trinidad and Tobago in December just like Rhian Liles,
Buddhist monks and traditional dancers in Sri
our June winner from World Travel, Huddersfield and Lanka or Thailand. In the South Pacific, add some
Liz Hicks our July winner from Newell’s Travel, Cornwell.
colour with warriors, drummers and flaming Walk down the aisle
torches. Somak Holidays offers traditional Indian with Elvis in Las Vegas,
weddings, and this year has added ceremonies or kiss a dolphin in a
conducted beside a hippo pool in Kenya. Bahamian wedding
In some destinations, primarily the
Caribbean, several hotels such as all-
inclusive chains Sandals, SuperClubs and
Couples plus Almond Resorts, Elite Island
Resorts and Rex Resorts have special
wedding packages. In some resorts, the
ceremony is included if the couple stay a
specific number of nights or book a certain
number of rooms.
Tying the knot on a cruise ship has
Congratulations to Rhian Liles and Liz Hicks
gained quite a following, prompting more
lines such as P&O, Princess or Royal
Caribbean to offer such services,
especially as several ships have their
own chapels. Some hotels, including
several in Cyprus, also have their
own chapels located in the grounds.
There is plenty of scope for doing
something different. “Couples are
seeking more unusual ceremonies
For more information or to register your booking visit
and destinations, from weird and
www.takesometimeout.com
wacky to stunning worldwide
locations,” said a spokeswoman
or call 0800 804 8787
for Virgin Holidays.
the estimated average
that couples spend on
a wedding abroad
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