TTG Features Weddings & honeymoons
Marry me in Malta
Belleair Holidays hosted 15 agents on a wedding-themed fam trip to Malta in late March. Two agents share their feedback
Tracey Cooper Dream Weddings Malta is perfect for UK couples as it is around three hours’ flying time with connections from most UK airports. Accommodation ranges from five-star hotels to self-catering apartments, which makes it more affordable for guests too.
Belleair Holidays is happy to arrange a show around for couples in advance of choosing their venue, which is a great sales tip. I have two favourite venues – Villa Arrigo and Castello Zamitello. They are suitable for groups as small as 20, but can cater for hundreds! A couple has exclusive use of the venue for their big day, and guest transport can be arranged through Bellair at a reasonable cost. The catering and presentation is high class, and both offer indoor and outdoor locations. For hotel weddings, I favour the Radisson Blu in St George’s, the Maritim Antonine in Mellieha and the Malta Hilton, where we stayed. The Gazebo Restaurant here would be perfect for a Mamma Mia style
wedding. Chairs are positioned in an olive grove, decorated with fairy lights. The Hilton is central in St Julian’s but set back so you are not disturbed by the nightlife. However, you are still close to the lively Paceville area. The Seabank Hotel, which is undergoing a revamp, looks promising too. Palazzo Parisio is beautiful but too ornate for my liking, and expensive if you want exclusivity.
Need to know Registry office weddings start at £399 through Belleair. The largest weddings I have booked on the island have been for 50-60 people, averaging £6,000 – roughly a third of the price for the UK. The churches in Malta are beautiful but they are used for Catholic weddings only. I liked the Carmelite Church in Mdina. Church weddings start at £779. Paperwork for a civil wedding is
straightforward. Couples must see a solicitor within 12 weeks of their wedding to get certificates and third- party declarations verified.
Carol Kirkham Kirkham Travel I last visited Malta on a cruise over 25 years ago, and my overriding memory was of it being “yellow”, so it was not top of my list for a return visit! But after three days with Belleair’s wedding team over there, I will now definitely be pushing Malta for weddings, because I know they will receive fantastic service. We stayed at the Hilton Malta.
There are many shops and restaurants close by as well as great bars and restaurants in the hotel. Breakfast was what you expect from a Hilton hotel – a mighty buffet. The hotel has two styles of rooms – classic Maltese style and new Executive rooms. If you choose an outdoor wedding, they will also prepare an indoor venue just in case the weather is unkind. For clients wanting a more private
venue I would recommend Villa Arrigo or the stunning Palazzo Parisio. Villa Arrigo has an air-conditioned marquee and the gardens are beautiful. They will even put swans in the pond if a client wishes! Palazzo Parisio is very ornate and the 24 carat gilded ballroom is stunning. The reception can be held inside or out in the gardens and the evening disco in the wine cellar.
Simpler venues It is possible to have a Catholic church wedding in Malta. The Carmelite Church in Mdina is a lovely location and if you choose to stay at the Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux you can walk to the church and use the hotel for your reception. For clients wanting to have a very informal wedding, the registry office is the cheapest option. However if they want a simple wedding followed by a fantastic meal I would suggest The Artisan Baker in Valletta.
Zammitello gardens
Carmelite Church in Mdina
The ornate Palazzo Parisio 46 24.05.2012
Carol Kirkham
Tracey Cooper
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