DESTINATIONS ADVICE | WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS expert expert ASK THE


Jane Palikira co-founder, Ionian Weddings


“The first question I ask


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Caribbean wedding; Sandals Royal Bahamian; writer India-Jayne Trainor with husband Chris and mayor’s representative Antonelli Antonello; wedding party in Malta by Planet Weddings PICTURES: Shutterstock/Irina Montero; Planet Weddings


According to Mathilde Robert, managing director of Planet Weddings, Malta and Croatia are sublime selling opportunities. She says: “One is an island and the other sits on the Adriatic coast, but both offer fabulous venues, stunning beaches and are a classy option for short-haul weddings abroad.” Southern European countries have longer high seasons, with warm weather stretching from May to September, so couples may be able to secure cheaper flights and accommodation if they book outside the traditional summer months. Alternatively, long-haul destinations might seem more expensive at first, but if couples are keen to stay on and enjoy a honeymoon, they can offer better value overall.


BOOK EARLY


Just like the UK, in-demand venues are reserved two to three years ahead, so if couples have a specific time of year in mind, book sooner rather than later. If the date isn’t a deal-breaker, look for savings in the off-season or on a weekday. Jane Palikira, owner of Ionian


Weddings, says: “Agents should be advising couples to book at least 18


travelweekly.co.uk Resorts are


also good for guest lists that include children, as they’re often family-friendly


months in advance. This is because many venues are extremely popular and suppliers get booked up quickly. It also gives family and friends plenty of time to plan and book a holiday around their wedding. “If clients or their guests have


children or work in a school, they’ll most likely be restricted to school holidays, in which case May half-term is often better than August. If they are free to choose, we recommend June and September, which offer quieter resorts and the best weather.”


ROOM FOR TWO


Depending on the venue, couples will need to decide if they want to include (or at least have access to) accommodation for guests. This is where hotel weddings come into their own, with popular options


such as Sandals Resorts offering beachfront venues in the Caribbean along with on-site wedding planners, who will meet with couples when they arrive to decide everything from venue decor to their favourite type of cake. Sandals’ new wedding programme, Aisle to Isle, can cater to wedding parties of almost any size, though one of the most popular options is the Sweetheart Wedding Package for up to 10 people, costing from $1,000 (excluding accommodation). Resorts are also good for guest lists that include children, as they’re often family-friendly and may have choices for guests with disabilities.


PRACTICAL MAKES PERFECT In general, weddings abroad are valid in the UK if they meet the legal requirements of the country clients are getting married in – however, it’s not always that straightforward. Couples will still need to have an official ceremony and complete the correct paperwork (including a Certificate of No Impediment, plus ensuring their marriage certificate is translated if in another language). Certain countries also require residency before you can marry:


couples is what their budget is, as this will determine the


destination and venue they can consider. At Ionian Weddings, our wedding packages range in price from £5,000 to


£35,000. However, couples should consider the destination carefully; friends and family


may be more likely to attend if it is a straightforward journey or there is a short transfer time, as some may only come out


for a few days. I would ask the size of the guest list, as this also determines the venue – many venues have minimum guest


counts and some can only hold a certain number of people.”


in the Bahamas, you only need to be there 24 hours before, Thailand and the Seychelles stipulate three days, whereas in Spain you must have been a resident for two years. Planet Weddings’ Mathilde


Roberts adds: “We advise on how and when to obtain the legal documentation required to process the wedding and take the couple through any requirements. We’ll even send them reminders all the way up to the time the papers are issued, and deal with translations.” Destination wedding specialists also have knowledge of and connections to local suppliers – such as photographers, florists, musicians and cake makers, which can make the day run more smoothly and feel extra special. TW


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