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If you’re considering getting married abroad, you may be yet to decide on a destination. Do you go for a beach wedding in a tropical paradise? Or would a fairytale castle out in the wilderness be more your style?
There are so many exciting places to choose from for a destination wedding, but choosing the right one for you can be a daunting task when you’re not totally sure what it is you want.
With that in mind, we wanted to give you a helping hand and offer some insight into a handful of wedding destinations around the world. Each one, we feel, is bound to take your breath away and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Of course, these things are subjective and may not suit everyone's tastes, but we hope our list of top wedding destinations abroad proves useful when planning your big day.
If you’re the sort of person that loves the buzz of bright lights and big city excitement, then Vegas is the place to be. A destination synonymous with wild times and living life to the full, Las Vegas is the perfect wedding destination for those looking to inject a little (or a lot) of electricity into their big day.
Noted as the entertainment capital of the world, there are plenty of things to see and do in Las Vegas. If you’re not one for lounging on the beach or relaxing by the pool all day, then this might just be the destination for you.
There are however a few things to consider before booking a wedding in Las Vegas.
This can vary widely depending on your requirements. If you’re looking for a small, intimate affair with just a few guests, a Vegas wedding can cost as little as £100 for the ceremony. This of course is doing it “their” way, in a style that only Vegas knows how. Alternatively, there are a huge number of luxury establishments offering wedding packages that could run into tens of thousands of pounds.
You will also need to take into account the cost of travel and accommodation, which could be a lot depending on the time of year. The cheapest times to visit Vegas are March to May, and September to November. The city’s weather is also more temperate during these periods, meaning it won’t be such a shock to the system.
If there’s one thing that’s easy to do in Las Vegas, it’s spend money. Due to the fact there are so many things to see and do, both day and night, there's a good chance you’ll need a decent amount of money to experience them. So, if you’d like to partake in a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon or want to take in a show at Caesars Palace (to name a few), you’ll need to take the cost of these things into consideration.
When getting married in Vegas, there are only two pieces of documentation that you’ll need. First, you’ll need a marriage licence, which you apply for in person at the Marriage Bureau in Vegas. There is no wait period or residency needed for getting married, so there’s no need to make your trip any longer to accommodate this. Secondly, you’ll also need some photo I.D like a passport or driver's license. The good news is that a Las Vegas marriage is recognised in the UK, so there’s no need to worry about registering it when you return.
If you’re planning to take a number of guests with you, you may need to consider the viability of the costs involved for travel and accommodation. For some, it may not be something they’re able to afford, especially when a fairly substantial amount of spending money will also be required.
If the idea of getting married on crisp white sands with crystal clear waters lapping at your feet does it for you, then this Caribbean island paradise might be the one. The ultimate for sun, sea and sand, St Lucia is the perfect winter sun wedding destination for anyone looking for maximum rest and relaxation on their big day.
With the average wedding costing £15,000 in the UK, you might be surprised to hear that a wedding in St Lucia can cost as little as £2,000, depending on the number of guests and the wedding package you choose. Many resorts offer wedding packages as an option and often all aspects of the day are covered; such as the ceremony, wedding cake, and your accommodation. Some resorts may even offer a “free” wedding as part of their holiday packages.
That said, you may need to arrange the marriage licence yourself, which costs roughly £200 depending on when you apply for it. There is no wait period or residency required but you will need to contact the High Commission of St Lucia to find out what documentation is needed for your application, and any local marriage laws you’ll need to adhere to. It’s worth noting that applying for a marriage licence on the day can cost more than if you were to apply in advance.
It’s also likely that flights and transfers will need to be arranged separately to any wedding package booked.
Much like Las Vegas, a St Lucian marriage is legally recognised in the UK, so there’s no need to register it upon your return.
Again, the cost and logistics of visiting St Lucia may be out of reach for some of your intended guests, so you may need to consider this when planning.
Another thing worth bearing in mind is the weather. Despite the idyllic nature of the island, St Lucia has a fairly long rainy season, spanning from June to November. While temperatures remain high during this period (around 30 degrees celsius), you do run a higher risk of experiencing a downpour on your big day.
If you’d prefer snow over sun, sea and sand, then Iceland has it all. With live volcanoes, glacial waterfalls and not to mention the famed Blue Lagoon, Iceland is filled to the brim with a plethora of geological marvels. If the land of fire and ice is something that interests you, then Iceland should be at the top of your list of destinations to get married.
While the cost of travelling to Iceland can be quite cheap depending on the time of year, the majority of goods are imported, meaning the cost of living, accommodation and the price of wedding sundries such as flowers, food and drinks can be expensive. The wedding meal alone can cost on average £80 per head, so it’s easy for costs to start mounting up. If you’re on a budget, go small and no frills.
If you’d like to take in some extracurricular activities such as whale watching or helicopter tours, you’ll also need to take these costs into consideration.
The legalities of getting married in Iceland are slightly more complex than the previous destinations mentioned. Under Icelandic law, each district makes a decision on what documentation is needed, so you’ll need to contact the District Commissioner local to your wedding venue to find out what you need and any local marriage laws you’ll need to adhere to.
All documentation required to get married needs to be sent at least 3 weeks prior to the wedding. If either party is divorced, you’ll also need to send a divorce decree for confirmation. If either party is widowed, documentation detailing finalisation/division of the deceased estate will also need to be sent.
You may be asked to provide a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) which details your right to marry. This can be obtained from your local registry office and is valid for 2 months under Icelandic law. The cost for this is currently £35. You will also need to check with the District Commissioner whether they will accept the CNI in English; if not, an Icelandic version will need to be obtained from the British Embassy in Reykjavik.
You may also be asked to provide a “No Trace Letter”, which you can get from the General Registry Office in the UK. It’s worth noting that these can take up to 3 weeks to be issued, so leaving it to the last minute could jeopardise your application to marry.
Provided all terms and laws have been met in Iceland, you won’t need to register your wedding upon returning to the UK.
Due to the complexity of the legal process, using the services of a wedding planner could be your best option as they will usually ensure all these things are covered. This however does come at a price, so it’s worth checking out the costs involved before committing.
Steeped in history and a hub for Renaissance art and architecture, this Tuscan city is the epitome of romantic destinations. With stunning views everywhere you turn, it’s easy to get swept away by the sheer beauty of the place.
If visiting Michelangelo's David is something you’ve always wanted to do, or the idea of meandering down cobblestone streets with the Italian sun on your back sets your soul on fire, then Florence is definitely a wedding destination you should consider.
Nowadays, it’s fairly easy to spend between £10,000 and £25,000 on a wedding in Italy, the majority of which will be spent on the venue. And while it’s not a fit for everyone, typically Italian weddings are large, so if your guest list is expansive, there's a good chance wedding venues in Florence can accommodate you. That’s not to say a smaller, more intimate wedding isn’t an option. Minimising the number of guests will lower the cost, too.
Many hotels will offer half-board and full-board packages for accommodation, making budgeting easier. This will also help when putting the cost of the trip to your guests, who will also need to budget.
Generally, the weather in the Tuscan region of Italy is good all year round, however peak season (and ultimately the best weather) is between June and October. Arranging your wedding outside of these months will be most cost effective.
Much like Iceland, the legalities of getting married in Florence can be somewhat complex. That said, a wedding planner can help with this. You’ll need to contact the town hall local to your chosen wedding destination to find out what documentation you need. You’ll also need to provide a CNI and statutory declaration which should be given to the person performing the ceremony.
It’s also worth noting that under Italian law, a woman that’s divorced or widowed will need to wait for a minimum of 300 days before they’re able to remarry. Much like Iceland, documentation to prove a divorce or a deceased estate has been finalised will need to be provided.
Another thing to consider is that as a largely Roman Catholic country, most wedding ceremonies are religious and will take place in a chapel, with the wedding reception in a different location. Choosing the right location needs to be a priority if you plan to invite guests that may have mobility issues, or you want to minimise travelling around on your big day. That’s not to say civil, non-religious ceremonies aren’t available of course.
Bled, Slovenia
Not your typical overseas wedding location and there’s certainly nothing romantic about the name, but this Slovenian town that sits in the foothills of the Julian Alps is the ultimate fairytale wedding destination. Set along the pristine glacial waters of Lake Bled, the town is home to the 11th century Bled Castle. Imposing and mysterious, the castle is perched on a cliff overlooking the lake, and the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria. It’s a sight that will take your breath away.
The church sits atop a small island in the middle of the lake, complete with winding stone steps and a haunting bell tower, which is home to the lucky “wishing bell”. If reminiscing of childhood stories of dragons, princesses and the magic of medieval castles does it for you, then Bled may be your perfect wedding destination.
How much does it cost to get married in Slovenia?
While many factors can affect the cost of a wedding in Slovenia, because there isn’t much in the way of wedding tourism there, it still offers excellent value for money and on average, will cost less than a wedding in the UK.
One thing that needs to be taken into consideration in terms of cost is transport. The nearest airport is approximately 30 miles away, so there will be an element of travel involved for you and your guests.
Things to consider when getting married in Slovenia
There are a few legalities that need to be covered before you can marry in Slovenia.
You’ll first need to contact the relevant local authorities to find out what documentation you’ll need. Both you and your partner will also need to provide an “affirmation for marriage” to prove you’re able to marry. You’ll have to make an appointment to visit the British Embassy to complete an affirmation, and you’ll need to pay a fee to do this (local currency and in cash), the cost of which is roughly £50.
In addition to the affirmation, if you or your partner have been divorced, widowed or previously in a civil partnership, you’ll also need to provide a decree absolute, a civil partnership dissolution, an annulment certificate, or your (or your partner’s) former spouse or civil partner’s death certificate.
It’s important to know that both names on all documentation need to be exactly as they are on your passport. If they differ, your marriage could be refused.
It’s also worth noting that not all church weddings in Slovenia are legally binding unless preceded by a civil ceremony (either in Slovenia or the UK). If you decide to use a wedding planner, they should be able to arrange this.
In terms of weather, if you’d prefer to experience the lush greens of an alpine summer, then the best time to visit would be from June to September. If however, the idea of a crisp winter wedding is what you’re after, December to March brings with it an abundance of snow.
Complete your wedding day with our personalised chocolate wedding favours and our personalised wedding favour gift bags.