Guide to Getting Married Abroad
Many British couples dream of tying the knot in an exotic, far-flung destination - ideally one drenched in sunshine.
Popular places to get married abroad include the rolling hills of Tuscany, the beaches of the Seychelles - and even the wild rugged landscapes of Iceland.
In terms of marking the occasion in an unforgettable way, an overseas ceremony is arguably the pinnacle of matrimonial splendour - an occasion that will, quite probably, be reminisced over far longer than a UK-based ceremony.
What considerations need to be made when arrange to get married abroad?
As alluring as getting married abroad is, it does require some thought and planning - although in some ways it could be simpler than a domestic service.
Location, its distance from the UK, weather, legal requirements, wedding dresses, and finding a reputable wedding planner (if budget permits) are all things that demand consideration when organising a wedding abroad.
In this guide we'll look at these factors and others, so you have the best chance of having a wedding abroad that everyone will look back on fondly.
How much is it to get married abroad?
Overseas weddings are big business, so you have a multitude of destinations vying to hold your ceremony.
That's not to say it will break the bank - indeed, many destination weddings are considerably cheaper than the UK.
According to hitched.co.uk, the average cost of a British wedding stood at £17,300 in 2021, up 90% from 2020. But the average for 2022 is a huge £30,000+ by some estimates - another 73% increase.
It's easy to see why having a wedding abroad is such an attractive proposition.
Why choose to get married abroad?
Places like Aruba in the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic are more affordable than a UK ceremony - to the extent it may be half the cost.
Labour, accommodation, transport, and catering are all available for less.
Naturally, you have to factor in the additional cost of flights and accommodation for your guests - who would normally be expected to pay this themselves.
However, many will be delighted by the excuse to combine an overseas jaunt with such a special occasion. But in truth, an overseas wedding is more likely to result in a smaller gathering than in the UK.
Budget and costs
If you're on a tight budget, choose your destination wisely.
For instance, a beachside wedding in Cyprus or Italy offers similarly stunning backdrops - but Cyprus is notably cheaper than Italy.
Be wary when trying to keep costs down.
A good example is failing to provide enough food for guests - which could result in a rather ill-tempered gathering!
Attending guests will already have spent a lot of money, so make them feel as comfortable as possible.
You might suggest that wedding gifts are not necessary - making their attendance less costly overall.
Elopement: fun, cheap - and surprising
Eloping is when you do a moonlight flit and get hitched somewhere far from home.
For those with a spontaneous streak (or who are not so fond of certain relatives!) this could be an attractive option.
What's more, it could be one of the cheapest ways to cement your union.
Popular eloping destinations include Gretna Green in Scotland; or, if you get married abroad, Las Vegas, USA; Hawaii and Florida.
Naturally, the Scottish option is as cheap as it is classic. The weather, however, may be less appealing.
Where to have your dream wedding abroad?
Once you’ve set your heart on a wedding abroad, you'll need to choose a location!
However, truthfully, many couples will have been wowed by Instagram photos of their friends' weddings - featuring happy couples tying the knot on white sandy beaches and other exotic settings.
Philippines - El Nido
Beach weddings are of course among the most popular options.
Pangulasian Island of El Nido in the Philippines is a prime example, voted the world's most beautiful island.
Fusing eco-luxury accommodation set against a tropical rainforest, not to mention gas-blue waters teeming with colourful fish and turtles, it's easy to see why it's on many-a-couple's short list.
Choose from intimate ceremonies on the resort's beach, their secluded cove, or their garden chapel.
Once you've exchanged vows, a sunset cruise will complete an unforgettable day.
Sicily - Belmond Sant’Andrea, Taormina
Closer to home, Sicily is another top destination for weddings abroad – particularly Belmond Sant’Andrea, Taormina.
Located by the dazzling azure waters of Mazzaro Bay, the romantic Villa Sant’Andrea hotel ensures the wedding party is blessed with unforgettable comfort.
Your Italian fairytale wedding is made even more special by a seafood banquet, specialty Italian wines, and local musicians - accompanying the first - and last - matrimonial dance as the sun goes down.
Church services can be booked for those who prefer a more traditional ceremony, followed by an opulent beach party.
Fiji – Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Malolo Island
Boasting its own natural lagoon, Likuliku Lagoon Resort allows couples to take their vows on an overwater bure, with the dazzling reef below them.
Other options are available too - including simple Fijian services and bigger gatherings with Fijian warriors escorting you down the aisle, accompanied by a full choir!
The hotel is happy to manage the legal aspects of the wedding too, allowing you to enjoy every moment of the day.
Choosing a destination closer to home
Sicily - just three hours from the UK by air - is a great example of a location your relatives and friends will find it easier (and cheaper) to reach, a number of other fabulous locations are a short hop away and could be ideal for weddings abroad.
These include 18th-century French châteaux, the sun-blessed beaches of Ibiza, and grand hotels in the snow-shrouded Swiss Alps. Iceland, too, is an increasingly popular offbeat wedding destination - with its hot springs, waterfalls and otherworldly mountain-scapes.
If you want more people to attend - including perhaps those with less surplus cash - then a closer-to-home ceremony is a good bet.
Weather
Sunshine will be a key factor in many couples' ceremonies, but some will be just as happy surrounded by snowy conditions - a la the Alps, or the cooler climate of places like Iceland.
If you choose a sunnier climate, research the weather patterns - since you don't want to book a wedding in or near the rainy or dry seasons of otherwise hot, sunny destinations.
For example, in Southeast Asia - including places like Thailand, Philippines and parts of Indonesia - has its rainy season from May/June to late September/October.
Booking a wedding in these periods may be a lot cheaper, but there's a chance it could get washed out!
If you want particular elderly or infirm relatives to attend, consider how the temperature could affect them. For example, Southeast Asia is cooler in December.
Legal requirements for getting married abroad
Countries have different legal requirements as regards wedding ceremonies. For example, in Greece you must post a notification in a local newspaper before tying the knot, while in France you must have been resident for at least 40 days before the ceremony.
Italy demands a raft of paperwork, while in Mexico a pre-wedding blood test is required.
But wedding planners and resorts can help you overcome these minor legal hurdles.
An easier option is to take your vows in a UK registry office as part of a small gathering, before getting married abroad. You don’t even need to tell the congregation - they will believe it’s the real deal!
Wedding dress
Many girls dream of wearing a big flouncy dress at their wedding, but in warmer climates this could prove a mistake.
A light, elegant dress is often preferable for the likes of beach weddings - allowing you to stay cool and comfortable while in the sun's embrace.
Similarly simple-but-chic dresses are recommended for the bridesmaids, too.
Groom's attire
Equally, a light-coloured suit is ideal for the groom in hotter weather. Indeed, the jacket may be dispensed with altogether - so focusing on an elegant, breathable shirt is a good option.
Do you need a wedding planner?
An experienced wedding planner will know how to ensure your hitch-up goes off without a hitch.
They'll be able to handle the legal paperwork, venue, seating arrangements, flowers, music, transport and accommodation - to name a handful of aspects.
However, a good wedding planner doesn’t come cheap. The fee could range from a few hundred pounds to more than £5,000 - depending on the destination and complexity.
Costs could be at the higher end if a wedding planner needs to fly out to the venue location (particularly if it's far from the UK).
If you have a limited budget and want a modest affair, you may decide to ditch the wedding planner and do it yourself. Better yet, you could enlist a trusted friend or relative to do it for you.
Hiring a wedding planner would certainly be less stressful - but the money you would save could be used for an extended honeymoon or even put towards a house deposit.
Additionally, with services like Zoom, you can get a real-time feed of your proposed destination - so you may not need to visit in-person. Resort and venue websites/YouTube channels may also provide videos of the venue and local area.
Items to factor in when getting married abroad
- Venue
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Catering/drinks
- Wedding cake
- Minister/officiant
- Flowers
- Seating/table hire/trestle - if on a beach
- Lighting
- Wedding dress/groom's attire/bridesmaids dress
- Music and sound systems (band hire/DJ etc)
- Photographer
- Wedding insurance
- Travel insurance
Note that the venue hire and catering typically consume 50% of your budget - so be sure to negotiate hard on these costs.
You should also aim to book your venue early to ensure you have your dream wedding.
You may be able to save money if you're flexible with your dates.
Wedding photographer
Wedding photographers are hardly thin on the ground - whether you get hitched in Bali or the Seychelles.
A local provider will certainly be cheaper, but if you have a UK wedding photographer in mind, they will probably be happy to make the trip overseas.
While they may charge the same for the photography, you'll need to factor in flights, food and accommodation.
Many wedding photographers are used to being asked to work abroad.
How much does a wedding photographer cost?
As a general rule, wedding photographers charge £150 per hour.
Be sure to get a detailed quote before you accept a provider's services.
The total is likely to be between £1,600 and £2,000 - plus flights, food and accommodation.
Wedding cover abroad
Although rare, things can go wrong at weddings.
For larger events, wedding cover abroad, in addition to your regular travel insurance is highly recommended. But for a smaller gathering, it may not be required, even if you’re getting married abroad.
Things covered by wedding cover are likely to include:
- The wedding venue closing, going out of business, or cancelling your booking
- Cancellation due to a death among the bridal party or close family (but they must not have been ill when the cover was taken out)
- Cancellation due to extreme weather
- Supplier no-show or damaged goods
- Lost, stolen or damaged items
- Wedding photographer or video faults - this is likely to cover the cost of clothes rehire and re-shoots if the original images/video get deleted or corrupted.
Is travel insurance needed, too for a wedding abroad?
Yes, you and your party will still need travel insurance to cover things like cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost/stolen belongings.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) urges all travellers to take out comprehensive travel insurance before departing the UK.
Travel insurance will offer particular peace of mind if the wedding takes place far from home, since the cost of things like flights and medical care will be considerably higher.
If the wedding is in the EU, you should also ensure everyone has a GHIC (Global health Insurance) card - ensuring access to state healthcare without cost. The GHIC card has been phased in to replace the EHIC card, which was used when the UK was an EU member. The new card functions in much the same way.
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