Brides abroad 9 summer 2013

BRIDES ABROAD 294 venues to tie-the-knot

WEDDING & HONEYMOON INSPIRATION

from exciting Orlando & exotic Morocco to castles in Southern Ireland

Beach Brides

floaty gowns, glitzy sandals, cool shades, floral accessories

HONEYMOONS TO

FLOAT YOUR BOAT n cruise ships n flotilla sailing n river boats n yacht charter

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special n barefoot beach weddings n romantic honeymoons n mystical Mayan Riviera n sun-drenched Cancun

Safari

adventures

honeymoons in Tanzania

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Majorca, Tenerife, Cyprus, Maldives, Sri Lanka and more www.BridesAbroad.tv

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Summer 2013

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Welcome

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Mauritian dream wedding For idyllic weddings and honeymoons the Maritim Hotel Mauritius ticks all the boxes. It’s a luxurious five-star beach resort & spa, nestling on the sheltered north-west coast of Mauritius and blends tropical and colonial architecture to provide a stunning backdrop to any wedding album. The Maritim Mauritius is situated within a historical private estate overlooking a long, natural sandy beach and Turtle Bay, a protected marine park.

It offers an exclusive array of facilities combined with the highest standards of service. The dedicated and genuinely friendly nature of the hotel’s staff coupled with award-winning cuisine and the romantic beachfront location makes this a perfect wedding venue. The hotel’s team of experienced wedding specialists take great pride in organising weddings that dreams are made of. www.maritim.mu

BRIDES ABROADNEWS Be inspired, informed and amazed by the latest news on overseas weddings & honeymoons

Boot camp for brides

Brides-to-be and their hens can tone up, tan up, get fit and release pre-wedding stress at a sunshine boot camp in the Caribbean. The all-inclusive Jolly Beach Resort and Spa in Antigua is offering a five-day intensive boot camp that promises to shape you up in time for your wedding.

The resort has partnered with Antigua’s ‘Insane Boot Camp’ to offer an extreme workout for guests that includes grueling 5am starts and ex-military instructors who challenge boot campers to push their mental and physical limits. It also introduces Socarobics – a dynamic blend of basic exercise movements mixed with the hottest Soca music from the Caribbean for the ultimate fullbody cardio workout. The next bootcamp is August 2–8th followed by a further camp between November 15-19th. Jolly Beach Resort and Spa also specialize in weddings, offering exceptional packages for the couple and their guests. www.jollybeachresort.com 8 www.BridesAbroad.tv

French wedding workshops If you are planning on getting married in France, help is at hand. Now you can attend a French Wedding Workshop in London to help prepare for your big day. The workshops have been created

by French wedding planners and wedding experts, Et Voila, who, in response to enquiries about the cost and practicalities, have launched regular get together events enabling couples to ask expert advice on all aspects of getting married in France. During the two-hour event, couples will learn the basics of planning a wedding in France and approximate costs, to help them create an accurate budget! The workshops will be organised once a month in a central London venue. For more information: annelaure@etvoila-weddings.com

The gift of music If you are looking for a very personalised wedding gift for your loved one, then give the gift of beautiful music. A Romsey-based company, Aldridge Thomas, provides bespoke wedding composers who specialise in creating original music exclusively as a gift for your groom or bride.

The company’s founder, Olivia Aldridge Thomas, a professional composer for ballet, theatre and screen, created this unique service to offer a piece of commissioned music, written in any musical style and for any instrument combinations, as a wedding gift. Commissions begin at £5,000 for a bespoke piece of music, live recording and framed manuscript and CD and a premium package is available for couples with deeper pockets, for around £25,000, which includes a bespoke keepsake box, larger orchestra and music played live at your wedding. www.aldridgethomas.co.uk.

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Jamaican honeymoon to remember Couples can create lasting memories with the new Honeymoon to Remember package from Half Moon, the luxury resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Created with lovers in mind, Half Moon’s Honeymoon to Remember includes a soothing couple’s massage in an over-water bungalow with uninterrupted views of the Caribbean. Half Moon is a honeymoon paradise nestled in 400 acres, and with two miles of white sand beaches, couples will have no problem finding a stretch of beach to themselves.

Other romantic options include swimming with dolphins, horse riding on the beach or dining under the stars. The Honeymoon to Remember package includes a bottle of Champagne on arrival, accommodation, all meals and drinks at the resort’s six restaurants and eight bars and round trip transfers from Montego Bay airport. www.halfmoon.rockresorts.com

Explore the Galapagos Islands If you are looking for a honeymoon with a difference, head to the stunning Galapagos Islands to see the magnificent wildlife that can only be found on this incredible archipelago. The Galapagos Islands, situated 620 miles off the coast of Equador, has seen Luxury Tourism double after they recently featured in David Attenborough’s 3D TV series on the Galapogos Islands.

The programme showcased spectacular species, such as pink iguana and the blue footed booby. The newly renovated 5* Royal Palm Hotel, on the Galapagos Island of Santa Cruz, provides itineraries and geological excursions, with tailored packages to create bespoke holidays and honeymoons – these can include candlelit cocktails in lava tunnels, spa and chill out treatments, chartering a plane or yacht to explore the islands, adventure activities and volunteer programmes.

Accommodation at The Royal Palm includes luxurious suites and villas located individually within the grounds.

Why not push the boat out and honeymoon like a royal by booking the Prince of Wales Suite? It’s where HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall stayed! www.royalpalmgalapagos.com 10 www.BridesAbroad.tv

COUPLES BARBADOS

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Kayaking honeymoons Adventure-loving couples can explore the magnificent island of St Lucia by kayak during their Caribbean honeymoon.

The luxurious Caribbean retreat, Anse Chastanet, overlooks St Lucia’s two famous Pitons and a magnificent beach and has introduced five new kayaking tours for guests who don’t want to simply relax on a sun lounger. The kayaking tours embrace St Lucia’s beautiful, rugged, natural coastline and crystal clear waters and take guests of all levels of skill and experience to explore some of the most stunning scenery in the Caribbean. A professional guide will carve out a custom-made adventure for each guest and give expert instruction before taking to the water. Tours include Kayaking the Coast of Soufriere Bay with amazing views of the Pitons and the famed bat cave and Hummingbird Beach; Fishing Villages & Beach Picnic stopping off at a deserted beach for a picnic lunch and a swim; Sunset Kayak Tour offering the chance to enjoy a Caribbean sunset out on the sea. www.ansechastanet.com

Sophistication comes to Vegas While couples enjoy a wealth of ways to say ‘I do” in Las Vegas, from simple civil ceremonies and elegant services to themed extravaganzas, there have been few venues available offering cuttingedge sophistication. Now, with the opening of the Wedding Chapel at ARIA Resort & Casino, brides and grooms are provided with a level of contemporary luxury previously unparalleled on the Las Vegas Strip. The Wedding Chapel at ARIA combines sleek, modern lines with soft, lavish décor and natural light, giving it a high-end residential feel with cool penthouse chic. The bridal party will benefit from a dedicated ladies’ dressing lounge with an extravagant vanity area, while the groom’s private game lounge features its own pool table and wet bar – what better way to help with last minute jitters and keep the groom out of trouble? The Wedding Chapel at ARIA offers a variety of wedding packages, whether couples are seeking a quick trip down the aisle or wish to take advantage of all of the superb amenities ARIA has to offer. www.arialasvegas.com/weddings

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Brides Abroad Kenwood Travel 2013.pdf 1 20/03/2013 15:36:33

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Emeralds in the Maldives If you would love to spend your honeymoon in the Maldives, but are worried about hidden costs, then Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort offers the perfect solution. The all-inclusive resort has launched the brand-new Emerald Package, tailor-made especially for couples, worth £860 per person of added extras including fine dining, with unlimited beer, house wine and spirits, excursions, watersports and spa treatments. The Emerald package includes everything from sunset cruises to an in-villa breakfast in bed, and access to the luxurious Sun Spa with one spa treatment each and unlimited use of the facilities. www.olhuvelimaldives.com.

It’s all about the journey…

It’s easy enough to step on a plane and be whisked to a far-flung destination, but those with a spirit of adventure should try a method of transport that is a romantic and nostalgic alternative – and is a holiday in itself.

Norwich-based speciality travel company, Holidays By Rail, has added an exciting rail-sea package to its collection of train holidays. The new Queen Mary to America, Coast to Coast By Rail-Sail Adventure package, is a luxurious leisurely cruise and train holiday that recalls a bygone era of travel and combines an elegant transatlantic crossing with a comprehensive cross-USA train trip. The package is a 21-day holiday and is a perfect choice for honeymooners. Beginning in Southampton, travellers board Cunard’s luxurious Queen Mary 2 ocean liner for the transatlantic crossing to New York, the starting point of a cross-country rail adventure which takes you to Washington DC, Chicago, the Grand Canyon, and Los Angeles. Prices from just £2567 land-only, per person. www.holidaysbyrail.com.

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At the top of the Caribbean, there are 16 beautiful main islands, plus countless tranquil inlets and cays, where it’s easy to find the perfect place for an unforgettable wedding, honeymoon or romantic holiday. From luxury resorts for lavish receptions to boutique hotels by laid-back pink sand beaches, you’ll fall in love with The Islands of The Bahamas.

Enjoy seven nights and only pay for six at the 4-star Sheraton Nassau Beach resort from £1,219pp. To book, simply visit ba.com/bahamas or call 0844 493 0758.

bahamas.co.uk *Prices from £1,219 per person, based on two adults sharing a room and for travel between August 12th and December 3rd, 2013. Price includes return British Airways flights, room only accommodation, complimentary room upgrade subject to availability and $200 food and beverage credit per booking. Holiday package is subject to availability, includes all taxes and is ATOL protected. Price correct in accordance of date going into press.

Barbados welcomes couples Barbados is celebrating the opening of a stunning new hotel, which is perfect for weddings and honeymoons on one of the Caribbean’s most popular islands.

The new Couples Barbados resort has become Barbados’s first and only all-inclusive resort for couples.

Following a £2 million refurbishment, the resort now offers all-inclusive luxury including 24-hour dining, a new pool, jacuzzi, spa, salon, gym as well as new décor in all rooms and public areas. Price includes transfers, free golf, free glass bottom boat ride, swimming with the turtles, free diving and water sports, Internet café, gourmet dining options, piano bar, sports bar and lounge.

Couples currently operate four popular couples-only hotel resorts in Jamaica. The new resort in Barbados is the first Couples resort outside Jamaica. For full details of all the special savers from Couples go to their website at: www.couplesresorts.co.uk/ specials/barbados/

Perfectly groomed The perfect answer for brides who need help picking a wedding gift for their groom – book him a makeover at The Men’s Grooming Vault, a men’s grooming salon located in a private room at celebrity hair stylist Nicky Clarke’s flagship hair salon in Carlos Place, London. It’s a sanctuary where men can enjoy the ultimate trappings of self-indulgence, either to tidy up for the big day or relax ahead of it. The men’s salon offers luxury treatments ranging from personalised haircuts to facials, hot and cold towel shaves, manicure/pedicures and colour techniques specifically formulated for men’s hair.

There is a choice of music, movies and sports TV channels to watch and even a luxury bar in the room. Treatment prices range between £40 for a hot towel facial through to £200 for the Ultimate Men’s Grooming Gift Experience. www.nickyclarke.com

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Tenerife The sunshine island

The beautiful Canary Island of Tenerife is proof that you don’t need to go to the other side of the world to find an idyllic wedding island with year-round warm sunshine.

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The Canary Islands are known as ‘Islands of the Blessed’ and you are sure to feel truly blessed if you choose Tenerife for your destination wedding blessing!

Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands, appealing to everyone – from families on fun vacations to loving couples looking for a romantic escape, and its perfect for both weddings and blissful honeymoons, offering a wonderful climate throughout the year.

Imagine saying “I do” under the warm sunshine of this paradise island – and with the tax free prices in Spain, your special day could work out to be considerably less expensive than you have budgeted for.

The island is equally popular with honeymooners – a holiday spent in Tenerife brings an opportunity to discover incredible landscapes on an island scored through with ravines, spectacular cliffs, extensive woodlands, remarkable rock formations, hidden bays and lively beaches. You can go shopping in Santa Cruz, the capital, visit a museum, play golf or party until dawn – there’s plenty of vibrant nightlife. Alternatively, set sail on a whale watching excursion, participate in water sports or simply relax in a spa, on the beach or by the pool – all this against a backdrop dominated by a majestic volcano,Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain.

Weddings in Tenerife The world is your oyster if you tie the knot in Tenerife – there are so many idyllic venues and styles of wedding on offer, from gazebos, church and beach weddings to the more adventurous mountain ceremonies and wedding aboard a yacht – the possibilities are endless!

Tenerife is within easy reach from most parts of the UK – it’s just a four-hour flight away from most UK airports. Another advantage of a wedding so close to home is that it is likely to be more affordable for your family and friends to attend and, being a familyfriendly island, children are well catered for. With so many attractions and activities available on the island, your wedding guests will be well entertained during their stay on the island.

Wedding planners If you decide to marry in Tenerife, the best advice is to use the services of a good wedding planner to take the stress away from you on your big day. Don’t worry about the legal requirements, or where to start – let the wedding planner take care of everything on your behalf.

Tenerife Weddings are wedding co-ordinators that can help you plan and organise your wedding. They can show you examples and recommendations from previous weddings they have arranged and can book everything for you – from the venue and accommodation to the details, including Toastmaster, wedding celebrant, decorations, flowers, cake, photographer, hair & make-up and entertainment. The Tenerife wedding

planner will also be in attendance on your big day to overlook and ensure that everything goes without a hitch.

Debbietenerifeweddings@gmail.com, www.tenerifeweddings.co.uk

Church Ceremonies

the same as a traditional wedding ceremony, and your guests do not need to know any different. All ceremonies include the signing of a register (nonlegally binding) and the bride and groom will receive a certificate stating the date and place of their wedding in Tenerife.

Most ceremonies held in Tenerife are not legally binding. To avoid lengthy paperwork you are recommended to hold a Civil Wedding service in your home country before your beautiful wedding blessing in Tenerife in front of all your friends and family. Your marriage certificate is the only official document the celebrant would need to see prior to the ceremony. Although you would, technically, already be legally married, a wedding blessing can be very emotional and beautiful, it looks and feels exactly

Alternatively, if you prefer a Legal Ceremony it is possible, however, the paperwork can be quite lengthy to process. You would need to allow at least six months and would need to visit the island of Tenerife at least twice for this to take place. An initial visit would be a good opportunity to view your wedding venue. The process of the paperwork could commence whilst you are on the island. For further details contact: www.tenerife-information-centre.com www.BridesAbroad.tv 19

Tenerife’s Gorgeous Venues

Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey

Adrian Jardines de Nivaria

You can have a truly glamorous wedding in Tenerife if you choose to marry at the five-star Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey in the island’s capital, the port of Santa Cruz. The hotel was opened in the 1950’s and quickly gained a following of rich, sophisticated and famous guests when it became renowned for its excellent service and facilities. Today the hotel still offers unparalleled service and is an idyllic venue for weddings with superb dining options, beautiful rooms and romantic gardens providing beautiful spaces for you and your wedding party.

The five-star Jardines de Nivaria hotel is considered one of the most luxurious in the south of Tenerife, enjoying a prime location on the seafront in the exclusive Playa de Fañabé area, Costa Adeje. The architecture, excellent service and personalised attention are what make this award-winning hotel stand out. Jardines de Nivaria has facilities for golfers and spa lovers and is a perfect oasis for holding your wedding reception, offering spaces and function rooms, both indoors and outdoors to cater for all types of weddings – from intimate gatherings to weddings with up to 300 guests.

Book it!

Book it!

www.iberostar.com

Sheraton La Caleta Resort & Spa Situated in one of the most beautiful locations in Tenerife, facing the Atlantic Ocean, just 200m from the sandy beach, the five-star Sheraton La Caleta is an ideal wedding venue, offering everything for bride and groom, from pre-wedding treatments in the hotel’s Spa Eutonos to outdoor banquets and blissful honeymoon packages.

The Caney room, located in the garden is the perfect place to say “I do”, its glass doors can open widely so that the ocean breeze can fill the room. The hotel’s Wedding Package includes a menu tasting for four guests, and one or two nights upgrade to a suite for bride and groom, depending on number of guests.

Book it!

www.sheraton.com/lacoleta

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www.adrianhotels.com

RealWEDDINGS

Love in the

Canaries

Ben and Joanna’s traditional church ceremony in Tenerife

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hen Ben Gudzelak popped the question to his girlfriend Joanna Appleton, he chose a super-cool snowy location in the French Alps. However, on their wedding day, the couple, who live in London, decided to turn up the heat and exchanged their vows on the sunny Canary Island of Tenerife, aptly theming their wedding ‘the brightness of summer’.

Finding ‘the one’ Ben and I flat shared together in Wandsworth Common seven years ago. It wasn’t quite love at first sight, but it didn’t take long!

The proposal Ben proposed in Val d’isere – he even bought the ring there! It was totally unexpected – he had been snowboarding for days with a bottle of Champagne hidden, waiting for the sun to come out on the slopes. Then on the last day of the holiday the sun finally appeared and he stopped me on a tree run and got down on one knee.

Location, location We decided to get married abroad as we thought it would not only be good weather, but it would also be a nice holiday for everyone. My dad bought a place in Los Gigantes in Tenerife 12-years ago, so we knew the area very well. After we got engaged we went out to visit my dad and knew it would be the best place to get all our family and friends together and have an exclusive wedding.

Planning We did all the planning and made the travel arrangements ourselves, taking lots of inspiration from wedding magazines.

We went to Tenerife a year in advance to decide on all the big things, i.e. church, reception etc. We then went out a week before our wedding to organise the smaller details such as flowers and table arrangements. We booked the band for our entertainment over the Internet.

The guests We had 85 guests, who stayed in various locations close to the wedding venue,

ranging from a 5-star hotels to self catering apartments. We gave various options depending on people’s budget. Most people accepted their invitations and made a holiday of it. We had guests from as far away as Australia and New Zealand!

Getting the look My wedding dress was made by Benjamin Roberts Enzoani and called Dorothea.

It was a fishtail style dress in white. The headpiece and jewellery was from Gillian Million in Twickenham and was vintage. A local hairdresser in Tenerife styled my hair for my wedding.

Something old, something new…

Old was a ring, new was the dress, borrowed was my garter and blue was the blue garter.

Groom & bridesmaids Ben wore a tailored grey three-piece suit, white shirt and bright purple tie.

The bridesmaids all wore different bright colours.

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The details The wedding didn’t have a one colour theme and was about the ‘brightness of summer’. We wanted it to be very relaxed and represent sunshine and summer, using hand fans on the table as place holders. Our flower decorations included geraniums for the church, orchids for the table centrepieces and white roses for the bouquets. Our wedding cake was a delicious cream cake with fresh strawberries, which was made by the local caterer.

The ceremony Our 30-minute wedding ceremony took place in La Iglesia Del Espiritu Santo church in the village square of Los Gigantes. My father gave me away and the service was lovely – conducted by Father Michael Harding.

The reception After the service we made our way to the reception, which was held in Restaurant Azafran in Puerto Santiago overlooking the sea and cliffs of Los Gigantes. Our wedding spread was very much tapas style and included: Pedron peppers, Manchego cheese, a selection of cold meats followed by various grilled meats, Canarian potatoes, salmon with sweetheart lettuce - followed by sticky toffee pudding! We all kept cool using the white hand fans, which we had been using as place holders – their purpose was partly for table decoration, and partly for practicality! For our First dance, we chose One by U2. We had a band called Korsak playing before dinner as the guests arrived at the reception venue. They played cover songs as well as some of their own music and turned out to be excellent, we thoroughly recommend them! We then had a DJ for dancing the night away after the meal. www.BridesAbroad.tv 25

RealWEDDINGS

Photographic memories Csaba Varga and his wife took our wedding photos. The pictures were beautiful and there were far too many favourites to choose just one including great shots taken during the ceremony, then after the service we spent some private time away from the guests at the Gran Melia, where we were staying, to have some intimate and artistic photos taken. We didn’t want just standard portrait photos of the day. Csaba did a great job of capturing the atmosphere of of our wedding through his lens.

Magic moments My best memory was seeing how proud and happy my family were. The funniest memory was the speeches, in particular my then 6-year-old nephew who was hilarious.

We had lanterns that we let off later on and one of them blew into a tree instantly setting it alight! We had to throw water over it. We won’t forget that in a hurry!

On budget?

The whole wedding cost around £14k, which was on budget-ish!!!

The honeymoon We stayed for three extra nights after the wedding until all our guests had left, and then went to La Gomera and stayed at the Hotel Tecina for a further three nights. We had our main honeymoon in the Florida Keys six months later.

Further information Venue: Los Gigantes, Tenerife Photographer: Csaba Varga Wedding and Honeymoon Photography on the Canary Islands: www. weddingphotographertenerife.com 26 www.BridesAbroad.tv

The new ‘esprit’ label from Sassi Holford Designed and handmade in England

i ass S So Zara

www.sosassi.so

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www.BridesAbroad.tv 35 Picture courtesy of Andreas Holm. www.boutiquesouk.com

Picture courtesy of Riad Elizabeth. www.riadelizabeth.com

Picture courtesy of Riad Elizabeth. www.riadelizabeth.com

Picture courtesy of Riad Elizabeth. www.riadelizabeth.com

RealWEDDINGS

Married in

Marrakech

Paul and Rachel’s ceremony in a romantic riad 36 www.BridesAbroad.tv

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hen Paul Tombs from Southampton started his new job at Global Bank, he never imagined that he would also meet his Miss Right on the same day. Nine years later, Paul and his new bride Rachel Peace tied the knot in a beautiful riad in mystical Marrakech with their delightful twins in tow.

Finding ‘the one’ We met at work over nine years ago in July 2003 – it was Paul’s first day in a new job and also his 24th birthday. It was love at first sight for Paul but I think that it was lust for me!

The proposal Paul proposed during a holiday together in the wine region of Ribero del Duero in northern Spain after a day of wine tasting.

He went down on one knee in broken Spanish at a local restaurant after dinner.

It was very unexpected as was exactly six years after we first met – we were there to celebrate Paul’s birthday. He had kept the very beautiful diamond ring, and its rather large box, totally concealed in his sock!

Location location We always wanted to get married abroad and do something a little bit different. We went to Marrakech on our very first holiday together and fell in love with the medina, returning three more times on holiday. It was the perfect place to have our wedding and also a great opportunity to give our friends a glimpse of the beautiful old city.

We had stayed at Riad Elizabeth in 2010 and really enjoyed our stay, the Riad is beautiful and the perfect size for our wedding party. Meeting the riad’s owners, John and Elizabeth Gilbey, for the first time reassured us that they would do a great job and we saw some pictures of weddings that they had previously hosted there.

The planning We had very strong ideas of what we wanted and John and Elizabeth helped them to become a reality. As seasoned travellers we booked everything ourselves and planned it all before we went, with what seemed like a million emails being exchanged between us and Elizabeth before we arrived for the wedding. We knew what we wanted for our wedding meal and during the ceremony. We also had our 19-month-old twins with us so we had to ensure their needs were catered for too.

The guests We took 32 guests with us – most of them stayed at Riad Elizabeth and Riad 5 Sens with a few stragglers staying in various other riads close by. Virtually all our invited guests came to the wedding with the exception of a handful of people who couldn’t make it due to childcare issues.

Getting the look Our theme was very simple, using the great Moroccan look and feel of the Riad and using red roses throughout. My wedding dress was from a shop in Southampton called Shay Harris. I wanted a vintage feel dress that would be light and easy to travel with. It was a beautiful long dress made with silk and lace with an odd bit of sparkle to catch the Moroccan candlelight. Our daughter Emilia also had a dress made from the same fabric. I wore a pair of Gina shoes, which were a Christmas present from Paul with a vintage inspired hair slide pulling my hair to one side. My best friend Tracy did my hair, which we practised before leaving for Marrakech. I spent a small fortune in Bobbi Brown cosmetics before I travelled to Marrakech and did my own make up. www.BridesAbroad.tv 37 ??

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RealWEDDINGS

Something old, something new…

I borrowed pearls from Mum, which weren’t worn but I had them with me. Old was a six pence which I wore in my shoe. Blue was a blue Agent Provocateur garter and new was my dress.

Groom & bridesmaids Paul wore a blue Paul Smith London suit and a Vivienne Westwood shirt. Emilia, our daughter, wore a dress made from the fabric of my wedding dress and Sebastian her twin brother wore a suit to match his Daddy.

The details Roses are everywhere in Marrakech and we wanted to utilise this, we chose red ones for decoration around the riad and for my

flowers, they symbolise love after all! We didn’t have a wedding cake.

The ceremony The ceremony took place on the rooftop of Riad Elizabeth, which was styled beautifully and we also benefited from gorgeous sunshine. The ceremony lasted approximately 20 minutes and included three readings from Tracy, James and Paul’s Sister Anna. Elizabeth’s husband John Gilbey performed the ceremony, and Paul’s dad Steve gave me away.

Customs and traditions Most of the girls had Henna tattoos the day before the wedding. I had a traditional Berber wedding henna on my hand and we also had men with lanterns walking us to and from Le Foundouk, the restaurant where we ate our wedding breakfast.

The reception After the ceremony we had canapes, Champagne and speeches on the roof terrace of Riad Elizabeth, followed by dinner on the roof terrace of restaurant Le Foundouk. The menu included Pastilla & Moroccan Salads to start, Lamb Tagine and Couscous for main course and dessert was the chef’s pastilla (hot chocolate filled sweet pastry) followed by mint tea/coffee.

We decided not to intervene in the table setting at Le Foundouk, the Moroccans know best and the table was beautifully lit by candlelight and looked very romantic.

As table favours we gave traditional glass pots, filled with roses for the girls and spices for the boys. The children had traditional Baboush shoes, yellow for the boys and red for the girls. We had an after party back at Riad Elizabeth after dinner where there was plenty to drink and music on the terrace. www.BridesAbroad.tv 39

RealWEDDINGS

Photograpic memories Our friend Robyn came to Marrakech and took our wedding photos. Robyn was perfect, ordering everyone into place and capturing some really special moments. My favourite photos were taken in the street and doorways in the medina. They really show a fantastic contract and an exceptional background for any photo.

Magic moments Paul totally surprised me by producing a bottle of red wine from Ribero del Duero during his speech. He had bought it at a vineyard during wine tasting on the morning of the day that we got engaged, knowing, before he asked me to marry him, that he was going to drink it with me on our wedding day. This was all kept incredibly secret for the past three years and the bottle was stored at Paul’s dad’s house under strict temperature control.

Stealing the limelight!

Our daughter Emilia completely stole the show during the speeches by standing up and walking for the first time with everyone cheering her on and ignoring the speaker.

Just to top that Sebastian, who had just learned to walk, walked from the other side of the rooftop to cuddle her. Priceless moment.

On budget?

With everything added together, including the honeymoon, it cost around £12,000, which was right on budget.

The honeymoon We stayed in Marrakech after our wedding, but left the hustle and bustle of the old city and went to an exclusive house called Dar Zemora to relax for five days. Paul’s parents took the twins home with them.

Further information Wedding Planner: Elizabeth Marchbank-Gilbey and John Gilbey 00212 641229935 00212 673638678 Venue: Riad Elizabeth Derb el Baroud 33 Hart Soura Marrakech www.riadelizabeth.com riad-elizabeth@hotmail.com 40 www.BridesAbroad.tv

Mexican Dream Weddings

Marry in Mexico and fulfil your dreams of exchanging vows in glorious sunshine with a truly spectacular beach backdrop

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With its stunning beaches, superb climate, natural beauty, archaeological sites and ‘chilled’ vibe, it’s hardly surprising that Mexico is a favourite long-haul destination for couples seeking the ultimate beach wedding.

Mexico offers a charming blend of colour, energy and history.

Spectacular temples, colonial churches and mystic pyramids are a reminder of the past civilisations that flourished here over 2000 years ago. Although Mexico is part of the North American continent, its tradition and relaxed ambience belongs more to Central and South America. If you choose to marry in this beautiful country you and your wedding party will not be disappointed with the unique experience

that awaits. The country is rich in tradition and culture. Spend blissful days taking part in a host of outdoor activities or browse museums and shops for souvenirs and local handicrafts, discover regional traditions and spectacular scenery and dine on varied and colourful cuisine prepared with local ingredients. All this and more makes Mexico an ideal destination for romantic holidays, weddings and dream honeymoons.

Cancun One of Mexico’s top beach destinations is the city of Cancun, which is set amid great natural beauty, offering white sandy beaches along a turquoise stretch of ocean with pristine coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life.

Cancun boasts a perfect yearround climate and abundance of shopping, entertainment, sports and at night the fun continues in nightclubs, restaurants and theatres. The resort offers visitors a wide range of luxurious hotels to suit all tastes, which can accommodate destination weddings and romantic honeymoons as well as providing a delightful base from which to discover the regions marvels.

Riviera Maya A Mayan Riviera honeymoon is perfect for those wishing to get closer to nature. Set in the Yucatan Peninsula, it lies in an area of natural beauty along an unspoiled stretch of coastline running for 75 miles along the shores of the Caribbean. Some of the state’s largest and most bustling towns and resort hotels are found along this tourist corridor along with traditional communities and isolated beaches. Unleash your spirit of adventure and learn the secrets the Mayan Riviera holds.

Enjoy a host of activities, from diving and snorkelling to visiting water parks and archaeological sites, including Tulum and Chichen Itza or simply relax on soft sandy beaches lapped by tranquil waters that glisten with numerous shades of blue.

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Getting married in

Say “I do” on an idyllic Caribbean beach and enjoy a romantic honeymoon amidst ancient Mayan ruins…

If you are looking for picture perfect places for your wedding venue, from golden sandy beaches to old colonial cities with their charms, traditions and quaint churches, you won’t find a better choice then in Mexico. However, if you choose to marry in this stunningly beautiful country, you will need to plan ahead and get a few documents together, fill in forms and pay a few fees. Your wedding planner or tour operator will explain what documentation you need and guide you through the whole process.

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The legals

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In Mexico only civil marriages are recognised as legal. You may have a religious ceremony, but it will have no legal implications, you well need a civil wedding too. A civil wedding in Mexico is fully valid worldwide for legal purposes, but a religious wedding without a civil ceremony is not. The civil ceremony can be performed at the Oficina del Registro Civil (Registry Office) or elsewhere, including in your hotel’s grounds or on the beach. Fees range from £65 to £160.

The ceremony will be conducted in Spanish in the presence of an interpreter and the marriage certificate will be in Spanish, which you can then have translated into English.

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The paperwork You will need to organise the following paperwork:

be issued, valid for three months.

Residency – There are no Mexican residential requirements, but you should allow a few days in Mexico before your wedding for legal checks.

Divorced – You must provide your Decree Absolute* with court stamp.

Medical Checks – You must have a blood test done in Mexico and the Civil Registers Office can recommend a doctor or clinic.

Proof of ID – Your original Birth Certificate*, a valid 10-year passport and an entry permit will all be required.

Proof of status -– For marriages to take place in Mexico you must both attend your local Registery Office in the UK and give ‘notice of marriage’. After 21 days, a ‘Certificate of Non Impediment* will 44

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Widowed – If widowed, you need to produce the Death Certificate* of your former spouse.

Age restrictions – Minors under 18 cannot marry without written and notarised permission from a parent or legal guardian.

Name change – if your name has been changed by Deed Poll* you must provide the legal proof stamped and signed by a solicitor. This also applies if a married woman has reverted back to her maiden name.

Note: All documents marked * in this section have to be translated into Spanish by a legal translator and then certified by the Legislation Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

Further information Mexican Embassy: www.embamex.co.uk Mexican Consulate: www.mexicanconsulate.org.uk The Legislation Department – Foreign and Commonwealth Officce: www.fco.gov.uk/legislation Mexico Tourism – www.visitmexico.com

Let the Mexican Caribbean be the witness of your eternal love votes...

Ocean view gazebo · ballrooms beach front gardens · extensive beach romance dinner · wedding packages wedding coordinator legal arrangements · taste menu 295 rooms & suites with private balcony romantic special package at the spa ceremonies · live music · beauty parlor Bali beds · The Beach House Spa

HYATT REGENCY CANCUN Tel. 998 891 5555 Ext. 4060 Fax. 998 883 1694 socialevents.hrcancun@hyatt.com · cancun.regency.hyatt.com

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Celebrations in Cancun

Lisa and Jamie’s beach wedding in the Mexican sun 46 www.BridesAbroad.tv

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isa Kearns, who works for a toy company in Northampton, was a just a child when she met Design Director Jamie Kearns at school.

However, years later, the couple finally fell in love and tied the knot in a romantic Mexican beach wedding with their two gorgeous daughters in tow.

Finding ‘the one’ We met at school initially but hardly knew each other. Then, after we left school we met again in a nightclub when we were 17 and could not stop looking at one another. We kissed and there were sparks but we didn’t see each other again for a while as Jamie lived in Birmingham – he played football for Aston Villa at the time.

We both dated other people but when we saw each other out there was always something there, but it was just the wrong timing! It wasn’t until five years later when we were both single and bumped into one another again that our love finally blossomed!

The proposal He proposed after a romantic dinner at home on New Year’s Eve 2011. He brought a pudding out covered up with a dish and then took the lid off and revealed a ring. It wasn’t totally unexpected as we had talked about what sort of engagement ring I would like.

Location, location We both wanted a stress free, intimate wedding in a tropical location. My uncle had got married at the Moon Palace, Cancun a few years ago so we had heard how lovely it was.

The planning I did most of the planning for our wedding with the help of the wedding planner nearer the wedding date. We booked through Tropical Sky where Sarah-Jayne and Karen were very helpful with all the arrangements. They were fantastic and

helped with any questions I had or plans that needed arranging. Most things were sorted before we got to Mexico, we just had to re-confirm a couple of things on arrival, but it was very quick and easy.

The guests We took eight guests along, so there were 12 of us in total. We all stayed at Moon Palace. We wanted a small wedding so we only invited our immediate family. Most came, but not all.

Getting the look My wedding dress was from a shop called ‘Fairy-tale Weddings.’ I had a fishtail dress by Ensoani, style Gali, with beautiful flowers around the bodice where the skirt started. I opted not to have a veil or tiara as my dress spoke for itself and I didn’t want to take away from the detail. I did my own make-up but got my hair done at the hotel’s hair salon. www.BridesAbroad.tv 47

Something old, something new…

I have a New, Blue garter that my friend Claire got me. My Old was a ring my mother gave to me that was her grandmothers. My Borrowed was a pair of pearl earrings from my sister.

Groom & bridesmaids Jamie wore a navy blue tailored suit. My sister was my bridesmaid and wore a ‘Kate Middleton’ style dress in ivory. My two little daughters were my flower girls and they wore matching ivory dresses.

The details The theme for my wedding was Ivory. I wanted us all to be dressed in Ivory and we had Ivory roses. We had a gorgeous chocolate wedding cake with white buttercream icing.

The ceremony The 15-minute ceremony took place in a Gazebo overlooking the ocean. My dad gave me away.

The reception We had our reception in the Italian A la Carte restaurant in the hotel. The lovely four-course meal consisted of lots of yummy Italian cuisine. We kept our table decorations very simple. After the meal we went out on the roof terrace at the restaurant, which was very romantic. We didn’t have a First Dance on our wedding day, but we had a wedding party back home and danced to Lamar’s Justice.

Photographic memories Our wedding photos were taken by Ocean Photography, who have an office in Moon Palace, and a member of our family videoed the ceremony. Some of our favourite photos are the ones taken on the pier overlooking the sea, they were fantastic.

Magic moments The whole wedding day was so special and just the intimacy of the ceremony with our love was perfect, however, one of the best memories was getting a horse and carriage to the gazebo with my sister and daughters.

My funniest memory was of being so excited to be ‘Mrs Kearns’! Any disasters?

Just getting my daughters washed and ready was hard. They were all greased up with sun cream from playing in the pool that morning!

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On budget?

The holiday for two adults and two children cost ÂŁ7,000 including the photographer and legal requirements. That was right on our budget.

The honeymoon We stayed on at the hotel for our honeymoon with all our guests. We were very happy to be all together!

Further information Wedding planners: Sarah-Jayne Hawkins and Karen Andrews at Tropical Sky Tel: 0843 636 2022 www.tropicalsky.co.uk/weddings Emy at the Moon Palace Hotel, Mexico www.moon.palace.com Venue: Moon Palace, Cancun, Mexico www.moon-palace.com Photography: Ocean Photography www.oceanphotostudio.com

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A magical Mayan marriage

Aishling and Justin exchange vows in a romantic beachfront gazebo 52 www.BridesAbroad.tv

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hen Irish childhood sweethearts Justin Browne and Aishling Ryan met at a house party in their home town of Athlone in Co Roscommon, Ireland, little did they know that nine years later they would be saying “I do” on a romantic Mexican beach surrounded by their loved ones.

Finding ‘the one’ We are both from the same town and met at a mutual friend’s house party. I was 16 and Justin was 18. We dated for a couple of months, but then broke up and both started dating other people. But eventually, after a year apart, we got back together and have been with each other ever since. He was my first love. We can’t call our first experience of each other ‘love at first sight’ as we were so young but it was definitely something very special.

The proposal Justin proposed in Riviera Maya Mexico.

We had been for dinner in one of the restaurants in our resort, Occidental Grand Xcaret, and were on our way back to our room. The resort is very romantic with many secluded walkways. That night, as we were strolling along one of those walkways, Justin stopped to give me a kiss then said he wanted to show me something. He continued to pull out his wallet and started to look for something inside. He got down on one knee, held out a beautiful ring and asked me to marry him. I was shocked and actually thought he was joking! After nine years together I didn’t think it was ever going to happen. I was in such shock that I couldn’t answer him. It was not until we got back to our

room that I gave him my answer. Of course I said “yes”! Then I spent the next few days of our holiday staring at the ring in amazement.

Location, location We love to travel and have been fortunate to see so many beautiful countries, so for us we knew we would get married abroad. Also we have been to so many big weddings at home in Ireland and knew this was not for us. We wanted our wedding to be a small, intimate occasion.

We spent a lot of time researching different locations and we narrowed it down to either Thailand or Mexico. We decided that we would return to Mexico, the place where we got engaged. Mexico is a beautiful country, the people are really friendly and the food is amazing – and, with Justin being a chef, this was an important factor. We decided to return to the gorgeous Occidental Grand Xcaret resort to get married. We definitely wanted it to be in the sunshine overlooking the sea with our closest family and friends there to share our day – we wanted to give our guests the trip of a lifetime.

The planning We worked with Tara, our wedding consultant with Tropical Sky, and Luz and Marialma at the Occidental Grand Xcaret resort to plan our wedding and we also planned some things ourselves.

Tropical Sky Weddings were amazing.

They made sure that we had all our paperwork in order before we set off, and the wedding was actually so stress free.

I would definitely recommend Tropical Sky. Once we arrived at the resort, Luz and Marialma helped us plan everything else. We opted for a legal ceremony

under Mexican law, and we arranged the music, flowers, reception, entertainment, photographer, cake and beauty treatments all prior to arrival. Everything about the trip was perfect. Our guests are still talking about it months later.

The guests We took 40 guests with us. Tropical Sky got us a fantastic wedding package and really took care of our wedding party.

The package they arranged for us and forty of our friends and family was an excellent deal and couldn’t be matched by anyone else. All our guests stayed at the Occidental Grand Xcaret, and the staff were fantastic and really took care of everyone. Most of our guests were delighted with the invitation and couldn’t wait to get to Mexico with the package that Tropical Sky had arranged for us.

Everyone jumped at the chance to come and join us.

Getting the look My dress was by Cymbeline and the style was Fado. I purchased my dress from Helena Quinlan Bridal in Co Galway. I decided to go for an all-lace figure hugging dress. I wanted to keep it very simple and elegant so I wore a vintage style headpiece. My Dad was unable to make the trip but before I left he had given me a beautiful pair of Swarovski crystal earrings to wear. My hair and makeup was done at the beauty salon in the resort – the girls were great. My Mum and four sisters joined me for a morning of pampering before the wedding.

Something old, something new…

My something Old was my engagement ring, something New was my beautiful www.BridesAbroad.tv 53

dress, something Borrowed was my sister’s lip-gloss and my something Blue was a stone from my Aunty Marie’s grave who had just passed away the previous September.

Marie would have loved to have been there to party the night away, even though she was not there in body she was definitely there in spirit!

Groom & bridesmaids Justin wore a grey three piece suit with a white shirt and pink/grey/cream tie. My bridesmaids wore Grecian-style Dessy dresses in Tulip – the colour looked amazing against the vibrant colourful Mexican backdrop. The bridesmaids and flower girls wore fresh flowers in their hair.

The details We wanted to have a romantic, fun, laidback day. We knew we wanted lots of candles and fresh flowers and the wedding planner did a fantastic job with this. It was perfect. I choose a bouquet of pink/ivory/green roses.

The bridesmaid had bouquets of pink and ivory roses and the flower girls had baskets of pink/ivory rose petals. Justin had an ivory boutonniere and his groomsmen had pink buttonholes.

For the decorations, I love flowers and candlelight, so we choose centrepieces of pink/ivory/green roses and lilies and candles sitting in the sand from the powdery white beach surrounded by shells. It seemed appropriate for the location. They were so beautiful.

As for the cake, we decided to go for a three tiered wedding cake of tequila, chocolate and raspberry. We had fresh pink and ivory roses on the cake and ribbon the same colour as our bridesmaids dresses. It looked beautiful and tasted delicious.

The ceremony We got married in a 20-minute ceremony in the romantic beachfront gazebo overlooking the sea. The registrar was really lovely and made it both romantic and fun. Since my dad was unable to make it to the wedding it seemed only natural that my mother Veronica, who is always there for me in everything I do, gave me away.

The reception The ceremony took place at 4.30 pm, so it wasn’t long before we witnessed the amazing sunset during our cocktail reception on the deck overlooking the sea. Drinking cocktails in the sunset and dancing to a live Mariachi band is definitely

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recommended! The meal took place in the beach club restaurant in the resort. To start we had a choice of Chicken Caesar Salad or Smoked Salmon Salad, followed

by Asparagus Soup. For the main course we had a choice of Beef Fillet or Sea Bass.

Dessert was a choice of Coconut Mousse or Chocolate Tart. It was delicious even by Justin’s standards and, as a chef, he has high standards when it comes to food!and entertainment Our first dance was to the Golden Horde Friends in time. We’re not big dancers and the thoughts of a First Dance was quite scary so we wanted a fun, upbeat tune that captured the moment and allowed our friends and family to join in. It was great! Completely relaxed. We had a ball.

We decided to treat our guests to an amazing display of fire dancers, which took everyone completely by surprise and added energy and excitement to the evening.

Photographic memories Augustin and Jill from Cancun studios did our photography – they were fantastic, very professional and fun to work with. Our pictures captured the day perfectly. Our favourite photo is a black and white photo of us on the beach sharing a private joke.

We love the natural pictures.

Magic moments Best memory of the day is probably when I was walking down the aisle. I was so nervous; I tend to be quite shy when all attention is on me. I kept looking at the ground as I didn’t want to cry. When I looked up I saw Justin and only Justin. We could have been there by ourselves! It was a lovely moment for the two of us.

One of the funniest moments happened during our vows when a very large iguana decided to join us in the gazebo. My four sisters, who were my bridesmaids, went running from the gazebo in a panic. Justin and I had no idea what was going on until we looked down at our feet. It was such a perfect day that even the wildlife wanted to get involved!

On budget?

The ceremony itself was free with our package with Tropical Sky, and included bouquet, buttonhole, ceremony set up with fresh flowers and Champagne toast.

The holiday, our reception, clothing, flowers saxophone player, Mariachi band, fire dancers and everything else probably brought us to around £12,800. We didn’t really have a budget, we just knew we wanted to make it an enjoyable, fun day for all.

The honeymoon We stayed in the resort and shared our honeymoon with our friends and family, which was fantastic. The resort upgraded myself and Justin to the Royal Club when we arrived so we spent two days in the Royal Club on our own after the wedding.

We also chartered a private yacht with friends and family a few days after the wedding and went snorkeling out on the reef. A month after arriving home we had a mini honeymoon in Bruges, Belgium just to relax and have some time to ourselves.

Further information Wedding planning: Tropical Sky Weddings 0843 636 2022 www.tropicalsky.co.uk Venue: Occidental Grand Xcaret www.occidentalhotels.com Photography: Augustin and Jill from Cancun studios www.cancunstudios.com

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Photo - courtesy of the K Club

Fairytale Irish Wedding Why not add a touch of traditional Irish magic on your wedding day when you marry in the Emerald Isle by embracing those old superstitions to ensure you have a marriage filled with good luck and good fortune!

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Ireland doesn’t even have to try to be one of the world’s most romantic wedding venues, which explains why its such a hit with celebrities, including Victoria and David Beckham, Dita Von Teese and Pierce Brosnan, who all tied the knot there.

Ireland offers fairytale charisma and serene beauty from the National Parks of Killarney and County Mayo to the stunning shores of Inchydonny and Dingle and the culture-rich streets of Dublin. The Irish landscape has inspired artists and authors for centuries, and is bound to captivate you and your guests if you say “I do” on this picturesque island. It is a perfect choice for a wedding, civil partnership or honeymoon.

However, it’s not just the verdant green landscapes, lakes and mountains and pretty towns and villages that make Ireland a world-favourite wedding location – the Irish spirit and charismatic charm of the people sets it apart – and they know how to throw a terrific party! Coupled with that, Ireland offers a unique range of stunning venues to host your wedding celebrations – from rustic castles and plush resort hotels, to beautiful churches and spectacular outdoor locations.

Legals and paperwork You need to be at least 18-years old and must give at least three months notification in person to any registrar. If you live abroad, you may contact a registrar and request permission to complete the notification by post. There is a notification fee of £127.

Bride and groom will still be obliged to make arrangements for meeting the registrar in person at least five days before the wedding day – only then can a Marriage Registration Form be issued. To issue a Marriage Registration Form, the registrar will also ask for: Decision on a civil or religious ceremony; Intended date and location of the ceremony; Details of the proposed solemniser of the marriage; Names and dates of birth of two proposed witnesses.

A Marriage Registration Form (MRF) is the final “Irish marriage licence”, giving official authorisation for a couple to marry. Without this you simply can’t get legally married in Ireland. Providing there is no impediment to the marriage and all documentation is in order, the MRF will be issued fairly swiftly. The actual wedding should follow swiftly as well - the MRF is good for six months. If this time frame runs out, a new MRF is required.

Whether Couples opt for a religious ceremony or choose a civil ceremony, the registration process stays the same - no religious ceremony is legally binding without a prior civil registration and a MRF.

Documentation • Passports • Birth Certificates • Original final divorce decree(s) if one or both are divorcees, in case of a non-Irish divorce an approved English translation will be required • Original dissolutions of all previous civil partnerships (if applicable, again in translation if needed); • Final decree of nullity and a letter from the relevant court confirming that no appeal was lodged (if a civil partnership or marriage was annulled by an Irish Court) • Deceased spouse’s death certificate and previous civil marriage certificate in case of widowhood

Blessings and Vow Renewals It is not legal to Renew your Vows under Irish law, anybody who already is married cannot get married again, even to the same person. However, there is a tradition of non-legal “church blessings” in Ireland - Irish couples who married abroad tended to hold a religious ceremony at home later.

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Traditions & cultures When you marry in Ireland, it’s an ideal opportunity to embrace local traditions, cultures and superstitions – these can add colourful, magical elements to your wedding, giving it a distinctive local flavour. Irish superstitions and rituals can become an integral part of your celebrations, making your wedding ceremony or reception original and unforgettable.

If you don’t know too much about Irish wedding rituals, you will be intrigued to learn the history and meaning behind them, which can be charming, amusing and whimsical. But it is worth bearing in mind a traditional rhyme to consider before you pick the wedding day of the week:

Monday for wealth Tuesday for health day of all Wednesday the best Thursday for losses Friday for crosses at all Saturday for no luck

It’s probably best to take that old superstition with a pinch of salt, bearing in mind that most happy marriages take place on Fridays and Saturdays. However, you might like to keep the second rhyme in mind when choosing the month of your wedding.

Claddagh Engagement Rings

Married when the year is new , he’ll be loving, kind and true When February birds do ma te, you wed nor dread your fate If you wed when March win ds blow, joy and sorry both you’ll know Marry in April when you can , joy for the maiden and for man Marry in the month of Ma y, and you’ll surely rue the day Marry when June roses gro w, over land and sea you’ll go Those who in July do wed, mu st labor for their daily bred.

Those who wed in August be, many change is sure to see Marry in September’s shrine , your living will be rich and fine If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tar ry If you wed in bleak November , only joys will come, remember When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last!

Now you’ve decided on the lucky date, you can ensure that you have the luck of the Irish by customising your wedding in true Irish style.

Wedding Veil

Traditional Irish Claddagh Rings are an elegant choice for Irish weddings. The Claddagh ring is given as a token of affection and symbol of faithfulness. For hundreds of years Irish couples have worn Claddagh rings in lieu of plain gold bands. Couples can now choose gorgeous Claddagh rings embellished with solitaire diamonds or emeralds, delicate engravings or tiny precious gems.

Weather Don’t worry if it rains on your wedding day. It can bring good luck. According to Irish legend a rainy day is a guarantee of a happy marriage, which is just as well, because the Irish weather is unpredictable at the best of times! If you don’t want it to rain on your wedding day then put a statue of the Child of Prague (a holy statue) in your garden the night before the wedding!

Irish Wedding Vows There are many Irish wedding vows to choose from, but if you are looking for simple, beautiful words you can use the Irish Vow of Unity:

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We swear by peace and love to stand Heart to heart and hand in hand Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now Confirming this, our Sacred Vow.

It’s considered unlucky to put on your own wedding veil on the big day. If you want to ensure good luck, have a happily married woman do the honours for you. In many countries, wearing a wedding veil is thought to disguise the bride and outwit evil spirits.

Hankies

Shoes for luck

Tucking a pretty hankie, decorated with Irish lace into a wedding gown is thought to bestow fertility and good luck upon the bride. Some Irish brides embroider lucky horseshoes onto their wedding hankies for extra luck.

For yet more good luck put an Irish penny into your shoe. Still on the subject of shoes, guests should tie a pair of shoes to the back of the newlyweds’ car as they drive off after the wedding to bring good luck to the couple.

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Twitter on…

It’s good luck to wake up to a twitter on your wedding day, and no, we don’t mean a gossip on the Internet, we mean good old fashioned bird song!

The K Club

Gorgeous Venues

For a luxuriously romantic wedding, you won’t find a more magical venue than The K Club, located in the pretty village of Straffan, Co Kildare, on the banks of the River Liffey, it is one of the most stunning locations in Ireland to host a wedding. The hotel is surrounded by 550 acres of mature woods, parkland and magnificent formal gardens – the perfect backdrop to your wedding photographs. Whether you are planning a large and lavish wedding or a more intimate affair, the hotel has the facilities to host your event, with many beautiful wedding locations available in and around the hotel, from the intimate opulence of The John Jefferson Smurfit room in the main hotel to Clubhouse locations with magnificent sweeping vistas of the Ryder Cup golf course. You can leave all the arrangements in the safe hands of the K Club’s dedicated wedding planning team.

Book it!

For further details on weddings at The K Club log on to www.kclub.ie:

Adare Manor If you have your heart set on a castle wedding, there is scarcely a place more enchanting than Adare Manor to celebrate one of the most important and memorable days of your life.

Adare Manor, just 10 minutes from Limerick, is one of the top wedding venues in Ireland and offers a great choice of wedding locations within the castle – from the Fairytale Spire of the Wyndham Tower, to the elaborate, ornate rooms of Lady Caroline’s Suite, the magic of the Manor becomes yours for your special day - welcoming guests to the lofty heights of the great hall, The Minstrels’ Gallery to the leafy surrounds of the Manor grounds.

Couples can catch a few quiet moments together across the walled gardens and in the little pockets of peace along the river and under the centuries-old Lebanese Cedar Tree.

Book it!

For further details on weddings at Adare Manor log on to: www.adaremanor.com

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Fairytale Weddings

K Club

at The

Let us make your dream wedding a reality Getting married is the beginning of one of life’s greatest journeys. At The K Club, we know how to make your wedding day unforgettable.Your special day deserves a special venue and there is nowhere more remarkable than our AA Five Red Star property. Our Resort is The AA Hotel of the Year and for good reason...

Stunning gardens, delectable food, luxurious atmosphere and facilities, bespoke interiors, indulgent spa, exciting golf courses and activities, warm staff and exceptional service.

In keeping with the classic, old world and elegant country house theme The K Club has just launched its new Vintage Wedding Package. The Vintage Package is priced from â‚Ź89 per person, perfect for ensuring your special day is a truly exclusive and romantic occasion.

Contact our dedicated wedding team on +353 1 6017200 or e-mail weddings@kclub.ie

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A charming castle wedding

Aoife and Shane say “I do” at historical Adare Manor 62 www.BridesAbroad.tv

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n a beautifully crisp Irish winter’s morning, Aoife McGivney and Shane Cahill, who both work in the City of London, welcomed 170 friends and family to the historic culenary town of Adare to celebrate their wedding at the beutiful Holy Trinity Abbey Church.

Finding ‘the one’ Although we are both Irish, we live in Battersea, London and work in finance in the City. We met through mutual friends in London and we hit it off straight away.

The proposal Shane proposed whilst on holiday in Mozambique, on Benguerra Island. He waited for the first perfect African sunset and proposed on the beach, which was deserted except for us – extremely romantic! It was totally unexpected and he completely caught me off guard. I had no idea. He designed the ring himself and got a replica made to bring to Africa to propose.

Location, location Although we live in London we wanted to get married in Ireland, close to family.

We were looking for a beautiful setting, with a fantastic reception room and Adare Manor just ticked all the boxes – romantic

manor, more castle like, beautiful church in Adare, with breathtaking grounds and scenery, truly 5-star service and food of Michelin star standard. But most of all it was the people at Adare Manor that made us so welcome and at home.

The planning We made our own arrangements but the team in Adare were extremely helpful, they made the whole experience very easy – there was no need to have a wedding planner. The theme of our wedding was ‘to have a good time’.

The guests We had 170 guests who mostly stayed at the venue or on the grounds of the estate.

We had people travelling from Australia, San Francisco, Canada, New York, South Korea, China, Geneva, other areas of the UK and of course across Ireland. The only people who couldn’t attend had other family commitments – or couldn’t travel due to personal circumstances (many of our friends are expending!)

Getting the look My dress (style Tara) was designed by our family friend, Internationally acclaimed Irish fashion designer Patrick Casey. It was a fully circular, hand made silk dress that used almost 100 metres of material! I also www.BridesAbroad.tv 63

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wore a short white fur jacket and a veil, also designed by Patrick Casey (www.patrickcasey.ie/home.html). My shoes were ‘Chantilly’, designed by Harriet Wilde (www.harrietwilde.com). I wore a handmade hairpiece, which as a gift from Patrick Casey and my hair was styled by Nicola Kelly and makeup by Adele Miley.

Something old, something new…

Something Blue – the stitching in my dress; Borrowed – my white fur stole from Patrick; New – my dress/shoes and earrings; Old was a silver dollar given to me by Shane the morning of our wedding.

Groom & bridesmaids Shane wore Black Tie with a white bow tie.

The A-line bridesmaid’s gowns had a oneshoulder neckline and draped bodice in a subtle candlelight colour designed by JLM Couture (style JH5255). They also had faux fur stole and hats from John Lewis.

The details Flowers were chosen by Danielle of Abbeyfeale flowers – the bouquet’s were exquisite. The bridal bouquet was a small snow handtie bouquet with lilac, bouvardia and white astilbe with ivory lace finish with a vintage brooch on the handle lace. Our wedding cake was created by Una Flynn.

It was white with hand made flowers cascading down the side.

The ceremony I arrived to the church in a classic Bently S2 for the hour-long wedding ceremony, which took place at Holy Trinity Abbey church in Adare. We were married by a family relative, Fr Sean Manning, and I was given away by my father, Dr Declan McGivney.

Customs and traditions It was a good Irish wedding with a twist, and each guest received a mini bottle of www.BridesAbroad.tv 65

RealWEDDINGS

Lemoncello, which were designed and put together by the bride and groom.

The reception Champagne, hors d’œuvres and canapes were served in the drawing room at Adare Manor, then the dinner bell was rung, and guests were wisked up to the magical Minstril Gallery, where we had a table plan consisting of special places around the world that are close to our hearts. On the menu was Crispy Skin Salmon & Tiger Prawns and Blackberry and Sloe Gin Sorbet for the first course; Roast Rack of Irish Lamb for main course and Open Granny Smith Apple Tart for men and Warm Chocolate and Raspberry Tart for ladies for dessert followed by a selection of cheeses.

The meal was washed down with French wines from Chateau Payrabon and the vineyards of Louis Latour.

Our First Dance was to Your Song in the style of Ellie Goulding sung by the band CrossTown. The evenings speeches concluded with a spectacular fireworks display. New Years Eve was rung in by dancing to the Irish band CrossTown, with midnight celebrated as cannons blew confetti into the air before the evening ended with a tasty Suckling Pig.

Photographic memories My favourite wedding photo is of Shane and I coming into the reception – the shot, taken by our wedding photographer Naoise Culhane, captures everything about how happy and excited we both were.

Magic moments My favourite memory is of arriving at the church. When the doors opened in the church, my nerves left as I caught a glimpse of all my close friends and family looking back as I started to walk down the aisle 66 www.BridesAbroad.tv

to my beautiful husband to be – it really was an extremely exciting but emotional moment. Shane remembers entering the reception room seeing all our family and friends.

Any disasters?

Nothing! It was absolutely perfect –- the Events Team, front of house and food and beverage senior personal were unbelievable and made the whole day run extremely smoothly.

The honeymoon After the wedding we had a meal the following day in a local pub where we had food/ beverages and traditional Irish music played. Then we took off for our honeymoon, spending seven days surfing on the south coast of Sri Lanka before jetting off for 10 days relaxing and diving in the Maldives.

Further information Photography Naoise Culhane, Dublin www.naoiseculhane.photoshelter.com Dress Designed by Patrick Casey www.patrickcasey.ie Shoes Harriet Wilde www.harrietwilde.com Flowers: Supplied by Abbeyfeale Flowerists “Tie The Knot Weddings” by Abbeyfeale Flowers Hair & Make-up Nicola Kelly / Adele Miley Venue Adare Manor www.adaremanor.com

Get the look

Tiara by June Ellen www.crystalfrost.co.uk

castle

Pearl drop earrings, £30 www.glitzysecrets.com

weddings

Diamante & pearl necklace, £75 www.glitzysecrets.com Bangle, £34 www.glitzysecrets.co.uk

Earrings, £19.00 www.monsoon.co.uk

Diamante & pearl bangle, £34 www.glitzysecrets.com

Fiji box clutch, £49 www.monsoon.co.uk

Faux fur wrap by Joan Lee www.crystalfrost.co.uk Lace garter by June Ellen www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Dress by Hollywood Dreams, style Valentina www.hollywooddreams.co.uk Shoes £295.00 www.freyarose.com www.BridesAbroad.tv 67

Orlando magic in Florida

Orlando can make your dream wedding come true, offering a variety of stunning locations to say “I do� from magical Walt Disney World to the rock and roll themed Hard Rock Cafe or romantic white sandy beaches 68

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Florida, known as America’s ‘Sunshine State’, deserves its popularity as a number one, year-round wedding destination. It is a place of diversity and contrast, with gorgeous sandy beaches, exciting cities and fun-filled theme parks – and whether you are planning a small, intimate ceremony for two or a grand family occasion, Florida can offer it all.

The city of Orlando provides a beautiful setting for weddings, with its attractive parks, lakes, world-renowned gardens and, of course, its beloved theme parks – Disney World, Universal Studios Florida, Sea World Orlando and many others. But Orlando also offers world-class resorts, shopping opportunities for every budget, all-season golf courses, and some of the most enticing dining opportunities on the planet. You and your wedding guests can enjoy exploring and having fun both before and after your wedding ceremony.

Legals Getting married in the state of Florida couldn’t be easier.

Your wedding planner or tour operator will help you with any documentation and paperwork. You will need to apply for a Florida Marriage License at leaset 24-hours before your wedding day. The cost of a wedding license is £65. However, you need to be able to state when and where you were born, and, if you are adopted, you will need proof of adoption. You should not have to produce papers to support your statements, although if you have them to hand it is worth taking them with you. If you have been divorced then you must state on the marriage licence application form the date, place and country where the previous marriage was ended or if you are widowed, the date of the death of your previous spouse. If you have been divorced or widowed within the previous 30 days then the divorce or death certificate must be shown.

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Stunning Wedding Venues

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A DATE TO REMEMBER!

12.12.12

Jackie and Graham chose the ultimate date - 12/12/12 to tie the knot in Florida 72

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n one of the most memorable dates on the calendar, police officer Jackie Latchford said “I do” to Graham Brown, a business manager for Ferrari. In fact the barefoot beach wedding took place at 12 noon on the 12th of December 2012 (12/12/12) – a date that ensured the wedding party would never forget the dream ceremony on Orlando’s Cocoa Beach.

Finding ‘the one’ We met in Kalkan, Turkey and it was love at first sight!

The proposal Graham proposed in Kalkan the following year, over lunch in our favourite restaurant, Zula. We had discussed getting married but I didn’t expect him to propose during that holiday!

Location, location As it was my second marriage, I wanted something small and a little bit different. We wanted to involve the children and make it very personal to us in a location of our choice. We first thought of going to Las Vegas, but as we wanted the children to be part of it we didn’t think it was suitable for them, so we choose Cocoa Beach, in Orlando, Florida, as we knew they would all love it and they had never been to America before.

The planning We made our own arrangements, but there wasn’t very much to organise.

There were only the six of us, myself, Graham and our four children. We made our travel arrangements through Tropical Sky who were absolutely fantastic – Kelly Palmer was very professional and always answered all our questions straight away.

They were very helpful indeed. We didn’t really have to plan much before we went other than buy the wedding attire and the Disney tickets. Apart from that it was pretty much done for us by Tropical Sky.

The guests?

We decided not to have any guests, we wanted it to be just us and our children

Getting the look I bought my wedding dress off the Internet.

I just wanted something very simple and something I could wear on the beach. It was a halter neck-style dress, the bodice was beaded and it had a long white chiffon train. I actually bought my accessories from Primark, I had a diamanté bracelet and matching ring, but other than that I kept it very simple as there were lots of beads on the bodice of the dress and it didn’t need anything else. I did my own hair and make-up. www.BridesAbroad.tv 73

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Something old, something new…

I borrowed my friend’s tiara, which matched my dress really well. I had my wedding dress for New, and my mother in law’s garter, which was Blue.

Groom & bridesmaids Graham wore a black dinner suit. I had my three daughters, Olivia, Claudia and Grace for my bridesmaids, who wore matching knee-length chiffon dresses in turquoise.

They had small straps and were gathered at the front with a matching flower.

The details I chose a simple white bouquet of roses. We didn’t have a cake.

The ceremony At 12 noon on 12/12/12 our wedding ceremony took place on Cocoa Beach, Florida – it’s a date we will never forget. The ceremony lasted for about 25-minutes, we were married by Rev. Jimmy Johnson. We had to attend the courthouse before we got married to get a Marriage License to allow us to get married in America. You have to be in the country for at least one day before you can get married in Orlando.

The reception After the wedding ceremony we went for a meal to a local restaurant, which was a steak house we had been to previously. We really enjoyed it the first time so decided to go back after our service. During our romantic meal for six, we tucked into American style food, i.e. steak, fajitas ribs etc. When we got back to the house where we were staying, we had our First Dance in the lounge – to Michael Buble’s ‘Everything’.

Photographic memories The photographs were included in the wedding package and we had a lovely photographer called Bill. He took some great photographs of us and used his imagination by using somebody’s surfboard on the beach, a beach hut and the wooded area as backdrops to make some unique wedding photographs. Our favourite photograph is the one of us all in a long line coming out of the sea, everybody looks so natural and happy and this just sums up the beautiful choice of venue.

Magic moments The ceremony, the words used by Jimmy Johnson were up to date, meaningful and fitted the scene perfectly, they are a lovely

memory. Our funniest memory was of the youngest two girls having a wee on the beach and then us having our photograph taken on the same spot, they were chuckling and we obviously didn’t know why until we were on the way home in the limo.

On budget?

It cost about £1,000 for the wedding package. We didn’t really have a budget for the wedding itself.

The honeymoon We stayed at the same location for 12 days for a ‘family’ honeymoon.

Further information Wedding planner: Kelly Palmer, Tropical Sky: Tel: 0843 636 2022 www.tropicalsky.co.uk/weddings-abroad www.americansky.co.uk/weddings Venue: Cocoa Beach, Florida Photographer: Bill Photography (via Tropical Sky) www.BridesAbroad.tv 75

Zante A Greek gem

Couples looking for a Mama Mia! style Greek island wedding in the Mediterranean sunshine need look no further than glorious Zakynthos

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Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is the jewel in the Ionian crown and is one of the most popular Greek Islands for repeat visitors, and it’s easy to see why – with blue flag beaches, soft trade winds and the sweet smell of the bougainvillea in a rainbow of colours making this one of the prettiest of the Greek islands.

The lush island is famed for its colourful floral displays and olive plantations, all thanks to the summer sun and wet winter months. And the island has kept its authentic Greek style – although you will find a wide selection of international cuisines in the resorts, the most popular choice by far are the fantastic Greek restaurants.

Wedding Venues Zakynthos, affectionaley known as Zante, is home to one of the only private beaches in Greece, Cameo Island – Zante’s most popular wedding venue by far. Cameo Island is a small island accessed by a wooden bridge at the quiet end of Lagana bay. The beach is set in a small cove and offers complete privacy for two hours so you can celebrate your wedding in style, and best of all, it doesn’t cost the earth.

Zante has some of the prettiest beach venues in Greece, and beach weddings are the most popular type of weddings on the island. However, there are numerous other options available, such as a balcony with stunning views overlooking the bay of Tsilivi and across to Kefalonia, a quiet garden setting on the outskirts of the Tsilivi and boutique hotels that offer private areas for you to celebrate your wedding and reception. Zakynthos offers an excellent variety of venues – everything from five-star hotels to rustic and shabby chic local venues.

Legals

Customs and Traditions

You can have a Civil, Catholic or Orthodox wedding in Zakynthos. For religious weddings you need to prepare the paperwork with your church. Here is the list of requirements for Civil weddings: Birth Certificates required for both parties; Change of Name or Adoption papers, if applicable; Divorce Decree or Death Certificate of spouse if previously married; Certificates of no impediment issued by your local register office. This is only valid for three months from the issue date in Zakynthos. The documents need to be stamped with an Apostille stamp which you apply for with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk ).

The documents then need translating into Greek and presented to the town hall in Zante no later than four weeks before the wedding.

If you want to incorporate some authentic Greek ways into your wedding try one of these ideas.

• Walk to your wedding accompanied by traditional musicians serenading your way!

• Offer your guests a delicious Greek Meze meal – this consists of lots of traditional local dishes.

• Entertain your guests with Greek music during dinner, it is great when accompanied by dancers, and when the guests do the Mama Mia! style dance down the beach at sunset!

• Take a ride as man and wife through the town on a horse and carriage while the locals clap, cheer, ring traditional bells and beep their car horns! It’s fantastic to experience this local custom and it’s a chance to feel like real celebrities on your wedding day!

Wedding Planning

If you decide to marry in Zante it is a good idea to use the services of a wedding planner who will take care of all the arrangements and legal requirements so that you can enjoy a stress-free wedding. The Bridal Consultant is a full wedding planning service that specializes in exclusive destinations, including Zante. For further information call Lisa Burton of The Bridal Consultant on: 01925 419 555 or log onto: www.thebridalconsultant.co.uk www.BridesAbroad.tv 77

RealWEDDINGS

Barefoot bliss in

ZANTE

Gary and Kirsty’s Greek wedding down on the beach

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irsty Hopkins dream was to get married in the sunshine, whilst her fiancé Gary Charman wanted them to have sand between their toes with a beach ceremony, so when the couple from Heath Hayes, who met as work colleagues, exchanged their vows on the sunny Greek island of Zante, it was the ideal choice for their perfect wedding.

Finding ‘the one’ Technically we met at work but it took over a year until we met properly, on the dance floor with what can only be described as Dirty Dancing, followed by our first kiss (stolen)! Having worked alongside each other for over a year and having a mutual business respect, I couldn’t classify ours as ‘Love at First Sight’ but there is one thing for sure, that night on the dance floor brought about a Love at First Kiss – and it continues with each and every kiss since!

The proposal The proposal was not exactly what Gary had originally planned, he had decided that he would propose in June, but whilst enjoying a quiet night in, the previous October, he proposed over a bottle of wine and cheese

during a ‘Carpet Picnic’. Whilst we were both enjoying the informal evening, he just out of the blue asked me to marry him! It was totally unexpected – we had talked about our future and marriage, but I never expected it so soon. The only hesitation I had was asking myself if I had heard right!

The planning We both wanted a wedding abroad and Greece was the chosen destination.

However, if anybody tells you it’s easy to get married on the beach, well it’s not true! There are plenty of places that boast beach weddings but the ceremony is not actually on the beach, it’s on a platform or in a garden close to the beach. The Bridal Consultants, our wedding planners, found the perfect location and gave us our perfect day. The Turtle Island wedding was chosen as it gave us everything we wanted and the location was out of this world. The Bridal Consultants helped us with all the paperwork and red tape to marry in Greece.

Thanks to them, it all went so smoothly. The whole day was planned before we left the UK with a pre-wedding meeting on arrival.

The only task left for us was getting there and Gary had done most of the arranging for

that, which was wonderful. All I had to worry about was the dress! It was so simple and stress free!

The guests We had sent out only a small number of invitations, as we knew few people would travel that far and we planned a second reception back in England after our wedding. In total the bridal party came to nine, which was fine, as we wanted a small, quiet wedding. We had informed everyone which hotel we were staying at in the hope they would book alternative hotels – it nearly worked. We ended up with only one couple in the same hotel.

Getting the look The theme was hearts, which was the only continuity throughout and it followed on from my engagement ring (heart diamond) through to invitations and jewellery. However, for the dress, I had no idea of what style I wanted, though I had an idea for a Greek style dress. We both spent time looking and trying on dresses until one day I found The Dress, which was nothing resembling my initial idea. I chose a satin bodice, which was ruffled and inlaid with diamantes from J & J Design in Newcastle, Staffordshire. My www.BridesAbroad.tv 79

tiara was my daughters from her prom, and I wore the heart-design white gold necklace and earrings which Gary had brought me for Christmas. Ivory-heeled sandals finished off my outfit.

Something old, something new…

Something Old – this was my mother in law’s small pendant, which had been her mothers, sewn onto my garter; something New – the dress; something Borrowed – the tiara and something Blue – the garter of course!

Finishing touches I had a trial run with my local hairdresser and Gary had taken all the photos required to enable the English hairdresser Kate, in Zante to recreate the design on our wedding day. Kate did a fantastic job on both mine and Tasha’s hair. I don’t normally wear much make up and for the wedding day it was just lip gloss, I had my eyelashes tinted before we went away.

Groom & bridesmaid It took longer to put Gary’s outfit together than it did both bride and bridesmaid! It was

a simple design consisting of tan shoes, stone coloured formal trouser, a winged ivory long sleeve shirt, ivory diamante waistcoat to match my dress, plus a cravat to match the colour of the bridesmaids dress and the button hole to match my bouquet.

There was only one bridesmaid, my 18-yearold daughter Natasha and her dress turned out to be a full-on prom gown in raspberry pink and sequins. The design of the dress complimented my dress, as did the heart necklace. Gary’s raspberry pink cravat tied all three of us in.

The details On our wedding day I had a bouquet of pink local flowers in the shape of a teardrop. I also had a second bouquet for our reception in UK made up of lilies in the shape of a teardrop. As for the cake, with only a small number of guests at the wedding we had a single tier locally made Greek wedding cake.

Photographic memories Lucas, the local photographer, did an amazing job with some truly magical photos.

The wedding storybook we had chosen

is absolutely out of this world. As Gary’s parents and my Nan could not get to the wedding we had a video made to give them all a surprise. It was quite amazing to see photographers wading in the sea to get the best pictures! I particularly love a photo taken of our rings on a stone on the beach – I love stones and have a stone collection which is very important to me.

The ceremony The ceremony took place in the exact location we wanted, standing bare foot and on the beach at Turtle Island, Zante. The ceremony lasted about 25-mins I think – though time seemed to stand still. It was all so wonderful and time had no place.

The wedding was a civil ceremony and we were married by two people as depicted by law in Greece, one to speak in Greek and the other in English. So the honour of marrying us went to Francis and Heather.

There was no need to be given away as in a traditional church wedding, the giving away of the bride just didn’t seem to fit in with our informal beach wedding.

The reception The reception was held at the Alexandra Beach Hotel at a single, large table. We ate traditional Greek fare – Dolmades, Kalamari, Cheese/Ham Pies, Pastitsio and Meatballs, Greek salad and Tsatsiki, Mousaka, Pork Souvlaki, Briam and grilled Swordfish. The table was decorated with pink flowers to match our themed colour and we had a celebration banner for ‘Gary and Kirsty’. In Zante the time scale of our wedding meant we didn’t sit down to eat until 10pm, so there wasn’t really an opportunity to have a First Dance – although we had lessons in the UK in preparation and practiced it on a few occasions on the beach whilst walking back to the hotel, much to the enjoyment of the local tavern. Back in the UK we held a second reception at the local pub with guests who were unable to attend the wedding day, it was a chance for us all to get dressed up again. This time we had a First Dance – the Rumba to Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden!

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Magic moments There are so many good memories, we were both so overwhelmed with the whole day – from paddling in the sea before and after the ceremony to kissing for the first time as a married couple and the giving and receiving of our rings. However, the funniest moment has to be our horse and carriage ride back to the hotel. It was meant to be a slow romantic journey. Not our carriage ride!!!

The carriage was decorated with flowers with a beautiful groomed horse to pull us along, but once we sat down it took off – our horse must have recently returned from The Grand National. There was no way wwwBridesAbroad.tv 81

we would hold the traffic up given the speed at which we galloped through the town, with all the car horns being sounded as we passed, the ringing of bells in the bars and people clapping and shouting it was more akin to slapstick! We both laughed so much our cheeks hurt, I’m sure it will always bring a smile to us!

On budget?

The total cost of the wedding with the dresses, honeymoon etc. has never been worked out. We think it is in the region of £8,000, which also includes the reception back in the UK. We had envisaged about £10,000 so it’s under budget.

The honeymoon We stayed in the same hotel but moved rooms, which seemed like the sensible thing to do. We were very lucky in that most of the guest stayed in separate hotels and went back to UK the following day. There were only two guests remaining in the same hotel but there was very little interruption – though we did have to explain to them that we were on honeymoon and not holiday, there is a subtle difference I am told!

Further information Wedding planner: Lisa Butron at The Bridal Consultant 01925 419 555 www.thebridalconsultant.co.uk Wedding Venue: Turtle Island, Zante, Greece Reception Venue: Alexandra Beach Hotel, Zante www.alexandrabeachhotel.com

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Get the look

beach bride Floral tiara, £105 www.glitzysecrets.com

Limited Edition earrings, £17.50 www.marksandspencer.com

Flower ring www.accessorize.com

Rose head crown, £28 www.rocknrose.co.uk

Sunglasses, £15 www.marksandspencer.com

Heart earrings, £10 www.rocknrose.co.uk

Broach, £23 www.glitzysecrets.com

Flower bracelet www.accessorize.com

Flower headband, £38 www.rocknrose.co.uk

‘Something blue’ garter www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Sandals, £35 www.accessorize.com

Dress: MLP 5055 www.marklesley.co.uk www.BridesAbroad.tv 83

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Planning

Guide

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12-month wedding checklist to the big day.

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Pop The Question

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Don’t let your wedding day be a washout – check the worldwide weather guide for the sunniest beaches, snowiest peaks and perfect temperatures.

Wedding Countdown

Expert wedding planners answer your most frequently asked questions.

Ask The Planners!

Lisa Burton of The Bridal Consultant professional wedding planning service shares her wisdom and experience with brides-to-be.

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Weather permitting

Do you want to sizzle at the hottest wedding of the year or are you a cool bride looking for a seriously chilled location?

Check out our weather guide to help you choose the perfect destination throughout the year

At a glance

Best for May-October

Best for November-April

• Tahiti, Fiji and other Pacific Islands • Mauritius & Seychelles • North America • Hawaii • Canada • Kenya • Tanzania & Zanzibar • Europe • Queensland & Barrier Reef

• Caribbean • Mexico • Thailand • Australia & New Zealand • Maldives • South Africa • Dubai • European ski destinations

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Pic courtesy of Sandals

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Say I Do in Malta On the most important day of your life everything must be simply perfect.

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Osborne Caterers have a sterling reputation in planning and catering for some of the most spectacular Wedding Receptions on the Island.

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Be Special Be DeStineD for BaroS

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Make your wedding really special 14-night Caribbean Cruise from just £1,299pp* full board Get married on board one of our magnificent ships, and you’ll enjoy a honeymoon with memories that will last a lifetime.

On a P&O Cruises holiday in the Caribbean, your honeymoon will be filled with magical moments – from exploring secluded Caribbean beaches and turquoise seas, to relaxing on deck with a cocktail at the end of another perfect day. And with exceptional service, fine dining from world-renowned chefs and spectacular entertainment, you’ll never want your honeymoon to end!

It’s time to call 0843

373 0176 or visit pocruises.co.uk/weddings ’N

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ABTA No.V8764

PASSENGER SHIPPING ASSOCIATION MEMBER

*Prices shown are per person and are based on cruises A430, 2 adults sharing and are subject to availability. Prices correct at time of going to print. Please refer to www.pocruises.co.uk for full details or see out latest brochure.

Win a 15 Night Cruise For more information, and to be entered into our free prize draw: Enter online at pocruises.co.uk/brides Complete and return this coupon to: P&O Cruises, PO Box 3772, Swindon, SN5 1BF. Or call 0800 1114141 quoting 13KA01

Title:

Forename:

Surname:

Email:

Address: Postcode:

Telephone:

Tick here if you would like to receive a postal brochure from us. This will not affect your competition entry. P&O Cruises is a Carnival plc brand. Carnival plc and other Carnival group companies (including those in the US) may wish to contact you with information and offers from P&O Cruises and other Carnival group cruise brands (see carnivalukgroup.com for details). By returning this coupon you will be indicating your consent to being contacted by post, email and/or telephone unless you tick the relevant boxes: No Post No Telephone No Email *The cost of calls from mobile phones will vary depending on your service provider.

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Closing date for the draw is 01/10/2013. The prize is a cruise for two adults in an inside cabin on Azura A328N sailing 29/11/2013 for 15 nights and includes accommodation, on board main meals (excluding speciality restaurants in which a cover charge will apply), entertainment and most facilities on board. The prize does not include travel insurance, excursions, luggage fees and personal expenses. The winner will be randomly selected from the valid entries received by us before the closing date. The decision of P&O Cruises will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. No cash alternative will be offered and the prize is non-transferable. The winner will be notified in writing by 07/10/2013. By entering the draw, winners consent to the use of their name and picture being used by the promoter in marketing material. No employees of Carnival plc or their suppliers may enter into the draw. The draw is only open to UK residents and only one entry per person is permitted. Entrants must be aged 18 or over. No bulk or third party entries accepted. No purchase is necessary to enter the draw. The winner of the cruise will be bound by P&O Cruises’ booking terms and conditions. The promoter is Carnival plc trading as P&O Cruises, Carnival House, 100 Harbour Parade, Southampton, SO15 1ST. Please do NOT send coupons to this address.

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Mediterranean

Bliss

on a Royal Caribbean cruise

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Pure

Safari

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Advertising Feature Sunglasses by Guess, £95 www.guess.eu

Get the look

safari

Straw peak hat, £15 www.accessorize.com

Zebra drop earrings, £2.50 www.primark.co.uk

Bracelet, £3 www.accessorize.com

Leopard stud belt, £3 www.primark.co.uk

Butterfly cardigan by Fatface www.fatface.com Stanley safari bag, £219 www.radley.co.uk

Tie dye dress, £49.00 www.monsoon.co.uk

Animal print bikini www.marksandspencer.com

Animal print sandals, £29.00 www.monsoon.co.uk Safari boots by Bertie, £75.00 www.houseoffraser.co.uk Indigo yellow trousers, £29.50 www.marksandspencer.com 130 www.BridesAbroad.tv

Zanzibar Pure Zanzibar are Leading Specialists in Weddings, Honeymoons and Romantic Adventures Zanzibar is the ultimate exotic honeymoon destination that offers romance and adventure in equal measures. Located on the East coast of

Africa, this tropical island paradise offers the perfect post safari beach retreat. As an independent specialist we know Zanzibar inside out.

We also know how to look after our guests from the first point of contact through to the day you get back. All of our team has travelled extensively and can offer clear unbiased advice on Travel to Zanzibar, Tanzania & beyond.

We have a large selection of hotels and lodges to suit every budget and cater to every taste. From the first call or email you

will be allocated your own dedicated wedding or honeymoon adviser, who will work alongside you to create the perfect itinerary.

Call us now to start planning your perfect holiday of a lifetime...

Pure Zanzibar Pure

The World’s Leading Zanzibar Specialists

0800 422 0798 | Info@Zanzibar.co.uk Honeymoons

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Romantic Adventures

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Weddings

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Anniversaries

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Spa Breaks

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Diving

|

Safari

African honeymoon in

Tanzania

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Hotel

Mediterraneo Sorrento

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Honeymoon Offers

Book your Destination Wedding or Honeymoon with Brides Abroad’s experienced travel team.

5* Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Hotel & Spa, Mexico

5* Thalassa Boutique Spa Hotel, Cyprus

5* Royal Island Resort, Maldives

Arguably Cyprus’s most stylish luxury spa resort

Stunning honeymoon retreat on Robinson Crusoe paradise island

Brides Abroad Deal:

Brides Abroad Deal:

Brides Abroad Deal:

SAVE £226

SAVE £226

SAVE £1,292

In a gorgeous beach setting in Mexico

£1,389

£879

£2,153

Seven nights all-inclusive in one of Mexico’s leading honeymoon Resorts

Autumn 2013 Five nights B&B Double Room Sea View

Spring 2014 7 nights HB in a Deluxe Double Beach Villa

5* Hilton Sa Torre Resort, Mallorca

5* Clansani Resort, Tenerife

5*Fusion Maia, Danang, Vietnam

Incredibly stylish luxury boutique spa resort

7 nights in a three-bedroom pool villa in this luxury golf and spa resort.

7 nights B&B in a Pool Villa in Asia’s coolest spa resort

Brides Abroad Deal:

Brides Abroad Deal:

Brides Abroad Deal:

SAVE £400

SAVE £400

£1,195

£695

October 2012 7 nights B&B Deluxe Double

5* Maradiva, Mauritius

£1,295 SAVE £600

7 nights B&B in a Pool Villa

5* Jetwing Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka

One of our favourite resorts on the planet in a breathtaking location

5* Mesastila, Kuala Lumpu 55 acre luxury wellbeing resort set in a tropical oasi.

A beautiful Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World with a pristine beach

Brides Abroad Deal:

Brides Abroad Deal:

Brides Abroad Deal:

SAVE £289

SAVE £292

£2,489

7 nights HB in a luxury Spa Villa

£1,095 7 nights B&B

£669 SAVE £300

5 nights B&B Luxury Honeymoon Resort Perfect to combine with Royal Island, Maldives

Hundreds of wonderful resorts worldwide – just drop us a line to enquiries@bridesabroad.tv Or phone us on 01937 584892 or visit www.bridesabroad.tv 138 wwwBridesAbroad.tv

Romantic Malaysian Cosmopolitan Getaway in 5 Star Luxury!

The Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur, is a lush retreat in cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur.

Explore Bintang Walk, the hottest shopping hub in KL or stroll, via an air conditioned elevated walkway, to Suria-KLCC and Petronas Twin Towers. Discover the best nightspots in the Pavilion, the vibrant streets of Changkat Bukit Bintang and Jalan P. Ramlee, or enjoy a ride on the monorail to explore all this exciting city has to offer.

The Grand Millennium KL is the ideal place to honeymoon or have an overseas wedding!

No. 160, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603 2117 4888 Fax: +603 2142 7919 Email: enquiry.gmkl@millenniumhotels.com Web: www.grandmillenniumkl.com