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FRIDAY OCTOBER 21 2016
Tying the knot in Cyprus Why so many couples choose their special day on Aphrodite’s island
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t’s easy to see why so many couples of all ages and nationalities choose Cyprus as their dream wedding destination. According to the most recent official statistics available, in 2013 there were 9,031civil weddings of which 34% involved Couples can also tie the knot only permanent resiby the sea, in the gardens dents of Cyprus, of a historic building, by a clear indication of just how many a swimming pool or in a people travel to the park, depending on the island especially municipality they choose for their big day. Cyprus’ ability to attract so many couples from abroad is not accidental. Even mass weddings have become popular especially for Israeli couples. As well as Cyprus being the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, there is plenty to make this romantic Mediterranean island the ideal place for couples to make their lifelong commitment to each other and celebrate their endless love. A wide choice of picturesque venues and close to year-round excellent weather are just some of the many factors that have made Cyprus one of Europe’s most popular wedding and honeymoon locations. Gone are the days when civil marriage ceremonies were confined to the Town Hall, although the option of a room especially decorated for the purpose is still available. Nowadays, couples can also tie the knot by the sea, in the gardens of a historic building, by a swimming pool or in a park, depending on the municipality they choose.
Civil ceremonies can also, in some circumstances, be carried out at hotels providing the happy couple and their guests with a very convenient as well as beautiful location for the day. Hotels also make up part of the many options for accommodation available, an added attraction for those flying in for the ceremony and particularly handy when couples are combining their special day with their honeymoon. The country’s ideal weather, including plenty of sunny days in winter, is also a major benefit. A warm and pleasant climate makes it easier for the bride and groom and their guests to indulge in a wide range of fun activities before and after the ceremony. They can also plan with confidence
in the knowledge that the big is unlikely to be rained off. Plus, Cyprus has a strong and highly-experienced wedding industry infrastructure. The paperwork: Check with the municipality of your choice but generally, the following procedures must be followed for a civil wedding to take place. Both Cypriot and foreign nationals have to provide the following certificates where applicable: 1. Affi Davit at a Registrar of the District Court of Nicosia 2. Statement from the Ministry of Interior (Migration) 3. Divorce Certificate (Decree Absolute)
4. Death Certificate of Spouse 5. Copy of Birth Certificate 6. Passport 7. ID Card Foreigner nationals also need to provide the following certificates: 1. Recent Certificate of marital status from a Governmental Authority ( i.e. Town Hall, Ministry of Interior, Registry Office, Embassy etc) 2. Birth Certificate 3. Divorce Certificate 4. Death Certificate of Spouse 5. Passport or European ID Card All the above documents, to be valid and recognised, must be legalised with an Apostille Stamp (if the interested party’s country is a member of the Hague Convention) or legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cyprus Embassy or Consulate in the country (if the country is not part of the Hague Convention). All documents must be officially translated into the English language and recently issued, a maximum six months before the date of application. There are two different procedures a couple can follow, the Notice of Marriage and the Special Procedure. Following the usual procedure, the couple signs the notice of Marriage and can get married 15 days after their application is submitted and no later than three (3) months from that date. In case the couple wants for a certain reason to get married sooner, they can do so by following the special procedure. The wedding can take place either the same day the application is submitted or in less than 15 days from that date. Once the paperwork and arrangements are out of the way, all you have to do is look forward to enjoying your very special day on the island of love.
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CIVIL WEDDINGS
Perfect match Paralimni-Protaras Seaside charm and traditional beauty
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hen it comes to seaside weddings, Paralimni Municipality and its coastal resort Protaras are one of the most popular choices on the island, thanks to countless options for vows with a picture-perfect Mediterranean backdrop, either at the municipality’s Protaras own venues, or conducted around at the many highstar hotels whose 650 civil unions grounds overlook and believes this the region’s crystal year will be better waters. In 2015, Protaras conducted around 650 civil unions and believes that this year the figure will be at least matched, if not exceeded. The venues that the municipality offers consist of a mix of charming traditional sites and breathtaking coastal spots to cater for both those seeking the ‘sand and sea’ day of their dreams, and those who want an atmosphere of local customs and Cypriot character. Ceremonies can take place at the Town Hall, the Traditional House, St Elias Gardens, the Pernera Blue Waters
THE stunning Ammos Venue with its distinctive tree
Always Ayia Napa
GRECIAN arch at the Ayia Triada beach venue is proving to be a popular new addition for coastal weddings
beach venue, and the newer Ayia Triada beach site. The Traditional House is a museum housed in a restored 19th century residence, complete with a beautiful courtyard featuring fragrant blooms and the distinctive, traditional Cypriot arches. The venue is also wheelchair accessible and is the perfect option for those who want to add local authenticity to their ceremony. Another historical option is the St Elias Gardens venue, which is located at the foothill of the quaint St Elias Chapel amidst colourful flora and foliage, further enhanced by the stone seating and a marble table. The stunning sea backdrop complements the natural surroundings, whilst another popular choice for nuptials overlooking the sea is the scenic Pernera
Blue Waters beach venue, which is a few metres from the coastal promenade and faces panoramic sea views. The newest option at Ayia Triada beach is proving to be the latest favourite location, thanks to its position directly on the sands, and comes with a choice of different arches, including the highly requested and elegant ‘Grecian’ – a nostalgic, white square ‘arch’. The homonymous chapel at the site adds an extra element of romance, and a small fishing shelter adds to the sea theme. And with a slogan of ‘you belong here’, the municipality continues to create a welcoming service that ensures that couples genuinely feel this promise. For more information contact: 23744268, or email: marriage@ paralimni.org.
The enduringly popular coastal resort of Ayia Napa continues to wear the crown for the most weddings in the south Famagusta region, with an average of 1100-1200 per year, and also offers the most municipal venues, alongside its many luxury hotels that are licensed to hold ceremonies. The Wedding Registry Office says that the overwhelming majority of couples holding a civil ceremony in Ayia Napa are British, whilst the other nationalities choosing the municipality come from all over Europe, the Mediterranean and Middle East – in equal numbers. The favourite venue remains Ammos (Kampouri) Beach Venue – where ceremonies are held overlooking a small beach of powdery white sand and sparkling waters, with the added natural feature of a large and protected old tree. The second venue of choice is Votsalo Beach Venue (Ziatzi) (photo), which is another cosy beach that holds weddings directly on the sand, with stunning coastal views. A site that has recently gained popularity due to its upgrades is the Poseidon Venue. Located by the harbour and overlook-
Delightful Dherynia
VOTSALO Beach Venue (Ziatzi) holds weddings directly on the sand
Couples choosing to marry in the south Famagusta region, but preferring a traditional venue over a seaside ceremony, will find a strong emphasis on Cypriot culture in Dherynia, where the municipality actively ensures services that echo the island’s famous hospitality and its rich customs. The municipality conducts civil ceremonies at the Town Hall and at the Municipal Amphitheatre, as well as at its Folklore Museum and the Open-Air Museums – complete with local artefacts of historical value that serve as the perfect Cyprus wedding photo props. All the venues are characterised by local elements, such as stone, wood, indigenous flora and rustic backdrops that are unmistakably Cyprus, whilst the municipality has a proud reputation for ensuring that couples receive the most personalised and warmest welcome, in the inimitable Mediterranean way! Couples choosing to tie the knot in Dherynia are comprised of a mixture of visitors and locals, with the majority coming from the UK, or British expats residing on the island. But the one thing they all have in common, is the vision of a highly traditional experience at charismatic venues
ing the sea, the municipality have designated an area for civil unions, complete with a traditional boat that is used for wedding photos and adds to the nautical charm of the location. Other venues offered by the municipality include: the Town Hall; Cape Greco Venue, where the picture-perfect views are further enhanced by some of the best sunsets on the island; Venue Aoratos (Juniper Tree) – the most photographed tree on the island, and a venue that welcomed its first couple this year; a cultural setting at the modern Thalassa Museum, and Ayios Epifanios (the Cross on the Hill Venue, the Cave of Ayios Epifanios and the area outside the Old Church) – offering local authenticity and history alongside breathtaking panoramic views. The Wedding Registry Office believes that Ayia Napa’s allure for weddings comes from having some of the best beaches on the island, combined with offering many different options for outdoor and beach weddings that also offer flexibility and choice on where couples can then hold their reception or celebration. For more information contact: 23816309 / 23816327 / 23816307. Email: weddings@agianapa.org.cy. Facebook: Ayia Napa Civil Weddings.
STONE arches provide a traditional backdrop to weddings in Dherynia
that represent Cyprus and its past, and the quaint village does not disappoint. For more information, contact: 23811000, or visit: deryneia.org.cy.
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Nicosia nuptials Plenty of exciting options in the capital city
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apital city Nicosia may not be near the sea but it still has a lot to offer the up to 750 couples per year who choose to begin their married life with a civil ceremony there. A municipality official said that between 700 and 750 civil marriages took place under the jurisdiction of the Town Hall every year but noted that not all of them take As well as the many place in or outside the picturesque neo-classical options listed on building in the city centre. the municipality’s In fact, she revealed website, ceremonies that as well as the many options listed on the mucan be carried out nicipality’s website, cerealmost anywhere monies can be carried out within Nicosia’s almost anywhere within municipal limits Nicosia’s municipal limits at the request of the couple, including hotels, restaurants or even their own home if they live in Cyprus. When it comes to the origin of the couples getting married, many are from Cyprus or live here on a permanent basis. “Sometimes there are marriages involving someone from one country and another person from another such as the UK or even Canada,” a municipality official said. She noted that, in Nicosia’s case as a less touristy location, many of the nonCypriot couples were people living in Cyprus on permanent basis, either for work or to study, as opposed to choosing to come here specifically for their special day. If couples do not have a particular
The Municipal Swimming Pool can make a beautiful setting for a civil wedding and reception in Nicosia
venue in mind but would prefer to have the ceremony away from the Town Hall, there are plenty of other options. These are also available to couples who marry in church and want a venue for their receptions. These include the Nicosia Municipal Pool located in Ayios Andreas. The element of water in conjunction with the imposing palm trees, walnut trees and colourful bougainvillea creates an ideal setting for up to 500 people for dinner and 2,000 people for cocktails.
Nicosia’s Multipurpose Centre at Pallouriotissa’s Old Market can host up to 150 people for dinner and 500 people for cocktails. The Municipal Garden, located near Parliament and the Municipal Theatre provides a lovely setting amongst trees and flowers and can host receptions of up to 2,000 people. The Melina Mercouri Hall, meanwhile, is a lovely Old City building that has been modified for contemporary events including wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Mills Cultural Centre, in Kaimakli, is located next to the historical church of Ayia Varvara and can host dinners for 150 and cocktail receptions for 1,000 people. Visit www.nicosia.org.cy, e-mail civilmarriages@nicosiamunicipality.org.cy or call 22797238 for more information. Please note that there are also separate contact details for the reception venues but these can also be found on the municipality website’s section on civil weddings.
Love in Larnaca Weddings that reflect the authenticity and diversity of the region With its favourable location serving as the crossroads of the island, Larnaca attracts couples from all over the world for civil ceremonies, from those who opt for a quick stopover - thanks to the town centre’s close proximity to the international airport, to those making their wedding a longer affair combined with a holiday or honeymoon. The municipality says that around 1100 couples choose Larnaca for their civil ceremony each year, and that the majority come from Lebanon, followed by Israel and Russia. Larnaca also has the highest percentage of civil ceremonies for couples from Lebanon and Israel on the island, as well as being first for mass weddings. As a coastal town, weddings with a seascape setting are always a popular option, and there is no shortage of locations, starting from the Dhek-
elia Road coastal stretch, passing through Phinikoudes and culminating at Mackenzie, with the latter attracting large numbers – particularly young couples - thanks to a very modern vibe. But Larnaca also offers a balance of venues to cater for other preferences. Among the most popular is the Medieval Castle; both within, and outside at its pier, square or beach. Marriages held inside the grounds of the fort are by permission of the Antiquities Department, which has allowed civil ceremonies there since 2010, with the venue favoured for its historical significance, pretty gardens, ancient architecture and panoramic sea views. And at the other end of the palm tree lined strip, the marina and its pier are also available for civil ceremonies with a nautical theme, with plenty of photo opportunities extend-
ing out to the bustling promenade. Perhaps the most unusual setting the municipality offers is that of the Salt Lake. Whilst it is not a typical wedding location, the lake offers an alternative natural venue that boasts stunning, fiery sunsets – and even flocks of flamingos to witness weddings taking place between November and March! The municipality says that its approach to civil weddings showcases Larnaca’s hospitality and the warmth of the town’s people, and that those who opt for ceremonies there are attracted to its status as one of the oldest cities on the island, its romantic history, the weather, beaches and natural scenery... and Larnaca’s unforgettable signature of diversity. For more information, contact: 24816564, or email: civilmarriage@ larnaka.com.
Dream wedding at Sea Caves Romance is always in the air in the land where Aphrodite once roamed, so there are few places better than Pegeia for affirming your vows. With year-round sunshine practically guaranteed and some of the most beautiful locations as a backdrop, it is certain to be a day to remember. Convenient marriage formalities and excellent facilities make getting married in Pegeia an easy process. Whether for an intimate family gathering or a lavish banquet at a luxury hotel, the facilities on offer are excellent value for money.
Pegeia Municipality
For further information please contact: Maria Yiangou. Phone number: 26 - 621113, 26 - 621244 E-mail: info@pegeiamunicipality.com E-mail: m.yiangou@pegeiamunicipality.com
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Book a modern marriage
Planning your big day is easy with BookYourWeddingDay.com
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edding tourism is getting bigger and better, as couples from all over the world travel abroad to wed, hoping to make this special day a memorable one! Cyprus is a hot destination due to the beautiful beaches, dreamy locations and favourable weather and there is no greater proof of that than the numbers that are steadily climbing. In The majority of the the next few years, wedTown Halls and hotels ding tourism in Cyprus is expected to increase, already participate as improvements are in the platform, as being made not only to secure the quality of serit offers them great vices offered but also to practicality and facilitate the procedures. efficiency One of these improvements is the innovative platform BookYourWeddingDay.com which facilitates the procedure of booking a civil wedding in Cyprus. The platform was developed to avoid the lengthy procedure that was often the main reason that discouraged visitors to plan their wedding in Cyprus; a process that could have taken up to 6-8 weeks. With the launch of the platform earlier this month, the users now have the ability to instantly check the avail-
BookYourWeddingDay.com has already attracted a great amount of visitors from around the world
ability of hotels and other venues and directly book their desired one with a click of button. As a result of its simple use effectiveness, it has already attracted a great amount of visitors. The majority of the Town Halls and hotels already participate in the plat-
form, as it offers them great practicality and efficiency. The platform, which is available to Town Halls and hotels at no cost, also provides them with important information in real time that can be strategically used to attract more couples from abroad, while at the same time it
helps them avoid multiple bookings that have resulted in many cancellations in the past. Other than the fact that the platform saves valuable time while cutting costs, it also gives the opportunity to Town Halls and hotels to be more reachable and visible to their target audience. Equally important is the fact that each couple is accompanied by several guests who stay in the island for 10 days on average, generating substantial income for the Cyprus economy. Subsequent to this original idea, it is foreseen that the number of visitors who desire to wed from around the world in Cyprus will gradually increase. The platform has already been promoted to various UK-based tour operators, and the team of BookYourWeddingDay.com will carry on promoting and educating other tour operators located in Russia, Lebanon and Israel. BookYourWeddingDay.com offers the potential to Cyprus to maintain its leading role as well as to become a paradise for wedding tourism. The platform has received important honours and awards at local and international innovation competitions and has already captured the attention of the media in Cyprus, Greece and the United Kingdom.
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Loving Limassol Sea-side city a popular civil wedding choice
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he Limassol district’s long coastline and proximity to charming mountain communities make it a popular destination for civil weddings. Yermasoyia Municipality has long offered its picturesque Cultural Centre and its gardens as a civil weddings venue but now couples can also choose to celebrate their union at hotels and other venues. According to a municipality official, requests come for marriage ceremonies ‘We also accept requests to be carried out at the close to 40 hofor ceremonies to be tels in the Yermasoycarried out in other ia area, particularly locations such as encompassing those Governor’s Beach and east of the Le Meridien Limassol Spa and even Platres and Resort Hotel up to the Pissouri’ Crowne Plaza Limassol in the west. “As other municipalities may not be inclined to undertake them, we also accept requests for ceremonies to be carried out in other locations such as Governor’s Beach and even Platres and Pissouri,” the official said. If they decided to stick with the Cultural Centre option, couples can look forward to tying the knot in a carefully renovated traditional home boasting the century-old Ayia Paraskevi Church in its picture-ready garden. The official revealed that most of the 400-450 couples per year who chose Yermasoyia for their civil weddings were from the UK, followed by Lebanon, Israel, Russia, the Ukraine and also the United Arab Emirates (UAE): “But we have had couples from the US, Australia and New
Yermasoyia Municipality has long offered its picturesque Cultural Centre and its gardens as a civil weddings venue
Zealand although these usually number just one or two a year”. To find out more, visit www.yermasoyia.org, e-mail yermasoyia.weddings@ cytanet.com.cy or telephone 25879898. Limassol Municipality, meanwhile, also boasts a selection of civil marriage venues as well as purpose-built ‘Wedding Room’ within City Hall. These include the gardens of the Municipal Art Gallery, the Pattichion Archive Museum – Research Centre of Limassol (former District Officer’s residence) and at its gardens, the Panos Solomonides Cul-
tural Centre, the gardens of the Municipal Library, the waterfront, The Zoo, GSO Fytidio Sports Centre, and the seafront docks. Elaborating on the Wedding Room option, the municipality notes: “The new wedding venue of the Municipality, housed at the City Hall, can offer the simplicity and elegance which transforms the most important day of your life into an exceptional one, leaving the best impressions to be experienced and remembered by you and your guests. The venue can accommodate up to 50 people, whilst the freedom of choice in re-
gards to decor and accessories offers the opportunity to adapt the atmosphere to your personal taste. After all, the day belongs to you and it should be as unique as you are”. Around 250 couples per year choose Limassol Municipality to officialise their civil weddings, with nationalities mirroring a similar trend as elsewhere in Cyprus with most couples coming from the UK, Russia, Israel and Lebanon. For more information, visit www. limassolmunicipal.com.cy or call 25884345 or 25884354.
Simply Sotira The emerging favourite for seaside nuptials
SOTIRA Sirens Bay Ayia Thekla
When it comes to weddings in the south Famagusta region, the picturesque village of Sotira – a municipality since 2011 - is starting to emerge as a favourite destination, thanks to its popular Ayia Thekla beach. It was even recommended by UK tour operator Thomas Cook as the perfect place for a beach wedding in the Summer 2016 edition of its ‘Travel’ magazine. Since the increased demand for weddings in the area, ‘Sotira - Ayia Thekla Weddings’ – the wedding planning department of the municipality – has continued to launch additional options for ceremonies on its gorgeous coastal stretch, bringing the total options for nuptials in the municipality to eight. Aside from civil ceremonies in the Town Hall, the Town Hall Gardens, and the original beach setting, the new Sirens Beach Venue was unveiled in May this year, described by the municipality as: “The sand-totoes beach wedding you always dream about, just a few steps from the pristine turquoise Ayia Thekla waters”. This particular set-up is proving to be highly popular for its romantic simplicity, with a cosy arrangement of white chairs and vintage-style bureau almost at the shoreline.
Since its creation, more than 200 couples have chosen to tie the knot in a seaside ceremony on its soft sands, with the majority coming from Britain and Russia. Other municipal options at Ayia Thekla are: the Poseidon Venue – a beach with rugged rock line; Ayia Thekla Island; ‘Nissaki’ Ayia Thekla Beach Bar and Restaurant - which provides catering and holds wedding receptions, and the higher-end Thalassines Beach Villas Hotel - which is referred to as “a hidden paradise”, where couples can hire out seafront villas and hold their fairytale wedding mere steps from the water, complete with a traditional buffet and live Greek bouzouki on the sands. The department says that Sotira is a special place for a wedding as it was the first to launch the ‘sandto-toes’ beach weddings concept, offering numerous venue options and styles of weddings for all budgets, and carving out a reputation for a friendly and welcoming approach to organising dream days. For more information, contact: 23821416, email: weddings@sotira.org.cy, or visit: sotiraweddings. com / sotira.org.cy. Further information is also available on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram (@SotiraWeddings).
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Couples from the UK and Israel are flocking to Paphos to get married
Weddings in Paphos T he district has long banked in on its connections to the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite whose legendary birthplace is Petra tou Romiou in order to get a slice of the wedding tourism pie. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) says that there are around 4,000 civil ceremonies a year on the island with about 50% of couples being from the UK. There are four municipalities in Paphos that undertake foreign weddings as part of their services. Paphos Municipality tops the list with about 1,200 ceremonies taking place annually according to the Supervisor of Civil Marriages, Doxa Economidou. While the lion’s share of ceremonies are for couples from Britain, reflecting the CTO trend, other markets are growing. The pleasant climate and the chance to turn the wedding into a holiday for guests is attracting Russian couples as well. The most impressive growth is in the Israeli market though. “Just a few years ago we did maybe 10 weddings for Israeli couples a year,” Doxa told The Cyprus Weekly. “Now the figure is around 250.” Venues include beaches, hotels, parks, tourist sites such as the Ottoman Haman and Paphos Castle. More private spots include yachts and villas. However, the vast majority of services (50%) take place at PaphosTown Hall. The regular fee for a civil wedding ceremony is €128.15 if it occurs 15 days to three months after the application date. This rises to €281.92 if the marriage takes place within 15 days of the application procedure. Revenue is €500,000 annually, a sum that Doxa says “cannot be ignored”. With revenue so significant, the Municipality is always making efforts to improve its services. It has recently started collaboration with the website BookYourWeddingDay.com system through whichcouples from around the world can easily make their reservations, avoiding lengthy procedures and waiting lists. “It allows direct booking of a wedding date with a reply in two or three days,” says Doxa. Neighbouring Yeroskipou is also a popular wedding destination for couples with 2015 seeing half a million euros in revenue from about 800 ceremonies. The municipality has said it expects this figure to rise to more than 900 by the end of this year. The municipality says that Cypriots as well as couples form abroad are attracted to
the area for civil ceremonies. Venues include hotels and restaurants with the Ierokipio Park Kato Vrysi area one of the most popular. As with Paphos, there is a regular fee of €128 for ceremonies that take place with notice that rises to €282 for one that allows the marriage to take place one day after the application. British couples also make up most of couples who wed in Peyia. Municipal Wedding Officer, Marina Yiangou told The Cyprus Weekly that the town hall conducts 600 to 700 weddings annually which brings in €250,000 of revenue. Ceremonies take place in surrounding hotels, beaches, villas and the Vrysi area just below the town hall. One new venue that has been added is a service at the Onirou café which opened next to the EDRO III ship that beached in December 2011 close to the Sea Caves. The vessel has become something of an attraction since then which led the munici-
A few years ago we did maybe 10 weddings for Israeli couples a year, now the figure is around 250
pality to offer the adjacent café as a venue for weddings. In addition to British, Russian and Ukrainian couples, Peyia is trying to attract more couples from Israel and Lebanon, Yiangou explained. Polis is lagging on the wedding front with only around 50 services taking place annually according to the wedding officer at Polis Municipality. “The Anassa Hotel is a very popular spot for ceremonies,” the officer said. “They also take place in villas and in the historic town centre.” Ceremonies are officiated by wedding officers employed by each municipality. The officers do not need any specific training or
licensing to conduct a civil ceremony which, according to Yiangou, is a simple procedure. Weddings do not just bring in money for the municipalities. An identifiable wedding tourist sector has grown around civil ceremonies. There are scores of wedding planners in Paphos who can arrange the entire process, reception ceremony and extras for a fee. Hotels host wedding guests, restaurant host receptions and florists provide flowers. Each of
these services can be as low-key or extravagant as the couple wishes. Generally, there is an aim to attract more couples from Lebanon and Israel. The problem is an ongoing one; the lack of direct flights from these countries. “Right now many of these couples choose to wed in the east of the island for this reason,” Economidou said. “We’re hoping to eventually attract them to Paphos.”