Wedding magazine honeymoon supplement

m a e r D s n o i t a n i t s e d

FEBRUARY • MARCH 2013

Don’t book anything without checking this inspirational travel guide first

100s

WIN! £6,000 LUXURIOUS HONEYMOON

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OF GREAT IDEAS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

17/12/2012 10:22

Sanctuary Baines Camp

Mostly As

For a

safari adventure…

Thrill-seeking honeymooners should head to Botswana, which boasts some of the finest game reserves in South Africa

What to pack

Stay: If you’ve never been on safari before, then your first time has to

Sunglasses, £175, Miu Miu

Animal-print bra, £54, and matching briefs, £32, Chantelle

Animal-print crystal bangle, £36, Amy Childs for Mikey

Khaki shorts, £22, Topshop

Silk cheetah-print kaftan, £350, We Are Handsome at My-wardrobe.com

Leopard-print sandals, £45, Ravel

Animal-print crystal clutch bag, £495, Sunita Mukhi

be special. And that’s what the staff at Sanctuary Baines Camp on the Okavango Delta, Botswana, are there to ensure. You’ll be staying in the middle of the savannah, surrounded by wild animals, but with a taste of luxury. The camp comprises five individual lodges set on stilts (ensuring no rogue elephants can come barging in to interrupt your sleep). They each have a four-poster bed, an outside deck looking onto the Delta and a rainforest shower complete with Africology skincare products. There is a main lodge where you can congregate for delicious, home-cooked meals, and a library where you can browse a range of books about the indigenous wild and birdlife.

See: The aim is to spot all of the elusive ‘Big Five’, of course. That’s elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino. Every day you have the option of going on a morning or afternoon game drive, where a knowledgeable guide will take you on a tour through the neighbouring terrain, pointing out animals which might be camouflaged against the landscape. On any given drive, you might see giraffes, crocodiles, baboons, warthogs, impala or one of the aforementioned five. Coming into such close proximity with these beasts is a magical experience.

Of course, no game drive is complete without a sundowner, and the guides will stop at a pretty spot to set up a mini bar for a G&T or two.

Honeymoon highlights: Your bed can be wheeled out onto the deck so you can sleep under the stars, and you must experience the moonlit bath: the staff will arrange for two tin baths to be placed on your deck, filled with bubbles and lit only by lanterns and candles.

Book it: Three nights at Sanctuary Baines’ Camp, including return flights from Maun, Botswana to the camp’s private airstrip, an elephant excursion, all meals and scheduled game activities, starts from £1,595 per person based on two people sharing. Flights from Heathrow to Maun with South African Airways start from £1,143 per person. To book, call 020 7190 7728 or visit www.sanctuaryretreats.com.

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12/12/2012 17:04

HONEYMOON quiz

Mostly Bs

The Romanos, Costa Navarino

For a

euro-luxe trip...

Discover a land of olive groves, lemon trees and stunning scenery on Greece’s little-known southern coast, the South Peloponnese Stay: Situated a scenic hour’s drive from Kalamata is the luxury resort of Costa Navarino. Set within several acres of landscaped grounds, it comprises two main hotels – The Romanos and The Westin – which are served by first-class facilities, including 20 restaurants, three pool areas, a spa, two golf courses, a scuba centre and a range of boutiques.

However, it feels far from crowded; everything is beautifully spaced out and the overall atmosphere is of relaxed sophistication. Romantics should book into The Romanos, where ground-floor rooms boast their own infinity pools as well as rainforest showers, tubs big enough for two and deliciously-scented toiletries based on the signature spa range.

See: Hire bikes at the resort and ride through lemon and olive groves to Voidokilia beach, a crescent-shaped bay of golden sand, aquamarine water and secluded coves. Set sail on a sunset cruise around Navarino Bay on one of the resort’s two boats; you can opt for the slick speedboat, or the more traditional sailboat. Immerse yourself in ancient history with a visit to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, where you’ll see temples to the Gods, the original stadium and a collection of incredible sculptures (this all-day excursion can be arranged via the hotel).

Honeymoon highlights: De-stress with a couple’s massage at the resort’s Anazoe Spa – you can enjoy an aromatherapy treatment or deep tissue massage side by side on site, or in the privacy of your own room. Afterwards, indulge in some local wine tasting at the Enoteca, situated in the middle of the resort, where an experienced sommelier will talk you through the best wines of the region. Just don’t forget to drink plenty of water, too!

Book it: Aegean Airlines offers flights from London Heathrow to Athens, as well as daily flights from Athens to Kalamata. For more details, visit www.aegeanair.com. Rooms at The Romanos start from £253 per night, based on two sharing. For more details, or to book online, visit www.romanoscostanavarino.com.

The Westin, Costa Navarino

What to pack

Anchor necklace, £405, Jean Paul Gaultier for Swarovski Crystallised Anchor-print cardigan, £65, Laura Ashley

Anchor drop earrings, £280, Jean Paul Gaultier for Swarovski Crystallised

Wide-brimmed hat, £16, Jasper Conran at Debenhams

Navy and red ‘Ahoy’ bikini top, £48, and matching briefs, £54, Seafolly

Silver flat sandals, £129, Hobbs

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12/12/2012 17:04

GIFT lists

Turquoise Holidays How it works: The experts on luxury longhaul travel will not only help you book your dream break, they’ll also help you organise the perfect gift list to maximise your fun, whether it’s a boat cruise or a hot air balloon flight.

You’ll be able to create your own website with a record of the gifts and messages you’ve received and organisers won’t book anything until six weeks before your wedding, so if you change your mind on an excursion or want to pool your money elsewhere, you can.

We love: The e-postcards you can send to friends and family straight from your page to say thank you for their contributions.

Set-up cost: Free www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk

Buy Our Honeymoon

The Smith Wedding Gift List How it works: Whether you want the holiday of a lifetime or a scattering of mini-breaks throughout the year, this is a simple way to encourage your guests to contribute. You’ll receive 150 gift list cards to send out to loved ones with your invitations. You can either book your trip in advance and pay your deposit when your gift list closes a week before your wedding, or wait and book your break – or several – at Mr & Mrs Smith hotels.

We love: The messages from your guests will be printed and presented in a keepsake folder.

Set-up cost: Free www.mrandmrssmith.com/wedding-list

How it works: Set up your own unique list by customising the page design and uploading your photos. You are restricted only by your imagination with this list – include anything you like from an arctic cruise to a dog-sitter!

Your guests can reserve their chosen gift from your list and pay the money to you either by PayPal, a one-off direct debit or by giving you cash or a cheque on the day of your wedding.

We love: Stuck for ideas? The company offers a ‘Helping Hand’ service, tracking down the best ideas from the thousands of gift lists it has managed in the past and sending them to you.

Set-up cost: £55 www.buy-our-honeymoon.com

The love list Have enough pots and pans? Here’s our rundown of the best travel gift ideas John Lewis Gift List

How it works: Create a list of all the costs involved with your dream break and share it with your guests – it could be your flights, meals or excursions. You’ll have your own website address as well as e-mail, print and web announcements.

We love: If guests want to feel they are personally handing you a present, they can simply select an item from the list, print a certificate and present it to you with cash or a cheque, all free of charge. If they’d rather stay online, they can pay through PayPal. Set-up cost: Free www.honeyfund.co.uk

Sandals Honeymoon & Wedding Gift Registry

How it works: Simply book your Sandals honeymoon, register and select from a fabulous list of tailored options. Then invite your friends and family to log on and shop on your behalf. They might want to treat you to a bottle of champagne, a private dinner or a suite upgrade. You’ll have your own website, plus there’s a message board, games and announcement cards to add to the fun!

We love: You can choose to give to the Sandals Foundation via your gift list. Your guests will be invited to donate to the charity which funds community centres, marine sanctuaries, education scholarships and more.

Set-up cost: Free www.registry.sandals.co.uk W

WORDS: VICTORIA ROLISON

Honeyfund

How it works: John Lewis has gone into partnership with travel company Kuoni so you can add your honeymoon to your gift list. All you need to do is book your Kuoni honeymoon, add it to your John Lewis gift list and the company will send you 100 announcement cards so your guests can contribute to your trip.

We love: You can have the best of both worlds – gifts and a honeymoon!

Set-up cost: Free www.johnlewisgiftlist.com

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12/12/2012 11:47

A-list style

A-LIST islands

Want a luxe honeymoon but don’t have the budget to match? Amanda Statham plans the route to a celebrity-inspired trip for less

Take a hot air balloon safari

Sasakwa Lodge

Jeep safaris are good, but newlyweds Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel took game watching to new heights of OMGness on their amazing 2012 honeymoon. The pair wed at the Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy before jetting off to a private game reserve in Tanzania’s Serengeti, where they divided their time between a swanky cottage at Sasakwa Lodge and ultra luxurious canvas escape at Faru Faru. Along with lounging in infinity pools, early morning game drives and dining beneath the stars, they went on a hot air balloon ride for a bird’s eye view of the Serengeti to spot the 'Big Five'.

Africa Odyssey (www.africaodyssey.com) offers three nights each at Sasakwa Lodge and Faru Faru, including a hot air balloon trip, transfers and economy international flights, from £7,800 per person.

Faru Faru

If £15,000 for two sounds a smidgen over budget then how about honeymooning at the romantic, yet much less pricey, tented Governors’ Camp in Kenya? You can take to the skies in a hot air balloon above the Masai Mara where the open expanse of the plains means you have more than a good chance of spotting big game. When your hour of drifting is over, celebrate with bubbly and breakfast cooked by a chef on the PACK balloon’s burners – hot stuff!

Imagine Africa (www.imagine africa.co.uk) offers five nights, including international flights and transfers, from £1,979 per person. It also offers a Masai Mara ballooning experience from £275 per person, including a cooked champagne breakfast.

Tiger-print tote, £35, Temperley London. Elephant necklace, £45, Bill Skinner

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Take a flight over Masai Mar

Governors' Camp

a

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05/12/2012 15:29

Dine by the sea

Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort, Castries, St. Lucia Sweeping emerald lawns, swaying palms and beach views will fill your special day with unforgettable romance at Sandals Grande St. Lucian. Your wedding can be held anywhere in this beautiful resort, including beneath an open-air gazebo at the end of a long pier, perched above the ocean. You may even choose to have your reception at sunset, when everything takes on an exquisite golden hue – the perfect end to your special day.

Wedded bliss

Sandals Resorts offer the ultimate romantic backdrop for a wedding and honeymoon you’ll never forget

Say your vows on the beach

B

oasting warm turquoise waters, picturesque beaches, balmy sunshine and stunning views, the islands of the Caribbean are the go-to locations for weddings abroad. Sandals has paved the way in offering the unforgettable destinations of St. Lucia, Jamaica, Antigua, the Bahamas and Grenada for idyllic weddings and gorgeous honeymoon retreats.

There are 14 luxurious Sandals resorts nestled amongst these islands, each boasting a choice of picture-perfect wedding venues for you to say ‘I do’ in an intimate celebration in front of your family and friends.

Think about saying your vows barefoot on white sand against the glittering backdrop of the Caribbean Sea, or getting wed in an intimate flower-topped gazebo tucked away in beautiful gardens. The choice really is all yours, and we’ve highlighted some of the amazing locations within the Sandals resorts you can choose from to get married (see right).

Customise your wedding You’ll also be given complete control over every little detail of your day to make it even more special. Once you’ve narrowed down your colour scheme or chosen your favourite wedding theme, Sandals offers countless options to complement your style, from bouquets and boutonnieres, favour boxes filled with sweets, colourful parasols, additional videography and photography to centrepieces, linens, cakes and cupcakes.

And you’ll have your own personal wedding planner to oversee proceedings and help you make those all-important decisions so you can create a celebration perfectly suited to your own taste.

Choosing to tie the knot at a Sandals resort not only ensures that you can celebrate in a stunning location, but it will also leave your big day totally stress-free. Plus, book for six nights or longer and you will receive a FREE* Sandals ‘Beautiful Beginnings’ WeddingMoon®.

Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas The beautiful beach at Sandals Emerald Bay is an idyllic spot for your dream wedding. Walk down an aisle of white sand and say your vows under a decorated canopy. Afterwards, toast to your new marriage with an elegant candlelit reception on the beach, or be whisked off to share your first dance as husband and wife at a private post-wedding celebration at the pretty marina. Alternatively, a poolside ceremony at this resort offers an enchanting setting for your wedding where you can customise every detail.

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07/12/2012 11:31

promotion

Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, Antigua

Say ‘I do’ beneath a flower-strewn gazebo in the lush tropical gardens at Sandals Grande Antigua with the gentle sounds of waves crashing onto the beautiful Dickenson Bay nearby.

Or add some Italian amore to your big day by getting married in a ceremony next to a piazza fountain overlooking the sea in the resort’s pretty ‘Italian Village’. Simply bliss.

Beautiful Dickenson Bay

Sandals Halcyon Beach, Castries, St. Lucia

Tropical garden venue

Decorated decking with views

*Government and administration fees apply. ^ADDITIONAL COSTS APPLY. †SELECTED RESORTS ONLY. Visit www.sandals.co.uk for full terms & conditions. ABTA & ATOL protected

Why not exchange your vows in a pretty blue pavilion on the edge of the seashore, with the lush island scenery behind you?

That is one of the charming options at Sandals Halcyon Beach. Couples could also choose a garden wedding, made even more idyllic with the elegant cabanas that are perfect for a post-ceremony gathering.

Think fragrant foliage and endless greenery outside – the perfect backdrop for your photography.

Sandals Montego Bay, Montego Bay, Jamaica You can still choose a traditional wedding when abroad by exchanging vows in front of friends and family in the picturesque wedding chapel at Sandals Montego Bay. Set along Jamaica’s longest stretch of private white-sand beach, the wedding options at this resort are endless. From a chic oceanfront pool to a tropical garden, the choice is yours.

Seashore celebration

Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica Our other resorts: Sandals La Toc, Castries, St. Lucia Sandals Whitehouse, Jamaica Sandals Grande Riviera, Ocho Rios, Jamaica Sandals Negril, Jamaica Sandals Royal Caribbean, Montego Bay, Jamaica Sandals Royal Bahamian, Nassau, Bahamas Sandals Carlyle, Montego Bay, Jamaica NEW: Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort & Spa, Grenada

A tranquil deck with a coned roofing overlooking the gardens and the sea can host both your wedding ceremony and reception at Sandals Royal Plantation. After the sun sets, the pretty space takes on a whole new fairytale ambiance, and there is plenty of room to accommodate all of your guests.

Alternatively, the twinkling blue sea can serve as a lovely backdrop if you say ‘I do’ on the beach before heading to the open-air patio to celebrate with guests or enjoy a romantic dinner for two on a secluded pier. Fabulous!

A traditional chapel

For more information or to book your Sandals WeddingMoon®, call 0800 012 1878, visit www.sandals. co.uk or see your local travel agent.

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07/12/2012 11:32

TURKEY The Eurasian country has been at the heart of much historic political debate, but this has infused the people and the landscape with a unique passion – making it the ideal place to spend the heady first days of your marriage.

ROMANTIC ROOMS TU

RKE Y

Located near tourist hotspot Hisaronu Bay, on the western Mediterranean coast of Turkey, newly opened Marti Hemithea is a peaceful haven for honeymooners who want a taste of the highlife. The natural décor of the hotel blends with the beautiful scenery. From afar it’s hard to see where the hotel ends and the mountains start.

And the marina itself is so quiet, the only noise you’ll hear is the hum of the insects in the trees, and the occasional yacht being fixed. Within the resort, each room at Marti Hemithea is themed around a different god or goddess, with contemporary, luxurious interiors and all the mod cons. Honeymooners would feel perfectly at home in the luxurious Lighthouse Tower suite or the duplex set-up of the Presidential suite, with its two floors, spacious balcony and panoramic views of the marina and lush mountains. But every room offers something special – the Grand Deluxe rooms come with their own private outdoor hot tubs. Or the Premium suites include beautiful hammam-style bathrooms and lounge areas.

DREAM DAYS Spend lazy afternoons relaxing in the yacht club taking in the views of the picturesque marina, filled with magnificent super yachts and motor boats. The marina is also flanked by quaint shops, patisseries and cute boutiques, so it’s

GETTING THERE



Rooms from £170 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information, visit www.martihemitheahotel.com. EasyJet flies to Dalaman from London Gatwick, London Stansted, Edinburgh, Bristol and Manchester.

Flight prices start from £82.49 per person (one-way, including taxes based on two people travelling on the same booking).

For details, call 0843 104 5000 or visit the website www.easyjet.com..

ish Turk a y m Enjo amma or book h ce, ssn rie stre e expen for a assag i ing m bust

an easy place to while away the hours. Those who love the sea are able to charter a boat or yacht to take them along the coast in style. You and your new husband can stop off at the most remote coves for a quick swim and marvel at the breathtaking surroundings. You’ll feel a million miles away from the real world – everything feels very untouched and you’ll struggle to see any form of human life. You can even charter a super yacht to take you over to a Greek island for an evening of fine dining and sightseeing – Symi Island is the perfect getaway, and only a two-hour boat ride away. Of course a honeymoon wouldn’t be complete without a bit of pampering, so make sure you pay a visit to the resort’s state-of-theart spa and beauty centre. Enjoy an authentic Turkish hammam experience, or book in for a stress-busting massage. But if even that sounds too much like hard work, and you’d rather do nothing at all, simply relax by the swimming pool or beach decking area.

Alternatively, thrill-seekers will love the jeep safari, where an experienced driver will take you through the untouched surrounding mountains, stopping off at scenic viewpoints.

DECADENT DINING What really makes Marti Hemithea special is the delicious cuisine on offer, and there’s a variety of spots to eat. Start the day with a traditional Turkish feast on the terrace of the Lobby Lounge, where you can enjoy a mix of fresh and dried fruits, olives, cured meats and fresh honeycomb. For lunch, there are so many tempting dishes to choose from; the freshest seafood and Turkish bread, with a tasty aubergine and yoghurt dip on the side, to mouthwatering kebabs, served with pita breads and salad. And for something to cool you down in the searing heat, try the area’s speciality drink, Ev Yapimi limonata – a delicious thirst-quenching lemonade. For dinner, the hotel’s main restaurant, Club Mistral, serves a creative fusion of cuisines – don’t miss the whole seabass cooked in a shell of salt, or the delicious Thai food, all accompanied by live Latin music. W

WORDS: NICKI SMITH, CARRIE MITCHELL, KERRY BOULLEMIER. PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCKPHOTO

JUST 4 HOURS AWAY!

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Fico di Amalfi cologne, £70 (150ml), Acqua di Parma

Advanced Marine Biology Foaming Mousse Cleanser, £40, La Prairie Aqua Oriens eau de toilette, £54 (50ml), Van Cleef & Arpels

‘Mia’ Sonic Skin Cleanser, £120, Clarisonic

Dress, from £1,568,

Detoxifying Seaweed Bath Soak, £35.95, The Organic Pharmacy

David Fielden

“This evocative scent is perfect for your new hu bby on honeymoon.” CIARA ELL IOTT, EDITOR

COMPILED BY: CARRIE MITCHELL. PHOTOGRAPHY: ANTONY NOBILO (WWW.ANTONYNOBILO.COM). SHOT ON LOCATION AT KURUMBA MALDIVES * 5% OF ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO OCEAN CONSERVATION GROUP, BLOOM ASSOCIATION (WWW.BLOOMASSOCIATION.ORG). FOR STOCKISTS, SEE PAGE 30

L’Eau d’Issey eau de toilette, £49 (50ml), Issey Mayake at Debenhams

Advanced Marine Biology Tonic, £64, La Prairie

Swimcap Hair Protectant, £10.30, Philip Kingsley

Satinizing Dry Oil, £27.30, Thalgo

Nail polish in Aquamarine, £4.30, Mavala

blue

Nail polish in Paradise Blue, £4.30, Mavala

Our pick of the best aqua-inspired beauty buys The Body Créme, £100, Créme de la Mer

‘Save the Sharks’* Eye & Cheek Palette, £75, Chantecaille

Energising Vitality Cream, £33.20, Thalgo

s, tones “This body cream firm ay skin.Handy!” and fully hydrates holid N DIRECTOR

LIZANNE HARRIS, FASHIO

Omega 3 dietary supplements, from £31(30-day supply), Perricone MD

Aprés Beach Wave and Surf Spray, £33, Oribe

Soothing Foot Bath Salts £9.75, Mavala

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14/12/2012 12:11

some like it hot Three couples reveal how they celebrated their nuptials overseas

greece

Rosemary and Brian Dream destination: Brian and I holidayed in Lindos, on the island of Rhodes, a few years ago and fell in love with the chapel at St Paul’s Bay. We knew it was perfect for our wedding.

Perfect planning: In order to wed at the chapel, we needed to limit numbers so, rather than leave anyone out, we decided to marry in secret with just us and our two daughters present. I wanted everything to be stripped back so the focus could be on the beautiful setting. Keeping it simple made the planning easy. Brian booked the hotel, flights, ceremony, guitarist and restaurant.

My daughters’ gift to us was to organise and pay for the wedding photographer. They scoured websites for months leading up to the wedding and discovered Magdalene and Kostas Agiannitis. My husband and I are truly delighted with the final pictures – they really are the best wedding present.

The big event: We were married in a civil ceremony at the chapel, which is located by a beach on the coast of Lindos.

A guitarist followed my daughter Jordan and I on the walk down there and played music throughout the service so all we

heard was that and the waves gently washing against the shore. Afterwards, we walked through the town to Melenos, a boutique luxury hotel with a beautiful restaurant that overlooks the Aegean sea, where we had a meal and champagne to celebrate.

My lace, knee-length dress was perfect for the day, complemented with a pretty birdcage veil covered in Swarovski pearls.

I opted for a bouquet of gypsophila, tied with lace ribbon. Brian wore beige chinos, a pale blue shirt and navy blazer, while my daughters wore sleeveless dresses in pale tones. Taylor, my youngest daughter, looked beautiful in a dusky pink sequinned dress, while Jordan decided on an embellished mint-coloured dress to complement.

Personal highlights: I especially loved walking through Lindos town – being part of the hustle and bustle; seeing the donkeys and people working, juxtaposed against the four of us walking to the restaurant in wedding attire. It really felt as though we were part of a real-life fairytale.

Photography: Magdalene Kourti Photography (www.mkourti.com).Venue: Melenos (www.melenoslindos.com). Dress: Reiss (www.reiss.com).Veil: Holly Dench (www.hollydench.com)

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07/12/2012 11:42

REAL-LIFE weddings

Niamh & Darren

COMPILED BY: CARRIE MITCHELL. photography: 1stock photo

Dream destination: We wanted a fun, laidback wedding which would reflect our style and love of travel. We chose Marrakech as the weather is wonderful, the riads are romantic, and it’s not too far to travel to.

Perfect planning: Our wedding planners Rosena and Fred from Boutique Souk knew Marrakech like the back of their hands. They showed us various locations but when we saw the Kasbah Villa Marrakech, we knew it was the one – it had beautiful gardens and a pool.

We had a bespoke wedding, so it was exactly how we wanted it, from the flowers right down to the type of chairs we used. The villa was the perfect size to accommodate all of our immediate family, while our other guests stayed in nearby villas and riads.

The big event: To side-step any potential legal obstacles, we had a civil ceremony in Ireland before flying out to Marrakech for the blessing, which took place in the villa gardens.

I chose a colour palette of mauve, lilac and

blue to accent traditional white: our flowers were a mix of white ‘Atlas’ roses with blue hydrangeas, mauve roses, wildflowers and fresh lavender. The bridesmaids wore elegant mauve maxi dresses and the tables were dressed in mauve linen. Our drinks reception took place on a riad rooftop where a troupe of local Gnawa musicians and acrobats entertained us as the sun set. Afterwards, a traditional Moroccan supper was served among the olive trees, surrounded by hundreds of candles, an open fire and lanterns.

Then, we headed to the poolside club for the cutting of the cake – a stunning tower of macarons in violet, blue and white. And the party continued into the early hours!

Personal highlights: It was amazing to have our entire family together in the villa, and the wedding itself was so beautifully done we felt like we were on a movie set!

Photography: White Tea (www.whitetea.ie).

Venue and event design: Boutique Souk (www.boutiquesouk.com). Dress: Augusta Jones (www.augustajones.com)

Sarah & Richard

Dream destination: Rich and I love both

zambia

animals and travel, so with those elements in mind, we knew going to Africa to get married was something we would cherish forever. My best friend told me Chiawa Camp in Zambia was her family’s favourite place in Africa and I knew I could trust her.

Perfect planning: We organised the day ourselves with the help of Chiawa Camp and travel planners, Bushtracks Expeditions. I think being so far away from it allowed me to trust what the team in Zambia was putting together.

It was just me and Rich, so it was sort of a planned elopement. As a special touch, the camp owner, Lyndsey Cummings, and her friend came out for the event. They gathered flowers and twigs from the bush for the aisle, co-ordinated our meal, and brought in a minister and choir from the local village. It was more than we could have ever hoped for.

The big event: We spent the morning on

morocco

a game drive and saw a pride of juvenile lions basking in the sun. It was totally the opposite to what couples are ‘supposed’ to do on their wedding day, but for us it was absolutely right.

Then, as the sun was setting, we walked down the small aisle near the Zambezi River with the sound of the Chiawa choir welcoming us with traditional African wedding songs. As we said our vows we could hear hippos grunting in the background and see fish eagles soaring overhead. After the ceremony we enjoyed champagne and cut the profiterole tower.

Then the Chiawa staff took us out on a boat and dropped anchor in the middle of the river.

We enjoyed a romantic, private meal and used the radio to call for our next courses!

Personal highlights: Our wedding was about the two of us and the setting and level of service from the staff made it such a glamorous and romantic event. W Venue: Chiawa Camp, Zambia (www.zambianhorizons.com).Travel planner: Bushtracks Expeditions (www.bushtracks.com) 25

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