Brides Abroad Issue 4 by World Titles

BRIDES ABROAD

280 WAYS TO WOW

WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS

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Issue 4

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What could be more romantic than marrying the person you love on a beautiful tropical beach, in vibrant New York City or on safari in Kenya? We are the UK’s leading wedding and honeymoon experts and have arranged over two and a half thousand weddings in a large number of fascinating romantic overseas locations and would love to help to organise yours.

Let Us Arrange The Wedding Of Your Dreams

We’ve handpicked a great selection of destinations and wedding locations throughout the world, and your dedicated wedding coordinator will help you decide on the perfect solution for your dream wedding or honeymoon. So if you’re looking for a totally personalised service call our team of experts now.

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Romantic destinations to get married without all the trimmings including Caribbean, USA and Indian Ocean.

Our collection of luxury hotels oﬀer everything you would expect on an indulgent holiday including the very best service, food and facilities that are to be found around the world.

Plan a truly romantic wedding for two, which you can enjoy together and savour alone in Barbados, St Lucia, Mauritius and Antigua.

Choose from a very exceptional and unique selection of destinations and venues from around the world.

or call Tropical Sky on 0845 543 2203

Escape to a secluded, tranquil hideaway for two and relax, including Sri Lanka, Tobago, Thailand and the Seychelles.

Great for couples who want to celebrate their special day with family and friends as there’s no need for them to miss out on your special day.

Welcome

CREDITS Published by

World Titles Ltd 5-7 The Shambles Wetherby LS22 6NG Tel: 01937 58 58 00 Fax: 01937 58 28 00 www.BridesAbroad.tv

Publisher

Martin Cody-Owen cody@worldtitles.co.uk

Editor-in-Chief

Terri Cody-Owen terri@worldtitles.co.uk

Deputy Editor Janice Riggs Congratulations

CONGRATULATIONS! Wedding fever has really caught the nation’s imagination. Bells are ringing, people are cheering – umbrellas are at the ready in case of a downpour!

It won’t be long before you marry your very own handsome prince and guess what? The good news is that you don’t have to tie the knot in rainy England, so get your ‘Just Married’ ﬂip ﬂops ready and prepare to head off to the sun.

Don’t forget it’s your big day so do what you want to do. If your dream is to get married on Safari in Africa (p.96); go exotic in Morocco (p.52); have an elephant’s blessing in Thailand (p.64); say “I do” on a white sandy beach in Mauritius (p.92) or have a sunshine

celebration in Sardinia then go for it! Don’t settle for second best, jet off to the sun and have the wedding of your dreams. We have hundreds of fab ideas for romantic and adventurous honeymoons too– from a funky Campervan trip across Europe (p.146); bird watching in France (p.148); grizzly bear spotting in Canada (p.148); volunteering in Morocco (p.149) or for the ultimate celestial experience, watching the solar eclipse down under (p.50)! But hey, if you just fancy a good old fly n’ flump to a gorgeous beach location that’s fine too! This is where Brides Abroad magazine can help. For invaluable advice and suggestions, and some fantastic wedding and honeymoon deals, ring our expert planning team who can help you put together your whole itinerary with a full ABTA bonded package. Call 0870 774 8480 now!

Edtorial Assistant Carrie Edwards

Fashion Editor

Lulu Bousﬁeld lulu@worldtitles.co.uk

Assistant to Publisher Patsy Owen

Contributors Colette Harris Andrew Collier Richard Brugger Jack Russell Lisa Burton

Photography

Virginie Lacoste Javan Liam Dreamstime Photosearch Istockphoto PhotoDabek Richard Knowles at Rightshot Ian southworth at Peartree pictures Adrian Campbell-Howard Gina Smith Photography

And don’t forget to visit our website www.BridesAbroad.tv it’s packed full of great hints and ideas, readers’ real weddings and incredible money-saving offers on honeymoons from the Maldives to the Mediterranean.

Design

Don’t forget, when you return from your wedding or honeymoon, we want to hear all about it!

Printer

Graeme Turner Karima El-hakkaoui

Impression DP Ltd 01423 790108

Most importantly, ENJOY!!

Advertising Sales Manager Sylvia Oakley sylvia@worldtitles.co.uk

London Sales Team

Terri Cody-Owen

Pelusa 020 8406 0820 Mike Murray mike@pelusa.co.uk Ben David ben@pelusa.co.uk

Editor–in-Chief terri@worldtitles.co.uk

www.BridesAbroad.tv ©World Titles Ltd. All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Brides Abroad magazine do not necessarily represent the views of World Titles Ltd. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Brides Abroad magazineassume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from participation in any offer, competition or advertisement contained within Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons magazine.

Cover

Photograph by Virginie Lacoste Photographed at The Grand Mauritian Dress by Christina Rossi For advertising and sponsorship call Sylvia Oakley on: 01937 58 58 00 or email sylvia@worldtitles.co.uk

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Contents 64

IN THIS ISSUE 20 28 40 42

News From bespoke music to winery weddings

Short and sweet

Sassy dresses for beach brides

Groomed to perfection

Lightweight suits for your stylish man

Lingerie to love A treat for his eyes only

WEDDINGS in the snow 14 Reunited Austrian real wedding for Friends Reunited couple the look Choose a scent that perfectly 44 Get reﬂects your wedding destination Malta From a proposal in 46 Magniﬁcent pyjamas to a real white wedding in Malta a wedding in Sri Lanka 51 Win Lucky winners will say “I do” in the fabulous Pigeon Island resort

52 58 64

Magical Marrakech Go exotic and

The Grand Mauritian

exchange your vows in mystical Marrakech

‘I do’ in exotic Marrakech Jessica and

Matthew’s ethnic real wedding at Riad Elizabeth

Thailand 28-page special wedding and honeymoon guide

Picture perfect wedding destination in the Indian Ocean

with a view 106 WowVenues your guests with spectacular vistas bride 110 Eco-chic Go distinctively green at your white wedding

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Issue 4

November/Dece

31/10/10 20:03:36

22/03/2011

07:17

www.BridesAbroad.tv 11

PLANNING 116 Photographic memories

Don’t settle for less than the best with your wedding album

119 Run for cover 120 Weather Permitting 124 Wedding countdown 126 Pop the Question

Have you taken out wedding insurance yet? Your worldwide weather guide Month-by-month planning for your wedding abroad Your questions answered by expert wedding planners

128 Ask the experts

Bridal Consultancies wedding planner’s advice & tips

HONEYMOONS 134 4 weddings & a honeymoon TV’s 4 weddings prize winners’ honeymoon in the Caribbean

140 Honeymoon essentials 142 Bathing beauty 9 146 Amazing honeymoons

Must-have accessories for your ‘moon

146 116

12 www.BridesAbroad.tv

Be belle of the beach!

From camper vans across Europe to volunteering in Morocco

140

142

Austrian White Fairytale Wedding

here is nothing more romantic than the land of snow topped mountains, deep forests, alpine meadows & fairy-tale castles.

Experience an unforgettable wedding in the Austrian Alps – the perfect winter and summer wedding location – choose from a wedding in a fairytale castle – 18th century farmhouse or a mountain top blessing. For individual packaged offer please visit:

www.austrian-wedding.com getmarried@austrian-wedding.com

Verwöhnhotel Vötters Sportkristall GmbH Schloßstraße 32 5710 Kaprun Tel: 0043/6547/71340 Fax: 0043/6547/7134-50 www.sport-kristall.at

www.honeymoonworld.tv 9

REALWEDDINGS

Reunited in the

snow

Tony and Laura say ‘I do’ in Austria 14

he popular Friends Reunited website has brought long-lost friends together, but for Laura Pownall, of Rugby, Warwickshire, it led to ﬁnding Mr Right when she clicked on husband Tony Cook’s proﬁle. The rest, as they say, is history...

Finding the ‘One’ We met online through Friends Reunited Dating, and it was pretty much love at first sight for me. My friend had logged in to her online profile after a few glasses of wine at my house, showing me what it was all about. I saw Tony’s profile and after my friend had gone home I signed up to send him a message.

The proposal Tony’s proposal was not very romantic as he had a broken ankle. He proposed at The Bell Pub Restaurant in Monks Kirby, with a lovely speech about how wonderful he thought I was (he was so right!) but he couldn’t get down on one knee because of his broken ankle! It was a quiet, personal proposal, but wasn’t totally unexpected as we had bought the ring together so I knew it was coming, We were going on holiday a few weeks

later and Tony wanted to propose whilst we were there, on the beach watching a sunset or something equally romantic. However, being impatient, I couldn’t wait that long and nagged until I got the ring on my ﬁnger!

Location, location We both love skiing and the snow and I had a vision in my head of how I would like my wedding to be – it included snow, lots of it! It also seemed cheaper and less hassle than organising a wedding in the UK. I was right. It was cheaper and so easy with the help of the team at the Sport Kristall, they do everything for you!

Planning the big day I Googled ‘Weddings in Austria’ and was met with a selection. I just called around the various companies and decided that I liked the look and sound of www.austrian-weddings. com, who we eventually used for our wedding planning. Although we didn’t theme the wedding, we knew we wanted everything to look wintry and sparkly! Our wedding planning team were very good. I just had to tell them what I would like on

the day; they would then come back with a price then arrange it. It was all relatively stress free. Karin who is the wedding organiser on the Austrian side of things was amazing, everything was better than we could have expected. The team at the hotel really made our week (not just the wedding day) very special not just for us but our guests too. We spoke to the wedding planners on many occasions in the run-up to our departure date, I was very nervous that I had left pretty much everything up to somebody else, but it worked out fantastically! All we had to organise were our invites, outﬁts, travel arrangements and the guests. We made our own travel arrangements. A large group of us travelled by coach, which my dad had organised. He hired a premiership football coach with all the mod cons and we made it a part of the holiday by staying over in Germany en route. Other guests ﬂew from various airports across the UK. We then used the coach and driver to collect them from Salzburg airport.

Getting the look I had searched all over looking for the right www.BridesAbroad.tv 15

REALWEDDINGS

16 www.BridesAbroad.tv

wedding dress as most brides do. However, I had in my head an Ice Queen theme, due to the location of our wedding. As a bigger lady many shops were trying to get me into boring satin numbers but I knew I wanted a white, sparkly dress with a big voile skirt, the more sparkle the better. I eventually found the one in Shiron Brides in Rugby. I had a beautiful mid length veil but it wasn’t sparkly enough, so it was sent off to have extra crystals added to it. I also had a silver and crystal tiara. I wore silver peep-toe shoes. My something old was my granddad’s hankie, he passed away in 2006 – it was so sad he wasn’t there with us. The something new was my dress. I had a hip ﬂask that was borrowed and the something blue was my skin after standing in the snow for photographs! I also had a sprig of lucky Scottish heather from my aunty and cousin. I bought a crystal bracelet and crystal earrings. I didn’t want to go over the top with the jewellery, as the dress was quite a statement.

Groomed to perfection I had always dreamed for some reason as I was growing up that my groom would be wearing a kilt. When I told Tony this he said ‘no way!’ so I was quite disappointed. How surprised was I when I turned up and he was wearing a kilt in Grey Spirit and all the trimmings. It was wonderful. Bridesmaids were a difﬁcult decision as I have

many close friends but I chose two of my best friends, Elizabeth Ballantyne and Sarah Barrass. Tony’s favourite colour is purple and he really wanted to have purple in the theme. The bridesmaids wore deep purple dresses with silver shoes and gloves and fur shrugs. Luck would have it that my bridesmaid Sarah is a beautician and is fabulous at putting hair up! The hotel offers the service of hair and makeup with the package, but purely because I could practise in the run up with Sarah I decided I would like her to do it for me. She also did the other bridesmaid and herself. She had a very busy morning!

Fine details I didn’t have ﬂowers, I had a crystal bouquet, and so did my bridesmaids. I am not a ﬂowery person and loved the idea of yet more sparkle! They were ordered from www.angelsinteriors.co.uk and I was really pleased with them. Everyone commented on how beautiful they were. The hotel provided the cake as part of the package. All we had to do was tell them what we wanted and we got it! We had a traditional Austrian chocolate cake, covered in white icing with purple ribbon. We provided our own cake topper.

...And the guests? We sent out approximately 100 invites and 44 guests made the trip – a good turn-out I think for a wedding abroad! Some people who accepted the invite had changed their minds nearer the

time – we sent our invites out a year in advance as we thought people would need time to arrange a week (or ﬁve days) away and save up for it. We said on the invites that we understood it was so far away and we wouldn’t be offended if people couldn’t attend. We were over the moon with the people who made such an effort to be with us on our day. The guests but four all stayed at the Sport Kristall Hotel with us. It was great to spend a week together; people who didn’t know each other prior to the wedding were all friendly with each other by the time the big day came around. The majority of the guests had never been on a ‘cold’ holiday before and were a bit reluctant about going. Everybody loved it and now we have an annual trip to Austria for our anniversary with at least 14 friends!

The ceremony The ceremony took place at Kaprun Castle in Kaprun and lasted approximately 30 minutes. It was ideal for us – not too long and not so short that you were in and out. We had a harpist and two readings, one by my bridesmaid and one by my mum, which made it more personal. I was ‘given away’ by my lovely dad, David, and the local registrar, who was a really lovely man with a good sense of humour, married us. His English wasn’t particularly great but this all added to the experience. After the ceremony we all got into horse-drawn sleighs for a ride around the village; that was really good fun. We then went back to the hotel for warm gluhwein (mulled wine).

www.BridesAbroad.tv 17

REALWEDDINGS

The reception We had the reception at the Sport Kristall Hotel where we were all staying.The guests each had a choice of two starters and two main courses. We had Beef Fillet with Red Wine Jus, Pommes Williams and Seasonal Vegetables followed by Apple Strudel and Custard. We had white linen tableclothes, green ivy, candles and a silver tree on each table to make it feel Christmassy, as it was a January wedding. On the top table my mum and I had made a pyramid out of purple Christmas tree baubles, which was pretty. We chose to dance our First Dance to Annie’s Song by John Denver. We loved the words and also found out he had written it for his wife on his way down a mountain on a ski lift in Austria! Very apt! We had a couple of dance lessons before we went and we ‘tried’ to do the Viennese Waltz to the song as we didn’t want to just sway on the dance ﬂoor. We think it went OK! For the evening’s entertainment we hired a group through the wedding planners who were very good.

Photographic memories Our wedding photographer was included in the package. I was initially concerned about trusting a photographer who we had never met but my fears were unfounded. He was brilliant and we are really pleased with the photos. You could pay extra to have him stay for the evening, but we didn’t opt for this. We didn’t have a 18 www.BridesAbroad.tv

videographer purely because of the price. However, I regret this now and wish that we had paid the extra to have it done. I would advise everyone to have their wedding videoed. My favourite photo is the one of us outside the hotel by the train throwing snow at each other; it really captures the atmosphere of the day – fun, snow and romance. The one taken in the courtyard of the castle wearing my ski jacket is another favourite, just look at that snow!

Memories last forever I remember looking around at everyone during the wedding breakfast thinking ‘Gees, all these people ﬂew to another country and spent their money just to be with us.‘ The funniest memory is pausing for quite a long time when the registrar asked if I agreed to become Tony’s wife; everyone started to get a bit worried! Also when the registrar pronounced we were man and wife we opened our hip ﬂasks and took a drink of Jagermeister! Good job the registrar had a good sense of humour!

wedding they have ever been to and still talk about it when we get together now!

On budget? I think for everything, including all the outﬁts, drinks, and extras, it was in the region of £13,000. We didn’t really have a budget; we just saved up and paid things off as went along.

Further Information Wedding Planners www.austrian-weddings.com Votter’s Sport Kristall Hotel Tel: 00 43 6547 71340 www.sport-kristall.at

However, my best memory was looking out of the window on the morning of the wedding to ﬁnd it heavily snowing, just as I had wanted.

The honeymoon Did you stay at the same location for your honeymoon? Yes we did and we had a wonderful time, and our friends and family shared our honeymoon with us! We had two days at the end when everyone else had gone home to relax and spend some together time. Our guests all agree too that it was the best

Calling all Real Brides Tell us about your Real Wedding and you could be featured in Brides Abroad magazine. All weddings used will win a bottle of Champagne. Email: terri@worldtitles.co.uk

GET LAURA’S LOOK! For the ultimate white wedding, be a sparkling ice maiden and steal Laura’s super cool style in a gorgeous fairy-tale dress embroidered with crystals

Ear muffs, £4.00 www.tesco.com/clothing

Gorgeous crystal bouquet by John Frost, £200 www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Pheodora Crystal tiara by Ivory & Co, £175 www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Manhattan set by Ivory & Co Crystal earrings £20 Bracelet, £55 Necklace, £115 www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Beautiful white waist-length bridal veil by Emmerling. www.emmerling.co.uk

Wedding boots, £170 Crystal and pearl buckle, £40 www.rachelsimpson.co.uk

Winter wonderland wedding stationery by Ananyacards, from £4 www.ananyacards.com

Stunning white wedding dress with sparkling crystals by Trudy Lee www.trudylee.com

WIN A DREAM THAI HONEYMOON! Fancy winning a dream honeymoon to Thailand which includes a romantic hot air balloon ride? Then its time to be creative, because Great Hotels of the World (www.ghotw.com) has launched a video competition to promote their new Pure Honeymoon Collection website www.purehoneymoonhotels.com.The prize is an all-expenses-paid dream honeymoon to Thailand including 14 nights’ luxury accommodation in the 5-star Mantra Samui resort, Koh Samui in a special ‘LOVE’ Jacuzzi Oasis room, return flights, limousine transfers, breakfast, two three-hour spa treatments, two gourmet dinners including a meal at the hotel’s private 12-seat restaurant and a spectacular hot air balloon ride! To win, couples need to submit a video (no longer than three minutes) of their marriage proposal – either the real thing or a re-enactment, as long as it is original and romantic. Email your entries to: popthequestioncompe tition@gmail.com. Great Hotels will pick five lucky finalists whose videos will feature on the Pure Honeymoon website, where the public will then decide on a winner. Competition deadline is 13th April 2011 so be quick!

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

May opening for Villa Clarisse If you are looking for a truly romantic honeymoon resort close to the UK, then the lovely Villa Clarisse, on Île de Ré, is the perfect choice. Situated at the centre of the port of Saint Martin de Ré, this stunning sister property of the much-loved Hôtel de Toiras opens in May, set in one of the town’s most beautiful houses – a listed 17th century home, which has been transformed into a charming 10-room hotel. Villa Clarisse will exude a light and airy ambience with extremely spacious guest rooms all featuring original working ﬁreplaces and dreamy views over Saint Martin. Guests can relax by the hotel’s heated open-air swimming pool or enjoy a Hammam, or a luxurious spa treatment at the boutique spa set within the hotel’s tranquil gardens. Saint Martin de Ré is the historical capital of Île de Ré, a tiny sliver of land stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean. Villa Clarisse is the perfect place from which loving couples can discover the island’s endless beaches, vineyards, pine forests and cycle paths. Room rates start from €175 based on two sharing a double room. www.villaclarisse.com 20 www.BridesAbroad.tv

iPod touch in the Maldives

High-tech honeymooners need look no further! Both cutting edge technology and seamless service are at the ﬁngertips of couples staying at the Luxury Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort, which now offers ‘Hotel Evolution’ to its guests on i-Pod Touch. On arrival at the six-star resort you will be given your own i-Pod Touch, which allows you to customise every aspect of your stay – from spa bookings and hearing about special events and promotions to requesting more pillows. The devices are interactive, convenient and make it easier for guests to discover all the facilities at the resort in their own time, to view every detail and make bookings and reservations – from viewing the resort map, restaurant menus and wine list of over 1,450 different wines to booking excursions and activities, romantic in-villa dining and romantic couples’ spa ritual treatments, all can be done directly through your iPod Touch. Requests are handled in real-time with the resort’s staff being able to respond quickly and directly to the guests. www.conradmaldives.com

SEAPLANE HOP TO BEACH

The downside to staying in an idyllic, remote Robinson Crusoe island resort is that the journey can be long and tiring. However, honeymooners staying at the ultra-luxurious Waldorf Astoria Beach House Maldives will discover that travelling to the resort is more style statement than hassle. Set in the remote far north of the Maldives, on the Haa Alifu Atoll, the Beach House was previously only reached by a domestic flight followed by a boat trip. Now, thanks to the recent acquisition of its own customised seaplane, guests can simply hop on the opulently fitted-out seaplane for a spectacular one-hour direct flight with breathtaking aerial views of the Maldivian islands and sparkling coral reefs below. However, the luxurious experience really begins at Male International Airport when Beach House guests are whisked through to an air-conditioned private lounge with refreshments and spa treatments before transferring to the seaplane flight to The Beach House – a 35-acre resort fringed by powder-white beaches with an unspoilt junglefilled interior. The resort comprises 83 Maldivianstyle villas all with private pool and butler, three restaurants, four bars and a luxurious spa. www.beachhousemaldives.com www.BridesAbroad.tv 21

HONEYMOON HEAVEN IN MALLORCA THEYʼRE PLAYING ʻOUR TUNE!ʼ Is there a perfect wedding song? Yes there is, claims James Vyner from Bespoken Words, a company that produces bespoke music for weddings. James believes he has discovered a special formula for creating the perfect wedding song after spending six months analysing the most popular wedding songs of all time and looking at all aspects of their composition. Through this research he came up with a five-point formula that these songs follow and has put the findings back into the writing of Bespoken Words songs. So, if you don’t want to repeat the same old versions of wedding songs that have been played at thousands of other weddings, then have Bespoken Words create your own unique love song for your wedding day – from bride’s entrance music to your first dance, you can create your own magic that you really will be able to call ‘Our Tune!’ www.bespokenwords.com

22 www.BridesAbroad.tv

With beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, a picturesque capital city and a short, convenient ﬂight, the gorgeous island of Mallorca is ideal for newlyweds looking for an intimate getaway! For added romance, Mallorca Farmhouses offer a unique choice of traditional ﬁncas, stylish villas and cute cosy cottages in the countryside throughout the island. What’s more, all properties come with a private pool, a starter pack and maid service included. Finca Peric is a two-bedroom idyllic farmhouse situated near the traditional town of Pollenca. Ideal for newlyweds looking for a tranquil, secluded retreat, this charming property is set within acres of pinewood forest, providing guaranteed privacy, and has breathtaking views over surrounding citrus and fruit orchards. Prices start from £662 per week. Contact Mallorca Farmhouses www.mallorca.co.uk

ONE MORE DAY... If you don’t want your honeymoon to be over too soon, then book one of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ ultra-luxurious properties throughout the world and enjoy a complimentary extra day away. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is delighted to offer More Rosewood, which includes a complimentary night’s stay at its luxurious hotels and resorts in the U.S, Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada. More Rosewood offers something for everyone. Honeymooners can spend one more day sunning on the pristine sands at Jumby Bay; enjoy an extra afternoon relaxing aside one of the brilliant blue inﬁnity pools at Las Ventanas al Paraíso; or take in one more Broadway favourite in the ‘Big Apple,’ while retiring to the grandeur of New York’s ﬁnest hotel, The Carlyle. More Rosewood offer valid for travel up to 27th May. Your hotel booking must be for a consecutive-night stay and the complimentary night is only applicable on that stay. www.rosewoodhotels.com/more

Your green wedding and honeymoon in a lush, tropical paradise located amidst the world heritage site of Soufriere, St.Lucia.

A colonial estate set against the backdrop of a St Lucia World Heritage Site. To ďŹ nd out more visit:

fonddouxestate.com

www.sarah-houston.com www.bridesabroad.tv 23

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS M&S have done it again. The high street store that never ceases to surprise us with its style and originality is now producing beautiful bridesmaid dresses in the M&S exclusive online collection. The 11-piece line includes many styles ranging from a full-skirted prom dress in baby pink to a statement ﬂoor-length gown in rich plum. The collection has something to please even the fussiest of bridesmaids and with prices ranging from only £49.50-£99.00, it won’t blow the budget! www.marksandspencer.com

Zankyou for your gifts Zankyou.com is fast becoming the leading online wedding gift list service for couples looking for freedom and ﬂexibility with their wedding lists. Zankyou’s free service allows the bride and groom to set up their wedding list with the gifts of their choice – from donations towards the honeymoon and furniture to charity donations. The full cash equivalent of those gifts is then transferred on request to the happy couple’s regular bank account. Zankyou.com’s services include a free wedding webpage, which can be used for planning the event (including information on accommodation), and posting photographs, news and music. The webpage thus becomes a social network for the couple’s wedding, providing a central point of communication for friends and family. To see how the service works, take a look at Zankyou’s full service demo.

More Brits marry abroad Prince William and Kate Middleton may have decided on a traditional British wedding but nearly a ﬁfth of their compatriots prefer to get married abroad, according to new research. A recent study by consumer research group Mintel has revealed that 18 per cent of Britons chose to tie the knot abroad last year, at a time when overseas travel is cheaper – a rise of 27 per cent between 2005 and 2010. During the same period the number of marriages in the UK has fallen and the cost of getting married in Britain is at an all-time high compared with elsewhere in the world. In 2010 the average wedding abroad cost £6,585 compared to almost £20,000 for weddings in Britain. Mintel Senior Tourism Analyst Tom Rees believes that lower costs overseas are an important factor for many couples, however the desire to do something different, seek out better weather and avoid catering for too many guests are instrumental in the decision for couples to marry abroad. The desire for a honeymoon abroad has also risen signiﬁcantly in the last two years, from 57 per cent in 2008 to 70 per cent in 2010, according to Mintel. Someone needs to have a quiet word with William and Kate!

Winery weddings Where better to toast your wedding than in a Wine Museum? Couples marrying in Cyprus can do just that, in fact they can now go the whole way and tie the knot in the village of Erimi’s stone-built Cyprus Wine Museum, which oozes traditional charm – not only is this an unusual venue – weddings in Cyprus usually take place inside hotels, but it also offers complete privacy. Ceremonies and receptions can be held in one of two bougainvillea and vinedraped courtyards, or in the St Hilarion Hall, with exposed brickwork and open ﬁreplace. Package costs from £3,172 including ceremony, return museum transfers, handling fees, photographs, reception and gourmet Cypriot buffet for 20 guests. Call Ionian Weddings on 020 8892 7556. www.ionianweddings.co.uk.

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w w w. c r y s t a l f r o s t . c o . u k www.honeymoonworld.tv 25

A RIGHT ROYAL PACKAGE! Honeymooners can feel like royalty, and be treated like royalty too with the new Royally Yours package, which has been introduced by L’Alberta, Italy, in honour of the upcoming Royal Wedding. Royally Yours is an ultra-romantic and indulgent three-night package of regal proportions. Be dreamily lulled to sleep under the stars in the hotel’s extraordinary ‘Honey Room’ suite, where the unique cabriolet roof opens at the push of a button. Royally Yours also offers the rare privilege of dining in the exclusive Sala Scacchi with an especially prepared ‘Love’ themed seven-course menu by legendary chef Gualtiero Marchesi. Royally Yours includes other lavish touches such as a helicopter ride to Venice followed by full day use of a private motorboat, a pampering Royal Spa Programme, a welcome gift of specialty wine and indulgent artisanal chocolates, as well as many other luxurious surprises. The Royally Yours package costs €15,000 per couple and is valid from 29 April 2011 through 2 May. Book now, because availability is limited. www.albereta.it.

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��

Short AND

Sweet

Be a wow in your gorgeous shortie wedding dress â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a perfect choice for destination weddings and splashing in the ocean

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Dress: Brode by Tobi Hannah, style Clair www.tobihannahbridal.co.uk Headwear: John Frost tiara, style 2859 06000 www.crystalfrost.co.uk Jewellery: Andorra earrings by Ivory & Co www.crystalfrost.co.uk

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Dress: style 1030 by Christina Rossi www.christinarossi.com Head dress: John Frost, style 046500 www.crystalfrost.co.uk Jewellery: Pearl set by Ivory & Co www.crystalfrost.co.uk Bouquet: John Frost feather bouquet, style 064500. www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Dress: Blush by JLM, style 1001 www.jlmeurope.co.uk Headwear: John Frost tiara style 2773 www.crystalfrost.co.uk Shoes: Freya Rose www.freyarose.co.uk www.BridesAbroad.tv 31

Dress: Blush by JLM, style 1003 Headwear: John Frost tiara www.crystalfrost.co.uk Jewellery: Andora earrings by Ivory & Co www.crystalfrost.co.uk Shoes: Models own

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Dress: Brode by Tobi Hannah, Style Rosales www.tobihannahbridal.co.uk Headwear: John Frost tiara style 046000 www.crystalfrost.co.uk Jewellery: Cherish set www.crystalfrost.co.uk Shoes: Freya Rose www.freyarose.co.uk

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Dress: Brode by Tobi Hannah, style Daria www.tobihannahbridal.co.uk Headwear: John Frost tiara www.crystalfrost.co.uk Jewellery: Andorra set by Ivory & Co www.crystalfrost.co.uk Shoes: Models own

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Dress: Eternity Bride www.eternitybridal.co.uk Headwear: John Frost tiara style 046750 www.crystalfrost.co.uk Jewellery: Andorra set by Ivory & Co www.crystalfrost.co.uk Short bridesmaid dress: Kelsey Rose www.harrogatedressingroom.co.uk Headwear: Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Necklace: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Shoes: Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk Long bridesmaid dress: Kelsey Rose www.harrogatedressingroom.co.uk Headwear: Rose Garden www.harrogatedressingroom.co.uk Necklace: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com

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Dress: Blush by JLM, style 1005 www.jlmeurope.co.uk Headwear: John Frost tiara, style 646500 www.crystalfrost.co,uk Jewellery: Waterlily set by Ivory & Co www.crystalfrost.co.uk

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TOBI HANNAH Intricately detailed short and tea length wedding dresses for the modern bride For your nearest stockist please visit www.tobihannahbridal.co.uk 0207 209 2660

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Headwear: John Frost tiara, style 055500 www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Jewellery: Small freshwater pearl set by Ivory & Co www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Bouquet: feather bouquet by John Frost, style 064500 www.crystalfrost.co.uk

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Models: Olivia and Alex at Carerra Model Management. Photographs: Virginie Lacoste. www.virginielacoste.com Photographed on location at The Grand Mauritian Hotel, Mauritius. www.starwoodhotels.com The fashion team ďŹ&#x201A;ew to Mauritius courtesy of Air Mauritius. A big thanks to Giselle. Cheung at Air Mauritius for organising the ďŹ&#x201A;ights. www.mauritius.com

Dress: Eternity Bride www.eternitybrides.co.uk

Advertising feature

Floral tiara by John Frost www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Tiara: John Frost, style 046000 Necklace, earring and bracelet set, style Cherish by Ivory & Co

Tiara: John Frost, style 055500 Freshwater pearl set by Ivory & Co Feather Bouquet: John Frost, style 064500

Finishing

Floral hair accessory by John Frost www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Bow hair accessory by John Frost www.crystalfrost.co.uk

TOUCHES Sparkle and shine with the latest bridal accessories by Crystal Frost

Headwear: John Frost tiara style 2773 www.crystalfrost.co.uk

www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Contemporary tiara by John Frost www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Tiara John Frost, 285906000 Earrings, style Andorra by Ivory & Co Tiara: John Frost, style 046750. Bouquet: John Frost, style 046750. Jewellery, Ivory & Co

Blue mohair jacket, £265, Blue mohair trousers, £110 Shirt, £59. Tie £39 white handkerchief, £16.00 for four. www.austinreed.co.uk

Groomed to perfection

Purple bow and cummerbund, £25.00 www.marksandspencer.com

Dogtooth square cufﬂinks, £12.00 www.marksandspencer.com

Panama hat www.tesco.com/clothing

Wooden shaving brush www.thebodyshopinternational.com

Black patent boots, £55.00 www.next.co.uk

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Dreyfuss and Co handmade watches www.dreyfussandco.com

Mythical satin cami. £18.00 peaches shorts. £14 www.annsummers.com

Yellow tartan tote by Vivienne Westwood. £460.00 www.hof.co.uk

Single breast, single button, morning suit poly/wool , £149.00 www.marksandspencer.com

Aviator sunglasses. www.tesco.com/clothing

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Salmon chemise lingerie by Janet Reger. £25.00 www.debenhams.com

Delicate lace in contrasting colours of peach & black pleat set. £18.00 www.lasenza.co.uk

Lingerie to LOVE

Blushy purple sheer panel bra £28.00, short. £14.00 www.simplyyours.co.uk

Janet Reger. Silk multiway bra £18.50 silk thong £8.50 www.debenhams.com

Marc Jacobs Lola eau de parfum. £35.00 www.next.co.uk

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Mythical satin cami. £18.00 peaches shorts. £14 www.annsummers.com

Miss ultimo “cherub” bra £18 short. £8 www.ultimo.co.uk

Satin bra £12 and satin thong. £6 www.next.co.uk

Pink lace cami & short set. £18.00 marksandspencer.com

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Find your perfect

fragrance Wherever you’re getting married, or choosing to spend your honeymoon, you can choose a fragrance that evokes memories of the place forever after

Enchanting Egypt If a Nile cruise is on your honeymoon wish list, this fragrance could be perfect for you. Hermés Un Jardin Sur Le Nil Eau de Toilette is intense, mouthwatering, fruity and fresh, with green mango, grapefruit, grassy calamus, and delicate lotus, the revered ﬂower of Egypt’s great river. But it also has woody notes inspired by the damp shade on the river banks as the sun goes down. Priced from £51 for 50ml Eau de toilette, from Harrods and Hermés boutiques, selected department stores and perfumeries.

...

Chic on the beach

Alluring Orchids Red tartan briefs by

Tommy Hilﬁnger £22 Lisa Hoffman Madagascar Orchid www.hof.co.uk Variations Fragrance comes in four variations in a luxe leather pouch – each one is designed to be worn as the day progresses, layering into a delicious scent by nighttime. The unique notes in the Madagascar Orchid fragrance were discovered on rainforest Scent Treks in places like Costa Rica, Brazil, China and Madagascar, and the range uses their extracts. Ingredients include lemon and clove bud oil, Madagascar orchid, tuberose, jasmine, and orange ﬂower. Vial 1 is light and refreshing for the morning; vial 2 is a richer, fullerbodied version of the same scent for daytime; vial 3 for evening is more sensuous; and vial 4 is a softer, more powdery version that is light, and soothing. Priced £90 from Harvey Nichols nationwide.

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If you like the idea of being unique, and are getting married near a Tuscan beach, instead of in a Tuscan villa, Profumi del Forte ‘Tirrenico’ is inspired by a walk along the beach of Forte del Marmi, an area associated with royalty and the very wealthy due to its beauty. (The Forte part comes from a famous Napoleonic fort built in 1788 by Leopold 1st of Lorena, Grand Duke of Tuscany). The fragrance itself blends marine notes with Sicilian orange, Philippine elemi, fennel, basil and fresh fruit with sandalwood. And the fragrance lids are made from the marble that was used by Michelangelo, from the Apuan Alps that sit behind the town. Priced £140 for 100ml from www.averylondon.com

Romantic Paris Marry Me! by Lanvin is inspired by the heady feeling of romance, and moments such as love at first sight on the Pont des Artes, lunch at the Cafe de Flore, ambling through Monmartre, and walking hand in hand through the famous Luxembourg gardens. Spritz on the sparkling, fresh Tunisian bitter orange and sensual Sambac jasmine to conjure up the fizz of romance that makes him say ‘Marry me!’ and you say ‘Yes!’. Priced from £59.50, 75ml, from Harvey Nichols and other selected department stores (find your nearest stockist on 0845 769 7072).

Stylish Capri This super-chic island off the Amalﬁ coast in Italy has been a magnet for everyone from Roman emperors to author Graham Greene, and has a super-chic style, with cafe culture, designer shops, and stunning views across the Bay of Naples. Carthusia Fiori Di Capri celebrate the ﬂowers of Capri – lily of the valley, wild carnation, with a heavy base of oak moss, sandalwood, ylang ylang and oak which combine to create quite an intoxicating fragrance. The perfume house Carthusia was formed when the monks of the Carthusia monastery found the original perfume recipes that date back to 1370 and use only ingredients that are indigenous to the island. Priced from £45 for 50ml from www.averylondon.com

Tropical island If you love the tropics, DNKY Pure has vanilla from Madagascar, alongside orchids, lotus ﬂower, jasmine and freesia, so creates a lush ﬂoral smell that still feels fresh – it’s designed around the idea of a ‘drop of vanilla in water’. Priced from £28.38 for 30ml, www.lloydspharmacy.com

Persian Goddess Anais Anais is a fresh ﬂoral fragrance with Madonna lily, hyacinth, jasmine and rose, named after the Persian goddess of love. It is a white ﬂoral, but lighter and easier to wear than some rich white jasmine-based fragrances, which many people either love or hate. If the Middle East is calling you for an adventurous honeymoon, this could be the fragrance for you! Priced from £23 for 30ml, www.lloydspharmacy.com

Exotic Europe From Istanbul to Sofia, Eastern Europe is a dynamic cultural mix with hundreds of years of history in cultivating fragrant flowers. Philosophy’s Unconditional Love uses Bulgarian rose – the ultimate symbol of meaningful relationships in the language of flowers – with blackcurrant and woody notes to create a soothing, mouthwatering fragrance with a hint of vanilla, too. Priced from £34.40 from John Lewis Stores, Selfridges, HQHair.com and QVC. (For your local stockist call 0870 990 8452).

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REALWEDDINGS

Magniﬁcent Malta Ashweena and Gareth’s Maltese memories

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shweena Rathour from Kentish Town in London may have accepted her marriage proposal from husband-to-be Gareth Edmunds while wearing her pyjamas, but she was soon swapping cosy nightwear for a delightful destination wedding dress when the couple headed to the sunny island of Malta to exchange their wedding vows.

The Proposal I met Gareth on a night out in Leeds and we hit it off immediately. However, his wedding proposal was rather a surprise when it eventually happened – he proposed on a Friday night at home – with me in pyjamas! And I have to say it was completely unexpected – or I would have been better dressed for the occasion.

Location, location We both loved the idea of getting married outdoors overlooking the sea with the sun shining – and that’s not something you can rely on in the UK! We wanted somewhere that meant we could get married outdoors and near the sea, but wouldn’t be too far for our guests to travel, so Malta was the perfect choice for us!

The planning We used a wedding planner – we can’t imagine what we would have done without

her. Sarah Young was an absolute angel! We had everything in place before we left England – I am organised at the best of times, but with the added bonus of having Sarah meant that it could all be done with minimum fuss. We chose to colour-theme the wedding with gold and blue – based on the sand and sea!

...And the guests? We had 36 guests all together – we both wanted to have a small wedding with a few close family and friends, but also wanted to have enough people there to have good party afterwards. We gave everyone recommendations on a variety of hotels in the invitations that we sent out, but the majority chose to stay at the Westin where the wedding was held. We had a great response to our invitations, all but two accepted – I don’t think the travelling put anyone off, if anything it was a good excuse for a holiday!

Getting the look My wedding dress was a ﬂoor-length chiffon dress by Benjamin Roberts. I wanted something simple yet elegant, but also something I wouldn’t get too hot in. I wanted to wear my hair down so spent months looking for a hair accessory to match the detail of the dress. As a wedding present my husband-to-be bought me a pair of beautiful diamond earrings.

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REALWEDDINGS

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I decided to have both my hair and make-up done for me, as I wanted to be pampered and relaxed on the day. I had my hair done a few hours before the wedding, but disaster struck when, with all the humidity, the beautiful curls I had put in dropped out! But with one quick call to Sarah Young, our wedding planner, I had the hairdresser in my room within minutes. My bridesmaid wore a ďŹ&#x201A;oor-length dress by Alfred Angelo, with blue and gold earrings.

Groomed to perfection Gareth wore a bespoke suit by Marc Wallace, and as a present to his best man, they both had antique pocket watches.

Fine details I had a small bouquet of cream roses with accents of blue, and we had a delicious strawberries and cream wedding cake decorated with the same cream and blue ďŹ&#x201A;owers as my bouquet.

The ceremony The wedding ceremony took place on the terrace of the Quadro restaurant at the Westin hotel overlooking the sea. It lasted for 20 minutes. My father gave me away. When I look back, my best memory of the entire wedding was walking down the aisle to see my gorgeous husband-to-be smiling and waiting for me.

The reception

We gave everyone the option of what they wanted to eat when we sent out invitations so they could all eat something that they would enjoy and we made our own table seating plan and individual menus for everyone. When it came to our First Dance we chose Ten Story Love Song by the Stone Roses, our favourite band. We decided against a DJ, and instead prepared a wedding playlist on our ipod, which allowed us to handpick every song.

On budget? It was a little over budget but completely worth it.

Further information Wedding planning: Sarah Young at Y Plan Events Co Ltd Tel/Fax: +356 2138 2549 Mob: +356 9925 3265 Email: syoung@maltanet.net www.weddingplannermalta.com

Calling all Real Brides Tell us about your Real Wedding and you could be featured in Brides Abroad magazine. All weddings used will win a bottle of Champagne. Email: terri@worldtitles.co.uk

After the ceremony we had our reception also on the terrace of the Quadro restaurant. www.BridesAbroad.tv 49

GET ASHWEENA’S LOOK! Pure and white with the sparkle of crystals, take inspiration from Ahweena’s gorgeously glamorous white wedding, with a ﬂoral splash of pastel blue and cream – perfect for a spring bride

Tessa hair clip. Silk & Swarovski, £95.00 www.freyarose.com

Silver crystal ﬂower stud earring set by Accessorize, £8 www.accessorize.com

Silver ﬂower hair clip, £22 www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Diamante bracelet & necklace, Mayfair Set by Ivory & Co www.crystalfrost.co.uk

Gardenia Hair Pin, £8 www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk

Shamelessly silver wedding stationery by Ananyacards, from £4 www.ananyacards.com Clutch purse, £16.00 www.next.co.uk

Dress style Aislimn by Madeline Isaac James. www.madelineisaacjames.com

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Freya Rose bridal shoes made to order, £675 Tel: 020728863111 www.freyarose.com

WIN!

A wedding & honeymoon in Sri Lanka

Enter our free competition and you can exchange vows in style with a traditional Sri Lankan wedding at the stunning Pigeon Island Beach Resort!

magine saying “I do” under the shade of tropical trees, surrounded by exotic ﬂowers on the lawns of the stunning Pigeon Island Beach Resort in Sri Lanka? For one lucky couple this dream will soon become reality. We are offering readers the chance to win a traditional Sri Lankan wedding package plus seven nights’ stay at the fabulous Pigeon Island Beach Resort in our easy-to-enter competition. The wedding ceremony is not obligatory if you choose to take the prize as a honeymoon only.

Pigeon Island Beach Resort Couples marrying and honeymooning at Pigeon Island Beach Resort will be delighted to discover a truly idyllic destination with the powder-white sandy beaches, lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. It’s the perfect place for a wedding celebration. The resort’s traditional Sri Lankan Wedding Ceremonies take place on the lawns of the hotel and begin with the couple arriving accompanied by Kandyan dancers and drummers. After the customary blowing of the Conch Shell, the Master of Ceremonies invites the couple onto the decorated elevated stage (called a Poruwa) to the beating of drums where he begins a series of traditional

marriage rituals including: the exchange of a ‘sheaf of betel leaves’ seven times; tying of index ﬁngers with gold chain; feeding each other milk rice and water to represent loving and nurturing of the marriage; and the breaking of a coconut into two to bless the couple with children. Finally a traditional oil lamp is lit by the couple to denote the success of the marriage. The relaxed Pigeon Island Beach Resort, close to the town of Trincomalee is situated on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The boutique resort is decorated in hues of white and blue and offers luxurious accommodation in 30 deluxe rooms and eight suites that open directly onto the beach. It has a sandy poolside bar, its own pristine sandy beach, an Ayurvedic spa and plenty of sunlight and gentle sea breezes through the open hallways. Dining at the hotel is a culinary delight, with fresh seafood being a speciality.

Wedding packages Pigeon Island Beach Resort offers two wedding packages: The Delight Wedding Package includes a boat trip to Pigeon Island and the Paradise Wedding Package includes a 15-minute elephant ride. The resort’s wedding team will take care of all the details so that you can relax and enjoy your celebrations.

To enter simply answer this question: What kind of light is used during a traditional Sri Lankan wedding ceremony? A. A standard lamp B. A traditional oil lamp C. A torch. Enter online at www.bridesabroad.tv/competition (where you will ﬁnd terms and conditions) or send your answers on a card or on the back of a sealed envelope to: Pigeon Island Beach Resort Competition World Titles Ltd 5-7 The Shambles Wetherby LS22 6NG

Further Information Reservations: +94 1123 44 144 email: info@pigeonislandresort.com www.pigeonislandresort.com

www.bridesadbroad.tv

Magical

Marrakech

If the idea of a tropical beach wedding doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t appeal then Moroccoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most beguiling city offers an alternative with magic and mystique

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he city of Marrakech has enchanted travellers for centuries, seduced by the historic medina’s labyrinth of atmospheric streets, grand villas and stunning kasbahs. Each element has created a quite unique city of contrasts that is infused with a sense of the exotic and the romantic. Little surprise then that Marrakech is becoming a popular destination for couples seeking a wedding that differs from the traditional ceremony on the sands – a wedding with added spice and passion. Add in the fact that this most famous of Moroccan cities is only a three-hour ﬂight from the UK, and is well served by both established carriers like Royal Air Maroc (www.royalairmaroc. com) as well as budget airlines, and you have a very tempting proposition.

Colourful Medina The beating heart of Marrakech (pronounced Marraksh by the locals) is undoubtedly the medina. The tall ochre-coloured walls of this ‘city within a city’ house a maze of meandering narrow streets lined with cafes, restaurants and workshops. The bustling souk is packed with boutiques crammed with colourful merchandise, ranging from metal lanterns, ornately decorated plates and rugs for you to haggle over to your heart’s content. The focal point is one of the most famous squares in the world, Jamaa el Fna, which is a full-on assault to the senses. Intriguing by day when it is populated by snake charmers, musicians and young moped riders in Real Madrid shirts, the square really comes to life at night when a cloud of fragrant smoke from the plethora of food stalls is punctuated by strings of white lights.

Charming riads Wonder down the side streets ﬁltering off Jamaa el Fna and you will discover Marrakech’s hidden gems. Tucked away from the busy streets, behind tall walls and heavy wooden doors, are traditional riads that have been converted into magniﬁcent hotels. These oases of tranquility are a world away from the frenetic streets outside, and often feature swimming pools surrounded by serene courtyards, terraces with views of the Atlas Mountains, richlyfurnished rooms and intimate bars and restaurants. Many even boast superb spas for complete relaxation and rejuvenation. As you would expect they make a great choice for weddings.

Tropical gardens Once you have explored the medina it’s worth taking the short journey to the Majorelle Gardens, the beautiful creation of French painter Jacques Majorelle, who came to Marrakech in 1919 and created tropical gardens framed by the navy ‘Majorelle Blue’ that both he and the city have both become renowned for. The gardens were bought and restored by designer Yves Saint Laurent in the eighties and today provide a cool, inspiring refuge for all. www.jardinmajorelle.com/en/ www.bridesabroad.tv

“Fish and chicken – which are ancient symbols of fertility – are often served at the wedding, together with meat tagines (a stew mixed with almonds, apricots, onions and other spices) and lots of mint tea and Moroccan sweets and pastries. “The wedding party would have the whole riad to themselves and typically the couple and their closest guests will stay at the riad. Other members of the party would stay at other riads nearby, so that everyone could get together very easily. The wedding blessing and reception could take place either in the courtyard or on the roof terrace or any other rooms in the riad, such as a salon and can include belly dancers, ﬁre throwers and snake charmers! “Day trips can be organised for guests – the beauty of Marrakech is the easy accessibility of the Atlas Mountains (if you have a wedding in January, people could even go skiing for the day!) and of Essaouira and other beautiful coastal towns. “Marrakech provides a truly different - and fun - wedding experience and ensures that guests will always remember your big day!”

When should we go? The ideal time to get married in Marrakech is in spring (from the beginning of March to the end of May) and autumn (from the beginning of September to the end of November). Although the winter months are sunny they do get a little chilly at night and the summer months can be unbearably hot during the day.

Choice of venues

Getting married in Marrakech Planning your wedding Marrakech Weddings (www. marrakechweddings.co.uk) provides expert advice for couples on venues, ceremonies and all the incidentals that will make your big day a special one. The company can match you with the perfect venue, put you in touch with photographers, a celebrant, videographers, ﬂorists, dress designers, manicurists and hairdressers. If you don’t want the hassle of organising all this, Marrakech Weddings can arrange it for you. Sonia Day of Marrakech Weddings says a wedding in the city will provide a truly memorable experience. She explains: “A traditional Moroccan wedding is a colourful, 54

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vibrant event that lasts a few days and includes yellows (meant to scare away evil) and greens (to bring good luck). The wedding ritual also includes temporary henna tattoos on your hands and feet. The bride-to-be’s tattoos are more intricate than other female guests’ and the groom’s initial is incorporated into the design – and is traditionally hidden for the bride to find. “The bride also purifies herself before the big day by having massages and milk baths in a traditional hammam (spa). At the ceremony, the bride is held aloft in front of friends and family and then placed into the arms of her groom, signalling the end of the ceremony. The couple then departs in a shower of figs and raisins.

From a small, intimate wedding with family and close friends, to something on a grander scale, Marrakech can deliver. And handily it is often much cheaper than arranging your ceremony in the UK or Europe which, coupled with year-round sunshine, makes it an attractive proposition. Marrakech offers a choice of possible wedding venues: traditional riads in the medina, palatial villas surrounded by lush gardens outside the medina, luxury hotels in the medina or on the outskirts of the city, and traditional kasbahs, many of which are located between the city and Atlas Mountains. The riads are set around a courtyard – sometimes with a garden, fountain and water feature – and provide the perfect setting for a small, intimate wedding. Riads typically have between four and ﬁfteen bedrooms and usually fall into two camps: traditionally decorated with ornate tiles, rich bright colours and sumptuous fabrics; or more modern pared-down chic retreats where minimalism and neutral tones rule. Either would provide a romantic, magical destination for your nuptials, particularly when their courtyards are strewn with rose petals and lit by hundreds of lanterns.

Riad Elizabeth For the ultimate in stylish chic, we highly recommend Riad Elizabeth, an elegant and chic riad hotel located in Hart Essoura, the oldest quatier of the Medinathe. The six bedroom boutique hotel is an oasis of style and a calm refuge from the feverish pace and excitement of the souk. Riad Elizabeth is owned and managed by British couple John and Elizabeth Gilby who go the extra mile to ensure that guests receive a warm welcome, individual attention and firstclass hospitality. The riad hotel offers modern comfort and facilities whilst maintaining an air of exotic Moroccan charm and romance, with many places to relax with a good book or enjoy a drink, including the beautiful salon, which overlooks the courtyard and stunning black tiled swimming pool, the comfortable and romantic b’hou or the roof top salon with an open fire for chilly nights. The luxurious guest rooms are individually designed to offer a choice of décor; all include Egyptian cotton sheets, en suite bath or showers, air conditioning, heating and an ipad dock in each room. The large roof terrace also boasts a wellstocked bar, the perfect place to watch the sun go down. You can dine on magnificent Moroccan fare cooked by the wonderful cook Bahija at the riad or under the stars on the roof terrace. Cooking lessons are available!

Weddings The riad offers a wonderful location for weddings, with proprietor John Gilby licensed to carry out the wedding service. The ceremony can take place on the rooftop of the riad, a truly romantic spot overlooking Marrakech. Receptions can be hosted at Riad Elizabeth serving feasts of traditional Moroccan dishes with stunningly themed table decorations in whatever style you request – though Moroccan style is a perfect choice. Entertainment can be laid on too, with everything from belly dancers to traditional Moroccan bands. (See our Real Wedding in Marrakech on p.58)

More information: Riad Elizabeth Tel: 00 212 641 229 935 or 00 212 673 638 678 Email: reservations@riadelizabeth.com www.riadelizabeth.com www.bridesabroad.tv

Beldi Country Club Located about a 15-minute drive from the centre of Marrakech, Beldi Country Club is a world away from the frenetic medina. Reached via a rather bumpy track (don’t let this put you off) this beautifully conceived hotel – run by a charming French family – is set amidst rose gardens, dotted with giant terracotta pots, with great views of the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. Created in the style of a douar (small Moroccan village), its narrow streets lead to 27 bedrooms and suites that are the epitome of elegant rustic chic. The hotel serves “pure, artisinal cuisine”, which can be enjoyed in the hotel’s two restaurants or alfresco in the gardens. Beldi’s two striking pools, surrounded by olive and orange trees, are wonderful places to chill out before or after your big day. Equally appetizing is the wellness offered by L’Art Du Spa by Beldi – a calm retreat with soaring graceful arches and the same minimalist rustic design ethos evident in the rooms. Here you can experience a traditional hammam, soothing massage or beautify with a facial, manicure and pedicure.

Weddings When it comes to your wedding the people at Beldi promise to conjure up some magic. The hotel can easily handle up to six-to seven hundred guests, but can also deal with small weddings from around 100 guests. The main ‘ballroom’ is particularly enchanting, with its sweeping arches and ﬂowing drapes. Beldi places emphasis on providing a charming experience, and will create a memorable and spectacular atmosphere with hundreds of lanterns, carpets, ﬁres, horses and troupes of musicians or DJs.

More information: Beldi Country Club Tel: +212 5 24 37 39 50, or email: contact@beldicountryclub.com www.beldicountryclub.com 56

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Les Jardins de la Medina If you want a honeymoon in Marrakech that provides a chance to chill, yet is close to the action, then look no further than Les Jardins de la Medina, a charming boutique riad hotel in the heart of the historic Kasbah that combines French élan with traditional Moroccan hospitality. There are 36 very stylish rooms set around a lovely pool area and alfresco restaurant. Between the two are beautiful lush tropical gardens that provide a natural canopy from the midday sun. The hotel’s terraces provide wonderful rooftop vistas with shaded cabanas. The hotel’s wellness centre offers hammams by the pool, as well as massages and facials on the highest terrace. A cookery school will give you the chance to cook like the locals, from making bread to the perfect tagine.

Honeymoon package The hotel’s honeymoon package begins with a private transfer from the airport. On arrival, you will be served mint tea and desert fruits, plus flowers for the bride. In your room you will receive: a fruit basket, candles, heart of flower petals on your bed, bathtub filled with bath salts, special toiletries for the bride, and a small gift left on your bed every night. A traditional Moroccan candlelit dinner will be served with Champagne followed by a carriage ride through Marrakech. You will also receive spa treatments, including a hammam and a cocktail on departure. The cost for four nights, including B&B in a superior room and the honeymoon package start from 7,800 Moroccan dhs for the groom and 3,900 dhs for the bride in low season. This offer is available for three months following the marriage date.

More information: Tel: + 212 524 38 18 51, or email: reservations@lesjardinsdelamedina.com www.lesjardinsdelamedina.com

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REALWEDDINGS

‘I do’

in exotic Morocco Jessica and Mathew go ethnic in Marrakech

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t took a while for Cupid to strike Jessica Elder from Windsor for her to fall in love with work colleague Mathew Abercrombie, but love was deﬁnitely in the air when they exchanged vows in the romantic Riad Elizabeth in Marrakech.

Finding ‘The One’ We met at work, but it wasn’t love at ﬁrst sight. I ignored him for three years, but he gradually wore me down!

The Proposal He proposed at home – he simply dropped it into conversation, but it wasn’t totally unexpected I have to admit! We got married a year and a half later.

Location, location We decided to tie the knot in Morocco. We didn’t want to end up getting married in a barn in Berkshire like everyone else, we wanted something magical and original – and we love Marrakech!

The planning We chose the location Riad Elizabeth in Marrakech because it was recommended to us by Sonia Day, our wedding planner

from Marrakech Weddings. We are glad we decided to use her services, as she was brilliant! We ﬂew out to Marrakech with easyjet and Elizabeth Gilby, proprietor of riad Elizabeth, arranged our airport transfers. Elizabeth was incredibly helpful! We planned as much as we could before we left home – we left decorations and menu to Elizabeth and her husband John, and we weren’t disappointed.

...And the guests? We had 22 wedding guests who joined us in Marrakech, they either stayed at the Riad Elizabeth or at another private Riad organised by Elizabeth. We invited 70 guests, but only 22 could make it, so we had a UK celebration too to accommodate this.

...And the guests? We had 38 wedding guests who stayed around Paphos and Coral Bay. Some stayed in villas.

Getting the look We didn’t have a wedding theme as such, but everyone went a bit ethnic with their choice of outﬁts. It suited the environment! I wore a Jenny Packham dress – Moroccan in style and wore dramatic earrings to go with dress www.BridesAbroad.tv 59

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REALWEDDINGS

and ethnic theme! My sister did my make up and best friend did my hair – thankfully they are both very talented at that sort of thing!! I didn’t have any bridesmaids – it was on a rooftop and was a blessing ceremony, so it didn’t apply.

Groomed to perfection My husband-to-be wore a linen suit and pink shirt – it was too hot for anything else!

The details I had a bouquet of white roses, and instead of a wedding cake we had traditional Moroccan pastries.

Photographic memories Adrian Campbell-Howard did our photos – he was brilliant. My favourite photograph is one of us cuddling just after we said our vows – I was gloriously happy!

The ceremony Our ceremony took place in a truly romantic location on a rooftop at Riad Elizabeth overlooking Marrakech. It lasted for 20 minutes

The Honeymoon and then we had the speeches. We were married by Elizabeth’s husband John Gilby and I was given away by my friend.

The reception We had our reception at Riad Elizabeth where we feasted on traditional Moroccan dishes and had beautifully themed table decorations, all Moroccan style. We didn’t have a First Dance, but we did have entertainment laid on – a belly dancer and traditional band!

Memories are forever! My best memory was waking up in such a beautiful setting and the funniest one is of my drunk best friends, and we almost had a disaster too, when my front tooth ﬁlling fell out the day before my wedding, but Elizabeth saved the day by taking me to a local dentist. Whew, what a drama!

On budget?

We stayed on in Marrakech, but moved to another riad – Villa Dinari for our honeymoon, as my mother and sister stayed on at the Riad Elizabeth.

Further information Sonia Day at Marrakech Weddings www.marrakechweddings.co,uk John & Elizabeth Gilby Riad Elizabeth 00 212 641 229 935 or 00 212 673 638 678 reservations@riadelizabeth.com www.riadelizabeth.com ¢

Calling all Real Brides Tell us about your Real Wedding and you could be featured in Brides Abroad magazine. All weddings used will win a bottle of Champagne. Email: terri@worldtitles.co.uk

It cost around £16k all in, which was over budget, but well worth it! www.BridesAbroad.tv 61

GET JESSICA’S LOOK! Be deliciously mysterious, and accessorise your glamorous ethnic look with exotic reds and blacks

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LOVE

Thailand

For an exotic, romantic honeymoon or a wow-factor wedding

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Saying ‘I do’ If you have already visited Thailand you won’t be surprised to learn that this beautiful, vibrant country is rapidly becoming one of the world’s number one destinations for overseas weddings. Thailand boasts friendly, hospitable people, exotic culture, delicious cuisine, stunning beaches, verdant forests and mountains and colourful nightlife. What more could a bride and groom possibly want? Brides and grooms getting hitched in Thailand can choose from many possibilities – from a colourful traditional Thai wedding or a Christian wedding or a blend of the two which can be done simultaneously. You can also have a fabulous Muslim wedding or a ceremonious Chinese one. The choice is yours. However, as far as wonderful wow-factor wedding locations are concerned, you’ll be spoilt for choice – from stunning white sandy beaches and lush, tropical resort gardens to mountain peaks, pulsating cities and even underwater ceremonies! Some resorts offer special touches to make your big day more special – from elephant blessings to traditional Thai dancers and the release of lucky lanterns at sunset for the ultimate in romance. As long as your wedding is properly registered in the Local Registration Ofﬁce, your marriage in Thailand is recognised back home. However, to do this properly it is recommended that you use the services of an independent wedding planner or your tour operator’s experienced wedding team. A good wedding planner will take care of all aspects of your wedding, from the documentation and wedding ceremony to your wedding bouquet and cake, so that all you have to do is enjoy your day!

Honeymoon bliss There can be few more stunning countries with so many romantic honeymoon options as Thailand, and even fewer offer such amazing value for money. With an endless supply of hotels and resorts to suit all pockets, from traditional Thai beach lovenests to boutique chic and grand-scale resorts offering an abundance of facilities. You can easily combine a multi-centre honeymoon in Thailand so that you can enjoy the beach culture combined with a city centre adventure for shopping, culture and nightlife.

Insider tips • Cover up your shoulders and arms, and take off your shoes if you visit a temple site or someone’s home • Make an effort to return the local politeness with the Sawadee greeting • Don’t accept offers from friendly Bangkok touts who say they’ll give you a tour of the city – you’re likely to end up at a shop being pressured to spend money • Be aware that the royal family is revered here: any insults can land you in trouble • Check whether you will need vaccinations for the area of Thailand you visit – and make sure you take good insect repellent with you! • Don’t give money to performing elephants in the cities – they are often distressed by the noise (they ‘hear’ through vibrations in their feet so trafﬁc is disorientating) and several are killed by trucks on the roads each year • Avoid the roads for long journeys as they are notoriously busy; use the trains or take internal ﬂights instead Find out more: visit www.tourismthailand.co.uk

Thailand with twist Adventure junkies! The Golden Triangle is further north from Chiang Mai where the borders of Mayanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos meet – and adventures from white water rafting to elephant trekking are high on the list.

Orient Express Travel through Thailand on the Orient express on itineraries that take you from Bangkok to Singapore, Bangkok to Koh Samui or to Vietnam. Find out more about the Eastern and Oriental express train journeys at www.orient-express.com www.bridesabroad.tv

Rules & Regulations for British citizens wishing to marry in Thailand: 1. Marriage in Thailand should be performed according to Thai law and any detailed questions on the procedure should be addressed to the appropriate Thai authorities 2. A religious ceremony on its own is not sufficient 3. The documentation to be produced is at the discretion of each individual Registrar. Most Registrars will be satisfied with an affirmation of freedom to marry 4. The marriage will only be recognised under UK law if it is valid under Thai law. Therefore, the marriage must be registered with the Registrar at an Amphur (District) Office. A list of Amphur offices is available from Tourism Authority of Thailand’s UK website: www.thaismile.co.uk 5. Your marriage certificate will be in Thai. It is recommended to commission a “sworn translation” of the marriage certificate from a translation bureau for legal use in the UK 6. Consular Section can arrange for your marriage to be recorded in the UK although this is not a legal obligation 7. It is important to note that a foreign national does not automatically acquire British nationality through marriage to a British national

Legal requirements for ‘Affirmation of freedom to marry’: 1. Proof of identity is required 2. Bride and groom must be 18 years of age or over 3. Bride and groom must both be single 4. If either party is widowed or divorced, relevant paperwork must be provided (original only) 5. Passports must be valid for at least six months from date of entry to Thailand

Further information Consular Section British Embassy 1031 Wireless Road Bangkok 10330 www.britishemb.or.th

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Tu e sp x rq ec clu uo ia si ise l o ve ff er

THAI CHIC AT ITS VERY BEST Aleenta Phang Nga - the ultimate honeymoon or wedding venue If you are looking for the perfect honeymoon or wedding abroad look no further than the Aleenta Phang Nga on the south west coast of Thailand, just 20 minutes north of Phuket airport on a deliciously unspoilt beach with fun and popular beach bar. This beautiful hotel was recently voted a favourite by the honeymoon experts at Turquoise – The hotel has a fabulous chic feel and the pool villas combine privacy and exclusivity beautifully. The rooms & villas all feature Aleenta's signature ‘Outside living in’ concept where glass walls can pushed back to let light and sea breezes into your room. Combine that with private candlelit dining and his & hers signature treatments at the exclusive Spa IV and Aleenta is the perfect choice for a truly relaxing and romantic break. The team at Turquoise have put together a very special offer for honeymooners and would be delighted to quote for any wedding at the hotel. Our expert team will deal with each enquiry on a unique and individual basis to ensure you get that very special service and advice you deserve.

W hy we love the A leenta Phang Nga: "My clients loved the Spa and contemporary feel of this beautiful hotel" A lice "What could be more romantic and fun than the optional Thai cooking lessons" Lisa "Beautiful location really cool & funky my honeymoon clients have already booked to return" Polly 7 nights at Aleenta Phang Nga starts from £1,340 per person, including two bonus nights, a complimentary upgrade to a Pool Suite or Pool Villa with private pool, daily breakfast, private airport transfers and all flights. SAVE up to £750! Honeymooners also receive two complimentary cocktails at the Sunset Lounge, a Magical Moment with candles, aromatic bath, flowers and a bottle of Aleenta’s private wine label, as well as the release of two flying lanterns. (Valid for travel from 1 April - 31 October 2011. Must book by 30 April 2011).

Tu r q u o i s e The Turquoise Holiday Company

01494 678 400 enquiries@turquoiseholidays.co.uk www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk

Bangkok

his busy, exciting city combines wonderful sights, shopping and sumptuous hotel retreats to plunge you into modern Thai culture before you head off to a secluded island retreat or the lush northern mountains.

City culture Get into the Thai spirit at the awe-inspiring Grand Palace with golden temples, and the Emerald Buddha, dazzling in gold leaf. Try a trip with a local guide from asiaworldtravel.com, who will give you insights into Buddhist culture and give you the mythical stories about the many spectacular statues and wall paintings on your way round. Jim Thompson’s House is a green oasis in the hustle of the shopping centres, and shows how this American GI-turnedbusinessman lived in style as he ran his silk trading company, with carved artefacts and statues on display and the eerie story of his complete disappearance in the jungle adding a spooky touch. Enjoy a cool tropical juice on the verandah by the ﬁsh pond, and imagine what it would have been like, dancing to gramophone records on the humid evenings. A romantic night-time boat trip gives you a sparkling view of the city from the river, and delicious food – the Manohra cruise from the Marriott pier is atmospheric (www. thairiver cruise.com).

Rooftop bars At night, the rooftop bars and restaurants are buzzing. Go for cocktails and the views! Or you could hire most of them exclusively, for your wedding reception. Try ‘Nest’ at le Fenix Hotel (www.lefenix-sukhumvit.com) with its super-cool lounge atmosphere and a huge drinks menu; or Sky Bar at LeBua at State Tower (www.lebua.com/en/the-domedining/sky-bar-bangkok/ ), beloved by celebrities, and a great venue for live jazz.

Spa heaven If you know you get a bit jetlagged, visit the COMO Shambhala spa where world-class therapists deliver the signature massage treatment for 60 or 90 minutes, to leave you ﬂoating on air and energised for exploring the city. For an authentic 30-minute medical Thai massage, visit the temple of Wat Pho, where you can also marvel at the huge, gold-leaf covered Reclining Buddha, which draws Buddhists and tourists from miles around. 68

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Shopping ﬁx If you love haggling, and the bustling atmosphere of a big market, the mindboggling Chatuchak weekend market, a short Skytrain ride from the centre of the city is your personal paradise! With over 15,000 stalls over 35 you can ﬁnd everything imaginable there from food stalls to handicrafts, and clothes to pet rabbits dyed pink!

The Manderin Oriental

Back in the city, you’ll adore the treasure troves of tailors making made-to-measure clothes in the Pratunam district; the MBK Centre (mbk-center.com) with seven ﬂoors of clothes, jewellery, accessories, homewares, electronics – you name it!; gem and jewellery factory outlet stores selling Thailand’s famous gold-set rubies and sapphires; and the quirky local shops around Siam Square which yield unique pieces created by individual up-andcoming designers.

Fabulous hotels For opulent old-world glamour you can’t beat The Mandarin Oriental (mandarinoriental.com/bangkok), with its colonial décor (rooms from £182 with breakfast). Take lunch at the enchanting 1930s The China House restaurant, decorated in Art Deco Shanghai style; or the curious treat of a very English afternoon tea in the atmospheric Author’s Lounge surrounded by potted palms, a regal staircase and white wicker, from £15pp.

The Metropolitan

Banyan Tree

For understated city chic, check into The Metropolitan (metropolitan.bangkok. como.bz),where Kylie stayed in the fabulous Penthouse during her last world tour. Think minimalist, stylish rooms, exotic juice bar and breakfasts at Glow, plus celebrities and cocktails in the famous Met Bar. Don’t miss a romantic evening swim in the luxurious outdoor pool, with the twinkling hotel lights and the sounds of the city all around you. Then enjoy dinner at Cy’an on the verandah by the pool for a memorable candlelit meal of lightly spiced seafood specialities and ﬁne wines. Room rates from £157 per night via hiphotels.co.uk, key2holidays.co.uk, and tropical-locations.com.

Wow-factor wedding Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar at Banyan Tree (www.banyantree.com/en/bangkok) is 61 ﬂoors up with stunning views of the city and an uber-stylish place to tie the knot. The specialities include barbecued seafood, premium steaks and a massive range of Champagnes. You could get married here, or say ‘I do’ on the spectacular pool deck, and then party the night away at the Moon Bar. The in-house team will create a magical atmosphere for you with ﬂowers, menus and music. Packages are on offer but can be tailor-made for you. Find out more by emailing bangkok@banyantree.com 70

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Hua Hin

ake in the bustling nightlife of Hua Hin, the royal resort three hours’ drive from Bangkok, where you can ride horses on the beach, and drink fresh coconut juice or eat the famous crisp white pineapples at the night market. Look out for beautiful handicrafts in the shop of the charity foundation started by the late Princess Mother (doitung.org).

Hot hotels You can stay in luxury at the Hilton Resort and Spa (www.hilton.com) with a stunning beachfront pool, a spa with a signature Thai herbal steam bath and the White Lotus, rated one of Thailand’s best Chinese restaurants. Or the beachside Dusit Thani resort set in tropical gardens, with a spa, stunning pool, Thai and Italian restaurants (www.kuoni.co.uk). 72 www.bridesabroad.tv

Wow-factor wedding Or escape into dreamy tranquillity in a villa with a private pool at Six Senses Hua Hin (sixsenses.com) in nearby Pranburi. Enjoy in-room dining, where a magical candlelit feast is served to you by trained chefs. And be spoiled by your personal butler who is on call to arrange spa treatments at the truly stunning Six Senses Earth Spa. The romance package includes a rose petal bath, a couples’ massage cocooned in the beehive-shaped treatment rooms made from the local earth, and lemongrass tea to bring you back to reality. If you choose to marry here, have a reception surrounded by lotus ponds at The Living Room; and drinks by candlelight at the Beach restaurant in the evening, where the sound of the waves adds to the atmosphere. Prices from £1819 for seven nights for a honeymoon (www.tropicalsky.com). To discuss your wedding email events manager Yaowarat Boonchai on eventhuahin@sixsenses.com

Cha Am

Only 25km from Hua Hin’s nightlife, Cha Am is loved for its relaxed, laid-back vibe, stunning beach, and Thai atmosphere, as so many Thai people come here from Bangkok at the weekends. This is a romantic place, perfect for hiding away as honeymooners.

Buddhist wedding At Alila Cha-Am (www.alilahotels.com), you can choose a traditional Thai Buddhist ceremony (priced around 55,000 Baht) with attendance, prayers and chanting by nine monks. You’ll be garlanded with exotic ﬂowers, dine on the beach, and end your wedding day with a ‘Jasmine Wedding Bath’. The hotel can also organise a bridal beauty package, photography, videography, ice sculptures, a wedding cake, ﬁreworks, DJ or a band and Thai classical dancers!

Sheriton AD

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Phuket

he holiday island Phuket has buzzing nightlife, beaches and ladyboy shows. Throw yourself into the clubbers’ paradise, or ﬁnd a more secluded base and enjoy the nightlife only if you feel like it.

Romantic villas For romance, ﬁnd a secluded corner at Chalong Bay. Hide away in a beachfront villa with its own pool, in-room dining and magniﬁcent sunsets (from £340 per night) at Vijitt Villa resort (vijittresort.com). Or book a Deluxe villa from £80 per night – and enjoy the spectacular main pool with loungers overlooking the bay. For special offers book via tour operators such as www.audleytravel.com.

Relaxed beach wedding For a beach-front venue overlooking the Andaman Sea, The Shore at Katathani can host up to 120 people for your big day. You can choose from a Western or Thai ceremony, and even have the presence of Matilda the elephant at your wedding blessing. Prices for packages start from $2500, but ﬁnd out more about what else is on offer by emailing wedding@katathani.com

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KohYaoNoi

short boat trip away from Phuket, Koh Yao Noi is a Muslim island and a different time zone, so it feels exciting to land there in the evening and hear the call to prayer as you watch the sun go down. This picturesque island is in Phang Nga Bay, in which the often-featured Thai scenic rock outcrops are located.

Wedding & honeymoon Stay in a stunning cliffside villa at Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi (sixsenses.com) and you can see islands in the bay rising from the mists in the morning as you take a dip in your private pool, and eat Thai noodles under the shelter of your gazebo as geckos scuttle by and spectacular lightning shoots across the bay. Don’t miss a massage in the couple’s room, or a day trip around the local lagoons where ladders reach up the cliffs to caves where locals guard prized swallow’s nests for bird’s nest soup, and the water is so clear it’s a sin not to swim or snorkel. The resort can also organise picnicking on a private island, rock climbing and scuba diving. Visit the Mangrove swamps at the resort where you can spot mudskippers, mud lobsters and lots of luscious plant-life. Local discovery: You can organise a homestay at a ﬁshing village with a local island family – but take a translator so you can make the most of it. Find out more at koh-yao-noi-eco-tourismclub.com

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Koh Samui

amous for its white beaches, tropical gardens, and coconut palms, this is an island packed with opportunities for activities from walking in the jungle, to exploring waterfalls, temples and even a butterﬂy garden, as well as vibrant nightlife.

Stylish wedding The library (www.thelibrary.co.th) is a Design Hotel that prides itself on offering couples the services of its in-house wedding planners and designers. You can have a Western-style wedding here, but the two with extra wow-factor are the Thaistyle wedding, called ‘The Island’ package (priced around 85,000 Thai Baht, plus 10 per cent service charge and 7 per cent government tax) which includes special touches such as a wooden boat with flowers, couple’s initials & candle/flowers floating, garlands for the bride and groom, and a holy water blessing ceremony in front of an image of Buddha; and the wedding on board a yacht, called ‘The Ocean’ wedding package, (priced around 135,000 Thai Baht, plus 10 per cent service charge and 7 per cent tax) which includes an on-board ceremony at sunset, cake cutting on the yacht, red lanterns lighting the way through the resort and other stylish touches. Find out more by emailing rsvn@thelibrary.co.th 76

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Chiang Mai

ith a greener, cooler climate and different cultural traditions linked to an area once known as the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai, in the north, offers another side of Thailand. Get an internal ﬂight – or experience the sleeper train from Bangkok – and watch the sun rise over ﬁelds and mountains as you go. You can’t visit Chiang Mai without taking in some of its temples including Wat Chiang Mun, the oldest temple, with painted decorations of local life from the 14th century on its walls. Find silk scarves, jewellery and Buddha carvings galore at the famous night market; wash and feed rescued elephants for a day at the wonderful Elephant Nature Park (elephantnaturepark.org); and be dazzled by the golden dome and Naga Staircase of the Doi Suthep temple at the top of a mountain in the nearest National Park.

Hip hotel Stay at the super-cool Chedi (www. ghmhotels.com) for some serious style credentials and pampering at the fabulous spa, as well as cocktails in the candle lit bar, and Northern Thai speciality dishes such as sticky rice in the romantic restaurant.

Opulent wedding Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi is an ode to the Lanna Kingdom, a whole resort dedicated to celebrating its culture, with buildings in the traditional style, a cultural centre, arts and crafts, a library, communal buildings with Lanna decorations and even plants brought from Burma, once part of the Lanna kingdom. You can even hold a Lanna-style wedding here, as well as a wedding that blends Western and Lanna traditions. Floral arrangements make use of northern Thailand’s abundant roses, jasmine and exotic orchids. The patisserie here is famous and can create your wedding cake. And to mark your day, you can ride away on a horse-drawn carriage around the grounds or drift into the sky in a hot air balloon to enjoy some precious moments alone. For honeymooners, the Romantic Escape package (from £455 per night) includes a private limousine transfer from the airport, a romantic candle lit dinner in a private suite, a couples therapy treatment at The Dheva Spa and Holistic Centre, and a ﬂower bath.

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Elephant’s

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blessings

Seal your marriage vows by launching Chinese Lanterns into the sunset and receive the blessing of a baby elephant in a wedding ceremony that you and your guests will never forget in exotic Thailand

atathani Phuket Beach Resort, a deluxe beachfront hotel and spa on the secluded Kata Noi Bay in Phuket, Thailand, offers wedding packages that include the Chinese lantern ceremony and elephant blessing to ensure that you have the ultimate romantic wedding day. Resting along a long stretch of white sandy beach, embraced by lush green hills and crystal blue ocean, this tranquil and relaxing award-winning retreat has recently been renovated to create a graceful contemporary Thai style, blending elegant design with natural wood, stone and silk. The resort offers 479 plush low-rise rooms and suites, all with private balconies or terraces offering stunning views. There are six nature-inspired swimming pools and three jacuzzis to complement the azure Andaman Sea, just steps away. And with a choice of six ﬁne restaurants to suit all tastes and the resort’s sublime spa, you are sure to be totally indulged and pampered during your stay.

The Shore at Katathani If you would prefer to stay in your own private villa, The Shore at Katathani is the luxurious all-villa sister resort on Kata Noi Beach in Phuket, which offers an ultimate blend of luxurious seclusion and boundless space. Each villa features a private inﬁnity pool, sunken lounge, bath with rain shower, free wireless Internet, ﬂat screen satellite TV and panoramic views of the ocean.

Wedding packages Couples marrying at Katathani Phuket Beach Resort and The Shore at Katathani can start married life together amidst the boundless splendour of green hills, white sands and a golden sunset reflected on a crystal ocean. Western Weddings at the resort include the Platinum Wedding Package, or Silver Wedding Package. The hotel’s experienced Wedding Team takes care of all the organisation and fine details for you – all you have to do is choose your favourite colour theme, cake and flowers. Platinum Wedding Packages include: on-the-beach or in-the-garden

wedding location, master of ceremony, decorated wedding venue, decorated buggy for bride, bouquet, buttonhole, ﬂower tray for wedding rings, Trio Band or CD playing during ceremony, one hour of video ﬁlming, photographer and 72-photos in-album, two-tier cake, Champagne, bridal make-up and hair, honeymoon dinner by the sea, complimentary upgrade for wedding night and breakfast in room the day after the wedding.

Lantern wish, elephant blessing The package also includes the delightful Flying Lantern Ceremony, which will be the ﬁrst wishes that you will make as husband and wife as nine lanterns are released and, at an additional charge, you can have the blessing of an elephant, which is considered to be very lucky by the Thai people.

Book it! Katathani Phuket Beach Resort 14 Kata Noi Road, Muang, Phuket 83100. Thailand Tel: +66 7633 0124 Email: reservation@katathani.com www.katathani.com www.BridesAbroad.tv 81

Why settle for less

DREAM

JOURNEY DISCOVER

www.rasananda.com | +66(0) 7723 9555 | reservation@rasananda.com

Beach Front Pool Villas and Suites

AMAZING VIEWS AMAZING VALUES *Call Today and Mention Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons magazine 84

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*Room upgrade subject to availability at time of booking. **The quoted offer may not be combined with other market promotions.

Putahracsa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hua Hin

magine snuggling up to your loved one on a large sofa strewn with plump, lush cushions as you enjoy exotic cocktails or a delicious meal whilst watching the Hua Hin sunset and the only sounds ďŹ lling your senses are the waves crashing against the beachfront. This dream can become a reality if you choose the award-winning boutique beach resort, Putahracsa Hua Hin, for your romantic beach wedding or honeymoon especially with its newly launched chic and trendy beachside venue, the Oceanside Beach Club & Restaurant which is an ideal place to relax and chill amongst a cosy candlelit ambience. Putahracsa Hua Hin is a 59-room luxury resort set amidst beautiful, lush green foliage. It is designed for guests to relax on the sensual and quiet shores of the charming beach town of Hua Hin without compromising on luxuries and comfort. Accommodation at the resort includes rooms and private villas found either amidst lush gardens around the main pool or at the beachfront offering pool or sea views. All rooms feature satellite TV, free wireless Internet, DVD players, bathtub with rain shower, outdoor terrace or balcony with day bed and complimentary daily newspaper and fruits. The villas also feature private pools and villa hosts. Guests staying at the La Canna Pool villas can look forward to special VIP treatment such as entitlement to a complimentary day pass for two to the

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local gym, having pre-booked sun lounges and tables at its outlets, daily afternoon tea at their choice of location and also pre-reserved parking lots. The enhanced amenities and services will make these villas the epitome of luxurious living. The resort presents two superb dining options for lovers to dine at, the all-day dining restaurant Sala Monsoon and the Oceanside Beach Club & Restaurant, which incorporates Mediterranean cuisine and a Thai selection. With three swimming pools, a boutique and library, guests are assured of being adequately entertained. In the Putahracsa Day Spa they can also enjoy indulgent massages that help harmonise the mind, body and soul. Those wishing to tie the knot during their stay at this beautiful boutique resort will be delighted to discover that an experienced wedding planning team are on-hand to ensure you have the wedding of your dreams. Both Thai and Western ceremonies can be arranged by the capable wedding planners who will ensure that no detail is left untouched for the most important occasion of your life. For all these reasons there is no doubt that Putahracsa Hua Hin is the ideal choice for a wedding venue.

Book it! Contact the wedding team on: +66 0 32 531 470. www.putahracsa.com www.BridesAbroad.tv 83

REALWEDDINGS

Thai the Knot

Celeste and Joshuaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Far Eastern promises

84 wwwBridesAbroad.tv

ancing teacher Celeste Noden and partner Joshua Haddington, a chef from London, have both enjoyed a long-standing love affair with Thailand as well as with each other. So, not surprisingly, when they decided to marry they chose a stunning beach in Phuket to exchange their wedding vows

Finding the one I am Australian, and we met in the UK when I was there on a holiday working visa, and it was instant attraction at ﬁrst sight.

The Proposal We were holidaying in Krabi and did a Thai cooking class. We were cooking one of my favourite dishes, Red Duck Curry and we all had our own small basket ﬁlled with ingredients for the dish, as I was getting the ingredients out I saw a ring! I thought that someone had lost it and went to give the ring to a member of staff. The staff didn’t know what to do as I had blown the surprise – I was meant to be shocked and realise it was for me! The staff then looked at Josh and when I turned around he was on one knee. I wasn’t expecting it. I was really shocked.

Location, location We decided to get married in Thailand because we just love Thailand, the land of smiles. We decided to have our wedding in Phuket, as I always wanted to have a beach wedding.

The planning It was difficult to decide where to marry as our families are on the opposite sides of the world, so we thought we would get married somewhere central for family and friends to be able to fly over, and also we got engaged in Thailand so it made sense to marry there too. Also we found that getting married in Asia was cheaper than marrying in our home country. We decided to use the services of a wedding planner and I was recommended one based in Phuket. I thought it was a fantastic advantage to have someone that I could communicate with without any worries of the language barrier. Napha works for Enchanting Weddings and really listened to our needs and met them in every way. Enchanting Weddings were very helpful. I was a little worried at first as there were no packages on site for us to peruse through. But later, talking to Napha, she told us that each wedding is unique, therefore she works on each one individually, depending on its budget and requests. Napha then came up with some creative suggestions. I was happy

just to get married on the beach, however, after some discussion she suggested a cultural fusion theme, taking the best from both of our countries and incorporating some Thai touches in our wedding. In the lead up to our wedding, Napha and I were constantly talking to each other via email or skype. I told her my ideas and she went out to source everything. There was not too much planning on my side regarding the wedding.

Getting the look I made my wedding dress in Phuket. I bought the material in Australia, but before I arrived in Phuket I sent Napha a picture of what I

had in mind along with my measurements and her tailor made a mock dress. Once I touched down I went to try the dress on, get ﬁtted and then, when all was good, I got my actual wedding dress made in two days. I did not want a typical wedding dress where I could only wear it the one time so opted for a summer halter neck dress. I kept my jewellery very minimal with pearls and did my own hair and makeup with a little help from my sister. I didn’t have any bridesmaids.

Something old, something new? I carried on the tradition with: Something Old – my grandmother’s pearl ring; Something New- my wedding ring; Something Borrowed – my mother’s pearl necklace and Something www.BridesAbroad.tv 85

REALWEDDINGS

Blue – the wedding theme colour! I wore my grandmother’s pearl ring as she was unable to ﬂy out to our wedding. Wearing her ring had her close to my heart on my special day!

Groomed to perfection Josh wore beige pants and a white shirt.

Fine details Sticking to the fusion theme I chose orchids for my bouquet. The special touch in the flower decoration was the intricate traditional flower garland that was woven through the flower arrangement. The flowers carried through for the rest of the theme of the wedding. www. iamflowers.biz. As for the cake, I went along with one of Napha’s brilliant ideas, as she knew I didn’t want the typical white cake. I had Lamingtons and it worked well with the cultural fusion theme.

...and the guests We had 12 of our closest friends and family with us. Our family stayed with us in Anantara, while the other guests stayed in hotels next door. Most of the people that we invited came to our wedding. We combined our wedding with a family get together and we spent quality time with everyone before we all went our separate ways.

The ceremony The ceremony took place at Anantara on the beach. It lasted about 20 minutes. We did a non-legal wedding, which meant that we registered our marriage in Australia so that it was recognised before we ﬂew to Thailand. So Tim (Master of Love) was the man to seal our love for each other. During the service, when we were exchanging the rings, the water came closer then expected with one wave and saturated all of our feet and I kept sinking into the sand! It was hard to concentrate then on the vows, it was a funny moment!

The reception The reception was held on the beach and we invited around 20 people to join us. For the meal we chose fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, done in a different way. We didn’t have a typical table set up. The idea was to have something casual as the wedding brought two families together for the first time and so we wanted people to walk around and mingle with everyone. We had a few bamboo daybeds set up with traditional Thai cushions on them and a mosquito net to dress the look. We also had some beanbags around. We had no first dance or entertainment laid on, we preferred to enjoy just the beautiful sound of the small waves crashing in. We had a wonderful romantic Champagne breakfast in our villa the next day. It was so good to graze on our own buffet and then just slide into the pool in our villa. We spent the whole day in the villa, it was just brilliant.

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Photographic memories Gina Smith did our photos. Gina is such a talented photographer and really made us feel comfortable in front of the lenses. www.ginasmithphotography.com. My favourite photo is one of us running in the water. I love this photo as I think this is a true representation of our relationship. We are best friends before lovers and we are always fooling around with each other.

Memories last forever There were so many memories that it is hard to pick only one. The whole event, from the arrival in Phuket to the wedding and spending time with loved ones and seeing other parts of Thailand was a big best memory on its own. Words cannot describe the wonderful memory we have from the start to ﬁnish.

The honeymoon We stayed one day after the wedding in the same hotel. We then went to the north of Thailand to another Anantara, which is situated on the border of Laos and Burma. Napha informed us of that place also and made the booking for us. We thoroughly enjoyed the elephant camp and spent four days up there, where we learned how to become a mahout pronounced ma - hoot. A mahout is an elephant driver, so we learned the commands and drove the elephants by ourselves. It was a wonderful experience.

On budget? It cost us around 56,000.00 Thai Baht, which is about £1,174.00 for the wedding. Enchanting weddings takes 20 per cent from the total for their service. That came to £234.00. We felt that was not enough money for the excellent work on the day and gave a little more, as the total cost was less then what we originally budgeted for. Surprisingly it turned out to be cheaper then our budget, which was £2,000.00!

Further information www.daisydaisyweddings.com www.villaweddingspaphos.com ¢

Calling all Real Brides Tell us about your Real Wedding and you could be featured in Brides Abroad magazine. All weddings used will win a bottle of Champagne. Email: terri@worldtitles.co.uk

88 wwwBridesAbroad.tv

Once-in-a-lifetime experience, Say “��” at The Library, Koh Samui

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Just a few steps to the sea, The Library is the ideal place for couples seeking a distinctly unique wedding and unforgettable honeymoon. The pristine beach stretched along the Chaweng coast is a heavenly paradise to say “I Do”. Begin with extraordinary ideas, our wedding planner can tailor-made your theme, concept, venue, pre-wedding pampering, and entertainment with style to complete your desire for a dream wedding. Just name it, we do it for you. Discover our wedding package at www.thelibrary.co.th Tel. +66 77 422 767-8 rsvn@thelibrary.co.th

CELESTEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LOOK! effortlessly Steal pretty style for a beach wedding in pure white with splashes of tropical turquoise and pinks

THE

GRAND MAURITIAN Have a picture-perfect wedding on the shores of the Indian Ocean in a romantic over-water wedding chapel

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f you love the beautiful setting for our fashion pages in this issue, then you will adore the gorgeous Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa where the pictures were taken. Now this can be the stunning backdrop to your own wedding photographs if you marry in the resort’s new wedding chapel. The magniﬁcent Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa nestles on a long stretch of golden sandy beach on the west coast of Mauritius, set in lush landscaped gardens with shaded pathways and many water features. The new 5-star luxury hotel has been designed in typically Mauritian style to blend into its idyllic surroundings and spectacular beachfront setting. The recent addition of the resort’s own overwater wedding chapel provides couples with an intimate ocean setting to pronounce their wedding vows in style. Made entirely from wood and with a romantic thatched roof, the chapel sits on stilts over the colourful Turtle Bay marine park, overlooking the sparkling Indian Ocean. The chapel makes for the ideal wedding venue as it can be decorated with ﬂowers to compliment any colour scheme.

An idyllic couples retreat Wining & dining The tropical island of Mauritius is the perfect destination for both weddings and honeymoons. It is a cultural melting pot with stunning beaches, jagged mountains and tropical vegetation . Situated on the north west coast of the island, the Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa is an ideal haven to relax and unwind, yet is ideally placed for excursions into Grand Baie, known for its shopping and nightlife and the capital, Port Louis, with its colourful street markets, galleries and harbour, both just 15km away.

The impressive new resort offers luxury accommodation in 193 Mauritian-style rooms and suites with ﬂat screen TV, contemporary décor and views of the ocean from private balconies. There are two swimming pools to refresh the senses and offer poolside refreshments and light meals. The main pool is a focal point, resembling a vast lagoon sheltered by coco palms. Around the pool gazebos offer a retreat from the midday sun.

A variety of ﬁne dining opportunities include Brezza, a lovely beachside restaurant serving a feast of Italian inspired dishes in a romantic candlelit setting; Season, which invites guests into its modern kitchen for international cuisine and Reﬂections’ poolside restaurant which serves light lunches.

Couples pampering

At the heart of the resort, the peaceful Mandara Spa was created to capture the essence of luxury and privacy in cool, spacious surroundings. The spa brings island wisdom to its varied menu of luxurious and pampering spa treatments, which harness the powers of locally sourced herbs and spices in body exfoliations, wraps, massages and couples rituals. The spa’s indulgent Signature Treatment is the four-hand massage, which is guaranteed to send spa lovers into sublime sensory heaven. It’s the perfect place for bride, groom and their guests to have pre and post wedding beautifying and pampering.

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The Intimate Wedding Package • Register / License fees and transfer to Port Louis to swear Afﬁdavits • Room upgrade to next category (subject to availability) • Dedicated wedding coordinator • Guarantee of one wedding per day at the resort • Full use of the ceremony site with a choice of three locations • Thirty minute back massage at Mandara Spa for the couple • Bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere • Pressing of the couple’s wedding outﬁts • A separate room for the bride to get ready in before the ceremony • A wedding cake for six • A bottle of French Champagne • Special Turndown Service on the night of the ceremony • In-room Celebration Breakfast the next morning

Active rest

The fitness centre is located on the first floor of the Mandara Spa and includes cardio, strength and movement training facilities. Steam rooms, saunas and jacuzzis soothe tired muscles post workout. Meanwhile, down on the beach you can go snorkeling and diving for a not-to-be-missed opportunity to glimpse another world of colourful marine life or you could try your hand at waterskiing or sailing. Back on land you can challenge your partner to tennis on one of two floodlit courts or table tennis, or take a leisurely stroll through the Marine Nature Park, which is adjacent to the resort. 94 www.BridesAbroad.tv

Wedding Package

To celebrate the launch of the wedding chapel, The Grand Mauritian has introduced an all-encompassing wedding package, named ‘Intimate Wedding’ (from £555), which has been lovingly designed by the resort’s wedding coordinators to provide exceptional value for money without compromising on style and luxury. Prior to arrival at the resort, the dedicated wedding coordinator will be on hand to tailor every aspect of your special day, from your choice of ﬂowers, music and cake design to advice on the very best local hair and makeup artists, ensuring that everything is exactly as you want it on your wedding day.

• Wedding day photo emailed to family and friends • Choice of 36 wedding photos in an album (4’ x 6’ format)

Further Information

The Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa Balaclava Turtle Bay Mauritius Tel: 230 204 1400 www.starwoodhotels.com

www.BridesAbroad.tv 107

AFRICA – fit for a

KING 96 www.BridesAbroad.tv

s William and Kate have discovered, Africa and the Indian Ocean offer some of the most romantic hideaways you will find anywhere on the planet, with magical locations including Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Cape Town and Victoria Falls. Where better to say “I do”, have a blessing, dream honeymoon or celebrate a special wedding anniversary than in the diverse and spectacular countries of this amazing continent? With big game wildlife and white sandy beaches making a breathtaking backdrop to wedding photographs, it’s an idyllic place to exchange your wedding vows, and you can find your ultimate honeymoon match by staying a week in a romantic lodge or tent during an African Safari, with sightings of all kinds of big game and birds, then head to the coast to a stunning seaside retreat for a relaxing beach holiday during which you can enjoy watersports, explore some of the most fascinating dive sites in the world, or simply unwind on a sun lounger with a good book. With so many options you’re in danger of being spoilt for choice. A good tour operator specialising in African safari and beach holidays will tailor make your honeymoon for you. Let them know of any particular preference you would like to incorporate into your holiday – for example: mountain gorillas, elephants, big cats or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and they will help you plan a honeymoon and itinerary that is perfect for you. If you’re taking on a challenge like climbing Africa’s highest mountain then you’ll definitely want to relax on a beach afterwards!

With the royal wedding dominating the headlines, take inspiration from William’s proposal to Kate during their romantic trip to Africa and tie-the-knot or honeymoon like an African Queen!

Weather or not?

Africa is a year-round destination. However, Southern Africa has different rainfall and weather patterns to East Africa and these are an important consideration when planning which is the best spot to be in at the optimum time of the year. In general April/May and November/early December are rainy seasons in East Africa and late November to March is rainy season in some parts of Southern Africa – there can be some good deals to be had, but not such a good deal if you’re wanting to head to the beach.

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here is lots of paperwork involved if you get married in Africa, so it may be best to have a civil service in the UK before the ceremony, however there are plenty of wonderful opportunities available for you to have the wedding ceremony of your dreams, whether that’s a simple Masai blessing in the middle of the African plains, a beach wedding in Zanzibar or an elegant reception in the Cape Winelands.

Sabi Sabi South Africa For the wild at heart, Sabi Sabi, set in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park, is one of the most exquisite South African wedding venues on offer. Whether you prefer your wedding to take place overlooking a waterhole at sunset, in a bush clearing with animals as curious onlookers or in one of the luxurious lodges, you’ll be sure to have a wedding to remember. All you need to do is sit back, relax and the wedding preparations will be done for you whilst you enjoy indulgent massages, sunset cocktails and morning and evening safaris. Sasi Sabi wedding packages include an upgrade to the Presidential Suite on the wedding night, with sparkling wine and in-room dining for the bridal couple. The resort can help you arrange the minister or magistrate, and can also add ﬂower arrangements, photographer, videographer, bridal bouquet and a themed dinner. You can even hire15 local Shangaan dancers, drummers and the local choir. Before and after your wedding ceremony, you can be indulged from head to foot in the resort’s heavenly Amani African Spa for couples rituals, soothing de-stress massages and beautifying treatments. www.sabisabi.com

AFRICAN wedding ceremonies

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Singita Sasakwa Lodge Tanzania Have your wedding ceremony at the heart of the Serengeti Plains in pure African style, with a dash of sophistication at the delightful Singita Sasakwa Lodge in Tanzania, which has been built in the style of an Edwardian manor house. The resort offers Wedding Packages which include three nights luxury accommodation, champagne, makeup and spa treatments, two-tier wedding cake, marriage certificate and local entertainment. After the ceremony the couple can indulge in the ultimate wedding treat by taking a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti Plains, with a champagne breakfast on landing. Singita Sadakwa Lodge is elegantly designed with stone walls, deep verandas, high ceilings and stately furniture. It offers an intimate, exclusive stay with accommodation for no more than 34 guests in nine luxurious cottages with their own infinity-edge pools and a main lodge retreat. Guest rooms have four-posters and African influenced decor alongside crisp linens and impressive chandeliers. Stays at the Lodge include twice daily game drives with professional guides, plus a spa, yoga and gym. There is an equestrian centre adjacent to the resort offering horseriding across the Serengeti Plains, and the balloon safaris are offered at extra cost. www.purezansibar.com

Breezes Beach Club & Spa Zanzibar If you are looking for an idyllic beach wedding on a picture-postcard white sandy beach, then the Breezes Beach Club & Spa is ideal. This truly enchanting hotel on the mystical spice island of Zanzibar offers the private ‘Island Ceremony’ of your dreams and the hotels wedding planners can assist you in planning your perfect wedding with all the extras, from cakes and flowers to legal documentation. The five-star resort is set in tropical landscaped gardens on a fantastic pristine beach on the East Coast of Zanzibar. It offers spacious accommodation in 70 en-suite guest rooms, all with terrace or balcony and is decorated throughout in beautiful Zanzibar style with stunning carvings, glistening brass and rich purple fabrics to create a truly elegant and unique atmosphere. The resort has four restaurants all serving top-notch cuisine – its Tides restaurant is definitely worth a mention as it is one of the most romantic restaurants in the world. There are plenty of activities to keep couples occupied – from indulgent pre and post wedding treatments at the Frangipani Spa to watersports (the see through base kayaks are brilliant for watching the colourful marine life) and PADI scuba diving, a fitness centre and floodlit tennis. In the evening the hotel’s cinema shows the latest movies and entertainment is laid on with colourful local dancers and musicians. www.purezanzibar.com

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f you decide to honeymoon in Africa it is the perfect opportunity to blend two types of trip into one honeymoon by mixing a beach holiday with a safari. Typical itineraries include one week on safari with a week on the beach. There are plenty of styles of accommodation to choose from too, depending on your taste and budget – from private islands, safari houses and traditional safari camps to beach huts and resort hotels. You decide! The best African experiences are usually in small and intimate safari camps, taking between six and 12 guests only and away from the more crowded locations. Most African honeymoons will cost from around £3000 per person including ﬂights and transfers, food, accommodation and activities. Drinks and laundry are usually extra but are sometimes included in the price, especially in southern African camps.

SAFARI honeymoons

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In the footsteps of royalty

Kenya Bush & Beach Honeymoon Perfect for royal watchers, this fabulous bush and beach honeymoon has it all. The Zambezi Safari and Travel Company are offering the In the Footsteps of Royalty package – a ninenight trip, which includes three nights in the 65,000 acre Lewa Conservancy Safari Camp (where William popped the question) staying in a romantic en suite safari tent and enjoying game drives and guided walks to see Kenya’s black rhino and single largest population of zebra. This is followed by three nights in the Elephant Pepper Camp in magical Masai Mara then three nights at Kinondo Kwetu, a beautiful, private Gala beach resort where you can enjoy spa treatments, water sports and scuba diving. This package is priced at £4,085 per person, including international ﬂights – a saving of over £266 per person, with a complimentary upgrade to the honeymoon suite at the small and exclusive tented camp in the Mara. This is just one of the honeymoons offered by the Zambezi Safari and Travel Company. For further information: www.zambezi.com.

Safari and beach deals – under £3,245 per couple

If you are honeymooning on a budget, but still want a fabulous safari and beach combination, then Pure Zanzibar are offering special deals on a selection of safari camps followed by pretty beach resorts. A typical combination deal on offer includes a safari stay at the Ruaha River Lodge followed by five nights at The Z Hotel in Zanzibar. The Ruaha River Lodge offers comfortable accommodation amongst the wildlife in the middle of Ruaha National Park where there is an enormous quantity of diverse species of mammals and birds. The 20-room Ruaha River Lodge offers game drives with guides in specially adapted open 4WD vehicles, walking safaris and fly camping expeditions which include two night’s ‘bush’ camping in your own private camp hosted by your guide. You will then take a transfer flight to the beautiful island of Zanzibar to The Z Hotel, a chic boutique hotel situated on the corner of an idyllic beach in Nungwi. Set in lush tropical gardens with direct access to the white powder beaches, The Z Hotel is a stunning, contemporary hotel with many gorgeous Indian Ocean views. Each room has floor to ceiling glass doors opening on to a private balcony and the hotel offers alfresco dining and a sublime mini spa for relaxation and pampering. The combination of both safari and beach will ensure that you have a contrasting, and truly unforgettable honeymoon. www.purezanzibar.com

African Spafari

Royal Zambezi Lodge, Zambia After the stress of arranging your big day, a spa honeymoon may sound like a good idea – but don’t let that stop you enjoying the joys of a safari holiday too. Why not go on a Spafari? It’s a safari honeymoon for the soul! Royal Zambezi Lodge’s outdoor bush spa, the first in Zambia, is simple, rustic and understated. White linen hangs from the wooden poles surrounding the spa and there are two treatment rooms if guests prefer privacy. Alternatively you can enjoy a massage on the spa deck whilst watching nature pass by. What really makes the spa so special is its position perched above the lodge – it offers the most stunning views of the Zambezi River where the hippo and elephants play. Be indulged with sublime treatments and pampering couples rituals using indigenous ingredients such as seasonal tropical fruits, which are used in exfoliations, marine sediment used for a fantastic slimming wrap, and sage and balm mint and orange flower are used in special facials. The signature treatment is the traditional Zambian Ukuchina – a firm full body massage, which is unique to Zambia and uses hot and cold towels, ginger or eucalyptus aromatherapy oils and compressions. Prices at Royal Zambezi Lodge start from £235 pppn. www.royalzambezilodge.com

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Kilindi Resort, Zanzibar Stay 7 nights and pay 5

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Many couples dream of getting married in an exotic location – maybe an idyllic beach setting, a mountain top or a beautiful garden. The wedding of a lifetime starts ‘happily ever after’ with a Serena Wedding

Imagine the possibilities...

oes the wedding of your dreams evoke images of a private manor, set on sprawling lush grounds? If so then you should take in the glamour of Ol Pejeta House. This farmhouse is undoubtedly one of Africa’s best-kept secrets with its grandiose history and the stunning backdrop of Mount Kenya. It’s perfect for an intimate wedding, followed by sensational sunset cocktails and a delightful reception in the bush under starry skies. Or perhaps you desire a paradise wedding by the pristine shores of the Indian Ocean? Be it Zanzibar or Mombasa, the choice is unrivalled. Imagine a romantic wedding breakfast on the beach for two, being pampered in a world-class spa to make sure you look and feel your absolute best, topped off by a picturesque ceremony with Arabic dhows drifting in the background and a spectacular candlelit reception.

Or even a classic city wedding; a fairytale romance in some of Africa’s glorious capitals - Nairobi, Kampala, Maputo even Kigali. Formal or informal, big or small, your possibilities are limitless. Enjoy the grandeur of a banqueting hall, the splendour of tropical gardens and savour lavish cuisine. And beforehand, why not indulge your bridesmaids with an Elemis active glow facial at the Maisha Spa? Let us design the wedding of your dreams, whether that is tropical paradise, fairytale romance or spectacular bush setting. Commemorate your moment at one of our landmark properties, all offering distinguished experiences. Since every couple is unique each wedding will be personalised with authentic touches tailored speciﬁcally to your needs. And once you’ve planned your Serena wedding why not let us pamper you further with one of our honeymoons; discreet and private, you’ll be treated like the ultimate VIP. Unsurpassed service and magniﬁcent locations, all you need do is show up and enjoy this monumental moment in your life!

Book it! Serena Hotels are situated in the following locations: Nairobi, Mombasa, Mara, Amboseli, Kilaguni, Mount Kenya, Sweetwaters Sanctuary, Arusha, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Zanzibar, Kampala, Lake Victoria, Maputo, Kigali, Lake Kivu, Selous For further information on our special wedding deals, please log onto our website: www.serenahotels.com Or contact us on mktg@serena.co.ke or +254 20 2842333 / 2842200 / 270511 www.bridesabroad.tv 103

Pampering in Paradise

Indulge yourselves in a sublime spa honeymoon in the romantic tropical rainforests of Malaysia

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even the sharpest of palates. Only the freshest produce is served, that has been nurtured by hand in proud organic tradition from its very own ecologically grown gardens, The Chateau’s team of epicurean specialists create exquisite menus and gastronomy that is inspired by wellness, including exquisite organic wine and beer as well as fresh organic fruits and delights.

Spa sanctuary In the Chateau’s European-inspired state-of-the-art La Sante Spa, a definitive organic destination spa ritual is an integral part of the experience. Available in three, five, and seven night packages, these specially designed programmes include delightful accommodation in The Chateau’s spa rooms featuring the plushest organic cotton sheets, daily meals created by your very own dietician, special treats and complete daily fitness and wellness programmes. The intuitive spa personnel deliver personalised therapies and programmes that are designed to meet individual needs and health goals ranging from body pampering, beauty, anti-stress, body cleansing, fitness, weight loss, and most interestingly for honeymooners, the couple retreat, whilst also offering gentle guidance in the areas of nutrition and exercise. La Sante prides itself on being the first to offer its clientele the use of illusive European thermal facilities which include a herbal infused sauna chamber, salt grotto or mud chamber, and a Soap Brush/Aquaveda heated bed with automatic body scrub facilities.

Philosophy

here’s no doubt about it, the most important day of your life, your wedding day, can also be the most stressful, so if you are looking to immerse yourselves in total tranquillity and harmony after your wedding, then allow your stresses to be soothed away in a luxuriously exotic haven in the ultimate couples pampering experience.

The Chateau The Chateau is the world’s ﬁrst organic wellness destination spa, in an idyllic setting, rising majestically amidst a 150million-year-old tropical rainforest. The Chateau nestles serenely in the Berjaya Hills Malaysia and offers the ultimate in health and wellbeing enrichment.

Modelled to recreate an 18th century Medieval ‘Haut Koesnigburg’ castle in Alsace, France, The Chateau boasts 210 elegant rooms and suites. It has opened its door to cater for both spa junkies and those who are new to a destination spa experience, and offers a haven to explore the path towards total wellbeing. It also provides an intimate experience for newlyweds to share as they relax in total harmony together.

An organic experience The Chateau prides itself on providing its guests with luxurious accommodation and cuisine, offering the ﬁnest array or organic produce – from organic toiletries and bed linen to an unprecedented organic gourmet dining experience that will delight

Advocating a lifestyle approach to personal wellness in a non-regimented way is the mainstay of this magnificent resort where couples will leave feeling relaxed, invigorated and with a definite promise to return. With the resort’s quintessential focus on progressive well-being and vitality, The Chateau is not only a retreat that embraces holistic ideas and relaxing principles but also one that defines the eminent journey towards wellness.

Further information KM48 Persimpangan Bertingkat, Lebuhraya Karak, 28750 Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia Tel: + 60(9) 288 8222 sales@thechateau.com.my www.thechateau.com.my www.bridesabroad.tv

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VENUES with a VIEW

Make your vows be wows when you treat your guests to awesome views across the world’s finest cities from amazing rooftop wedding venues

Ritz Carlton Moscow, Russia

The Ritz Carlton is renowned for its creative, luxury weddings, and at the Ritz Carlton in Moscow, they take this to the next level – all the way to the roof! The hotel boasts the O2 Lounge, a stylish rooftop lounge and terrace far above the streets of Moscow, featuring breathtaking panoramic views over Red Square and the Kremlin. Hold your wedding here and truly impress your guests with awesome views of one of the world’s most fascinating cities. The hotel’s wedding professionals will organise all aspects of your wedding ceremony to help create your vision.

The Hotel The Ritz Carlton, Moscow enjoys a prime location in the cultural epicentre of Moscow. The 11-story, ﬁve-star hotel is an iconic building with polished wood décor and offers plush accommodation in 334 of the largest guest rooms and suites in the city. It also has a superb ESPA spa for pre and post wedding pampering.

Book it! Superior guest rooms start from £392 per night. For more information or to book: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/ moscow/reservations 106 www.BridesAbroad.tv

Royal Olympic Athens, Greece

Can there be a more inspiring view than that of the major archaeological sites of Athens, including the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill and the temple of Zeus? It will be a breathtaking backdrop to your wedding photographs if you get married in the Roof Garden restaurant and bar of the Royal Olympic hotel in Athens, which speciﬁcally caters for wedding receptions. The hotel’s wedding team ensure that each wedding reception is unique and custom made.

The Hotel The newly refurbished ﬁve-star hotel, located in the centre of Athens, is a member of Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection and offers luxury accommodation in 264 rooms, including the unique Athenian Panorama Rooms. The hotel offers an authentic Athenian experience for you and your guests with shopping as well as sightseeing on your doorstep.

Book it! Double rooms start from £96.00. For more information or to book log on to: www.ghotw.com/royal-olympic or call 020 7380 3658.

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Eurostar Madrid Tower Madrid, Spain

If you marry at Eurostar Madrid Tower you’ll be on cloud nine – well you will be up in the clouds, that’s for sure, because the stunning Volvoreta gourmet restaurant perched on the 30th ﬂoor offers the most stunning views across Madrid and is an iconic location for weddings as you discover the Spanish capital from a new perspective. The hotel provides a personalised wedding service with attention to detail, and a choice of venues and gourmet delights, which can be customised according to your needs.

The Hotel The five-star hotel, a member of Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection, is the true definition of a 21st century luxury hotel with all the latest technology and amazing look-out points throughout. It is located in the Cuatro Torres Business Area, offering 474 modern, fully fitted guest rooms. You can enjoy wining and dining while watching the night falling over the bustling city or relax and be pampered in an exclusive Health Club.

Book it! Double rooms start from £124.00. For more information or to book call 020 7380 3658 or log onto: www.ghotw.com/eurostarsmadrid-tower.

Old Sydney Holiday Inn Australia

As far as views go, there can be few more impressive than the vista from the Rooftop pool terrace at Old Sydney Holiday Inn, in Australia, where you can exchange your vows with a 360degree panoramic backdrop across Sydney including Sydney Opera House and the iconic

Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Rooftop at Old Sydney Holiday Inn is one of Syndey’s most unique wedding venues and can hold up to 70 guests and caters for everything from wedding ceremony only to large sit-down receptions.

The Hotel The ﬁve-star hotel, a member of Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection, is the true

deﬁnition of a 21st century luxury hotel with all the latest technology and amazing look-out points throughout. It is located in the Cuatro Torres Business Area, offering 474 modern, fully ﬁtted guest rooms. You can enjoy wining and dining while watching the night falling over the bustling city or relax and be pampered in an exclusive Health Club.

Book it! Double rooms start from £124.00. For more information or to book call 020 7380 3658 or log onto: www.ghotw.com/eurostars-madrid-tower.

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The Trafalgar Hotel London, England

See the bustling Trafalgar Square, London’s famous landmark, from a bird’s eye perspective – from the rooftop Vista Bar at The Trafalgar Hotel, which is available for private bookings and weddings. It’s an oasis of tranquillity at the heart of the vibrant capital and has the wow factor as a wedding venue, offering views of the most sought after city skyline. The Trafalgar Hotel offers four inspiring places to host your contemporary wedding, however the stylish Vista Rooftop Bar is the ultimate alfresco hotspot. The hotel’s dedicated team of experts will make your vision come to life, from the ceremony to your ﬁrst night.

The Hotel Opulence meets contemporary chic at the stylish Trafalgar Hotel, part of the Hilton group. Guest rooms are spacious with clean lines and a minimalist edge tastefully decorated in tones of cream and white with all the mod cons. Wining and dining at the hotel’s Rockwell restaurant is a culinary experience with seasonal dishes served with a contemporary twist. The bar is a popular meeting place at the heart of the city, with a reputation for its wickedly good cocktails!

Book it! Double rooms start from £239.00 per night. For more information or to book call 0870 5 90 90 90 or log onto: www.thetrafalgar.com

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Eco-chic

BRIDE W

herever you choose to tie the knot, there are some lovely ways to add a touch of eco-chic to your celebrations. While it’s certainly easier – and often greener - to get your cake, wine, food and ﬂowers from local suppliers, you can ﬁnd super-stylish options for everything from your dress and accessories, gift lists and beauty products, invitations and beauty treats nearer to home. Here’s how...

Your rings ‘Get a unique ring made for you, with a jewellery designer who uses ethical gem stones and recycled silver, or sources materials from fair trade mining,’ says Kate Thorley, of Nest Creates. ‘You could even recycle your granny’s heirloom into your ring.’ Nest Creates (www.nestcreates.co.uk) uses diamonds from conﬂict-free sources (www.kimberleyprocess. com), and a rich purple/blue stone called Tanzanite which also has ethical credentials (www. tanzanitefoundation.com/community). Their bespoke pieces are manufactured entirely in the UK by highly skilled craftspeople. A set of an engagement ring and shaped wedding ring in platinum, with brilliant cut diamonds and tanzanite similar to those starts from around £2,500. Cred Jewellery designs and hand crafts fair trade gold and platinum engagement and wedding rings, but also make some beautiful earrings and other pieces perfect for your wedding day. They will also create bespoke pieces. Visit www.credjewellery.com Leblas creates ﬁne jewellery from recycled gold and platinum, and traceable diamonds and precious stones. Some wonderful cuffs that would work well with a Grecian Goddess dress, and a beautiful silver selection. Visit www.leblas.com

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Beauty

For organic mineral make-up that makes you feel as good as it makes you look, try The Green People Eco Lipsticks (£11.25) in CandyFloss, Cherry and Cinnamon shades, with fairly traded Cupuaçu Butter and Coconut oil for a moisturising boost. Enhance your eyes with the Eco Eye Collection (£23.50) with Cream, Nutmeg, Fondant and Espresso shades in one palette, and Volumising Mascara (£14.35) with conditioning shea butter and almond oil, in black and brown-black. And give your skin the movie-star glow with Pressed Mineral Powder (£20.45), a 3-in-1 foundation, powder and SPF 15 sunscreen with light-reflecting minerals for smoother, younger, flawless-looking skin. Choose from Honey, Caramel and Maple shades. Add a touch of colour with Pure Blush (£19.40) in Rose Pink and Peach. For miracle skin fixes, UK company Aromatherapy Associates is hard to beat. All their oils (for bath & shower, body and face), room fragrances and essences contain 100% natural ingredients, and all paper and card used is from sustainable sources. The Overnight Repair Mask (£46), with millet seed extract, rose and frankincense, smells gorgeous and helps you wake up looking radiant; the Fine Line face oil (£41.50) helps you turn back the clock; Instant skin firming serum (£41.50) is a mini facelift in a bottle; and the Deep relax Bath and Shower Oil (£37) is a fabulous fix for helping you get your beauty sleep even if your mind is whirring with all your wedding planning. Easy-to-find organic products come in the Boots Botanics organic range, with organic ingredients as high as 87%. The latest arrivals include Organic Rich Body Butter (£6.00), with shea and murumuru butters to make your skin soft and gorgeous; and facial care products to get you ready for your close-up! Try Hydrating Day Cream (£7.49) with almond oil, Smoothing Face Polish (£4.99) and Soothing Cleansing Balm (£6.50). And Botanics Quick Fix Cleansing Wipes are biodegradable, unlike most of the others in the shops (£3.49). Be Sexy Angelic with the certified organic fragrance of the same name from luxury perfume house Honore Des Pres. It combines almonds and angelica for a unique scent. Or try Honore’s Trip, with zesty tangerines and Mediterranean oranges for a sparkling, uplifting slice of sunshine. Price £89 from www.les senteurs.com. Go green when you take off on honeymoon, with eco-TOOLS, one of the first ranges of beauty tools to use sustainable resources to minimise the negative effect on the environment and make everyday beauty routines a little greener. Check out the Sustainable Sleep Mask (£4.99) to guarantee a restful night’s sleep; 5-Piece Brush Set (£14.99) and the 6 Bamboo Mini Brushes (£4.99), perfect handbag size makeup brushes for eye, lip and face makeup touch ups when you are out and about. The tools are made using bamboo handles (bamboo grows four feet a day and is thus a highly replenishable resource); cruelty-free, high performance taklon bristles; and recycled aluminium ferrules. Available from Tesco, Superdrug and Boots nationwide.

3 Dresses and accessories For stylish shoes loved by celebrities including Natalie Portman and Sadie Frost, try Beyond Skin, an ethical footwear label that puts style high on its criteria. The Bridal range is glamorous and pretty. Visit www. beyondskin.co.uk. Get a one-off dress made especially for you in organic and fair trade fabrics by Wholly Jo’s, a designer and dressmaker service based in London. They can also re-style old wedding dresses to make something gorgeous and new – whether you want to re-work your mum’s dress, or make yours into an evening dress after the event. Visit www.wholly-jo.co.uk or call 01895 905527 Get a gorgeous tiara handmade in Worcestershire by Nancy Poller, using fair trade silver and ethically-sourced beads. Find out more at www.papillon-boutique.com. Or beach brides will love tiaras made from recycled and found objects from Cornwall, including sea glass, shells, pottery, buttons and beads. Visit www.pennygray.co.uk Fancy a hand-made dress or accessories using eco or vintage fabrics? Leicester-based Ruth Singer makes wedding dresses and oneoff accessories to order using your own fabrics (such as wedding dress leftovers) or carefullyselected vintage fabrics or the ﬁnest organic cottons and silks. From bridesmaids bags to stoles and corsages. Visit www.ruthsingerbridal.blogspot.com Want to use your wedding dress again? Motasem creates cocktail-style wedding dresses that won’t get left at the back of the wardrobe after the big day! Call 07788 713 714 www.BridesAbroad.tv 111

Your gift list Sign up to an ethical gift list without compromising on loveliness, at www.bynature.co.uk. They’ll match 10 per cent of the total amount bought on your list (excl VAT) and give this money on your behalf to your chosen charity, and deliver your gifts free of charge in the UK. Ideas to tick include a fair trade and recycled wedding album with paper handmade from recycled cotton along with organic towels and bathrobes, designer sleeping bags, luxurious beauty products, bedding, jewellery, fashion and even chocolates!

Been living together for ages and want to spread the joy of your wedding to others less fortunate? Give to charity with The Alternative Wedding List at www.thealternativeweddinglist.co.uk Keen gardeners? Get fruit trees delivered to your door, with www.tree2mydoor.com, all sent in eco-friendly packaging. Are you a real romantic? You can either dedicate trees in the MarryMeWood or have your wedding list with the Carbon neutral foundation, allowing guests to dedicate trees in a forest of your choice. www.carbonneutral.com Foodies will love the Olive tree adoption gift package for weddings, from £60 for one year. You will receive a certiﬁcate with your names on it, an ‘Oil baron’ T-shirt, plus a portion of the Casa del Sole organic olive oil harvest in December. www.casadelsole.co.uk If you’re looking to revamp your home, you could ask guests to club together for a large item of beautiful furniture from reclaimed materials at www.desirabledebris.co.uk 112 www.BridesAbroad.tv

Lingerie Get sexy organic silk wedding and honeymoon lingerie from Enamore, whose frilly underthings and garters are designed and made in Bath and Wales. The Rose Blush camisole (£75) and Rose Blush rufﬂe knickers (£36) will make you feel adorable on your wedding day, and there are plenty of saucier choices – from garters to eye masks – for your honeymoon. Visit: www.enamore.co.uk Life’s not fair but my knickers are! Buy pretty fair trade underwear, perfect for honeymoons (Fairly dotty is a retro starlet look, with knickers from £12, and camis from £18)) and gifts for bridesmaids (the butterﬂy range is perfect). www. lifesnotfairbutmyknickersare.com

Invitations

& thank-you cards

If you love beautiful type and simple, striking designs, get personalised recycled and biodegradable stationery from www.artcadia.co.uk, whose look is as much about the fabulous textures of the paper as it is about your own personalities as a couple.

If vibrant, stylish designs are your thing, get ‘off the peg’ invitations, or a bespoke service from Green Leaf Press - a company that not only uses beautiful eco papers made from hemp, cotton and straw, but also has a wind-powered website, and ribbons made in Cheshire, just round the corner from their ofﬁces. Visit www.greenleafpress.co.uk

Make your cards from hand-made paper with petals, lavender buds or seeds; or for couples tying the knot in India, Africa or Thailand, use paper made using elephant poo as the basic ﬁbre! Sounds gross, looks great! Visit www.elliepoopaper.co.uk

Gifts for

mums & maids Buy a pretty piece of jewellery from www. maipearls.co.uk, hand made using Chinese freshwater pearls by a small group of mainland Chinese women. Pearl cluster pendants from £9.99. And look out for the cute dragonfly hair pins, perfect for flower girls, £19.99. Treat chocoholics to exquisite organic handmade truffles from www.montezumas.co.uk. We love Far Cape, with orange and geranium, Colombian Cappuccino, and Moondance almond pralines in a thick dark chocolate. Truffle bags £4.79, champagne truffle collection from £11.99. Wedding favours also available.

Groom

Get a hand made suit in eco-friendly fabric from hot new student label Nora Sotamaa at www.norasotamaa.com Sort him out with fair trade silver cufﬂinks from www.fairwindonline.com

Re-jig his honeymoon look with www.junky-styling.co.uk who create new or updated clothes from old, ill-ﬁtting stuff from the back of your wardrobe!

Hens & stags A trip to the country. Go walking, biking, hole up with DVDs for a pyjama party, or eat and drink in country pubs near the historic town of Richmond in North Yorkshire, with a Natural Retreat weekend. Set within 54 acres of unspoilt countryside, Natural Retreats Yorkshire Dales offers luxurious eco cabins sleeping 6 people in serious style, backed up with green credentials – sustainable timber frames, recycled insulation, Evergreen sedum roofs’, passive solar glazing, biomass heating and use of natural spring water for drinking and showers. A two-night stay from £300, 7 nights from £480. Find out more at www.naturalretreats.com

Have a cup cake party! Pretty Witty Cakes run hen afternoon cupcake classes where you and your friends can bake gorgeous treats and then eat them all! They only use the ﬁnest fair trade and organic ingredients wherever possible. Visit www.prettywittycakes.co.uk Go camping, hire a yurt or a tipi, or stay on an organic farm with your mates for a weekend exploring the local pubs, and cooking on the BBQ. Organic Places to Stay gives you the lowdown on the best places at www. organicplacestostay.co.uk Be beside the seaside in Bournemouth at the stylish small hotel, The Green House, where gourmet food and cocktails, and beautiful contemporary rooms combine to give you a chic weekend, all backed up with recycling and sustainability credentials. Prices from £180 for a small double, or you can arrange a twin room by calling direct. Find out more at www.thegreenhousehotel.co.uk

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Honeymoons Short haul reduces your carbon footprint but doesn’t have to reduce romance or luxury! Sani Resort in Halkidiki Greece has been planting 300 trees since 2009, and has a local environmental award for its commitment to energy efficiency, renewable energy use, water conservation, and waste minimisation, using solar energy, low energy bulbs, recycling, composting and growing produce in its organic vegetable garden. They even look after a local wetland centre to preserve wildlife. But the best thing is, the holiday experience is so stylish and luxurious you wouldn’t know it was green. Have a week lounging by the pool, eating candle lit dinner sand enjoying the deep blue sea at the Sani Asterias Suites. ITC Classics (01244 355 527; www.itcclassics.co.uk) offers 7 nights at Sani Asterias Suites from £1,141 per person, in a Junior Suite Marina Front, B&B, based on two sharing and including flights and transfers. ‘It’s much easier than you think to have a greener honeymoon,’ says Alex from green travel gurus Responsible Travel, who only sell holidays with great green and sustainability credentials (www. responsibletravel.com). Her insider tips?: For spa and wildlife, head to Sri Lanka. Pamper yourself in some of the world’s finest spas with Ayurvedic aromatic herbal oil massage, or the Blue Water Signature Treatment, and get the thrill of incredible wildlife watching with the chance to see the purple-faced monkey, elephants, and macaques. From £1520 (14 days) excluding flights with Tailor made. For something completely different have a winter adventure in Finland. Go on an unforgettable snowmobile, reindeer or husky safari will to explore the very heart of Lapland’s winter wilderness. From £1555 - £1795 (8 days) inc UK flights, from Small group travel. For the adventurous nature lover... Honeymoon in Borneo where you can visit endangered wildlife from turtles to orang-utans and tropical rainforests, local culture and idyllic beaches, while you unwind in luxurious hotels on idyllic islands and in rustic jungle lodges. From £2450 - £3149 (15 days) inc UK flights, by Tailor made. If you want long haul and exotic, consider Fiji (www.fijime.com) where lots of luxe properties are eco-conscious. The new Laucala (www. laucala.com ) is an ultra-exclusive, luxurious private island resort surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The 25 bungalows or bures sit on a white sand beach, with spectacular views to the open sea, each with a private pool. The hilltop spa is amazing, and you can play golf, do yoga, go riding, or enjoy tennis, fishing and watersports. The resort breeds its own livestock and poultry, grows its own fruit vegetables, makes its own honey, and hand makes its own guest and spa products, aiming to be 85% self-sustainable by 2013. Oceanographer and explorer Jean- Michel Cousteau’s Fiji Island Resort (www.fijiresort.com) is five star island resort with 25 bures that’s perfect for romance, honeymoons and weddings. You can dine alone at the end of the candlelight pier, go diving, hike in the rainforests or do daily yoga. Film buffs will love all-inclusive Turtle Island Resort (www.turtlefiji. com), the backdrop for the 1970’s movie Blue Lagoon, starring Brooke Shields. Your “Bure Mama” will cater to your every whim. Eco initiatives include planting more than 500,000 over 30 years, an organic vegetable garden, regular medical and dental clinics to treat children and villagers from neighbouring islands, and a Turtle Release program, to help save the threatened Green and Hawksbill turtles. Find out more! www.thenaturalweddingcompany.co.uk

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Planning Guide 116 119

Photographic memories Don’t skimp on your wedding photographs – capture those perfect moments

Run cover You can’t afford to take a chance on the most important day of your life!

120 Weather permitting

Don’t let your wedding day be a washout with our worldwide weather guide

124 Wedding countdown

Our 12-month wedding checklist for your big day

126 Pop the question

The Kuoni wedding team answer your burning questions

128 Perfect planning

Take the hassle out of your overseas wedding with expert planners

129 Can we help?

Your wedding questions answered

Photographic

memories

Photo: PhotoDabek

Wedding memories are made of picture perfect moments; so find the wedding photographer who captures the best on your special day

ittle surprise then that Marrakech is becoming a popular destination for couples seeking a wedding that differs from the norm. You’ve probably spent years planning and saving for your dream weddings, so photographing those memories and providing a long lasting keepsake wedding album is likely to be high on your agenda. But amazingly, brides marrying abroad are still prepared to take the risk of using local photographers supplied through hotels as part of their prebooked wedding package. Would you? Many overseas resort hotels offer the service of wedding photographers as part of all-inclusive wedding packages. Couples are simply offered a small choice of local photographers from sample wedding albums, which are presented by the hotel’s wedding planner just days before 116

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the wedding. It’s not surprising that the results tend to be basic and impersonal, with little emphasis on creativity. Finding the right photographer for you, as a couple, can be a daunting task. A survey carried out by the National Wedding Show reveals that 89 per cent of newlyweds-to-be prefer to source a photographer via a personal recommendation or word of mouth.

Hotel package deal For some couples the basic photographs included in the hotel wedding package are perfectly acceptable. However, if you are looking for beautiful, inspirational photography to capture the essence of your marriage abroad, then you should consider getting in touch with professional wedding planners based or specialising in the country where you are to be married. They generally know the best local wedding service providers and can recommend

excellent photographers in the area and show you samples of their work.

UK’s finest photographers Better still consider taking along a good, reliable photographer from the UK to photograph your overseas wedding. But how do you select the perfect photographer? As a starting point, Ed Clayton of Ed Clayton Photography (www.edclayton. co,uk) advises: “Before you even think of choosing your photographer, choose what style of photography you like. Do not ask, for example, a documentary photographer to shoot the whole wedding in a traditional way. And make sure you get on well with your photographer. They will be present at the most intimate times of the day and it is important that their personality will make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

International award winning photographer, Ian Southworth from Peartree Pictures (www.peartreepictures.co.uk), who is ranked amongst the top 10 wedding photojournalists in the UK advises: “You need to calculate your budget. This is a very grey area but I believe it should be worked out on the basis of how important the photography is to you. For example, if the photography is the second most important thing behind the venue, then the budget should reﬂect this. Also, remember that after the wedding day itself, the only thing that will be looked at time after time, giving a lifetime of memories are the photographs!” Photo: Rightshot

Photo: Javan Liam

Photo:Peartree PIctures

Javan Liam (www.javanliam.co.uk) is one of Yorkshire’s best-known and creative wedding photographers and has photographed weddings around the world, from the South of France to New York. Javan explains: “I think it is vitally important for bride and groom to build up a good relationship with their photographer prior to their wedding, with meetings well in advance to discuss exactly what they want from a wedding album. Good wedding photography is about people enjoying the day from start to finish. I am not the type of photographer that takes forever setting the shot up. I believe in keeping everything moving, including the flow of the guests and the excitement of it all. With many years experience and celebrity weddings under his belt, Richard Knowles from Rightshot (www.rightshot.co.uk) says: “Choose a photographer with confidence, energy and organizational skills – they need confidence to ensure that they

can be in the right place at the right time and get everyone else there too! They need energy to last the distance, weddings are very long days!”

Counting the costs Most couples believe that the cost of taking a UK-based photographer overseas to photograph their wedding would be prohibitively expensive, however this is not usually the case. Javan Liam says: “Our company charges only a little more than we do for an English wedding, so it’s not as expensive as you would imagine. After all, where would I rather be spending a weekend? In the South of France doing a shoot in St Tropez or rainsoaked UK venues? I aim to be fair with the couple by balancing the fact that I am taking three days out of my working week in the UK with a fee that is almost the same as I would charge for a local wedding,”

A surprising new trend is emerging in the UK based on the popular European tradition of Cherish the Dress and Trash the Dress. Bride and groom are seeking another opportunity to dress up in their wedding outﬁts and be photographed again, but this time in a relaxed and fun professional photo shoot away from the hustle, bustle and demands on their wedding day. Martin the owner and senior photographer of PhotoDabek, Creative Wedding Photography Studio based in Bristol says: “Couples are opting to do photo shoots set against a backdrop of Europe’s stunningly beautiful and romantic cities like Rome, Venice, Paris or special destinations that mean something magical to them both. This gives the perfect excuse to wear their wedding outﬁts once again, get some stunning images, feel like models and have fun. Why not combine this with a romantic weekend away? We can set up photo shoots with the couple for part of the weekend then leave them to enjoy the sights and each other for the rest of the time”. The PhotoDabek team has travelled extensively throughout Europe and know many of the most beautiful sites and scenes so they can help with travel and accommodation packages. www.photodabek.co.uk

Naughty but nice As their wedding day approaches, most women work towards losing a few pounds and toning up in the gym to look their very best for their special day. Why not capture and save those images of you forever looking your very best in a way your husband will truly appreciate? You can book a photo session with Mighty Aphrodite, a husband and wife team who are pioneers of sexy yet artistic glamour and nude photography. They are experts at creating high quality, tasteful nude, semi nude, erotic and softer-boudoir style photography for women, men and couples and offer a range of photoshoot and album packages to suit individual budgets and styles. Prices start at £99 for a Taster Shoot to over £1,000 for the top package. www.mightyaphrodite.co.uk

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Run for Cover!

Advertising feature It is worth mentioning that over a quarter (27 per cent) of insurers will not provide cover for overseas weddings, so you need to check the small print carefully. Some of the wedding insurance suppliers that are happy to insure overseas weddings include: www.johnlewis-insurance.com/ weddings this high-street company offers competitively priced Wedding Insurance that you can trust. www.weddinginsurance.co.uk offers Dreamsaver Wedding Insurance for couples marrying abroad at no extra cost. Prices start from £24 and the policy includes cover for the cost of replacing any documents essential for the wedding that may get lost or damaged. www.weddingplaninsurance.co.uk this company offers six levels of cover for weddings abroad, starting at £19.99 and offers Essential Document indemnity for replacement documents. www.eandl.co.uk/weddings provides cover up to two years in advance of the ceremony with packages starting at just under £20 for a one off payment and offers eight different bands of cover to choose from to suit all budgets.

The Proposal & Honeymoons Of course if you were planning on proposing abroad, there are a few practicalities to consider before popping the question in the ﬁrst place – would she appreciate being proposed to in the middle of a particularly nasty bout of Delhi Belly? And would that rock of an engagement ring be covered by your travel insurance if it were to be lost or stolen?

Have you insured your wedding yet? You can’t afford not to!

our wedding is one of the most important days of your life and you will no doubt be investing time and money to ensure that it’s your dream day, but don’t let it turn into a nightmare. With the average cost of a UK wedding being over £21,000, and weddings abroad costing around £7,000 you could have a lot to lose if things go wrong. Planning your wedding should be fun, so don’t leave anything to chance! With the current shaky economic climate seeing the collapse of even the most reputable wedding suppliers, it can potentially leave couples in the lurch. Protecting yourself with wedding insurance is more important than ever before, so make sure that all elements of the wedding celebrations are covered right down to all important documentation when you are saying ‘I do’ abroad.

And then, there’s the dream honeymoon to consider. Once again you can buy peace of mind with the cost of good travel insurance. Check out online travel insurance provider www.insurewithease.com or compare the numerous travel insurance providers on: www.comparethemarket.com/travel As soon as you begin planning your overseas wedding and paying deposits to suppliers you should think about purchasing wedding insurance. However, before you book your wedding insurance, we highly recommend that you do your research carefully, check the market and read the small print – you need to look at the features of insurance products rather than just the price, as some less scrupulous providers ‘play the system’ by removing important pieces of cover and swapping them for less costly beneﬁts. Don’t be caught out!

Enchanting Egypt You can compare wedding insurance policies from a number of well-known providers by logging on to www.compareweddinginsurance.org Once you have checked the market you will be able to buy your policy online with all of the suppliers listed.

Research the ratings Defaqto is an independent financial research company specialising in rating, comparing and analysing financial products. It has expanded its Star Ratings reports of financial products to include wedding insurance. Defaqto’s team of analysts have reviewed the features and benefits of over 80 wedding insurance policies and awarded a Star Rating from 1-5, which reflect the quality of features offered within the product. Core features include cancellation and curtailment, rearrangement expenses, loss, damage, non-appearance or breakdown cover for key suppliers and wedding items. Those about to tie the knot can use Defaqto’s 5-Star Ratings as a quick guide to choosing the most suitable cover for their celebrations depending on their circumstances and demonstrates the pitfalls of comparing insurance policies on price alone. www.defaqto.com www.BridesAbroad.tv 119

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

120 www.BridesAbroad.tv

January

February

Hot Spots

Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, Hawaii Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Thailand

Cool & Chilled

Canada, European Alps Iceland, Scandinavia, USA

Canada, European Alps, Iceland, Scandinavia, USA

Something Different

Argentina, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Morocco New Zealand, Sri Lanka

Jungle Safari

Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Avoid

Alaska, Borneo

Alaska,

March

April

Hot Spots

Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, French Polynesia Hawaii, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Thailand

Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, French Polynesia Greece, Hawaii, Indonesia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Malaysia. Maldives, Mexico

Cool & Chilled Canada, USA, European Alps, Scandinavia, Iceland

Something Different Argentina, Egypt, India, Morocco, New Zealand, Hong Kong

Jungle Safari

Cool & Chilled European Alps, Scandinavia

Something Different Argentina, Egypt, Hong Kong, India

Jungle Safari

Belize, Borneo, Botswana, Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Belize, Zambia

Belize, Borneo, Botswana, Costa Rica, South Africa, Zambia

Avoid

Alaska

Alaska, Kenya, Tanzania www.BridesAbroad.tv 121

May

June

Hot Spots

Brazil, Cyprus, Dubai, Fiji, French Polynesia, Greece, Hawaii Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Seychelles, Spain, Thailand

Cyprus, Fiji, French Polynesia, Greece, Hawaii, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Spain, USA

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, Iceland

Canada, European Alps, Iceland, Scandinavia, USA

Something Different

Cook Islands, Egypt, Hong Kong, France, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Scandinavia

Alaska, New Zealand

Jungle Safari Belize, Borneo, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia

Avoid Caribbean, Cuba, Kenya, Maldives, Tanzania

Jungle Safari Borneo, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia

Avoid Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, Egypt, Maldives

July

August

Hot Spots

Canada, Cyprus, Fiji, French Polynesia, Greece, Hawaii Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Spain, USA

Canada, Cyprus, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Indonesia, Malaysia, Seychelles, Spain, USA

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, Iceland

Something Different

France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Peru, Scandinavia, Scotland, Spain

France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Peru, Scandinavia, Scotland

Jungle Safari

Borneo, Botswana, Kenya,

Borneo, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia

Tanzania, Zambia

Avoid Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, Egypt 122 www.BridesAbroad.tv

Avoid

Belize, Caribbean, Costa Rica Cuba, Dubai, Egypt

September

October

Hot Spots

Australia, Brazil, Cyprus, Fiji, French Polynesia, Greece, Hawaii Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Spain, USA

Australia, Brazil, Cyprus, Dubai, Fiji, French Polynesia, Greece, Hawaii, Malaysia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Spain

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, New Zealand

Canada, USA

Something Different

Egypt, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Peru, Sri Lanka, USA

Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Morocco, Sri Lanka, USA

Jungle Safari

Borneo, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

Belize, Borneo, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania Zambia, South Africa

Avoid

Belize, Caribbean, Cuba, Costa Rica

Alaska, Belize, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Cuba

November

December

Hot Spots

Australia, Brazil, Dubai, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Mauritius, Maldives, Mexico, Thailand

Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Thailand

Cool & Chilled

Canada, Scandinavia, USA

Canada, European Alps, Scandinavia, USA

Something Different

Argentina, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Morocco, New Zealand, Sri Lamka, USA

Argentina, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Morocco, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, USA

Jungle Safari

Belize, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa,Tanzania

Avoid Alaska, Borneo

Avoid

Alaska, Borneo www.BridesAbroad.tv 123

Wedding Countdown

Don’t be caught out! Set your diary for our month-by-month wedding checklist

12 MONTHS • • • • •

Decide on a budget Fix a date and time Decide on guest numbers Research to ﬁnd your perfect venue! Check world weather

11 MONTHS

• Send out save the day cards • Take out wedding insurance and include your wedding dress • Make appointments to try out wedding dresses • Start downloading music if planning a CD for reception • Check availability at resorts and get prices

10 MONTHS

• Book your hotel and wedding package • Order invitations and envelopes as well as place cards • Inform guests of travel plans and give them your tour operator details so they can work out their own arrangements

124 www.BridesAbroad.tv

• Set up a honeymoon gift list • Pick your bridesmaids, ushers and best man • Decide on your dress – allow at least four months for a made-to-measure gown to be delivered

9 MONTHS

• Start thinking about a theme for your wedding • Choose and order your bridesmaids outﬁts • Discuss with your wedding planners what documents you need • Check your passport is up to date • Arrange your travel insurance

8 MONTHS • If you are having a religious ceremony, discuss readings and choose music for your service • Check whether readings and music are permitted for a civil ceremony

7 MONTHS

• Choose and order favours

• Shop for table decorations, confetti and trimmings • Choose shoes and accessories for you and your bridesmaids

6 MONTHS

• Remind your ﬁancé to get his and the ushers’ outﬁts • Choose gifts for your attendants, best man, mum and helpers • Chase up any guests who haven’t responded

5 MONTHS

• Book a consultation with your hairstylist • Start your course of Restylane ﬁllers, permanent hair removal, cosmetic tweaks and slimming treatments

4 MONTHS

• Go shopping for honeymoon clothes • Check whether you need visas or inoculations • Start arrangements for your stag and hen party • Start your diet and ﬁtness campaign

Honeymoon checklist 6 MONTHS • Do your research • Health and safety – check for travel advice and updates at the Foreign & Commonwealth Ofﬁce (fco.gov.org) • Set the honeymoon budget

5 MONTHS • Make your choice early as airline prices can soar for late bookings • Check on visas • Check your passport is up to date

4 MONTHS Laguna Tours, Phuket

3 MONTHS

• Check that you have received all the correct documentation, including travel tickets. Check the details carefully for correct names, dates and times of ﬂights • Inform the tour operator of guests who are staying at different hotels – day passes need to be arranged for them • Book a make-up session at a departmen store and choose your wedding make-up. Make sure it is heat -and-water-resistant if you are goingto hot climes • Choose your ‘special wedding perfume’ • Book your pre-wedding hair appointment for cut and colour • Choose a company for a gift list and make your selection

2 MONTHS

• Check that your ﬁancé has the rings and his wedding clothes • Collect your wedding dress • Book your beauty treatments, including nails, facial, fake tan, waxing, eyebrow shape, false lashes

1 MONTH

• Double check that you have all the original documentation for your wedding • Make sure you have a suitable luggage carrier for your wedding dress for transportation in the hold of the plane • Buy your sun protection, travel-sized products etc • Boost and fine tune your diet and fitness plan • Work out the seating plan for your reception • Discuss final checklist with your wedding planner • Check that your passport, visas, inoculations and insurance are in place

TWO WEEKS • Have your ﬁnal hair appointment and ask for tips and products . Take photographs to show hairdressers at your destination

• Have your jabs • Start health and ﬁtness plan

3 MONTHS • Two days prior to departure have beauty treatments including nails, facial, fake tan, waxing, eyebrow shape, false lashes etc • Order your travel cheques and currency • Have your stag and hen party

On arrival at your resort • Meet the resort’s wedding co-ordinator to check all documentation and set a day, time and location for the ceremony • Choose your ﬂowers, cake and witnesses • Order add-ons such as larger cake, more wine, extra buttonholes, photographer, music and transport to the ceremony • Check that day passes and special permissions for children have been arranged for guests staying at other hotels • Arrange hairstylist, beauty appointments and spa treatments

The day before your wedding • You will have a wedding rehearsal with your wedding co-ordinator • Have a spa massage to relax you for your big day • Have a top-up spray tan if needed

The big day • Have your hair and make-up done at the hotel • Your wedding co-ordinator will check everything else is in place • Once the Marriage Ofﬁcer arrives you will receive a call to let you know it’s time to say ‘I Do’

• Choose your honeymoon wardrobe • Book appointments for ﬁllers, permanent hair removal etc.

2 MONTHS • Buy your luggage

1 MONTH • Conﬁrm bookings • Choose your perfume and water and heatproof holiday make-up

2 WEEKS • Order travellers cheques and currency • Check your holiday insurance carefully

1 WEEK • Book a pedicure, have a spray tan and leg and bikini wax. • Check in online • Check airport transfers

Check your documents!

You will need originals – or copies certified by a notary or solicitor of the following. But do check with your wedding tour operator and/or wedding planner. • 10 year passport, valid for at least six months • Birth certificates • If you are divorced, a decree absolute • If widowed, a death certificate and previous marriage certificate • An affidavit signed by a solicitor stating no legal objection to the marriage • If you have changed your name by deed poll, ensure it is proof stamped and signed by a solicitor. Visit fco.gov.uk for further details, and do check with your tour operator and wedding planner before you leave for your destination.

www.BridesAbroad.tv 125

POP the

Question

The facts...

Where can I get married abroad? Where do you fancy? You name it, and you can probably get married there. Weddings can be arranged in more than 30 countries around the world, and in many different settings.

How much will it cost? Tour operator Kuoni is a destination wedding specialist. It says the average price of its destination weddings, including honeymoon, is less than £3,000 – a small cost compared to the average UK wedding! Prices vary considerably for a wedding or vow renewal package; this is paid as a supplement to your holiday package price. Some resorts offer free wedding packages, so bargain hunters should check their options with tour operators.

The legals...

Will our marriage be legally recognised in the UK? Yes. Your wedding will be registered in the country it takes place in and is completely legal under British law, so you don’t need to register your marriage again when you get home.

What are the legal requirements?

We asked dedicated wedding planners to give us a selection of their most frequently asked questions...

They vary from country to country, but in general you must be over 20 years of age and need your British passports, original copies of your Birth Certiﬁcates and documentation regarding any previous marriages, or if you are widowed or divorced. Some countries have additional costs for legalisation and translation of documents. If you book through a tour operator, such as Kuoni, Thomas Cook or Turquoise and Sandals, your dedicated wedding team will give you full details at the time of your booking.

Are there residency restrictions in some countries? Yes, so you need to check residency restrictions with your tour operator or wedding planner. The most difﬁcult countries are Spain (40 days residency), France (40 days) and Australia (one month and one day); however, there are no restrictions in Antigua, Jamaica or Las Vegas.

What name should I travel under? If you are getting hitched abroad you can’t change the name on your passport until you return home. You must travel in your maiden name and your return airline tickets need to be in the same name as your passport or they will not be valid. Of course you can change your passport to your married name once you are back home in the UK and are in possession of your Marriage Certiﬁcate. 126 www.BridesAbroad.tv

When will I receive my Marriage Certiﬁcate? It will either be handed to you at the resort or sent via registered post to your home address. Don’t panic if it takes a while to arrive – this is normal, especially if you marry in Jamaica where it can take up to 12 months! If you get married in certain countries, like Mexico and the Dominican Republic it will need to be translated, which will cause extra delay. For more information visit direct.gov.uk and search under passports.

The ceremony... Can we invite guests to our wedding?

Of course! Some hotels even offer reduced rate weddings for more than four guests. Remember to order extras for your guests, such as more wine, a larger wedding cake or extra buttonholes. If the wedding couple is staying at an All Inclusive resort, they will need to buy one-day passes for guests staying at other hotels, and in adultsonly resorts you will need to ask special permission for children to attend the wedding on a day pass. All this can be organised at the resort by your wedding planner.

When do I meet the resort’s wedding planner? One to three days after your arrival at your resort. Your wedding planner will sort out the ﬁne details of your wedding, from champagne to the icing on your cake, and check your documentation so that you can relax as the arrangements are done on your behalf. Once the local registrar is happy your paperwork is in order, your wedding planner will give you a date and time for the ceremony and send out invitations to your guests.

Where will our ceremony take place? The hotel wedding planner will show you the locations to choose from – usually in the gardens of your hotel, or in a decorated wedding pavilion. If you are marrying in Europe you may choose to exchange vows in the local church or town hall, or in Las Vegas, a wedding chapel. The hotel wedding co-ordinator will show you the locations to choose from. It’s unusual to have a ceremony on the beach, but many couples take beach photographs after the ceremony.

Who will be at the ceremony? Most overseas weddings are civil ceremonies, in the style of registry ofﬁce services, unless a religious ceremony has been pre-arranged. The ceremony will be conducted by a Judge, Celebrant, Minister or Registrar. You will need two to four witnesses, who could be anyone from your wedding guests to people you have met on the beach the previous day. Your wedding planner will be there too, to ensure your day goes without a hitch.

The important bits... How should I transport my wedding dress? We recommend wedding outﬁts should be packed in a hard suitcase or strong box, as they will be placed in the hold of the plane. It might be an idea to contact your airline for more information. Generally, there is no extra baggage allowance for wedding outﬁts. You can also take out extra insurance to cover the transportation of your dress.

Can I choose my ﬂowers? Absolutely! At the resort, your wedding planner will show you photos of bouquets for you to make a selection. Your wedding bouquet and his buttonhole are included in your wedding package, but extra ﬂowers and buttonholes can be ordered for guests and bridesmaids.

What about the music? You can request whatever music you prefer and it will be arranged for you – from a DJ playing your favourite songs to calypso bands. If you prefer you can pack a CD with your chosen musical selection, which can be played at your wedding.

Will I have a cake? A wedding cake is included in wedding packages; this is usually a sponge cake with white icing. You can add your own decorations, and even arrange for an upgraded cake. Sandals Resorts offer a choice of themed weddings from the Martha Stewart collection, which feature colour co-ordinated cakes to match the chosen wedding palette.

Who will take care of my hair and make-up? Every bride wants to look her best and fortunately many hotels have hair and beauty services with make-up artists on-hand. Even if they don’t, your wedding planner can arrange for experts to come to the hotel.

Can I arrange for a good wedding photographer? Your wedding planner will show you examples of local photographers’ work at the resort so that you can choose the style that suits you best. Photographer and DVD are usually at extra cost; they are rarely included in your wedding package.

What about the wedding dinner? If you have a group of guests at your wedding, a gala dinner is usually arranged as part of your wedding package. If it’s just the two of you, your wedding planner will arrange a candlelit dinner for two in a romantic location.

Can we leave our guests behind for a honeymoon on our own? Absolutely. Simply ask your guests to stay at a different hotel close by, or transfer to another hotel after the ceremony.

And ﬁnally... How can I ﬁnd out more? Speak to Worldwide Brides Abroad Wedding Planning Team on: 0117 927 2009 www.BridesAbroad.tv 127

Would you plan an event in the UK without expecting a contract or receipt?

When do I meet with my wedding planner?

Planned to perfection What is an independent destination wedding planner? Hiring an independent wedding planner to arrange your wedding gives you control over your plans and removes any stress with planning a destination wedding. They should have good local knowledge of your wedding destination and due to their experience you can tap into their knowledge and understand the pros and cons and indeed what is possible or not in your chosen destination. You will have one main contact who will be responsible for making your wedding plans

happen, they should also help with the legal requirements necessary for your wedding and ensure that you have everything you need before you leave the UK. They should be a sounding board for any concerns or worries you have, and you will more than likely have plenty.

Should you expect a contract? Yes absolutely. Never pay a deposit until you have a copy of the contract with terms and conditions and some conﬁrmation that the venue has been reserved for you. This is a very important event you are planning.

Some wedding planners will meet with you in the UK during the planning process and you’ll meet with your destination wedding planner once you arrive at your destination. This will usually be a few days after you arrive and this appointment should ideally be arranged before you leave the UK.

How much planning can I arrange before I arrive at my wedding? If you use an independent wedding planner you should be able to do almost all of the planning before you arrive at your wedding destination. The pre-wedding meeting with your wedding planner should merely be a formality and an introduction to who will be looking after you on your wedding day. Planning a wedding abroad should be fun and stress free with peace of mind that if something does go wrong someone is there to put it right So when you get to your destination you have nothing left to do apart from have a wonderful time...and get married of course!

The Bridal Consultant Do you dream of having your wedding on a remote beach in the sun or in New York’s leafy Central Park or in a fairytale castle? Meet The Bridal Consultant who can make your dream wedding a reality. The Bridal Consultant is a full wedding planning service that specialises in exclusive destination weddings in New York, Costa Blanca (Spain), Cyprus, Santorini and Zakynthos (Greece). Celebrate your wedding day in the picturesque and traditional Spanish town of Altea (the hidden jewel of Costa Blanca) with panoramic sea views. Alternatively couples can have their very own private beach wedding or celebrate their special day at Bodega (Costa Blanca) and sample the regions ﬁnest wines. In New York couples can get married in Central Park surrounded by the city’s most famous landmarks, with even an option to visit the location for ‘Sex And The City’, ‘Friends’ legendary coffee house ‘The Central Perk’ and Broadway on request. Founded by Lisa Burton in 2003, The Bridal Consultant has planned over 600 destination 128

weddings and has access to the best venues and suppliers in each location. Lisa says: “We are often asked what the secret is to our success and it is two very simple things, honesty and excellent customer service. Couples choose us, because they trust us implicitly with their wedding arrangements, which are extremely important when planning the most important day of your life. The Bridal Consultant’s motto is ‘we are only as good as our last wedding’. We always go above and beyond our role to ensure we deliver the perfect wedding.” The Bridal Consultant guides you through all stages of the wedding planning process, with all planning and legal work being administered in the UK, providing full legal support using English contracts. The Bridal Consultant has a reputation for ﬁrst-class service, exceptional attention to detail and making your dream wedding a reality! Founded by Lisa Burton in 2003, The Bridal Consultant has planned over 700 destination weddings and has access to the best venues and suppliers in each location. If you’d like to ask them any questions please contact her on lisaburton@thebridalconsultant.co.uk or call 0845 9000 905

Ask the planners! We asked Lisa Burton of The Bridal Consultant wedding planning service to answer your burning questions on planning a wedding abroad. Small wedding with big ideas! I’ve booked my wedding this year in Cyprus. Originally we were expecting over 20 guests, but for one reason or another many of our guests have decided they cannot come. We’re now stuck about what do after the wedding ceremony. We had planned on hiring a catamaran for a reception dinner, but if we end up with just ﬁve of us (bride groom and three kids) we’ll feel a bit silly. Can you suggest something for us to do after the wedding? Shelley, Southshields

Hi Shelley Don’t dispair, some of the best weddings I’ve ever planned were small and intimate. It means you can completely please yourself and not worry about making anyone else happy! Following the ceremony (which can still be as traditional as you like), why not spoil yourselves and charter a smaller boat and go sailing. You can arrange a BBQ, take a change of clothes and go snorkelling, then sip champagne while the sun goes down. Imagine how much fun it would be? The day would become more of a family party, a day full of special memories for you all to remember. You can always have a party when you get home and show the video of your wedding day to all your family and friends.

Home or Away? Wedding abroad or UK? We only have a small budget and our families really don’t get along, we’re worried that if we get married here, in the UK, things are going to get out of control and go way over budget (we have a huge family). In our hearts we really want to get married abroad but how do we break this

to our family? We know some cannot afford to come and are bound to be upset, please help. Concerned in Southampton.

Hello Concerned in Southampton First and foremost remember that it is your wedding day and ultimately you should please yourself. Have you considered eloping, just the two of you and not telling anyone? You can arrange a party when you get home for all your family and friends to celebrate with you. Then it’s only a party rather a formal dinner (no need to worry about table plans!), opt for a buffet and then family don’t need to talk to one another if they don’t want. You can wear your dress again and if you record the wedding day, have it playing at the reception along with a slide show of your wedding photographs. Brilliant places to elope too are New York, where a chic city wedding can be arranged with very little notice, or if you want a hot climate and have more time consider Mauritius, The Seychelles or the Caribbean – perfect destinations for a wedding and honeymoon, beautiful and romantic.

Wardrobe Worries I’m getting married next January on a beach in the Caribbean. I’ve always had my heart set on traditional-style wedding dress but I’m not sure it will be practical. I’m having a party when I get home and want to wear the dress again. Any suggestions. Carly in Glasgow

Dear Carly Lots of brides still choose a traditional style wedding gown for their beach wedding,

so don’t feel pressured to go with a slim floaty number just because you are getting married abroad. Shopping for your dress is one of the most exciting stages of the wedding planning. My tips are don’t rule out any style, lots of designers such as Dessy. co.uk or Ugo Zaldi.com have a brilliant range of destination wedding gowns. You can still have something traditional, perhaps just consider a shorter hemline. You may end up trying on a princess style dress and it may not be what you expect, I can say from personal experience I ended up in a completely different dress than I imagined. If you do go for a princess style dress just make sure it’s a lighter material that you can breath in, ask the shop to fit a hook that you can place around your wrist in case you want to have some photos in the water afterwards so you can guard it a little against becoming stained. Don’t worry if it does become stained, you can always get it cleaned when you get back. If your budget allows why not go for two dresses, a floaty or short number and then a more traditional gown for the party back home.

Contact Lisa: Do you have any questions for Lisa Burton of The Bridal Consultant? Email your questions to: lisaburton@thebridalconsultant.co.uk The Bridal Consultant is a full wedding planning service that specialises in exclusive destination weddings in New York, Costa Blanca (Spain), Cyprus, Santorini and Zakynthos (Greece). www.thebridalconsultant.co.uk

www.BridesAbroad.tv 129

Lighthouse

love vows

Couples looking for a wow-factor venue to exchange vows will be delighted to discover that they can now marry at a historic lighthouse site high above the Caribbean.

n a stunningly beautiful setting, just a short drive from St Lucia’s Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, the historic Cape Moule a Chique lighthouse is a truly romantic place to say “I do”. The lighthouse, the second highest in the world, provides a unique and very special location exclusively for wedding ceremonies at Coconut Bay, where vows are exchanged in a new gazebo. This exotic location is situated on a peak 745 ft above sea level with stunning views of the Atlantic, Maria Islands and the Caribbean Sea. The all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa features two worlds, Harmony and Splash, in one prominent oceanfront setting on St Lucia’s exotic south coast. Harmony is Coconut Bay’s adults-only wing, and is the perfect oasis for weddings and honeymooners seeking a tranquil escape. Peaceful rooms overlook a palm-shaded pool and bar, chaises and hammocks, intimate cabana beds, the oceanfront Kai Mer Spa and long stretches of beach. Here loved-up couples can be as active or relaxed as they like. 130

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Memorable weddings Glorious wedding celebrations of any size are offered in a number of beautiful locations around Coconut Bay including: on the beach; in the elegant ocean-front gazebo; in the lush tropical gardens or a stunning sunset wedding at the Cap Moule a Chique Lighthouse with its breathtaking views. Couples can select from Coconut Bay’s multiple stress-free wedding packages, making it simple to create magical memories, no matter the budget. From bridal spa treatments and signature Champagne turndown service to sailing on a catamaran at sunset or even private tours, Coconut Bay’s wedding packages and professional wedding planning team offer all the options to create an unforgettable wedding. All packages include wedding, cake, bouquets, boutonniere for groom, decorated venue, personal wedding coordinator, Clergy or Marriage Ofﬁcer and administrative fees plus a copy of the marriage license, but can be upgraded according to wedding budgets.

The exclusive lighthouse site is available by request with Gold wedding packages or higher, and is for wedding ceremony and cocktails only. Receptions are hosted at the resort.

Romantic honeymoons During romantic honeymoons couples can enjoy private dinners or picnics on the beach, couples massages or the resort’s signature Champagne turndown service. The options are unlimited for adoring pairs seeking the ultimate retreat. Splash is the resort’s playful wing, which caters for family fun and provides an ideal place for wedding guests, especially those with families, to stay and enjoy a host of activities.

Book it! Coconut Bay Resort & Spa PO Box 246, Vieux Fort, St Lucia Reservations: +44 (0)1582 792 260 www.coconutbayresortandspa.com

Honeymoons 134

4 weddings and a honeymoon TV’s Four Weddings winners honeymoon in the Caribbean

140 Honeymoon Essentials

Must have accessories for your ‘moon

142 Bathing beauty

Sizzling bikinis for beach babes

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Unique ideas for loved up couples

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TELL US YOUR

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REALHONEYMOONS

Four Weddings

and a Honeymoon! TV’s show winners honeymoon in paradise

When Lynsey and Daniel Weston tied the knot, they decided to share their wedding with viewers of Living TV’s popular reality show Four Weddings in the hope of winning a dream honeymoon. Their gamble paid off and the lucky couple won the show and a romantic honeymoon in the Dominican Republic!

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! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve won!!

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REALWEDDINGS

What was it about your wedding that you think was most appealing over the other contestants? I think at weddings guests tend to get bored with waiting around a lot. We tried to keep our guests entertained throughout the whole day as the wedding didn’t start until 4 pm. We had a singer in church while signing the register, canapés on arrival at the reception, a magician during the wedding breakfast, great speeches and a surprise First Dance from Daniel and me.

ach week The Living TV series Four Weddings gives away amazing honeymoons to one of the four couples participating. On the show, the four brides and grooms attend each other’s weddings, giving them marks out of ten for presentation, entertainment, food and overall enjoyment. The couple with the highest score are whisked off for a dream, all expenses paid honeymoon. Happily Lynsey and Daniel Weston were one of the winning couples!

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Did you wish you had included any of the other contestant’s ideas into your own wedding, or do you think you had your perfect day? Congratulations Lynsey and Daniel on winning that dream honeymoon in the Dominican Republic on Four Weddings! Whose idea was it to enter? It was all Daniels idea. At ﬁrst he had to talk me round, as I just wasn’t sure that I wanted our wedding being criticised by others and the TV viewers.

What was it about appearing on Four Weddings that appealed to you most? For me it was the experience of going to three very different weddings, for Daniel it was the honeymoon.

I think weddings are, and should be, very individual for the couple that are getting married. Everything at our wedding was tailored to how Daniel and I wanted it; therefore I would not have done anything different. It was by far the most perfect day! Did you all get on well with the other contestants or did things get nasty during the run up to your weddings? There was no nastiness between myself and the other brides however, you could tell which brides were desperate to win and who was there for the experience.

When your husband appeared, and you knew you had won the

competition, how did you feel? The competition was initially a draw and both Daniel and Marc (Anna, the German bride’s husband), both appeared at the same time. I didn’t really understand what was happening, at ﬁrst I thought both of us had won, and then we were told only one couple could win and the other two brides then had to choose the winner. It was nerve racking waiting to open the envelope handed to us, knowing that one said congratulations and the other saying sorry you have lost, when we opened it and realised we had won it was such a great feeling!

Did you go straight off on honeymoon, or did you have a chance to get over your surprise at winning? We booked the ﬁrst available time to go after we found out we won, this was three weeks later.

Your honeymoon hotel was the Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana resort in the Dominican Republic, supplied by Secrets Brides (www. secretsbrides.co.uk). What were your ﬁrst impressions of the resort? Wow! Wow! Wow!

What was the ﬁrst thing you did, after you had checked into your hotel? We took a dip in the private pool on our balcony to cool down.

What did you like best about the resort? The grounds in the resort were just stunning; everywhere we went just felt so romantic, just how you dream a honeymoon should be.

Was your room gorgeous? Our room was spacious, well decorated and we had our own private pool on our balcony, which was just amazing.

What special treatments did you receive at the hotel as part of your honeymoon package? We had a honeymoon banner across the door to the room, a letter from management wishing us to have a great honeymoon and a bottle of champagne on ice waiting for us; we also received breakfast in bed.

Would you have chosen this hotel, and Dominican Republic if it hadn’t been your honeymoon prize? If we had of heard about this hotel prior to visiting it, then yes we would have deﬁnitely wanted to choose this for our honeymoon.

Did people recognise you at the resort as winners of Four Weddings, or did you keep yourselves to yourselves? As we went on our honeymoon three weeks after the show had ﬁnished, it had not aired on TV, so no. www.BridesAbroad.tv 137

REALHONEYMOONS What did you enjoy doing most during your honeymoon? We enjoyed everything! The food was outstanding, the grounds stunning and we also met some great new friends. For us a holiday is just that! A time to relax and enjoy each other’s company, our holidays are all about relaxation.

What was your best memory of your honeymoon? The property is so big that we were surprised to ﬁnd something/somewhere new each day to explore. We have so many happy memories, snorkelling and seeing all the tropical ﬁsh was just beautiful.

What was the funniest memory? The resort has an inﬂatable trampoline in the sea on the private beach, which was next to our rooms in the castle; the funniest moment by far was watching Daniel trying to climb up it!

The most romantic moment? There were by far too many to pick out! Every meal we had, the walks along the beach, the cinema on the beach watching Pretty Women was very romantic.

Would you go back to the same resort for a romantic anniversary? We are in the process of working out dates with three other couples to return on our ﬁrst anniversary this year, we can’t wait!

Further information Lynsey and Daniel honeymooned at Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana resort in the Dominican Republic, supplied by Secrets Brides (www.secretsbrides.co.uk). Wedding in Paradise Packages start from $799 per couple and also applies to renewal of vows ceremonies. Secrets of Love Wedding Packages start from $2090 per couple and include everything from makeup to the wedding album. The Ultimate Wedding Package starts from $2760 per couple and includes wedding video and musical trio. www.secretsbrides.co.uk ¢

Calling all Real Brides Tell us about your honeymoon and you could be featured in Brides Abroad magazine. All weddings used will win a bottle of Champagne. Email: terri@worldtitles.co.uk

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Honeymoon

Pretty pink bikini www.bonprix.co.uk

ESSENTIALS Don’t leave home without... Floral sunglasses, £15.00 www.hof.co.uk

Life’s a beach leisure towel. £15.00 www.debenhams.com

Beach bag. £12.00 www.tesco.com/clothing

Crystal Prism swag necklace in daffodil. £110.00 www.kleshna.com

French Connection watch. £35 www.frenchconnection.com

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Goa basket bag £55.00 www.accessorize.co.uk

Floral scarf ﬂoppy hat. £14.00 www.next.co.uk

Cameo multi charm pearl bracelet. £18.00 www.talullahtu.co.uk

Red herring cut out palm swimsuit. £22.00 www.debenhams.com White stone bracelet £22.00 www.hof.co.uk

Maisie moo lace ﬂower aubergine/pink med wheel dufﬂe. £94 large tote £34.99 www.trip.co.uk

Caged sandals. £32.00 www.accessorize.co.uk

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Bathing Beauty Be belle of the beach in this seasons hottest honeymoon fashions, says Lulu Bousfield

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Pink and black dot bikini ÂŁ80.00 www.havefaith.com

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Dita bikini by Despi, ÂŁ161.64 www.beachcafe.com

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Brazilian red bikini by Poko Pano, ÂŁ69.00 www.poko-pano.com

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AMAZING HONEYMOONS

Europe â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

Be a wicked camper! If you are going to go motorised camping, do it in style! With enough room to sleep two, and the world at your feet (or wheels!) where better for newlyweds to consolidate their love than on a romantic road trip in a specially designed passion wagon? Wicked Campers is an affordable option for travel throughout the UK and Europe, with compact and easy-to-drive campervans that have a large comfortable bed, table, camping stools, basic kitchen with essential cooking equipment, a CD player or ipod MP3 connection as well as unlimited mileage and 24-hour roadside assistance. Depots are in London, Dundee, Belfast, Amsterdam, Munich, Barcelona, Malaga and Italy. Customers can opt for a round-trip or oneway hire. Prices for seven days start from ÂŁ258 for travel in Europe. www.wickedcampers.co.uk

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China –

Trek the Great Wall Throw your energy into the start of married life together by challenging yourselves to a physically demanding trek of a lifetime in China. The Great Wall of China is one of the most spectacular sites in the world, and the hike would take you across its winding, twisting wall, but you’ll also get an incredible insight into China’s imperial past. The experience is bound to bond you further as a couple as you are rewarded with stunning views and memories to last a lifetime. Flights to China start from just £268.

Fiji – Cruise to the international Dateline

Experience what it feels like to have one foot in today and the other in tomorrow by cruising to Fiji’s Taveuni Island to visit the International Dateline. Known as ‘the garden of Fiji’, Taveuni Island is also on the doorstep of the best soft coral diving in the world. Captain Cook Cruises offer the 7-night Northern Fiji Dateline Discovery Cruise – an amazing cruise that reveals the unique history, art and culture of the Northern Fiji Islands and allows passengers the ultimate experience of standing on the International Dateline. www.captaincook.com.au

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Spain –

Bird watching trip

You don’t have to be an expert in birds to enjoy a bird watching holiday in Eastern Spain, but it helps if you have a general interest in our feathered friends and enjoy the outdoor life! The trip will help you both get back to nature and will be educational and fascinating. A seven-night, full board holiday trip includes meals and an expert guide with an impressive knowledge of the local bird life who will be on hand to help with identiﬁcation. During the week you will visit many habitats including the birders paradise of the Albufera Weltands near Valencia. Participants can expect to see over 100 species including some of Europe’s rarest birds. Price £750 per person. www.mountainwalks.com

Canada

– self drive to see whale and grizzly bears

Perfect for honeymooners looking for adventure, this enthralling eight-night tour of western Canada starts with two nights in the bustling city of Vancouver, before driving to Victoria and onwards to the Pacific Coast, winding through two ancient rainforests and remote wilderness destinations to the Pacific Rim National Park. Call at Tofino Campbell River and Knight Inlet before returning via the rugged seascapes of the Sunshine Coast to Vancouver. The adventure takes in two thrilling whale watching excursions, a float plane journey and a bear-watching and wildlife viewing tour in search of grizzly bears, eagles and foxes. Prices from £1,999 per person. www.tropicalsky.co.uk

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Spain –

Discover the real Benidorm

You’ve seen the popular TV show, now let’s surprise you by revealing that Benidorm was actually voted one of the most romantic places in the world in a recent survey, and it now has a fabulous choice of ﬁve-star hotels and luxurious spas, which have attracted the likes of Kylie Minogue. Take time to discover the less well known side of Benidorm, including the swanky hotels favoured by celebrities, top class restaurants, peaceful walks in the unspoilt countryside, the revamped centre with wide promenades, blue ﬂag beaches and an excellent range of leisure opportunities – it’s all Benidorm, but not as we know it! www.valencia-touristtravel-guide.com

Morocco –

Volunteering experience

We are all growing increasingly aware of our social responsibilities – honeymooners included. Now you can choose a honeymoon with a conscience with a volunteering working holiday combined with additional luxury break as recommended by travel experts ITC Classics. The ITC Giving Programme is the ﬁrst of this type of voluntourism holidays. For example, you can visit Morocco on a 12-night itinerary with accommodation at Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains for 7-nights, including four nights working on a community project to learn about the cultural, social and economic background of local villagers. You can then spend two nights at leisure at Kasbah Tamador, combined with 5 further nights at La Mamounia in Marrakech city at the end of the trip. Price from £3,150 per person. www.itcclassics.co.uk/giving

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Australia – see the total solar eclipse

Start married life with a spectacular display from the heavens by visiting Cairns to view a total solar eclipse. The spectacle takes place in 2012, and Travelmood Adventures is offering a series of itineraries to the Cairns region of North East Australia to witness the event. As well as being in the best location to view the eclipse, honeymooners will have the chance to experience tropical North Queensland during the tour, including the world famous Great Barrier Reef, the beautiful sandy beaches and the area’s rainforest. You can register your interest about the 2012 tour by calling 0800 2989 811 for full details including dates and prices as soon as they are available astronomytours@travelmoodadventures.com

France –

Original Camping

If your idea of campsites is orange frame tents and rowdy kids then think again. Now you can enjoy a classy, ecofriendly four-star camping alternative. This new style of camping respects nature as much as campers, and is the brainchild of Alain-Dominique Perrin, who took over the running of the municipal campsite La Gueriniere in 2008 and, following a major investment, his vision of Original Camping was born. All existing buildings were renovated and 4,000 trees planted to preserve the coastline and protect the local ﬂora and fauna. Old-style mobile homes have been replaced by a new form of ‘tents’ to rent, which are constructed from canvas and wood. The Original Camping concept has now expanded to include Camping du Midi as well as the original campsite Domaine Les Moulins, which is set on one of the most beautiful beaches of the Ile de Noirmoutier. www.camping-les-moulins.com and www.campingdumidi.com

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HONEYMOONoffers! Our Honeymoon offers are special one-off holidays exclusive to BRIDES ABROAD and are sold at a signiﬁcant discount* For more Honeymoons deals visit www.BridesAbroad.tv email: cody@worldtitles.co.uk

Maldives SAVE £3,800 5★ Alila Villas Hadahaa

Elegant and sophisticated beach resort in the Maldives. The ultimate destination. Fifty villas nestled amongst tropical vegetation or water villas set on stilts above the Indian Ocean. Minimalist design, wooden decks provide perfect views of sunsets and stars. Perfect for a honeymoon. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity! www.alilahotels.com/hadahaa

BRIDES ABROAD deal: £2,495pp This offer is for 7 nights based on two people sharing a Water Villa.

BOOK IT! 01937 585 800

Crete SAVE £886

5★ Porto Elounda resort, Crete Perfect for May/September 2011 www.portoelounda.com

BRIDES ABROAD deal: £795pp USUAL PRICE £2476 per couple

7 nights B&B including daily couples, spa treatments BOOK IT! 01937 585800

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BOOK IT NOW! CALL

01937 585800

For more amazing honeymoon deals visit: www.BridesAbroad.tv

*Prices exclude ﬂights and are subject to availability.

Ibiza

SAVE £718

5★ Hotel Aguas de Ibiza The epitome of calm luxury, unpretentious and natural. A very stylish place to enjoy the best of Ibiza. Located in the peaceful Marina at Santa Eulalia, Aguas de Ibiza is the perfect place for your wedding or honeymoon. www.aguasdeibiza.com

BRIDES ABROAD deal: £695pp USUAL PRICE £1,054 pp

Stay in a beautiful Dreamer Room for 7 nights on half board.

BOOK IT! 01937 585 800

Canary Islands SAVE £104 5★ Arenas del Mar, Tenerife,

Stylish new hotel with panoramic sea views and stunning location, state of the art thalassotherapy spa and superb restaurants.

BRIDES ABROAD deal:£256 pp USUAL PRICE £308pp 7 nights’ B&B based on two sharing a luxury double room. BOOK IT! 01937 585800

Cyprus SAVE £166 5★ Vasia Beach, Crete Nice 4 star spa hotel in Sissi in Crete. Perfect for May. Hire a car and buzz round the island – lots to see. www.vasiabeach.gr

BRIDES ABROAD deal: £295pp USUAL PRICE £295pp Deluxe Double room for 7 nights. Based on two people sharing. Fly easyjet from Heathrow. BOOK IT! 01937 585800

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Greece SAVE £1596 5★ Divani Appollon, Athenian Riviera A member of Leading Hotels of the World and 20 mins from Athens. www.divanis.com/Apollon

BRIDES ABROAD deal: £995pp USUAL PRICE £1793pp B&B in a deluxe double with sea vie BOOK IT! 01937 585800

Turkey SAVE £345

Greece SAVE £350

5★ Ritz Carlton, Istanbul

5★ Aegialis Cyclades Greece

Located at the crossroads of two continents, where Asia and Europe come together along the banks of the beautiful Bosphorus Strait. The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul hotel stands in the centre of this fascinating, flavourful city, bathed in Ottoman-inspired splendour. www.RitzCarlton.com/Istanbul

5★ Aegialis Hotel and Spa is the “Jewel of Amorgos”, one of the most amazing of the Greek Cyclades islands. The hotel enjoys panoramic views and is a short stroll away from the sandy beaches of Aegiali Levroso. The island of Amorgos is the perfect setting for your wedding or special celebration. www.aegialis-amorgos.com

BRIDES ABROAD deal: £395pp

USUAL PRICE £567pp Five nights’ B&B based on two sharing a luxury double room. BOOK IT! 01937 585800

BRIDES ABROAD deal: £495pp

USUAL PRICE £670pp 10 nights’ H/B on two sharing a superior double room. BOOK IT! 01937 585800

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Crete SAVE £467 5★ Domes of Elounda

A magical luxury resort with an enchanting atmosphere.

BRIDES ABROAD deal:£1168 per couple USUAL PRICE £1635 per couple. 7 nights’ B&B. This offer is based on two people sharing. BOOK IT! 01937 585800

Maldives SAVE £900 5★ Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Perfect for couples of all ages looking for the ultimate romantic spa break in paradise.

Spa World deal: £1,095pp USUAL PRICE £1,545pp

7 nights’ Deluxe Villa for two sharing on a B&B basis.

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ELEGANT CARIBBEAN WEDDINGS

BY MARTHA STEWART

™

Martha Stewart brings six new and exclusive weddings to Sandals Resorts Set in the island oasis of a Sandals Resort, your ceremony and reception will have all the stylish quality and thoughtful details you would expect from a Martha Stewart wedding. Choose from six beautiful themes that include everything from the beach ceremony décor to the lush tropical ﬂowers of the bouquet. Plus, add à la carte options such as our photography, menus, and lighting packages to make your destination wedding an occasion to remember.

For more information: Visit www.sandalsweddings.co.uk Call 08000 22 33 31 See your local travel agent ��

Sandals® is a registered trademark of Sandals Resorts International LLC. Weddings by Martha Stewart™ is a trademark and service mark of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. © 2010, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Unique Vacations, Inc. is the worldwide representative for Sandals Resorts. Wedding themes and à la carte options are at extra cost.