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YO EGYPTIAN HONEYMOON

                                  

     

 

              

   

                                

Welcome

CREDITS Published by

World Titles Ltd 5-7 The Shambles Wetherby LS22 6NG Tel: 01937 585 800 Fax: 01937 585 800 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Publisher

Martin Cody-Owen cody@worldtitles.co.uk

Terri’s wedding dress is by Angelina Colarusso (0208 948 8898) Veil by Caroline Castigliano www.carolinecastigliano.co.uk Congratulations

CONGRATULATIONS! Let’s assume he’s popped the question and you’ve said yes. Well that’s the easy bit over and done with! Everything else is a question of planning – what to wear on the big day, see WORLD CLASS (p.24); who to invite; the flowers; where to get married and when to have your dream honeymoon to guarantee the best weather, see WEATHER PERMITTING (P.86). Phew! You’ll need a holiday after all that!

That’s where we come in. Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons magazine gives essential advice about where to tie the knot and how to prepare for your wedding. Whether you dream of saying ‘I do’ on a coral beach in the Indian Ocean, in a swanky hotel in NYC or under swaying palms in the Caribbean, we keep you updated with the latest ideas to turn your dreams into reality. Perhaps you’d like to surprise everyone with a wild and wacky wedding venue? We have some amazing suggestions in a WORLD OF UNIQUE WEDINGS (p.42).

Or maybe you wish to get married in the UK and jet off for an exotic honeymoon afterwards?

Our team of travel experts have provided hundreds of great honeymoon ideas in our HONEYMOON section (p103-140) with special one-off prices offering huge savings, see HONEYMOON OFFERS (p139). Our deals change daily, so make you sure you keep visiting www.worldwideweddingsmagazne.com for the very latest offers.

Not sure who to invite? Our article A FAMILY AFFAIR (p.100) gives you the low down on who should be on your guest list and how to negotiate a bargain deal for your wedding party.

Our experienced wedding travel team will be on hand to give you expert, friendly advice and some great deals. Call 0117 927 2009.

We’d love to hear about YOUR destination weddings and honeymoons, so send us a quick email with your favourite pics to terri@worldtitles.co.uk – and we’ll feature the best in REAL WEDDING (p.10, p.36).

So enjoy reading Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons. And do let us know what you think – we’d love to hear from you!

Have fun choosing your dream destination!

Editor-in-Chief

Terri Cody-Owen terri@worldtitles.co.uk

Consultant Editor Colette Harris

Edtorial Assistant Sarah Coates sarah@worldtitles.co.uk

Fashion Editor

Lulu Bousfield lulu@worldtitles.co.uk

Assistant to Publisher Patsy Owen

Contributors

Andrew Collier Maggie Stansfield Rosalyn Carr Amy Bell Nicola Hulatt

Photography

Virginie Lacoste Ciaran Bagnall Nick Stubbs Rex Features Fotosearch Dreamstime Istockphoto

Design

James Bucknall Karima El-hakkaoui Graeme Turner

Printer

Stephens & George Print Group www.stephensandgeorge.co.uk

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

London Sales Team

Terri Cody-Owen Editor–in-Chief terri@worldtitles.co.uk

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com ©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 Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons magazine do not necessarily represent the views of World Titles Ltd. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons magazineassume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from participation in any offer, competition or advertisement contained within Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons magazine.

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Cover

Fotosearch For advertising and sponsorship call Sylvia Oakley on: 01937 585 800 or email sylvia@worldtitles.co.uk

Contents 52

IN THIS ISSUE 16 News 22 Win a honeymoon in Egypt 24 World Class 32 Razzle Dazzle Free weddings – can it really be possible?

See the pyramids, swim in the Red Sea! Stunning dresses for destination weddings Wow factor bling for your big day

WEDDINGS 10 Ice Hotel 36 Real Weddings 42 Unique Weddings 46 Fairytale Castles 52 Manhattan Brides 58 Be a love Goddess 66 The Price is Right 72 Dubai 79 Bridal Hair Abroad 82 Eternal Youth

– A seriously chilled Real wedding

Rachel and Paul turn up the heat in Spain Dare to be different – amazing venues to tie the knot Be a princess for the big day

Be sassy with the Sex and the City Wedding Say ‘I Do’ with Aphrodites’ blessing Flush or frugal?

You can still afford to marry in style For Middle Eastern Promises

Hot tips for cool hair when the heat is on Beauty boosters

for tired skin

10

16

24

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 7

123

PLANNING 86 Weather Permitting

Our worldwide

weather guide

90 Pop the Question 92 Legally Yours 96 Wedding Countdown 98 Perfect Planning 100 Family Affair

Your questions answered by expert wedding planners A worldwide guide to the legal requirements for your wedding Month-by-month planning for your wedding abroad

Professional wedding planners offer advice and tips Just the two of you, or a gala event? You decide

HONEYMOONS 104 Andrea’s Love Island 110 Honeymoon Essentials 112 Honeymoon Belle 118 Honeymoon Bliss 123 Maldivian Magic 139 Amazing Honeymoon Savers

‘Loose Women’ Andrea Mclean honeymoons in Mauritius Cool accessories for hot climes

Gorgeous honeymoon beachwear

Fab honeymoons without blowing your budget For sublime honeymoons and blessings Book your dream honeymoon and save £££

110 112 58 104 86 8 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Honeymoons beyond compare Asia Australia New Zealand South Pacific Africa Indian Ocean Caribbean ďż˝

Exclusive Wedding Gift List Service

Tu r q u o i s e The Turquoise Holiday Company Call or visit our website to order a brochure

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

www.honeymoonworld.tv 9

Real WEDDINGS

ICE hotel

y r o R & a Lind y l s u o i r e s a have g n i d d e w d chille 10 www.honeymoonworld.tv

W

hen Linda and Rory Murphy, who manage the popular Hammersmith Ram pub in London, said ‘I do’, they chose literally the coolest venue on earth – the ICEHOTEL in Sweden! But it would take more than sleeping on a block of ice to keep the passion from burning on their wedding night in the hotel’s Ice Room.

Finding ‘The One’...

Linda: We met in Australia seven years ago when we travelled round Australia for a year.

We couldn’t remember our first meeting because we were both a bit tipsy – he invited me back to a party at his house and I said no. A week later we met again when he was promoting tickets for a pub-crawl. We didn’t recognise each other at first, but his friend recognised me. I thought, ooh, he’s quite nice and we flirted and got together on the pub-crawl. But fate kept bringing us together while we were travelling round Australia. We had made vague plans to meet up again, then at Christmas I was walking through Sydney listening to a voice message

he had just left on my mobile when I turned the corner and we bumped into each other – so fate brought us together yet again! We got together properly when we came back.”

The proposal Rory: Linda is not much of a camper, so I decided to put her off the track of a proposal and took her up the mountains where I lived in Ireland. We went with two friends to keep her off the scent. I organised it all and gave my friends champagne and outdoor candles, and we pitched our tents high on the mountains. I took Linda for a walk to a small tree, that I had named the Joshua Tree as a child – it’s beautiful and stands alone against the elements to survive, and that’s exactly where I proposed to Linda, beneath my tree!”

Linda: We got to the tree and he started behaving really weird, and singing Forever more by Hot House Flowers – which he now has inscribed in his wedding ring! It was very romantic and unexpected, but part of me hoped it would happen.

Location location!

Linda: “We had thought about a beach wedding in Australia, but decided it was too far for friends and relatives, so I went on my laptop and googled ‘different wedding’ and it came up with the ICEHOTEL. When I saw it I got that funny feeling – it felt so right. When Rory come in from work I showed it to him and he said “F*** Yes!” So that was a definite yes then!”

Planning the big day Linda: We got in touch with the ICEHOTEL’s recommended tour operator Discover the World and I dealt with their wedding co-ordinator who said we needed to get things booked well in advance. We started planning about a year before we got married.

Rory: We got married on December 30 and booked the full Wedding Package, which included two nights in the hotel’s warm accommodation and one night in an Ice Room at the ICEHOTEL. For the flowers we chose red roses, and we had a reindeer ride from the hotel to the chapel and the services of a wedding co-ordinator.

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And the guests?

Linda: “We invited 30 - 40 people, but it was quite an expensive venue, and being New Year, it was the peak season – it cost each guest on average £1,200 for four nights. We told people not to feel pressured because we were also arranging a party in Ireland a month later. Sadly two of my best friends couldn’t make it – one was pregnant then the other, my bridesmaid Kerry, fell pregnant too! She was there in spirit and rang us on the wedding day.

I sent her a bouquet of red roses and she said she sat at home on the day in a red dress as if she was my bridesmaid!”

The big freeze Linda: “It was -30 degrees on the day we got married, but the coldness added to the fun of it all. We noticed that everyone’s eyelashes froze and were actually pure white – even your nostril hair froze. It was funny, everyone was talking about it!”

Rory: “It was cold, but a different cold; it’s a dry cold and you don’t really notice it.”

12 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

The coolest ceremony!

Linda: “We had our ceremony in the Ice Church at 5pm, but the day began in the local town of Kiruna where we had all stayed the night before at the Arctic Eden Hotel. We had to go to the local registrar in Kiruna at 10am with both sets of parents and the best man, Ciaran, but we weren’t fully married until the local priest signed the forms that evening in the church. Everyone was then transported to the ICEHOTEL and checked in, but the first stop was the ‘dressing room’ where we were kitted out with a thermal suit, hat, boots, mittens and balaclava for the duration of our stay. Believe me, we needed them! Then we met with Eva, the wedding co-ordinator, to sort out all the details, followed by a tour of the ICEHOTEL – it’s huge, like a big igloo.”

Getting the look Linda: “We got ready in two separate cabins, girls in one and boys in the other, and my sister helped me get ready. I wore a traditional wedding dress that I found in a little shop in Wimbledon and diamond ear rings from Rory’s father’s jewellers in Ireland (www.jackmurphyjewellers.com). But

the dilemma I had was finding something to wear on my feet. I finally found snow boots and my sister spent hours glamming them up for me. I have a picture of me in my wedding dress and snow boots showing off my white thermals, which were my ‘something borrowed’. I also wore a bolero and accessorised with a warm muff.

I had foot warmers and hand warmers in the muff! My sister did an amazing job with my hair and make-up and it lasted all day, probably because it froze into place!

The photographer made sure I kept warm between pictures so I had my red ski jacket handy to wear in-between shots.”

Rory: “I wore tails. I had always wanted to wear tails – but with long johns underneath, and I also wore Linda’s tights to keep warm!”

Happy snapper Linda: “We used the photographer that was linked to the ICEHOTEL, because he knew how to work with the special lighting and freezing conditions; he was brilliant. But we also had two photographer friends, Ciaran – Rory’s best man, and one of our best friends. The official photographer was able to give them advice, so we had great photographic back-up.”

What a reception!

Linda: “As soon as the half-hour ceremony finished everyone went into the ICE BAR for a glass of bubbly while we had photographs taken. By the time we finished, all the guests had drunk quite a few of the vodka shots and were very happy – nobody thought about the cold! We had a separate room for the meal, and because there were 19 of us it got quite raucous, which was great. The meal was reindeer, and our wedding cake was a gorgeous sponge cake made to a traditional Swedish recipe, which was so creamy really lovely!”

First dance Rory: “By the time we finished the meal it was 1am in the morning so they kept the ICE BAR open for us, and all the other hotel guests joined in with the celebrations. We had our first dance in the ICE BAR, it was supposed to have been Forever More, but it just so happened that as we walked in, Suspicious Minds by Elvis started playing, and that ended up being our first dance!”

Wedding night Linda: “We went to bed at 4 am and they came in at 8 am with a hot drink, so we didn’t have a lot of sleep, though we slept solidly for those four hours! You sleep in thermals on a block of ice covered in reindeer skin!

It’s very romantic.”

Rory: “Before you get into bed you go to the warm room to pick up a massive sleeping bag that two people can get into and it’s really hot! It’s specially insulated for Arctic conditions. You get into the sleeping bag with your thermals on, and then you basically kick them off inside your sleeping bag. You can’t drop them out of the bed or they would freeze! And believe it or not, we did manage to consummate the wedding night!”

Linda: “It was lovely.”

it was cloudy so we didn’t see it. Then on January 2nd our guests went home and we got the overnight train to Stockholm where we stayed in the gorgeous Hotel Diplomat, which overlooked the city. The next day Rory had prepared surprises for me including indoor rock climbing and abseiling! On a less energetic note we went to a spa and had a Swedish massage before flying home. Rory had everything planned out. It was perfect.”

On budget?

Rory: “The wedding cost us £15,000 in total, including the honeymoon. Our original budget had been £10,000, and you could do the whole thing a lot cheaper, but we contributed towards our siblings. It was a lot to ask siblings to be there for us, so we put some money towards them in our budget.”

Active honeymoon Linda: “We stayed on at the ICEHOTEL over the New Year and joined in the festivities, letting off Chinese candles and making wishes, and taking a snowmobile to try and see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), but

Calling all Real Brides Tell us about your Real Wedding and you could be featured in Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons magazine. All weddings used will win a bottle of Champagne.

Email: terri@worldtitles.co.uk

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ICEHOTEL During the day, the ICEHOTEL is a living art gallery, open to visitors until 6pm when it becomes an exclusive hotel for private guests. With glistening white snow, clean lines and contemporary interior filled with intricate ice sculptures and snow carvings, all cleverly illuminated, there’s an ICEBAR where brightly colour vodka cocktails are served in glasses carved from ice.

Accommodation ranges from Snow Rooms to unique themed Art Suites created by international ice artists. All ice beds consist of a large block of illuminated ice upon which sits a thick mattress, a layer of reindeer skin and a thickly-padded sleeping bag. The outdoor temperature often reaches –35 degrees C and the hotel is kept at a balmy –5 degrees C.

Wedding packages Discover the World has put together a range of tailor-made wedding packages for weddings and blessings at the ICEHOTEL. As a guideline, a standard ICEHOTEL wedding package costs around £1390 (which should be added to the basic holiday cost) and includes return transfers to the Registrar in Kiruna to legalise the paperwork, hire of the Ice Chapel, services of a priest plus a Marriage Certificate. Religious ceremonies are held at the Ice Chapel, civil ceremonies take place in other areas of the ICEHOTEL. Call 01737 218 800 or visit www.discover-the-world.co.uk

Wedding chapel The magical Ice Chapel is one of the last parts of the ICEHOTEL to be completed – then blessed and handed over to the parish of Jukkasjariv on Christmas Day. During its short season many couples exchange vows here. It’s perfect for those looking to marry somewhere completely different.

Rows of ice pews are covered in reindeer skin for the comfort of guests and witnesses. Like the rest of the hotel, each year the chapel melts into the River Torne in spring, so each year it is unique.

Warm rooms Although sleeping on ice is what most come to the ICEHOTEL to experience, it is essential to have somewhere to ‘come in from the cold’, so there are several warm room options, where the facilities are excellent and furnished in modern Scandinavian style. Most stays at the ICEHOTEL are a minimum of three nights, with two spent in warm accommodation.

14 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.comww.honeymoonworld.tv

PHOTO: GEORGE BAMFORD

BRUCE OLDFIELD WEDDING 34 BEAUCHAMP PLACE 020 7589 2759 WWW.BRUCEOLDFIELD.COM

Designer weddings in the Caribbean Just because you have chosen to marry abroad doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. You can still have the themed wedding of your dreams at all the Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean, thanks to the collaboration between Sandals Resorts International and Martha Stewart, who have joined together to introduce Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart. Couples are offered a choice of six themed wedding experiences in romantic settings at any of the 18 Luxury Included Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts across the Caribbean.

The designer weddings feature co-ordinated colour palettes, wedding décor, complimentary bouquets, invitations, cakes and favours to create a memorable experience to suit every couple. The six wedding themes include: Vision in White; Seaside Serenade; Flutter of Romance; Island Paradise; Caribbean Sunset; Chic & Natural and Beautiful Beginnings. www.sandals.co.uk

WEDDING & Honeymoon NEWS Movie star honeymoon in Bora Bora If you have seen the comedy, Couples Retreat starring Vince Vaughn, and wondered which spectacular resort was used in the blockbuster movie, then we can reveal that the St Regis Bora Bora, in the South Pacific was the stunning backdrop that upstaged the film’s A-list actors. The lush resort is a favourite celebrity hideaway – Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban honeymooned there, while Eva Longoria and Tony Parker and others have enjoyed its tropical splendours. To celebrate the film’s release, the St Regis is offering an exclusive Couples Retreat package for honeymooners until the end of June.

The package offers guests a four-or five-night stay in the Premiere Over Water Villa where the leading characters stayed in the movie. www.starwoodhotels.com Book it: travel with Carrier.

0117 927 2009 16 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Free vow renewals in Antigua You can’t buy love, and now you don’t have to pay to renew your vows either. At Jolly Beach Resort and Spa, the leading all-inclusive resort in Antigua, guests staying seven nights in a superior room are entitled to a free Renewal of Vows package to celebrate their years of commitment.

Couples have a choice of venues for the ceremony – a gazebo in the lush gardens, or the resort’s mile-long white sand beach. Normally available for £245, the free renewal of vows package includes: Organising the services of a marriage officer and arranging the ceremony at the resort, Marriage officer fees, bridal bouquet, one-tier wedding cake, cake top, one bottle of sparkling wine, buttonhole for the groom. The couple also receive a gift voucher for the resort’s Palms Wellness Centre for a Couples’ Massage, plus a free romantic Catamaran Cruise. Wedding Packages are also available, which include free ceremonies, dependent on party size or length of stay. Jolly Beach accommodates parties of two to 200. Honeymoon packages are also available. www.jollybeachresort.com Book it: travel with Kuoni seven nights all inclusive from £1,110 pp flying from London November 2010: 0117 927 2009

True romance in Hua Hin Start married life, or renew your wedding vows in a truly magical place at the V Villas, Hua Hin, Thailand. This intimate, romantic sanctuary is set amidst spectacular surroundings, where newly-weds can find a haven of luxurious tranquillity. At V Villas, each private villa has a personalised butler service and is designed in a contemporary fusion of Asian elements and sophisticated luxury. The romantic honeymoon package includes accommodation in a Pool Villa Suite, sumptuous honeymoon breakfast, red roses, floral bath, sparkling wine on arrival, Ritual Sunset Cocktail, romantic candlelight dinner on the beach and 90 minutes of spa treatments including the signature V Balancing massage. www.accorhotels.com www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 17

Love story in Marrakech Morocco is a magical destination for a fairytale honeymoon, especially if you stay at the AnaYela in Marrakech, a member of Design Hotels’ handpicked collection.

The hotel is the setting of a historic love story, which has been brought back to life for lovers in the 21st century. The name AnaYela translates as “I am Yela”, which are the opening words of a story by Yela, a young woman who once lived in this riad.

The handwritten story was found hidden in the house during renovations. The Arabic text was then incorporated into the design and each room has a chapter of the love story inscribed on its walls. The hotel’s Honeymoon Special comprises a romantic bath for two with incense, bath oils, a personal music compilation, champagne and homemade patisserie. Lovers can even surprise their beloved with their own written love story presented by a traditional Moroccan storyteller. A large roof terrace provides a spectacular site for a romantic candlelit dinner, with a tower offering panoramic views of the historic city. www.designhotels.com

Honeymoon FREE for Kempinski couples The Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay in Bodrum, Turkey has something very special in store for couples ‘tying the knot’ at this beautiful beach resort o mystical Spi a truly memorable wedding, guided by the Kempinski Barbaros Bay’s experienced in-house wedding planner team, which will expertly help to plan their special day – whether it’s a private ceremony on the secluded beach, by the marina or a glamorous celebration in the hotel’s superb functions room. During their stay, the bridal party can also enjoy the Hotel Barbaros Bay’s five-star facilities, including the award-winning Six Senses Spa, which offers tailor-made rituals to relax and rejuvenate for the big day. www.kempinski-bodrum.com

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Tahitian weddings become a reality Tahiti and Her Islands are breathtakingly beautiful locations to hold a wedding ceremony. Unfortunately, foreign visitors have been unable to legally marry in Tahiti and Her Islands unless they had been resident for at least a month prior to the wedding. Now there’s good news for couples wishing to tie the knot. A new law has been passed enabling non-Tahitians to marry there for the very first time. It states that, instead of being resident on the islands, the couple must file their intention to marry with the mayor of the closest Tahitian town at least one month before the wedding. The couple must also inform their country’s consulate in Tahiti of their marriage and ensure that there is a qualified interpreter present during the ceremony. Couples can now enjoy the ultimate in romance – a traditional Tahitian wedding on the beach. To the backdrop of an ancient stone altar, fringed with palm trees, the bride is massaged using exotically scented flower oils whilst the groom is painted with temporary Tahitian tattoos. The happy couple then exchange brightly coloured flower garlands in the presence of a master of ceremonies, who bestows new Tahitian names upon them. Many of Tahiti’s luxury hotels have their own stunning chapels where, thanks to the new marriage laws, couples can take traditional Tahitian vows, and honeymooners can choose to have their own romantic Tahitian blessing. www.tahiti-tourisme.co.uk

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‘Something borrowed’ in Rome Rome Cavalieri, the Waldorf Astoria Collection, a five-star deluxe hotel overlooking the spectacular sights of Rome, has launched the ‘Something Borrowed’ programme to assist brides with fulfilling a part of the tradition of wearing ‘something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue’ on their wedding day. The hotel is offering them the opportunity to borrow jewellery designed by Italian Princesses Lucia Odescalchi and Grazia Borghese, whose pieces range from 100 euros to 1,000 euros. Once the couple has confirmed Rome Cavalieri as their chosen wedding venue, brides’ can view images of the designer’s signature collection to select an elaborate piece that is reflective of their personal style. On the day prior to the wedding, the bride will have the jewellery delivered on loan for a 48-hour period. www.romecavalieri.xom.

Honeymoon spa pampering in Cyprus The Thalassa Boutique Hotel & Spa in Cyprus is a spa lovers dream, so what better way for honeymooners to be totally pampered and relaxed than with divine couples treatments and yoga sessions?

Situated just 15 minutes away from Paphos on a small peninsula, which offers stunning panoramic 270-degree views of Coral Bay, Thalassa is a luxurious boutique hotel with 58 sumptuous suites with a dedicated butler service. The Anagenisis Spa is a holistic spa introducing ancient therapies blended with modern technology.

Sounds perfect? Then book now and save £420 per person for seven nights from £1130, including return flights from London Gatwick to Paphos and hotel transfers. Tour operator Carrier is offering this special deal, which includes a complimentary room upgrade to a One Bedroom Suite, a romantic candlelit dinner, bottle of champagne on arrival and 30-minutes spa treatment per person.

But hurry, the offer is only valid until October 31st 2010.

Book it: for further information call: 0117 927 2009.

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� � � � �� � � � � � � � � � �

T H E LO N D O N F L A G S H I P S TO R E 94 , N E W B O N D S T R E E T · LO N D O N W 1 PERSONAL APPOINTMENTS TEL. 0207 518 8470

F U L L 2 0 1 1 C O L L E C T I O N S A N D L I S T O F D E A L E R S AVA I L A B L E AT:

W W W. P R O N O V I A S.C O.U K www.honeymoonworld.tv 21

WIN! a honeymoon in

EGYPT

Win the honeymoon you always dreamed of – a two destination holiday of a lifetime in Egypt WORTH £5,000!

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T

he lucky winning couple will fly with Egypt Air, from London direct to the magical and historic city of Cairo, Egypt’s capital, where they will enjoy three nights of luxury at the five star Cairo Marriott Hotel.

Cairo is buzzing with activity 24/7, in complete contrast to the tranquility of its star attractions – the mystical Pyramids of Giza.

The pyramids were built to be used as tombs for the great kings of the ancient civilisation. The Great Pyramid is the last remaining of the seven wonders-of-the-world and the iconic Sphinx is said to be older still and breathtakingly impressive both by day and night.

The winners will have time to enjoy a cruise along the River Nile, which is a romantic way to explore the beauty of Egypt, and they can hop off and visit the ancient temples during the day. Shopping in Cairo is also a unique experience – perfect for those who love to pick up trinkets such as onyx Pharaoh cats and exotic perfume – and it’s a great opportunity to practice haggling skills!

Next they will fly from Cairo to the popular resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, jewel of the Red Sea Riviera, where they will stay for seven nights at the spectacular five star Grand Rotana Resort for a week luxuriating in the warmth of the Egyptian sun.

This fabulous hotel and spa, set in 30-acres of lush, tropical landscape, enjoys a superb location on Sharm El-Sheikh’s beachfront with 450 metres of its own private beach. It doesn’t get much better than this!

And when they’ve had enough of topping up their tans on the beach or by the pool, they can go scuba diving and snorkelling over breathtaking reefs and enjoy water sports including sailing and windsurfing, parasailing, glass-bottom boat trips or banana boats for excitement junkies. And if they head inland they can try their hand at camel riding to nearby traditional Bedouin villages or even head into the desert on a quad bike. Phew!

This fabulous honeymoon would normally cost in excess of £5,000 but one lucky couple will win all this in our easy to enter competition.

Simply answer this question: Which river runs through Cairo?

Send your answers on a card or on the back of a sealed envelope to: Dream Egyptian Honeymoon Competition World Titles Ltd 5-7 The Shambles Wetherby LS22 6NG Or, enter on line at www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com Where you also find terms and conditions.

Make sure you supply your name & address, email address and contact telephone number.

GOOD LUCK! www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 23

world class

Whether you are planning to be a barefoot beach bride, an exotic tropical goddess or a European style icon, you can blend traditional glamour with a contemporary twist anywhere in the world, says Lulu BousďŹ eld

Dress by Pepe Botella www.beautifulbridalboutique.co.uk

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Dress by Linea Raffaelli www.linearaffaelli.com

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Dress by Amanda Wakely www.amandawakely.com

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Dress by Lea-Ann Belter www.lea-annbelter.com Stockists: Hayley Elizabeth Bridal studio, Kent 01689 882704 Brides of Berkhamstead, Herts 01442874006 The Ivory Tower Couture, Sollihul 07792976867 Fleur Bridal, London 02088769004

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London Pronuptia 10-11 Heddon Court Parade Cockfosters Road Barnet EN4 0DB Tel: 020-8440-5333

South Pronuptia 24-26 High Street Romford RM1 1HR Tel: 01708-743-999

Pronuptia 95 Hatton Garden London EC1 8NX Tel: 020-7419-9014

Pronuptia Trafalgar House Malpas Road Truro TR1 1QH Tel: 01872-273-970

Pronuptia 3 Electric Parade 86 High Road South Woodford E18 2NA Tel: 0208-989-0100

North Pronuptia 28 Church Street Altrincham WA14 4DW Tel: 0161-941-4118

Midland Pronuptia 1-3 Rose Place 34 Warstone Lane Birmingham B18 6JQ Tel: 0121-236-6559

Pronuptia 105-109 Derby Street Bolton BL3 6HH Tel: 01204-528-009

Pronuptia 21 Market Street Leicester LE1 6DE Tel: 0116-254-5712 Pronuptia 50 Babington Lane Derby DE1 1SX Tel: 01332-331-347 Pronuptia 12A King Street Nottingham NG1 2AS Tel: 0115-941-2000 Pronuptia 29-33 New Hall Street Henley Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5HQ Tel: 01782-265-308 South Pronuptia 1 Gilbert Road New Rents Ashford TN23 1JL Tel: 01233-620-240 Pronuptia 4 Homerton Street Cambridge CB2 8NX Tel: 01223-213-770 Pronuptia 40 New Street Chelmsford CM1 1PH Tel: 01245-265-716 Pronuptia 34-38 Tacket Street Ipswich IP4 1BA Tel: 01473-211-765 Pronuptia Southwell House 55-57 Hall Road Norwich NR1 3HL Tel: 01603-761-761

Pronuptia 19A Upper Northgate Street Chester CH1 4EE Tel: 01244-390-097 Pronuptia 258-260 Freeman Street Grimsby DN32 9DR Tel: 01472-348-456 Pronuptia 38 King Street Huddersfield HD1 2QT Tel: 01484-421-900 Pronuptia 34 Kirkgate The Exchange Quarter Leeds LS2 7DR Tel: 0113-234-9697 Pronuptia 3-4 Williamson Square Liverpool L1 1EQ Tel: 0151-709-1616 Pronuptia Unit 12 Sevendale House Lever Street Manchester M1 1WD Tel: 0161-228-7506 Pronuptia 42-44 Grainger Street Newcastle NE1 5JG Tel: 0191-221-1688 Pronuptia 359-361 Ecclesall Road Sheffield S11 8PF Tel: 0114-266-1673 Pronuptia Unit 1 Queen House 9 Micklegate York YO1 6JH Tel: 01904-625-552

www.honeymoonworld.tv www.cococouturebride.com

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Dress by Roland Joyce www.victoriajane.com

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 

 

  

Discover...

  



...the new 3.500 sqm Maritim Flower Spa Village.

Indulge in a very special amphitheatre wet zone comprising of Jacuzzi, Hammam and Sauna.

Have a thorough body scrub on a heated marble slab in our nautilus-shaped cabin, or relax behind a waterfall whilst enjoying a leg compress.

A range of massages are on offer, as well as full service beauty treatments and hairsalon.

The new Maritim Flower Spa works with the vibrational energies and wellbeing properties of Tropical flowers.

Maritim Hotel Mauritius Balaclava, Terre Rouge · Mauritius, Indian Ocean Tel: (+230) 204 1000 · Fax: (+230) 204 1020 info.mau@maritim.com · www.maritim.com

www.honeymoonworld.tv 31

ww.accessorize.com

Dazzle

w ecklace £12 asmine n P e a rl J

Razzle Sparkle and shine on your big day, whatever your budget

Pom pom earrings with tiny white seed pearls £15.50 www.westwoodrocks.com

Diamond platinum earrings £4,695 www.astleyclarke.com

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Wedding bands Kufic Script

by Alan Vallis www.alanvallis-oxo.com St

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nin

c rs. ure t c g dia a nuf mond ring www.diamondma

o

Cameo cufflinks by Hannah Louise from £105 www.lovedazzle.com

Rings with distinction Prices start from £1150 www.astleyclarke.com

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Crystal flower trails hair comb £39 www.ebuni.com

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Treasured Beau headband £59.50 www.gl itzysec rets. c

r ec ys ec z t i kla ce £4 www.gl 2

Pearl bracelet £24.94 www.confetti.co.uk

Kiki comb £40 www.phase-eight.co.uk

Blossom wire stunning necklace by Fiona de Marco £420 www.lovedazzle.com

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Tutulle pale pink clutch by Christian Louboutin £590 www.cruisefashion.co.uk

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tals £

.westwoodrocks 44.50 www .com

4 Platinum Bubble neckpiece by Charlotte Verity £1,495 www.lovedazzle.com

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Weddings 36

Real weddings We take a peek at readers’ stunning destination weddings – from sunny Spain to icy Sweden

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10 Unique weddings Don’t run with the crowd. Dare to be different!

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Fairytale castles Feel like a princess and marry like royalty in a romantic castle

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Manhattan Brides It’s chic, it’s cool, it’s NYC! So why not follow SJP and tie the knot in the Big Apple?

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Choose Cyprus You don’t need deep pockets to marry in style

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The price is right Close enough for guests, yet romantic enough for just the two of you

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Dubai Get hitched in one of the world’s most glitzy cities

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Bridal hair abroad Top tips to train those bridal tresses for your big day

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Eternal youth Roll back the years to restore the bloom of youth

G N I D D E W

S N O I T A N I T S DE Breath r u o Y e k a T ill W t a h T

T

he fresh breeze, an exotic sunset, cool sand between your toes, the ocean behind you and your personalized intimate setting to say ‘I do’. If you’ve been looking for that dream location to exchange your vows, then this is it. Jetwing Hotels have the ideal location for you in Sri Lanka.

Nestled among the palm trees, along a beautiful sun-kissed beach in the coastal town of Negombo, Jetwing Beach takes you to an ultramarine world of colourful interiors where each room opens into a large private balcony, which looks onto the Indian Ocean.

Apart from its spectacular setting, the Hotel’s spa features a comfortable lounge to relax in a Jacuzzi, steam bath and special treatment rooms with a choice of air-conditioned environments for treatment. Enjoy the romantic Rama – Sitha spa and dinning experience, just for two.

Away

The luxury and romance of this idyllic location forms the perfect backdrop for weddings and honeymoons. With deluxe rooms and service that are as intimate as the occasion itself, you will experience the ultimate in pampered indulgence.

Another fantastic location is Jetwing Lighthouse, built along the ramparts of an Old Dutch fort with traces of the Portugese landing in the 1500s; this is one of the finest hotels in Sri Lanka, overlooking the inspiring waves of the Indian Ocean.

This stunningly beautiful hideaway is tucked into a luxurious garden where honeymoon couples can simply spoil themselves. The rooms are elegant and serene and the natural, tropical scenery and scents will calm and invigorate you with island flavour.

Offering unparalleled spa treatments this hotel is renowned for its cuisine, first-class service and rich ambience, making it the ultimate place for a relaxation or romantic getaway.

With a deep satisfied sigh the dark cloak of night gives in to the break of day. In the distance a lone Nightjar bids a last farewell.

The eastern sky brightens with a rosy blush as wispy swirls of blue mist lets go of the water and hands still in the air. A gentle breeze parts its soft veil to offer a fleeting glimpse of dark steeped silhouettes rising up above the lake, the occasional glow of golden lamps still twinkle invitingly. Has one come upon the enchanted abodes of a magical land of old? Where man and nature were once one and lived unhindered in perfect companionship? Could such an Eden still exist? Deep in the heart of our island paradise, it hides amongst the reeds, revealing its rustic treasures to the chosen few who seek its serene beauty. Welcome to Jetwing Vil Uyana - the privilege is yours.

All these luxury boutique resorts are members of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

contact: Jithendra Abeysinghe • email: jithendra@jetwinghotels.com • tel: + 94 1155 4571 for more information log onto www.jetwinghotels.com

Jetwing Hotels Sri Lanka

Real WEDDINGS

Spanish Dream

Rachel & Paul turn up the heat in the Costas 36 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

W

hen Rachel Coote and her video director boyfriend Paul Turner from London decided to tie the knot, they were determined to have a wedding that would be a lifelong memory for friends and family.

Finding ‘The One’...

Rachel: “We met in a vodka bar in Soho. It was one of those last minute decisions – we had planned a quiet night in but were persuaded by friends to go out. We got chatting at the bar, and as the vodkas slid down we talked more and exchanged numbers. The rest, as they say, is history!’

The proposal Paul: “We had just come back from a very romantic holiday in Santorini, Greece, but I thought it was too obvious to propose out there, so I waited until I got back and popped the question in the garden of our London flat,

which I filled with champagne and candles.”

Rachel: “He managed to catch me off guard, which was great! I wasn’t expecting it at all.”

The decision to go overseas Paul: “A lot of our friends have recently married in the UK so we decided we wanted something different that people would remember forever.

Also, Rachel is half Spanish so have spent a lot of time in Spain – and we wanted guaranteed good weather.”

Rachel: “It was also much better value for money. For around £10-15,000 we could have an amazing wedding – a similar quality wedding in the UK would have cost at least £30,000.

Our venue was incredible, as was the food and drink. The caterers did a ‘package deal’ and everything was included, which meant that drinks were free all night.”

Location, location, location!

Paul: “We chose a beautiful location in Southern Spain. We had visited the area, near Gibraltar, on a surfing holiday and really liked the atmosphere – quite cosmopolitan and laid-back, and not full of Brits.”

Rachel: “The Spanish law states that you can’t have a legal ceremony in Spain if you are a non-resident. You’ve got to either be Spanish or have lived there for a few years. The only way we could have our wedding in Spain was to marry in Gibraltar, then find a reception venue close to the border. We found the perfect place for the wedding – the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Gibraltar, and the reception within a half-hour journey, so we put everyone on coaches to the 45-minute cathedral service.

It was surprisingly straightforward with the help of our wedding planner.”

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Planning the big day...

Paul: “Originally we thought we could save money by arranging it all ourselves, but using a wedding planner was well worth the money.

After surfing the Internet we eventually found the one that we liked – Jeanette from a company called Med Weddings (www.medweddings.com).

She saved us a fortune and did a perfect job for us. Wedding planners know all the ins and outs and good local suppliers.”

Rachel: “Jeanette found the venue, photographer, caterers, flowers and band and sorted out our documentation. We couldn’t have done it without her!”

And the guests...

Paul: “We had around 100 wedding guests.

Most of them stayed either at our hotel or hotels close by. We got married on an August bank holiday weekend – we didn’t realise at the time.

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However, we gave everyone enough notice to book their flights early and most guests made a holiday out of it.”

Theme of the day Paul: “Our wedding was themed with a green and pink colour scheme and we had the best of both worlds with a traditional English wedding in a Spanish setting. In English style we went to the pub before the 6pm church service, however, our time scale was typically Spanish with everything scheduled for much later in the day. We watched an amazing sunset during the champagne and canapés reception and we didn’t sit down to eat until after 9pm.”

Getting the look Rachel: “I had a beautiful long white organza dress made by a designer in Ealing called ChandrikaThomas Couture (020 8579 5824 www.dressdesigner.co.uk), which I transported

by plane in my hand luggage. I had a white veil and wore my hair up with a flower decoration.

I kept jewellery simple with diamond earrings and a little square diamond necklace. My three bridesmaids and one flower girl wore strapless silk dresses in pistachio green from Coast.”

Paul: “I wore a traditional morning suit, as did my six ushers, which we hired in the UK. I toyed with the idea of wearing a light coloured suit, but I am quite traditional, so it suited me to be formal.”

Rachel: “We went to Gibraltar two months before the wedding to tie up last minute arrangements, and I found a hotel with a hair and beauty salon close to the cathedral and had a trial run to try out different hairstyles. On the big day I returned to the hotel and hired a room for the day and took my mum and bridesmaids for a hair and make-up session prior to the ceremony.”

Paul: “I spent all day by the swimming pool. I think I left myself about 15 minutes to get ready!”

Happy snapper Paul: “Our photographer, Nick Stubbs (www.nickstubbs.com) was an English guy, who was living in Spain. He came highly recommended by our wedding planner who said: “Don’t use anyone else!” He really was amazing and very experienced. I had some input in the wedding video because that’s what I do for a living. We just paid for a local cameraman to film the day and I edited it myself.”

What a reception!

Rachel: “Our reception took place at Hotel Monasterio de San Martin in Cadiz (www.hotelmonasteriodesanmartin.com), in an enclosed courtyard, lit by lanterns. Tables were decorated with floating candles and our favours were jelly babies in pretty boxes tied with pink and green bows.”

Paul: “We put pork scratchings in some of the boxes as a joke for our friends, which went down well!”

Rachel: “We used independent caterers, Lepanto, who had been highly recommended by the hotel and were truly excellent. We had fillet steak for the main course, which was cooked to perfection. It must be very difficult to get fillet steak to 100 people; it just melted in your mouth!”

Paul: “The wedding cake, on the other hand, was a disaster. In Spain wedding cakes tend to be very ornate, so we asked for something plain and simple in white. Unfortunately what they came up with was horribly tacky! We had a cool band though, and also a DJ for the night; they took it in turns to entertain guests into the early hours.”

Honeymoon Rachel: “After the wedding we stayed around our friends and family for a couple of days before driving up to a hotel near Marbella for a week on our own. Six months later we had a second honeymoon, when we spent nearly a month in Thailand.”

On budget?

Paul: “Our budget was £10,000 and we spent around £13,000 so we were a bit over budget, but that’s including everything from wedding dresses to flights and a three-week honeymoon.

We think it was very good value for money!”

Calling all Real Brides Tell us about your Real Wedding and you could be featured in Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons magazine. All weddings used will win a bottle of Champagne.

Email: terri@worldtitles.co.uk www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 39

Free Weddings in Barbados

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aWorld of

UNIQUE

WEDDINGS

Dare to be different and choose a wild

and wonderful destination to say “I Do”

Grand Canyon, Las Vegas From £1,999 per couple PERFECT FOR: Thelma & Louise wannabes The Grand Canyon offers breathtaking scenery and a wedding you will never forget, so why not start your married life admiring spectacular views of the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam? Your wedding day will begin with a private limo journey from your hotel to your personal helicopter. Fly from Las Vegas and descend 4000 feet into the Grand Canyon, touching down by the banks of the historic Colorado River where you’ll exchange your vows. Afterwards, fly down the Las Vegas strip and return to your hotel in your private limo. The whole experience will last about three hours. The wedding package includes: ceremony, bouquet and buttonhole, cake and champagne at the Grand Canyon, helicopter for the bride, groom, minister and up to two witnesses, limousine transfers to and from hotel and minister’s fees.

N.B. Marriage license must be obtained prior to arriving at the terminal.

BOOK IT! 0117 927 2009

The Great Wall of China From £300 per couple per night PERFECT FOR: being visible from Space!

For one of the most stunning locations on the planet, get married in the beautiful landscape of Shuiguan Mountains just a stone’s throw away from the Great Wall of China on the rooftop of the Commune, a collection of contemporary villas designed by 12 Asian architects and run by the Kempinski hotel group. Choose the rooftop of Shared House or the intimacy of Furniture House for your ceremony and say “I do” in the most breathtaking natural setting. If you want to celebrate big and spectacular, choose the ballroom for receptions up to 700 guests. Smaller parties or couples are served contemporary Chinese food by a butler in a villa or chalet. Price includes dinner, B&B and complimentary champagne toast and chocolate covered strawberries on arrival, not including wedding package, which is priced separately.

BOOK IT! www.communebythegreatwall.com

Chester Zoo, England From £1,950 PERFECT FOR: getting up close

& personal with furry friends

Nestled in the award-winning grounds at Chester Zoo, Oakfield Manor is the ideal venue to celebrate your special day. Overlooking the lions, the Victorian House will offer a memorable setting with a difference. No two weddings are the same at Chester Zoo and every one is tailor made to suit the couple. The venue can take 70 guests for a wedding ceremony and up to 130 for a safari-style BBQ themed wedding. It costs £1950 to hire the manor house for the day and night, which includes admission to the zoo for you and your guests, the registrar and fresh flowers. It doesn’t include the ceremony. Chester Zoo is a registered charity and is home to 7000 animals and 400 different species. Money from the weddings supports Chester Zoo’s conservation activities both in the UK and overseas.

BOOK IT! 01244650209 or visit www.chesterzoo.org

Paul Anthony©

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 43

Grapevine Canyon Ranch, Arizona From £1,639 per person PERFECT FOR: would-be cowboys and gals What could be more romantic than a Ranch Rider wedding on horseback in the heartland of Arizona, amid the oak groves, manzanita and mesquite trees? The ranch has great views and locations, so couples can tie the knot in true Arizona style amidst the rolling plains. Accommodation is based in casitas or cabins, with private facilities, air conditioning and a private sundeck for starry-eyed rancher newlyweds. A seven-night all-inclusive break costs from £1,639 per person, including return flights, transfers and all ranch based riding. Weddings costs are on top from £250 per couple including minister, bottle of champagne and wedding cake.

BOOK IT! 01509 618811 (www.ranchrider.com)

World Yacht Weddings, New York From £1,015 per couple PERFECT FOR: stylish city slickers What could be more romantic than to marry on a luxury yacht with the Manhattan skyline in full view and your guests looking on as you take each other as man and wife? With a scrumptuous meal and a cruise around the waters of Manhattan, this will be one of the most special evenings of your life. Standard wedding package includes: Limousine transfer to the World Yacht from your hotel for up to eight people, wedding ceremony on board the World Yacht, four-course Ambassador Service dinner for two including champagne and premium bar service including, cake and all World Yacht taxes and gratuities. Deluxe wedding package includes: As Standard plus rose bouquet and buttonhole and two hours photography and 100 images on two CDs. N.B. Weddings available: Fridays in April; Monday to Friday between May and December, excluding holidays.

BOOK IT! 0117 927 2009

Royal Scotsman, Scotland From £26,000 PERFECT FOR: nostalgia buffs & wonderful views of Scotland OK, it doesn’t come cheap, but the price is all-in and includes a night aboard for 36 guests with exquisite food and wines as well as the wedding ceremony – and it is, after all, a once in a lifetime opportunity! This luxury train can accommodate a maximum of 36 guests within its comfortable Edwardian-style carriages and can be privately charted for weddings. The train has its own registrar, so marriage ceremonies can take place in the Observation Lounge or on the viewing veranda. The couple can then celebrate with a champagne reception and party with their guests into the night as the train speeds through the Scottish wilderness.

BOOK IT! www.orient-express.com 44 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Ice Hotel, Quebec From £1,513 PERFECT FOR: the coolest wedding around From January 7 to March 27 2011 you can enter a magical world where snow and ice are transformed into fabulous decors. With snow archways towering over five metres tall and crystal ice sculptures standing by the warmth of the fire, North America’s only Ice Hotel has made a name for itself not only through its architecture and artistry, but also its warm hospitality. Couples marry in the Hôtel de Glace chapel, where the décor changes every winter, but the beauty and splendour remains the same for the whitest of weddings. Pull up to the chapel in a horse drawn carriage and walk down a red carpet or renew your marriage vows under a hail of fireworks.

BOOK IT! www.hoteldeglace-canada.com

Mara Bushtops, Kenya From £2,499 per couple PERFECT FOR: Safari bliss!

Mara Bushtops are raised above the plains of Kenya for amazing views combining the tranquillity of a luxurious tented camp in the Maasai Mara with the adventure of its location. The mystique and dramatic wildlife setting of the resort offers a perfect backdrop for a wow-factor wedding. The 12 tents each have a sunken outdoor bath, a private terrace with its own telescope for wildlife spotting and butler service. The wedding package includes honeymoon tent accommodation, exclusive use of a safari vehicle on the day, decorated location, champagne, Masai wedding dance, private dinner, wedding cake, bridal bouquet and grooms buttonhole. N.B: Clients must stay for two workings days in Nairobi to complete formalities.

Disney Weddings, Florida

BOOK IT!

0117 927 2009

From: £2,949 per couple PERFECT FOR: fairytale magic!

If you’re looking for a fairytale wedding then a Disney Wedding is ideal for you. From intimate weddings to lavish ceremonies surrounded by family and friends. Recite your vows in Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, with views of Cinderella Castle across the Seven Seas Lagoon, or within the peaceful grounds of Harry P Leu gardens under the oak trees. Disney Fairytale Weddings are available for the wedding couple and their guests when staying at any of the Disney Resort Hotels including Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Polynesian Resort and by purchasing either Disney’s Ultimate or Premium tickets. Wedding Packages offers: limousine transfers; wedding cake with keepsake Mickey & Minnie Mouse cake topper and Escape wedding photography package. The wedding Minister is not included in the wedding package.

BOOK IT!

0117 927 2009 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 45

Fairytale castles You’ve probably kissed many frogs before one turns into your handsome prince, so why not complete the fairytale and get married in a romantic castle, asks Amy Bell

Ashford Castle 46 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Ashford Castle

Chateau d’Esclimont

St George Lycabettus

M

adonna, princess of pop, was famously married at Skibo Castle in the Scottish Highlands. If you too want to feel like royalty then the grandeur of a castle is the perfect setting in which to exchange your vows.

When it comes to planning a wedding with moats, towers and turrets, the thought of chancing the unpredictable British elements may be putting you off. Never fear. If your heart is set on a romantic castle, there are many to choose from around the world to host a destination wedding fit for a princess.

The luck of the Irish For those who want to stay closer to home, whatever the weather, the luxurious five-star Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland is a beautiful choice for hosting a wedding. The castle dates back to 1228 and was once the estate of the Guinness family. Ashford Castle enjoys a stunning setting with open lawns, Victorian walled gardens and lakeside woodland paths, and offers health and beauty facilities, lake cruises and golf.

Wedding package With two churches located in and around the castle grounds, this spectacular castle can accommodate small weddings of up to 40 people or a larger wedding of up to 160 people.

Wedding breakfasts start at approximately £70.

You can enjoy exclusive use of the castle with your wedding guests by booking all 83 bedrooms for your wedding party. With the entire castle estate at your disposal, you can wander across lawns, and lakeside woodland to find the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs. www.ashford.ie

African beach castle Hire your very own private castle on the spectacular South African Garden Route for an elite fairytale wedding in the lap of luxury. Pezula Private Castle, built into the cliff face on Noetzie Beach in Knysna, is a breathtaking exclusive resort that has been awarded ‘Best Property in the World’. The castle complex, which is part of the plush Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, comprises five superb suites in three castles. Bride, groom and guests will live like royalty in this magnificent residence, indulged by the castle’s dedicated team, which includes a private chef and executive butler to ensure you have the ultimate experience in pampering and luxury.

Wedding package Pezula Private Castle is part of The Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa, which is the perfect place for your wedding reception, with a seating capacity for up to 120 guests. The

resort’s staff can co-ordinate your reception from the entertainment and table settings to hiring a luxury limo or horse and carriage.

The Honeymoon Castle, adjacent to the Main Castle, is arguably the most romantic suite in the world. This totally secluded luxury beach apartment offers double windows looking out on to the beach and a wood-burning fireplace in the bedroom.

The Castle of Dreams Package provides accommodation at Pezula Private Castle for up to 10 guests, plus welcome bubbly and oysters, helicopter transfers to and from George airport, all meals, refreshments and South African wines as well, all activities at Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa including golf, spa treatments, horse-riding, canoeing, hiking and archery. The package starts at 8,000 Rand (approx £592) per person per night based on 10 people sharing. www.pezula.com

Book it: travel with Kuoni: 0117 927 2009

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 47

French turrets Just an hour from Paris, Chateau d’Esclimont is a unique hotel set in a magnificent Renaissance château, which was the former home of the La Rochefoucauld family. This stunning romantic retreat, surrounded by a moat, is set in 150 acres of park and promises seclusion in a beautiful location with refined cuisine.

From the towers, belfries and delightful grounds to pretty bedrooms with fresh flowers and balconies with views of the calming moat below – everything here has a sense of true romance with typical French flourish. Take a hot-air balloon ride or arrive in style by helicopter and see the château and surrounding area in its magnificence from the air.

Wedding package Prices for the pavilion hire for your wedding start at approximately £2,000 and you can choose your menu from their traditional haute cuisine, from approximately £50 per head. A wedding in France would not be complete without great wine, and with a selection of more than 400 wines from the cellar you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Weather-permitting, you can even marry in the exquisite gardens. www.esclimont.com 48 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Divani Apollon

American Dream There’s more to marrying in the USA than exchanging vows with Elvis in a Las Vegas wedding chapel, so travel south to Texas and you’ll discover a unique castle that’s a world away from The Strip.

Falkenstein Castle is a fairytale building set in a wildlife sanctuary near highland lakes.

The castle is the private home of Terry and Kim Young. They discovered a set of initial plans and drawings for the next castle to be built by King Ludwig of Bavaria, who died before his dream could be realised. The couple took the plunge and built his dream in the United States, and it is now available for your dream wedding.

Wedding package The complete wedding package costs $5,995 (approximately £3,700) and includes castle rental, reception centre rental, a wedding consultant and photographer. You can bring in your own caterers and the castle won’t charge corkage, so you can use your imagination and theme your wedding reception according to your taste – from Tex Mex or burgers to a full Medieval feast! www.falkensteincastle.com

Hawaiian wedding Water sports fans dreaming of combining world-class surfing with a romantic castle wedding should head to Hawaii where Iolani Palace, Honolulu, the only official royal palace on American soil, is the perfect setting for a castle wedding and surfing honeymoon.

The Palace was built in 1882 by King David Kalakaua, the last of Hawaii’s kings, and hosts numerous festive events – from elegant dinner parties and gala balls to fairy tale marriages.

The castle boasts dramatically-lit staircases, columns and flourishes, which characterise late 19th Century architectural style and provide a glimpse of Hawaii’s history. Your wedding guests will be allowed to walk through the palace galleries to view an impressive array of ancient historic and Western regalia, including the crowns of the last king and queens of Hawaii and priceless treasures collected from Hawaiian royalty.

Wedding package It is considered an honour to hold a wedding celebration on the grounds of Iolani Palace, so if you are interested in getting married at this historical palace send an email to ea@iolanipalace.org to pencil in your preferred date on the Palace calendar. As all wedding receptions at the Palace need to be channelled through a professional wedding planner, you should then log onto: www.nacehawaii.com for a directory of recommended Wedding Planners. www.iolanipalace.org

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 49

Manhattan

Brides

You’ve seen it in the movies, now you can live the dream with a wedding ďŹ t for a star in the Big Apple

52 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 53

I

magine your wedding ceremony set amongst the beautiful English gardens in Central Park, followed by champagne and canapés in one of New York’s most exclusive restaurants, or perhaps a romantic reception overlooking New York’s famous skyline, complete with a beautiful horse and carriage ride snuggled under a blanket, watching the stars. If you are a New York girl at heart, then the city that never sleeps is the perfect place to get married.

Sex in the City or Breakfast at Tiffany’s?

Pick your theme! Do you love Sex in the City? Then have a stylish wedding that Carrie Bradshaw herself would envy, or perhaps you’d prefer a Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 50’s style wedding, or simply a traditional ceremony in a stunning New York location.

Everything is possible in Manhattan.

Guests can indulge in the famous film locations of New York as part of the reception package, with visits to the Sex and the City landmarks, where you can walk around Manhattan a la Carrie Bradshaw or visit Friends legendary coffee house Central Perk and of course, Broadway.

The perks of Central Park In New York, most ceremonies take place in Central Park, where the bride and groom can exchange vows in one of New York’s most iconic locations. The most private spot is the exquisite private English Garden (part of The Conservatory Gardens), which has a stunning fountain, surrounded by blossoming flowers in the spring/summer and an aisle of spectacular red and golden leaves in autumn/winter.

The Conservatory Gardens consist of:

the English Garden, the French Garden and the Italian Garden, each named after the style and type of planting.

The most popular destination for wedding ceremonies is the Ladies Pavilion, a Victorian cast iron pavilion, situated next to The Pond, which was originally used as a trolley bus shelter at 8th Avenue and 59th Street and now stands surrounded by lush plants and trees. It is very popular for couples that want to incorporate a romantic rowing boat ride on the lake into their wedding.

The second most popular location is the ‘Cop Cot’, which is Scottish for ‘little house on the crest of the hill’ and is Central Park’s largest rustic wooden structure, tucked away with panoramic views of the famous New York skyline.

Wedding photos can be set beside landmarks such as the Bo Bridge Bethesda Fountain, the Mall and the Boathouse, made famous by many films set in New York.

The Sex and the City Wedding If you just LOVE Sex and the City, then why not consider having a Sex and the Citythemed wedding? (don’t worry, it’s not just for chick-flick fans, there’s something in it for the men too). The wedding includes:

• • • • • • • • •

Luxury black limousine to collect the groom and guests and take them to Ladies Pavilion in Central Park Sleek black sedan to collect the bride and take to the wedding venue Ceremony at Ladies Pavilion – used in Sex and the City by Carrie and Miranda Floral bouquet of garden roses and gardenia – the famous flying bouquet!

Matching grooms buttonholes Photographer for the ceremony A luxury limousine to collect you from Central Park and take you on a two hour tour of New York visiting film locations and landmarks used in the series, including Aiden’s ‘Scout’ bar and Charlotte’s art gallery Champagne to enjoy during the tour Dinner for six at Brasserie

Price of package £2,545. Additional guests can be added at a supplement of £130 per person for up to ten people. www.thebridalconsultant.co.uk

54 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Afterwards, the bride and groom can take a horse and carriage around the park or hire live musicians and take their romantic first dance under the Ladies Pavilion.

Wedding planning Liz Burton, founder of the Bridal Consultant, who has planned more than 600 weddings in the city says: “A New York bride is generally very confident, has visited New York before and picks a particular theme or something typically New York. No day is the same; some guests visit the ‘top of the Rock’ at the Rockefeller building then head to the reception, others have a picnic in the park or even a traditional New York burger! One of our clients even hired a double decker red bus to take their friends and family on a tour of New York after the wedding!” www.thebridalconsultant.co.uk

Top 10 NYC venues Thinking of getting married in NYC? Then check out the 10 top places to get married in New York, according to Nina Callaway in her wedding guide: www.weddings.about.com 1. The Foundry in Long Island City, Queens

6. The United Nations Dining Room and Rooftop Patio

Once a 19th century metal foundry, this dramatic wedding space has old exposed brick contrasting with modern steel railings.

Capacity: 125 sit-down guests.

The Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations has huge windows overlooking the East River and NYC skyline, and outdoor patio with amazing city views.

Capacity: 350-500 guests.

2. The Central Park Boathouse Where better in Central Park to get married than a terrace overlooking the lake? Capacity: 80-230 for a sit-down meal.

3. The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers One of legendary caterer Abigail Kirsh’s stunning locations, offering unforgettable views from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River.

Capacity: 100-400 for a sit-down meal.

4. Angel Oresanz Centre This 1849 synagogue, modelled on the Cathedral of Cologne, has a gothic style with an amazing gold-leaf altar. It was the site of Sarah Jessica Parker’s wedding to Matthew Broderick.

Capacity: 250 for a sit-down meal.

5. The Prince George Ballroom Originally built as a luxury hotel in 1904, it was turned into affordable housing before being lovingly restored into a wedding venue with golden columns, intricate plasterwork and soaring ceilings. Capacity: 299 people.

7. Banchet Flowers Uniquely you can have your wedding in a florist shop. Designer Banchet Jaigla’s arrangements are contemporary and beautiful and those renting her space get temporary use of arrangements that are in the shop.

Capacity: 125 for sit-down meal.

8. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Exchange your vows amongst the lush flowers of the rose garden in this amazing spot at budget prices.

9. Gotham Hall The former headquarters of the Greenwich Savings Bank now boasts a magnificent Art Deco ballroom with a grand vaulted dome. Sweeping curtains can make the space more intimate.

Capacity: 50 to 1200.

10. Café St Bart’s at St Bartholomew’s Church Have your wedding in the church then your reception out on a beautiful terrace overlooking Park Avenue.

Catering comes courtesy of Sage American Kitchens.

Hot or not?

Heat Whether you want the hottest wedding in town or have decided that it should be a chilled affair when you tie-the-knot, then New York is the perfect destination. There isn’t really an off-season in the Big Apple.

During the summer months the daily temperature is around 77 degrees, whilst in the winter the temperature falls below freezing.

Sunshine A sunny day can’t be guaranteed, so if you are planning an outdoor wedding in Central Park you should consider pre-arranging a back-up option, such as a wedding chapel, in the event of rain, or in the winter, snow. This can be arranged with a good wedding planner.

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 55

Legal requirements If you want to marry in New York State you must obtain a marriage license. The bridal couple must apply for their license by appearing together in person with valid identification, and complete their application at the Office of the City Clerk. It will be prepared while you wait, and you will take it with you when you leave.

The application consists of an affidavit, listing personal details including the couple’s name, address, birthplace, date of birth, social security number (where applicable) and marital history and make a sworn statement that there are no legal impediments to the marriage.

Those who have been married before must list their prior marriages, and supply their previous spouse’s full name, date the divorce was granted and place the divorce was filed and take along the final divorce decree. Widows and widowers must also provide the deceased spouse’s death certificate.

Stay in style Mandarin Oriental New York

Westin New York at Times Square

Waldorf Astoria, New York

Gaze over Central Park and the Manhattan skyline from the most breathtaking luxury hotel in the heart of New York. This award-winning five-star hotel, high above Columbus Circle, offers stunning views from every room. Stay in one of the 248 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, which blend the oriental heritage of Mandarin Oriental with contemporary New York City.

In the center of Times Square, New York City you can experience a whole new level of modern luxury at The Westin New York at Times Square. In the newly renovated guest rooms a Heavenly Bed® awaits the wedding couple with seven blissful layers of deluxe bedding. And with Times Square right on you doorstep, you can enjoy the pulsating hub of Manhattan.

As one of the first grand hotels to combine elegance with luxurious amenities and services, the Waldof Astoria New York has been renowned for over a century and now enjoys iconic status. The Waldorf Astoria and Waldorf Towers combined offers a total of 1,416 luxurious guest rooms and suites in a diverse range of styles, from classic comfort to palatial grandeur.

Weddings at the Mandarin Oriental

Wedding Packages

Elite Weddings

The Mandarin Oriental, New York, is one of the most iconic locations in Manhattan. The stunning views of Central Park set the mood for truly spectacular wedding. The Mandarin Oriental, New York’s event team will work closely with you or your wedding planner to ensure everything is meticulously managed to make your Big Day a success.

If you choose to have your wedding at Westin New York at Times Square you can relax in the knowledge that the award-winning Banquet, Catering and Culinary Services Team will help plan your special day with ease and to the highest level of excellence.

The Grand Ballroom is an exceptionally opulent venue for the wedding of your dreams and has been designed to re-create the Court Theatre in Versailles. It is New York City’s only four-story, two-tiered ballroom, for weddings of regal proportion, and will definitely impress your guests!

BOOK IT!

BOOK IT!

BOOK IT!

Stay three nights in a standard room at the Mandarin Oriental, New York from just £1329 per person. Special Offer price applies to departures between 1st and 20th October 2010 and includes flights with British Airways from Heathrow. Call: 0117 927 2009 and quote ref WWW A0400.

Stay three nights in a Traditional Double room at Westin New York at Times Square from just £875 per person. Special Offer price applies to departures between 1st and 20th October 2010 and includes flights with British Airways from Heathrow. Call: 0117 927 2009 and quote ref WWW A0403.

Stay three nights in a Deluxe King room at Waldorf Astoria from just £839 per person.

Special Offer price applies to departures between 1st and 20th October 2010 and includes flights with British Airways from Heathrow. Call: 0117 927 2009 and quote ref WWW A0405.

56 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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Wedding planning packages tailored to your exact requirements.

Visit our website at www.getmarriedinfrance.co.uk for more infomation e-mail: getmarriedinfrance@gmail.com tel: 00 33 (0)6 76 73 33 02

Marry on the island of love and be enchanted by the ancient charm of Cyprus – the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love 58 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Be a

Love goddess

A

ccording to Greek Mythology, Aphrodite rose from the waves on the beautiful Cypriot coastline. Legend has it that if you swim around Aphrodite’s rock with a partner you will have everlasting love – so with Aphrodite’s blessing, Cyprus is the perfect place to exchange your vows. It’s also idyllic for those dreaming of cloudless blue skies, the shimmering Mediterranean Sea and stunning settings for their wedding.

Cyprus has much to offer couples wanting to tie the knot in a sunny island location, but who don’t want to travel long-haul to far-flung destinations. One of the benefits is that friends and family can easily fly out and join the celebrations – it’s just a four-and-a-half hour away from London and is serviced by most of the budget airlines and tour operators.

“If you want to push the boat out, you can have a right royal wedding in Cyprus, as did Richard the Lionheart, King of England” Best of all, the Mediterranean climate means you can rely on sunny weather for most of the year. June to September are the hottest and most popular months, however, if you would rather avoid the crowds, then October to May are quieter, and at this time of year the landscape flourishes with a blaze of colourful wild flowers.

Whether you’re getting married for the first time, enjoying a second honeymoon or celebrating your jubilee, the island provides some of the most romantic locations, and can cater for anything from a quiet, intimate gathering to a lavish banquet at a luxury hotel. Cyprus offers excellent value for money and plenty of choice.

If you want to push the boat out, you can have a right royal wedding in Cyprus, as did Richard the Lionheart, King of England, when he married Berengaria of Navarre on the island in the Middle Ages. You can also drink a toast to your future with one of the oldest wines in the world.

Many hotels in Cyprus now have their own wedding chapels, including the colourful little church at the Columbia Beach Resort and the sparkling white traditional church at Anassa, complete with its own courtyard.

There are also many churches, which welcome wedding couples. Most churches cater for both Anglican and Catholic denominations. Wedding ceremonies are conducted in English and their format is similar to the civil marriage ceremony conducted in the UK, on which the Cypriot system is based.

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 59

Legal requirements You can get legally married in Cyprus, but you must make your marriage application in person to the Marriage Officer at the Municipality of your choice after you arrive in Cyprus.

Special Licence You must be resident in Cyprus for three clear working days prior to your wedding day if you apply to the Marriage Officer for the issue of a Special Licence. If you do not apply for the Special Licence you can’t be married until 15 clear days after you submit your Notice of Marriage and you will need to be resident in Cyprus for approximately 20 days. Special Licence fees are CY£165. Normal Licence fees are CY£75.

Certificate of Marriage After your wedding ceremony you will be issued with a Certificate of Marriage. If you require additional certified copies they can be obtained for CY£8. The Marriage Officer will forward a certified copy of your Certificate of Marriage to the embassy or the consulate of your home country.

Religious ceremonies If you are planning a religious ceremony you will also need to contact the Registered Minister of the church where you plan to get married to make the extra arrangements required for a religious ceremony. A Catholic ceremony costs CY £250 and is not legally binding unless you first have a civil wedding ceremony.

If you have an Anglican wedding ceremony you are not required to have a civil wedding ceremony.

Civil ceremonies Civil ceremonies can be conducted in the local town hall of the town where you are staying, in a hotel or in one of Cyprus’s designated civil outdoor wedding venues. You can customise your civil wedding by choosing your own music and readings.

Pic of Anassa, Polis

Wedding planners If you are looking for a wedding planner in Cyprus it is worth contacting a number of companies before deciding which one suits you best.

Here is our recommended selection of wedding planners:

• • • • • • • •

Planet Weddings Paphos Wedding Belles Skarvelis Weddings Paphos Prestige Weddings Elite Weddings Cyprus Paphos Total Weddings Paphos Weddings Made Easy Cyprus Wedding Belles

60 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

www.planetweddings.co.uk www.paphosweddingbelles.co.uk www.skarvelisweddings.com www.paphosprestigeweddins.com www.eliteweddingscyprus.eu www.paphostotalweddings.com www.paphosweddingsmadeasy.com www.cyprusweddingbelles.com

ALL-INCLUSIVE LUXURY WEDDINGS

CYPRUS

5� All-Inclusive Hotel Bride & Groom

£1,439

from per person Including a Religious Ceremony (Civil Ceremony also available)

Guests from £874 per person

4�All-Inclusive Hotel Bride & Groom

from

£1,019

per person

Including a Civil Ceremony (Hotel Chapel also available for a Religious Ceremony at a fee)

Guests from £689 per person SPECIAL OFFERS

•Book 10 full-paying guests - get FREE brides bouquet worth £72 •Book 16 full-paying guests - get FREE photography, worth £220 •Book 24 full-paying guests - get a FREE half-hour DVD of your wedding, worth £284 •Book 36 full-paying guests - get FREE photography and DVD that's a saving of £504 In addition to weddings, we also provide Blessing and Vow renewal packages

� For brochures Email:

sales@cyplon.co.uk

91202952

V5573

891

FREEPHONE : 0800 074 8888

Your perfect venue Best for SOPHISTICATION Anassa***** Polis Anassa means ‘Queen’ in ancient Greek, and you will feel like royalty if you select to get married at this majestic property, which is designed in the style of a Cypriot village complete with wedding chapel. The hotel’s luxurious facilities include four outstanding restaurants, indoor and outdoor pool and the Thalassa Spa, which offers pre-wedding pampering for the bridal couple.

Wedding package: Anassa offers the perfect backdrop for your wedding, with lavender bordered paths and scarlet bougainvillea. It caters for all celebations – from a gala banquet for 100 or more to a candlelit dinner for two. The Wedding Package (€850) includes: room upgrade; welcome fruit, flowers and Champagne; bouquet; cake for ten people; candlelit dinner for two on your balcony; Honeymoon Breakfast in your room; make-up and hairstyling for bride; minifacial for the groom.

BOOK IT! Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons offers readers 7 nights on room and breakfast basis at Anassa, in a garden view room, including flights with British Airways from Gatwick with private transfers to the resort and an airport lounge in the UK. Prices for November 2010 from £1,135 per person based on two sharing.

Wedding packages are priced separately. Book now: 0117 927 2009 www.worldwidew eddingsmagazine.com

Best POOLSIDE LOCATION Columbia Beach***** Pissouri With its 80 metre lagoon-shaped pool sweeping through the charming Cypriot village-style hotel, the Columbia Beach Resort is a beautiful place to hold your wedding. It nestles at the heart of picturesque Pissouri Bay, with its spectacular two-kilometre beach. Its award-winning Columbia Spa and health club offers many treatments to pamper bride and groom.

BOOK IT! Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons offers readers 7 nights on room and breakfast basis at Columbia Beach Resort, in a garden view junior suite, including flights with British Airways from Gatwick with private transfers to the resort and an airport lounge in the UK. Prices for November 2010 from £819 per person based on two sharing. Wedding packages are priced separately. Book now: 0117 927 2009 www.worldwi deweddingsmagazine.com

Wedding Packages The resort’s dedicated Wedding Team are on hand to offer impeccable service and exceptional food, starting from your ceremony at the cute little wedding Chapel to the cocktail reception and your gala dinner. The Wedding Package includes: Room upgrade; Welcome fruit, flowers and a bottle of ‘Columbia Brut’; Candlelit dinner for two; Honeymoon Breakfast in your room the day after your wedding; Rose petals in your suite; Spa packages for the bride and groom. Traditional Cypriot Meze starats at €34. Venue hire prices range from €350 - €2,000.

Best for TRENDY CHIC Almyra***** Paphos Cool brides looking for a contemporary venue will love the stylish Almyra resort. Set in fragrant, landscaped gardens with uninterrupted views of the harbour, and within walking distance of the town, the hotel’s design incorporates water features and black slate to add drama. The Almyra Spa offers organic therapies and couples treatments for the wedding party.

Wedding packages The wedding team at Almyra can arrange anything from a gala banquet for 100 to an intimate candlelit dinner for two. The Wedding Package (€500) includes: room upgrade; welcome drink; fruit basket in room; 10 per cent discount on spa treatments; ceremony venue; a bottle of sparkling wine; cake and Champagne Breakfast after the wedding.

62 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

BOOK IT! Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons offers readers 7 nights on room and breakfast basis at Almyra, in an inland garden view room, including flights with British Airways from Gatwick with private transfers to the resort and an airport lounge in the UK. Prices for November 2010 from £635 per person based on two sharing. Wedding packages are priced separately. Book now: 0117 927 2009. www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Best for GOLF LOVERS InterContinental Aphrodite Hills ***** Paphos Brides looking for the ultimate romantic venue for their big day and couples who hope to play a round or two of golf during their wedding moon should look no further than the InterContinental Aphrodite Hills Resort, situated on a hillside overlooking the exact spot where Aphrodite is said to have emerged from the sea. The resort is famed for its 18-hole championship golf course, which chases through dramatic ravines and olive groves.

Wedding packages Couples can choose from several venues to exchange their vows, from the resort’s own traditional chapel to the more contemporary setting of the Clubhouse. The resort’s Wedding Team will take care of the details and decorate your chosen venue exquisitely, using the skills of the in-house florist to arrange flowers and bouquets. There’s a great choice of reception venues too, including the Grand Ballroom, for up to 450 guests.

Prices from £1005.

BOOK IT! Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons offers readers 7 nights on room and breakfast basis at the InterContinental Aphrodite Hills, in a deluxe garden pool room, including flights with British Airways from Gatwick with private transfers to the resort and an airport lounge in the UK. Prices for November 2010 from £945 per person based on two sharing. Wedding packages are priced separately. Book now: 0117 927 2009 www.worldwidew eddingsmagazine.com

Best BEACH IN CYPRUS Nissi Beach**** Ayia Napa Situated in the popular resort of Ayia Napa, the Nissi Beach Resort enjoys a prime position beside one of the finest beaches in Cyprus – famed for its soft white sands and clear waters. The hotel nestles within lush, tropical gardens, which are home to the friendly resident pelicans, which of course makes a beautiful setting for those all-important wedding photographs.

Wedding package Whether you’re having a small, intimate wedding or a grand celebration, the resort can cater for your dream wedding. You are in good hands with the hotel’s experienced Wedding Team. The Wedding package includes: Champagne on arrival; fruit & flowers in the room; Champagne Breakfast in bed; candlelit dinner; for parties of 10 rooms and over, a free upgrade for the wedding couple; 15 per cent discount on selected beauty treatments; Personal Wedding Co-ordinator. Prices start at €45 per person for a buffet.

For a private party at a beach venue there will be a €500 area fee. www.nissi-beach.com

Best WEDDING CHAPEL Four Seasons ***** Limassol This beautiful resort balances classical with contemporary design, while outside, palm trees fringe the main lagoon pool and a private golden sandy beach. A range of superb restaurants offer a wide choice of international cuisine, from gourmet Greek to Far Eastern favourites, and the Zen-inspired Shiseido Spa offers everything from massage to thalassotherapy.

Wedding packages

BOOK IT!

The Four Seasons’ wonderful St George’s Chapel is based on traditional Orthodox design but offers a unique setting for Catholic and Anglican wedding ceremonies and blessings. It has seating for 10 people and space for a further 25. Receptions can be arranged on the lawns in front of the chapel. The Wedding package includes: welcome wine, fruit, flowers and chocolates in your room; Champagne in your roomt; wedding gift; Champagne Breakfast in bed ; candlelit dinner with wine for bride and groom.

Prices from £1059

Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons offers readers 7 nights on room and breakfast basis at the Four Seasons Hotel Beach Resort, in a superior inland view room, including flights with British Airways from Gatwick with private transfers to the resort and an airport lounge in the UK. Prices for November 2010 from £819 per person based on two sharing. Wedding packages are priced separately.

Book now: 0117 927 2009 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 63

Best VALUE FOR MONEY Anais Bay Hotel *** Protaras If you are looking to keep the budget down, but want a traditionally Cypriot location, the Anais Bay is a three-star family-run hotel with a high standard of service. It is built in the traditional Cypriot way with stone and wood and is located on the beautiful sandy beach of Pernera, Protaras in Cyprus, and is only an hour’s drive from Larnaca International Airport. It’s a good all-rounder, without breaking the bank.

Wedding package The Anais Bay’s wedding co-ordinator will help and advise you on every detail of your wedding from your flower decoration and wedding cake through to the reception. Your civil ceremony can take place in Paralimni Town Hall or in Ayia Napa’s 15th Century Venetian Monastery.

Couples booking a minimum of seven nights’ accommodation at the hotel and the Symposium Restaurant for their reception will receive the following complimentary extras: Sea view room in top floor; local Champagne, fruits and flowers in the room; airport transfers; late check-out if needed (subject to availability); Champagne breakfast in the room after the wedding day. A selection of menus are on offer with prices starting from €30 per person including welcome Champagne cocktail. www.anaisbay.com.

Best ON A BUDGET Cynthiana Hotel *** Paphos The Cynthiana Beach Hotel is an exquisite three-star hotel that doesn’t compromise on facilities. It is in one of the most unique and beautiful locations of Paphos, offering a choice of both rocky and sandy beaches. The hotel is within easy reach of bustling Kato Paphos, with its picturesque fishing harbour, the medieval fort and some of the most fascinating ruins and archeological sites on the island of Cyprus.

Wedding packages Whether you choose a grand reception or intimate dinner you have the choice of the luscious outdoor setting or indoor private function rooms. The Cynthiana Beach offers exceptional food and a variety of beverages for any size of wedding. The hotel offers a complimentary suite upgrade for the bride and groom and the services of a personal wedding co-ordinator.

Decoration of wedding area including white roses, ribbons and balloons, price €300; chair covers with bow ties, €6 each; room hire, €250; Live music or disco for three-to-four hours, €400. A vast selection of menus is available with prices starting at €27 per person.

An additional charge of €7 per person will apply for less than 40 people www.cynthianahotel.com.

64 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Reader OFFERS

with Worldwide WEDDINGS & Honeymoons

5★ Le Meridien Limassol Spa and Resort, Cyprus Double Gardenview Room 7 nights RB From £995 per person (applies to departures 04, 06, 10, 11 & 13 October 2010) INCLUDES A FREE NIGHT Tour Ref: KE2518 Flights based on Cyprus Airways from Stanstead.

Includes private transfers and executive lounge passes BOOK IT!

0117 927 2009

5★ Elysium Cyprus Deluxe Inland View Room 7 nights RB From £1139*per person (*applies to departures 29 Sep 04, 06, 10, 11 & 13 Oct 2010) Tour Ref: KE2480 Flights based on Cyprus Airways from Stanstead.

Includes private transfers and executive lounge passes HONEYMOON OFFER Complimentary sparkling wine on arrival and upgrade to the next room category (excludes Royal studios, Royal garden villas and Suites).

BOOK IT!

0117 927 2009 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 65

Price is

the

Right

Whether you are feeling flush or frugal, you want your wedding to be perfect. And if your heart is set on tying the knot overseas, we have wedding ideas to suit all budgets – even if you don’t have a millionaire daddy to pick up the bill!

O

verseas weddings offer every possibility under the sun, so you can tailor your perfect wedding to your wildest dreams – as well as your budget.

FLUSH

+ £ 0 0 , 0 5 t e Budg

White WEDDING If you want to feel literally on top of the world when you marry, then take a helicopter flight to the Liebig Dome Snowfield in New Zealand and take your vows surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains and glaciers, including Mount Cook. At just £3,762 per couple it’s a snip! Price includes the wedding planning, transport to the legal office in Christchurch and the celebrant fee. The wedding package includes an aromatherapy or Champs-Elysees massage – a couples’ massage in which the bride and groom are pampered side by side to relax them in preparation for their big day. The couple will then enjoy a night’s accommodation in the luxury Aoraki Wing at The Hermitage Hotel, with dinner in the award-winning Panorama Restaurant and breakfast the next morning. Six guests can accompany you to the summit (at an additional cost). Flights to New Zealand start at around £736 per person with Singapore Airlines. www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 67

Divani Apollon

+ £ 0 0 , 0 5 t e g Bud

African SAFARI 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’d 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. Sabi 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 hire 15 local Shangaan dancers, drummers and the local choir. www.sabisabi.com

+ £ 0 0 , 0 0 1 t Budge

Billionaire ISLAND Everyone has heard of Richard Branson, arguably Britain’s most famous billionaire, but few have heard of Necker Island, his private Carib – but be warned, it doesn’t come cheap! However, it’s well worth digging deeper into your pockets as you’ll get a unique wedding totally personalised to your own wishes. You can let your imagination run riot, as staff on the island delight in pulling off the seemingly impossible!

Get ready to p include accommodation, all meals and drinks, superb wines and champagne and a team of 60 attentive staff. www.neckerisland.com 68

Fiji FESTIVITIES Exchange your vows in the exotic South Pacific at the heavenly Fiji resort, The Wakaya Club & Spa, where Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates spent his honeymoon and where staff outnumber guests 12-1.You can opt for a romantic church wedding in a small white church with a steeple and stained glass windows, or alternatively go for an exotic ceremony where the bride is transported from her beach front bure (thatched hut with a private garden) on a sedan chair carried by four Fijian ‘warriors’ to join her groom, who awaits under a floral archway on the beach.

The marriage is recognised internationally and the all-inclusive rate (from £4,600) covers the marriage license, the wedding site, transportation, floral decoration and bouquet, the ceremony, a Fijian choir, two Fijian flower girls, champagne reception, gourmet dinner, wedding cake and the Wakaya Island Band. Wakaya Club and Spa is also ideal for honeymoons, but paradise will cost you between £1,200 and £4,300 a night for a minimum of five nights. www.wakaya.com/romance/weddings

+ £ 0 0 , 0 0 1 Budget

FRUGAL Big APPLE Sex in the City put New York on the map for romance. So follow in SJP’s fabulous footsteps and get hitched in the Big Apple. The recession has bitten hard in New York, so there are bargains to be found in the city that never sleeps – with world-famous hotels, such as the Waldorf Astoria dropping room rates from £188 to just £123. It’s a great time to take advantage of the low prices for your wedding plans.

Central Park’s 843 acres offers romantic and idyllic locations for wedding ceremonies and photography, of which the most popular is the Conservatory Garden, located at Fifth Avenue and 105th Street. The six-acre garden is made up of three smaller gardens, each with its own particular charm. Extensive displays of flowers, shrubs and trees are in bloom from early spring through to late October. Ceremonies require permits from the Central Park Conservancy, which cost $400 – approximately £250. There is an additional fee of $100 for photography, and wedding parties are limited to 100 people.

Flights are equally competitive, starting from as little as £220 per person. www.centralparknyc.org/site/ PageNavigator/events_weddings

Budget

less than

£1,500

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 69

Budget

less than

£2,000 Magical

VIENNA Book budget flights to Vienna (prices start at £26, one-way with easyJet) for a magical wedding.

Situated in Burggarten Park, the garden of the former Imperial Palace, The Butterfly House is one of Vienna’s finest Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) buildings. The wedding ceremony takes place in the Glass House, amid a tropical atmosphere of animals, plants and waterfalls. An hour before the ceremony the humidity is reduced to make the climate more agreeable. If the weather is fine tables can be set up in front of the Butterfly House and wedding guests served with sparkling wine and canapés. Wedding ceremonies can be held on weekdays from 5pm and on Saturdays from 9am, with a maximum of 50 standing guests. The cost of a wedding starts at £1,700 and includes the wedding ceremony, venue hire, wedding planning service and even flowers for the bridal table. A further fee can be paid for extras including a longer time at the venue, catering, your wedding cake and a horse and carriage. www.theweddingplanner.at

My big, fat GREEK WEDDING

Budget 70 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

less than

£2,000

Be inspired by Mamma Mia with a beautiful, sun-drenched wedding in Greece. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that a big, fat Greek wedding does not necessarily require a big, fat chequebook! Ionian Island Holidays offers a wedding package fee of £500, with complimentary wedding cake included. You’ll need to pay extra for the translation of legal certificates and documentation, but you will be surprised by the low cost of the accommodation and hospitality once you’re there. The spring and early summer months of May and June are considered the best time of year to exchange vows when the weather is lovely and warm, but not too hot. You will also have the added benefit of spring flowers as a beautiful backdrop for your photographs. Your wedding location is entirely up to you – hold your ceremony on the beach, in a garden, at a taverna or the local Town Hall.

The local mayor performs ceremonies. www.ionianislandholidays.com

001—619—563—0017

www.southerncrossclub.com info@southerncrossclub.com

www.honeymoonworld.tv 47

Dubai for Middle Eastern Promises

If you want a glamorous wedding then look no further than glitzy Dubai!

72 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

M

any couples are finding that the thought of a chilly British wedding leaves them cold, so they are heading off to hotter climes and the Arabian sunshine to Dubai to create the ultimate bespoke wedding packages.

Just a six-hour journey is all that separates British wedding parties from guaranteed sunshine and, with direct flights now available from many UK airports, Dubai has become the most convenient luxury wedding and honeymoon destination.

This world-class city offers a one-stop-shop for the bride and groom. Every aspect of planning your big day is catered for – from finding the

perfect dress to choosing the venue; Dubai offers everything in luxurious abundance. And with the strength of the pound in the UAE compared to the Euro you get more ‘bang for your buck’ – another good reason to consider Dubai!

Why Dubai?

Dubai is fast becoming a number one destination for wedding parties and honeymooners, due to the sheer luxury and activities on offer – from world-class shopping, renowned international restaurants and pampering spas for the bridal party to sporting activities, including water sport and even snow skiing!

Depending on our religious denomination, the first step to getting married inn Dubai is to choose a church and minister for authentication, both must be recognised and registered at the Dubai Courts.

Your Wedding Planner or tour operator Wedding Team will be able to advise you.

Documents you need • • • • •

Passport Birth certificate Divorce decree if applicable A certificate of no impediment (no objection) is generally required by most embassies – fees vary Both parties must complete standard forms provided by the church

Wedding planners www.marriagement.com www.dubaiwed.com

Conrad Maldives www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 73

The Royal Meridien Beach Resort

74 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Grand Water Villa

S

ituated along the golden sands of the famous Jumeirah strip, overlooking the clear blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa is one of Dubai’s most premier resorts and an inspirational location for your wedding.

The resort offers an ideal wedding venue for couples looking for that extra special experience. And with a dedicated team and a dazzling array of options, no detail is left unaccounted for.

The special in-house team is experienced at providing event management to the highest standard and utilizing the resort’s many spectacular focal points and amenities to create the perfect ambience and setting for a dream wedding.

The poolside gardens provide a sensational wedding backdrop. The balmy atmosphere and picturesque scenery guarantee an unforgettable experience and perfect

wedding photographs! With the ability to accommodate between 30 and 1,500 guests, the celebrations can be as intimate or grand as you want.

Alternatively, the hotel’s four stunning private dining rooms can be transformed according to your specifications and can hold between 20 and 150 guests, with floor to ceiling windows offering breathtaking views over the Arabian Gulf.

Ready to unwind After the excitement of your big day you and your guests will be more than ready to relax and unwind. A stay at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa can take you from your dream wedding straight to your perfect honeymoon.

With contemporary classic-designed bedrooms offering the ultimate in comfort and elegance, and with a choice of 14 world-class restaurants and lounge bars, the wedding party will be luxuriously catered for.

Superb spa Couples looking for the ultimate pampering Beach Villa experience, both before and after the nuptials, can retreat to the Roman-inspired Caracalla spa, situated across three floors of the hotel. It offers a tailor-made service to ensure total relaxation and invigoration, with five Hammam pools, sauna, steam room and a full range of spa treatments.

BOOK IT Stay four nights at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai in a Deluxe Seaview Room B&B between 4th-13th October 2010 from £985 per person and save up to £323 per couple. Price includes flights with Virgin from Heathrow. Honeymooners will receive a room upgrade to the next availab le category, subject to availability, sparkling wine, cake and flowers. Call: 0117 927 2009 and quote ref: WWW DX2038

One & Only Royal Mirage

C

onsidered one of Dubai’s most stylish beach resorts, One & Only Royal Mirage is set within a 65-acre estate of lush landscaped gardens overlooking Palm Island Bay in the bustling heart of ‘new Dubai’ along a kilometre stretch of private coastline.

One & Only Royal Mirage is an ultra-glitzy setting for your destination wedding and romantic honeymoon. It consists of three equally distinctive properties: The Palace, the Arabian Court and the Residence & Spa, all offering the magic of Arabia with understated elegance and exclusive charm, plus superb accommodation and world-class dining experiences.

Arabian weddings The Palace, with its 246 rooms and suites,

is the largest of the three properties and is popular with families because of its excellent facilities including swimming pools, water sports centre, tennis courts, golf putting green and ‘Kids only’ club. However, it is 76 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

ideal for weddings too – its Royal Ballroom can cater for wedding parties of up to 350 guests.

In contrast, The Arabian Court, an ancient dwelling with 162 charismatic guest rooms and 10 suites, is illusive, mysterious and designed with dramatic architecture. It is set amidst a landscape of fountains, walkways and lush gardens and offers a more dramatic wedding venue, featuring Al Koufa, an Arabian Fortress, and a spectacular outdoor ‘amphitheatre’ catering for up to 300 wedding guests.

Honeymoon haven The Residence & Spa belongs to the ‘Leading Small Hotels of the World’ association, and is an exclusive, intimate sanctuary, which is ideal for honeymooners. The Arabian-style private residences of 18 suites and 32 Prestige rooms all face the sea and are cared for by a dedicated team. An elegant private Garden Villa, set in a secluded part of the resort, offers the ultimate in luxury and privacy for honeymooners.

Wedding pampering Wedding parties can prepare for the big day, or unwind and be pampered after the celebrations at the resort’s magnificent spa, set on two levels of a freestanding building, with towering domes and carved arches – it’s a temple of well-being, set amidst palm trees and water fountains.

On the upper floor, a beauty spa offers ladies, gentlemen and couples treatments, whilst on the lower floor an authentic Oriental hammam offers the opportunity to enjoy the traditional hamman, which has long played a part in the cultural life of eastern cities. There’s also a hair salon and fitness centre to ensure you look your absolute best on your wedding day.

BOOK IT Stay four nights at The Palace at One & Only Royal Mirage in Dubai in a Deluxe Room B&B between 12th and 21st October 2010 from £1,725 per person and save up to £50 per couple.

Price includes flights with Virgin from Heathrow.

Call: 0117 927 2009 and quote ref: WWW KU9910

Desert Palm

J

oin the elite international polo set and stay in stylish luxury, away from the towering skyscrapers and hustle and bustle of Dubai. The Desert Palm is a chic, understated boutique hotel set in the graceful, manicured surroundings of a private polo estatel, which basks easily in the desert landscape to provide a refreshing, avant-garde contrast to the conventional flamboyance of downtown Dubai.

The resort, which is owned by Per Aquum, is situated just minutes from Dubai, in landscaped gardens with an infinity pool and spectacular views of the Dubai skyline. You can take the opportunity to try your hand at polo, the millionaires’ sport as there are four polo fields and a riding school, with stabling for more than 300 horses.

The tranquil retreat is intimate and ideal for weddings and honeymoons, featuring 26 naturally modern guestrooms and villas with superb restaurants offering outstanding culinary delights.

Chic weddings Desert Palm provides the perfect setting for an Über-stylish outdoor wedding reception, hosted to your specifications for up to 200 people in the verdant surroundings of Desert Palm.

Your dream wedding will be tailor-made by the resort’s highly experienced event planner, Bernice Henderson.

Perfect relaxation in the spa Bride, groom and their guests can be pampered, indulged and groomed for their big day in LIME spa, with couples treatments and spa therapies including Colour Therapy, using the first Halal certified spa products, which are also 100 per cent organic. There is also an extensive wet area, ‘Sublime’ featuring steam, sauna, Colour Therapy showers, ice plunge and heated beds. After the wedding, it’s an ideal place for chilling and recharging the batteries.

BOOK IT Call: - Carrier 0117 927 2009

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 77

l a d Bri ir ha road ab

Top tips to

esses

t

al tr d i r b e s o h ame t

Flying away for your wedding doesn’t mean settling for flyaway hair – or for a hairdo that looks more Bad Hair Day than Wedding Day. Fortunately Nicola Hulatt, wedding hair specialist with Westrow in Leeds, is here to guide you through the pitfalls. www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 79

G

etting married overseas can cause some problems when planning your bridal look. When you get married in the UK, you’d generally have several hair and makeup trials before choosing a look that you like. A wedding abroad is not quite that simple.

Wedding packages from a travel company or a wedding coordinator usually organise hair appointments for the day of the wedding, but it can be quite a daunting prospect to put your hair in the hands of a total stranger on the most important day of your life. If you are not prepared, the consequences can be disastrous! Book a trail a few days before to meet your stylist and if you decide that you really don’t like what your stylist has created then you have time to work things out.

The solution to stopping yourself from going crazy picturing your frizzy bridal mop is to plan ahead as much as possible.

6 months You probably decided on your dress a while ago – now it’s time to start thinking about your hair • Look at bridal books for inspiration • Start thinking about the colour of your hair.

(Keep it the same? Go lighter or darker?)

• Keep up with the condition and look after your hair to get shine and gloss

4 months

• Decide on the type of look you’d like to go for • Look at hair accessories that you may like to

Trace the Trends Generally there are two main types of wedding hair: Elegant – Sleek buns, chignons and pleats; Natural Romantic – Soft natural waves, loose or pinned up.

Go DIY Both trends are achievable by doing it yourself. The best advice is to go to a salon and have a trial with a hairstylist – even though they are not doing it on the day they can teach you some quick techniques to do your hair with ease!

There are items available on the high street to help you create a bolder shape, like heated rollers, wavers and tongs.

For bigger, glamorous hair use a doughnut (a foam ring) which is easily placed over a ponytail. You can wrap the hair around the ring for a sleek, classic bun. For a shabby, undone romantic look, curl the hair first and then pin the curls randomly over the ring until it is covered. You can also adjust the bun from central to the side, which makes it look a little more informal.

People with fine hair can add some volume with temporary hair extensions that clip in. They are a great way of boosting volume.

These would need to be cut by a stylist to make the shape fit with your haircut. The fantastic thing about extensions is that they can be curled prior to clipping them in. It’s extremely easy, but practice first.

use i.e. hair band, tiara, flower etc.

3 months • Buy the items that you may need for your hair i.e., hair accessories, doughnut, hair wefts

• Book a trial with a UK stylist (very useful for getting ideas.

Maybe do a series of step-by-step photos to give to your hairdresser abroad to follow, or recreate it yourself) • Carry on with the healthy hair regime

2 months Make sure that you have all the products that you need – hairspray, mousse, shine spray – to re-create the look or ask your stylist to write down what products were used if you have a stylist abroad. Most importantly, get a sun protective shampoo and conditioner (the condition of your hair can deteriorate rapidly when exposed to sun, sea and chlorine).

1 month to departure • • • •

Have a hair and beauty checklist for packing Make sure that your hair colour is fresh and you have no roots Have a light trim to keep the hair looking at its best Don’t forget your step-by-step photographs!

Hair tips Looks in the UK can be very different to the trends in the Caribbean or Indian Ocean, partly due to native hair types and traditions but also the fashion trends that are popular in that area. Have a trial with a UK stylist and take photographs – these are easy to show your stylist abroad and avoid language barrier problems.

Check out what’s included in your wedding package with the travel company. If you plan to do your own hair you can generally cut the costs of hair and makeup if you want to save £££.

Think about the heat and time of day you’ll be getting married. If you want to wear your hair down but it’s hot and humid the chances are that it could get stuck down flat to your head or go frizzy in the heat.

Go with what suits you – if you’re used to having hair around your face, don’t scrape it back to copy a trend and vice versa, after all you’ll want to look back at the pictures and recognise yourself!

Book a wedding hair consultation with Nicola Hulatt www.westrow-hair.com

80 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Star Products Kerastase Masque UV Défense Active (£25.30)

Kerastase Bain Après-Soleil (£14.30)

Beautify sun damaged hair with this after sun conditioning treatment that replenishes dry hair, especially in areas that need it most.

Luxurious after-sun formula shampoo prevents chlorine and salt build up and leaves coloured hair looking radiant.

Kerastase Soleil Micro Voile Protector (£17.90)

L’Oreal Techni Art Fix Anti Frizz (£8.50)

This light, leave in protection spray has a new active formula to help protect hair against the damaging effects of the sun, sea and chlorine.

Designed to defend the hair against humidity, L’Oreal tecni.art Fix Anti Frizz Spray gives firm hold as well as smooth and controlled hair from the very first application! It also has a formula containing a UV filter to protect your hair from the sun.

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 81

W

orldwide Weddings & Honeymoons editor Terri Cody-Owen was a ‘mature bride’ when she married her Mr Right last year. Determined to look as fresh faced as possible she opted for a course of non-invasive lunchtime treatments to restore lost youth.

Terri says:

“

The secret is to plan a programme of treatments well ahead of the booking, so I booked appointments for Restylane® fillers that were perfectly timed to give me the best results in time for my big day.

Beautiful lunch break

Secret of

ETERNAL YOUTH

T

Look radiant on your big day with beauty boosting fillers for tired skin oday’s blushing brides come in all shapes, sizes and ages. There was a time when if you weren’t married by 30 you were ‘on the shelf’. Whew!

Thankfully that’s all changed, as older brides around the world are saying ‘I do’ and looking just as fresh and beautiful as women half their age

What’s the secret?

The best kept secret of those in the know is Restylane Vital® and Restylane Light® fillers – a non-surgical skin revitalisation treatment which delivers deep dermal hydration, moisturising from within and visibly improving the skin’s smoothness and elasticity to keep it looking hydrated and glowing throughout the Big Day and beyond.

How does it work?

The treatment involves a series of micro-injections of pure hyaluronic acid gel over two to three sessions. You already have hyaluronic acid (HA) in your skin, which is important for a healthy, hydrated complexion, but this becomes less efficient as your skin ages. Restylane® works by giving nature a helping hand, stimulating collagen production and improving the elasticity and condition of your skin. It can be used as a skin booster for the mid to lower face and to smooth and hydrate the backs of hands and décolletage. Restylane Lipp® is a modified version of Restylane Vital®, designed specifically to create beautifully shaped lips by plumping them up to give volume and natural fullness, ensuring that they are soft and kissable for that all-important first kiss.

Further Information A course of three Restylane Vital treatments costs in the region of £450. The benefits last around six-nine months and can be maintained by repeat treatment once or twice a year. Restylane Lipp starts from £400.

Fiona & Marie’s Aesthetics Ltd. 121 Harley Street, London W1G 6AX. Tel: 020 7487 3032. www.fionamarie.co.uk For your nearest Restylane clinic log on to www.restylane.co.uk or email: info.uk@q.med or call: 0800 015 554

In search of full lips, youthful hands and a radiant complexion I made my way to Fiona & Marie’s Facial Aesthetics clinic in London’s Harley Street for a course of Restylane® treatments three months before my wedding. Fiona & Marie Aesthetics is a discreet and friendly medi-clinic, which is highly recommended by Restylane® for its excellent results and customer care.

Wedding treatments I had a course of three treatments, administered by Marie, over a two-month period, incorporating both Restylane Lipp® to give my lips volume and shape and Restylane Vital® to boost the hydration of my hands and lower face. The treatments comprise a number of very fine micro-injections of the fillers, administered over lunch-time sessions, three weeks apart.

Does it hurt?

Marie applied a local anaesthetic cream to my face and hands half-an-hour before my treatment and a dental bloc was used to numb my lips, so there was only the minimal discomfort. The procedure is quick, and well worth it when you see the final results! Occasionally there may be some injection-related redness, swelling and bruising at the injection site, however this typically disappears within a few days of treatment.

Good results?

I was delighted! My skin looked bright and hydrated and visibly more youthful. Hands are a real tell-tale sign of ageing, and mine had now lost that dry, veiny appearance and were plumped and healthy looking, ready to go on view for bridal duties like exchanging rings and cutting the cake. My lips were even, plumped and kissable ready to seal the big day with a kiss!”

Why should I look like this?

When inside I feel like this?

Nowadays, getting older doesn’t have to mean looking older.

With RestylaneÂŽ you can improve the condition and appearance of your skin boosting glow and lustre. Restylane gets to the heart of ageing skin; restoring lost volume to provide youthful shape to your face, banishing niggling lines and imperfections, to refresh your looks naturally.

So if you want to look how you feel and surgery seems a step too far, turn to Restylane. The filler that is tried, tested, trusted.

To find out more visit our website.

Restylane is a trademark owned by Q-Med AB

www.restylane.co.uk

Koh Lanta : Krabi : Thailand e-mail: reservation@pimalai.com

www.pimalai.com

Planning Guide 86

Weather permitting Don’t let your wedding day be a wash out with our worldwide weather guide

90

Pop the question Our expert wedding planners answer your most frequently asked questions

92

Legally yours Documentation, residency terms – don’t get caught out by a legal technicality!

96

Wedding countdown Our twelve-month wedding checklist for your big day

98

Perfect planning Enjoy your day and let the professional wedding planners take care of the details

100 A family affair

A romantic wedding for two or a full family celebration?

You decide!

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

Best for November-April • Caribbean • Mexico • Thailand • Australia & New Zealand • Maldives • South Africa • Dubai • European ski destinations

86 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

January

February

Hot Spots

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

Hot Spots

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

Cool & Chilled

Canada, European Alps, Iceland, Scandinavia, USA

Cool & Chilled

Canada, European Alps, Iceland, Scandinavia, USA

Something Different

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

Something Different

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

Jungle & Safari

Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Jungle & Safari

Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Avoid!

Alaska, Borneo

Avoid

Alaska

www.goha

waii.com

March

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

Hot Spots

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

Hot Spots

Cool & Chilled

Canada, USA, European Alps, Scandinavia, Iceland

Cool & Chilled

European Alps, Scandinavia

Something Different

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

Something Different

Argentina, Egypt, Hong Kong, India

Jungle & Safari

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

Jungle & Safari

Avoid

Alaska

Avoid

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

Alaska, Kenya, Tanzania

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 87

June

May 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

HOT SPOTS

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, Iceland

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, New Zealand

Something Different

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

Something Different

Peru, France, Scandinavia, Scotland, Ireland

Jungle & Safari

Belize, Borneo, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia

Jungle & Safari

Borneo, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia

Avoid

Caribbean, Cuba, Kenya, Maldives, Tanzania

Avoid

Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, Egypt, Maldives

k

thailand.co.u

www.tourism

August

July HOT SPOTS

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

HOT SPOTS

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

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, New Zealand

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, New Zealand

Something Different

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

Something Different

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

Jungle & Safari

Borneo, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia

Jungle & Safari

Borneo, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia

Avoid

Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, Egypt

Avoid

Beliza, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dubai, Egypt

88 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

October

September HOT SPOTS

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

HOT SPOTS

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

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, New Zealand

Cool & Chilled

Canada, USA

Something Different

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

Something Different

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

Jungle & Safari

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

Jungle & Safari

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

Avoid

Belize, Caribbean, Cuba, Costa Rica

Avoid

Alaska, Belize, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Cuba

m.org

nkatouris

www.srila

December

November HOT SPOTS

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

HOT SPOTS

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

Cool & Chilled

Canada, Scandinavia, USA

Cool & Chilled

Canada, European Alps, Scandinavia, USA

Something Different

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

Something Different

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

Jungle & Safari

Belize, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Jungle & Safari

Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa,Tanzania,

Avoid

Alaska, Borneo

Avoid

Alaska, Borneo

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 89

POP

the

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

How much will it cost?

The facts...

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.

Where can I get married abroad?

The legals...

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.

90 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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?

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, 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.

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 adults-only 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 Weddings & Honeymoons Wedding Planning Team on: 0117 927 2009

Legally yours!

Don’t let your dream wedding turn into a legal nightmare! Follow our simple guide to ďŹ nding marital bliss on foreign shores

92 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Y

ou may dream of getting hitched on a Maldives sandbank, but did you know that such a wedding ceremony is not legally binding?

On the other hand, a spur of the moment marriage in a Las Vegas wedding chapel, whilst under the influence of one two many cocktails could be a very costly mistake as you call in the divorce lawyers! So, if you are planning to have a destination wedding, check your facts before you fly!

Before you are carried away with plans of an exotic wedding in a far-flung location, do your homework and find out the legal requirements of each country. We take a look at some of the most popular wedding destinations to establish what paperwork or legal requirements you need to complete.

Don’t be put off. It’s time well spent! With a little pre-planning you could have a truly unique wedding, which may save you time and money rather than opting for a wedding ceremony on home turf. Happy planning...

ITALY The Italian law states that civil weddings must be performed in a town hall or a property purchased by the local government only. However, most town halls are located in historical buildings, unique palaces, villas and manor houses, which are charming settings for a wedding. The ceremony lasts around 30 minutes and is conducted in Italian by the Civil Registrar. An interpreter will be provided during the ceremony. It’s also worth noting that, according to Italian law, a divorced woman or widow cannot remarry unless 300 days have passed from the date of the Decree Absolute or decease of the previous spouse, and documented proof has to be supplied. You must also supply the Nulla Osta, a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI), which you can get from your nearest British consulate.

If you wish to have a Roman Catholic ceremony, the church will automatically register the wedding with the Italian authorities and a civil wedding is not required. However, the Catholic Church will not marry a divorcee.

FRANCE The French Government requires that certain criteria be met before couples marry there.

Religious ceremonies are not recognised as legally official in France and it is therefore necessary for both locals and visitors to conduct a civil marriage beforehand. For most couples, a registry office at home followed by a church service or non-religious blessing in France is the best option. If you’re marrying in France you may need a Certificate of Custom Law (certificat de coutume) – consult the local Mairie for this. You’ll need to send both original and copies of your official documents to the

British consulate, but allow plenty of time as they will acknowledge the receipt within 20 days and then send your application to the embassy in Paris, who will issue you with a certificate.The certificate will be in French and valid for six months prior to your marriage. This complex process costs £63.

For more information contact your local Mairie or visit: www.fco.gov.uk

CYPRUS You can legally get married in Cyprus but you must make your marriage application in person to the Marriage Officer at the Municipality of your choice after you arrive in Cyprus. You must be resident in Cyprus for three working days prior to your wedding day to obtain a Special Licence, which costs approximately £250. If you do not apply for

the Special Licence your marriage cannot be celebrated until 15 days after you submit your Notice of Marriage, and you will need to be resident in Cyprus for approximately 20 days. You need to take original documents including full birth certificates, Ten-year passports (with at least six months validity remaining), Sworn Affidavits to say you’re free to marry, Notice of Marriage, a baptism certificate (for church weddings) and a Decree Absolute if you are divorced.

If you’re having a religious ceremony, a Catholic ceremony is not legally binding unless you first have a civil wedding ceremony, but this is not the case with an Anglican wedding ceremony. Detailed information may be obtained directly from any Municipality or from the Union of Cyprus Municipalities. www.ucm.org.cy www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 93

LAS VEGAS

THAILAND

MALDIVES

Las Vegas is a city made for wild weddings: an energetic adult’s playground, it boasts some of the most spectacular hotels, shops and restaurants in the world. From formal black-tie affairs to renewing vows in front of a rhinestone-studded Elvis impersonator, more than 122,000 couples obtain marriage licenses each year in Las Vegas, making it the marriage capital of the world. You don’t need to have blood tests and you don’t have to wait – you can marry immediately. The legal age is 18 for both men and women (proof of age is required) and licencing fees are approximately £40. Civil ceremonies can be performed at the Marriage Commissioner’s Office at 309 S. 3rd St. Chapel fees vary depending on the services provided. For marriage licence information call the Clark County Marriage License Bureau (702) 671-0600, 201. You can get married in Vegas even if you’re not a US resident. Most countries require a certified copy of your marriage certificate ($10) and an apostile from the Nevada Secretary of State ($20).The ultimate couples’ room is the seductive and alluring Erotic Suite at The Palms. From the risqué shadow dancer projection wall to the steamy Show Shower with stripper pole, the highlight of the Erotic Suite is the incredible eight feet round rotating bed with mirrored ceiling above. www.VisitLasVegas.co.uk

Thailand offers a host of unique wedding locations, from a wedding ceremony on the beach or at your chosen resort to a Buddhist Temple. The marriage of UK and Irish citizens duly registered in Thailand is legally binding under British law. There are no residency requirements for getting married in Thailand; however, the required paperwork will normally take at least two working days to complete before your marriage can be registered. You’ll need valid passports, an Affidavit of Freedom to Marry under Thai Law and any divorce or death certificates.

If you get legally married in Thailand, you will receive two identical official wedding certificates. The wedding certificates will Divanitranslation Apollon is normally be in Thai. A certified sufficient should you need your marriage certificate for official purposes in your home country. It’s a good idea to obtain a translated certificate(s) before you leave Thailand. In Thailand the legal registration of your marriage, which takes place in the local registration office (Amphur), is the binding part of your marriage. At the registration office you will be required to have a translator present who speaks both English and Thai. The registration office will arrange the witnesses. Consult the Consulate or Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand for more information. www.tourismthailand.org

Because Maldives Family Law does not accommodate marriages of religions other than Islam, it’s not possible for visitors to legally marry there. However, the breathtaking scenery and sheer luxury of the resorts in the Maldives makes this area a popular place for exquisite beach blessings and romantic non-religious ceremonies, which can be arranged through your hotel or wedding planner. From unspoilt beaches to little sandbank islands, the locations for wedding blessing ceremonies or vow renewals are out of this world. Dazzling underwater coral gardens, turquoise lagoons, luxury cruises and world-class spas are just some heavenly temptations that make celebrities, including Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, choose the Maldives for their wedding celebrations and honeymoons.

The Maldives offers some of the most exclusive accommodation in the world; romantic beachside villas and thatched water bungalows with glass floors overlooking the lagoon, with its multitude of colourful fish and coral. The Maldives promises a once-in-alife-time experience for your big day – even if its not legally recognised in the UK! www.visitmaldives.com

94 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

For unique weddings in exotic destinations, the world really is your oyster. Each country has it s own wedding laws and customs, so to find out exactly what documentation you need to get married overseas, contact the authorities of the relevant country.

Visit www.fco.gov.uk for a list of foreign embassies in the UK.

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 • 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 96 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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

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 departmenstore 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 your diet and fitness plan f or fine-tuning • 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 • 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 button holes, 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’

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

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

4 MONTHS • Have your jabs • Start health and fitness plan

3 MONTHS • 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

www.srilankatourism.org

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 97

t c e f r e P g n i n n a pl Put your feet up and let your wedding planner organise the wedding of your dreams, says Maggie Stansfield

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on’t let the stress of organising your big day overshadow your wedding – especially if you want to marry in an exotic location and are unsure about the procedures. Why put yourself under unnecessary pressure when you can ease the burden by handing all the hard work over to a professional wedding planner.

Wedding planning is big business these days, but it’s nothing new.

The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians employed this kind of

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expertise to arrange big ceremonies. In fact, many of our traditions, including the exchange of rings and the bride wearing white, date from those times.

Today’s wedding planners work on a global landscape that includes not only virtually every country in the world but also any kind of wedding in locations that include beaches, castles, cliffs and desert islands.

Linekers’ Italian vows It was London-based Love and Lord which arranged the wedding of football star Gary Lineker and his wife-to-be, Danielle Bux last summer. The two-day event took place on Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast, with the bride in a £9,000 tailored gown by Suzanne Neville.

The next day, a cliff-top ceremony preceded the lavish reception for 80 guests at the exclusive Hotel Curuso, where executive suites cost £3,000 a night. To protect their privacy, the couple hired the entire hotel through Love and Lord’s Ultimate TakeOver package. “They were an absolute pleasure to deal with,” says company owner, James Lord. “They were not at all difficult or demanding and were happy to take guidance. We understand that they are thrilled with the results.”

He says success is down to the fact that no two weddings are the same: “Every wedding we organise is uniquely based on the couple’s individual requirements. We are not travel agents and we don’t arrange packaged holidays with a wedding attached. We believe there is no substitute for meeting face to face so that we can get to know one another and understand exactly what is required.”

Caribbean dream The Sandals resorts in the Caribbean are well established, and situated in some of the most romantic settings imaginable. The company has its own in-house team of planners to help look after all the details.

“We have a highly experienced team here.

As soon as you arrive, you will meet with our wedding coordinator at the resort,” says spokesperson, Chloe Handy. “We can look after all the paperwork and legal requirements for you, work out the precise details for the actual ceremony, and scale what we do to match just what you want.

She adds: “We take all the legwork out of your arrangements so that when you arrive, all you need to do is verify your documents, meet the residency requirements and choose exactly where to have your ceremony. You can study the photographs of your wedding location in advance and look forward to a really comprehensive service that covers not only the ceremony itself but the celebrations afterwards.”

Nothing is too much trouble for Jeanette: “We can organise the whole package, from meet-and-greet, through accommodation, legal requirements, assistance on the day and picking up the marriage certificate for our guests. We keep in touch with our clients by email and phone so that there’s no possibility of any misunderstandings.”

She explains: “In Gibraltar, you can get married at the Jewish Synagogue, Anglican Cathedral, Catholic Cathedral, the Church of Scotland, a Mosque, even a Hindu Temple, or have a civil ceremony at the Registry Office. You can bring the Registrar to the Alamada Gardens or get married on top of the Rock where we now have a fabulous, newly refurbished, glass-enclosed venue.

“You can see right across to Morocco and the views are stunning, or of course we have hotels with fantastic views across the Mediterranean. One even offers a full eight-floor suite surrounded by glass.”

Jeanette says it’s easy to follow up a dream wedding in Gibraltar with a fantastic reception in Spain, where the choice is even wider: “Spanish land houses, monasteries, beautiful venues overlooking the sea, even a barbecue if you like. Seville and Granada offer fantastic opportunities for couples and their guests.”

Do your homework The companies we have spoken to are highly reputable, but it’s important to remember that the wedding planning business is unregulated. You should make sure you’re happy with the firm you book – you might want to ask for customer testimonials and references, and check them.

day. We have that close knowledge of all the destinations we offer so we help couples to have confidence about what they will get.”

Fine detail, he says, is important. “We take the wedding outfits when couples arrive so that they can be pressed and prepared and our coordinator will show them around the gardens, or other options, so that they can chose exactly where they want to have the ceremony.

“In Mauritius, the legal process is not too complex and we can take care of most of it. Couples will just need to verify their documentation when they arrive. The cost of the actual Mauritius wedding is £380.

We also have weddings in the African Bush, Austria and many other locations from Arizona to Africa, Greece to Malaysia, and Las Vegas to the Seychelles.”

Relax and enjoy!

When it comes to costing it all out, planners operate different systems. Most create various level packages that you will be free to customise according to your requirements.

You will have the choice of whether you ask your planner to arrange flights and accommodation or whether you do it yourselves. You can even ask the planner to deal with invitations and RSVPs, or just ask them to arrange the ceremony and reception.

Just one word of caution: some less reputable companies will try to add an additional charge of up to 20 per cent to the total cost of your wedding package. None of the companies here do this! You should be able to see precisely what you are paying for in full, transparent detail. Then relax and let the experts do what they do best to create your perfect wedding.

Ron Cropper is MD of a planning agency called Weddings and Honeymoons Abroad.

He says: “We’ve been established for 17 years now and we know the places and the people. But not everyone does. I would emphasise how important it is to know who you’re dealing with before you sign up.”

Ron is horrified by the popular American concept of what he calls ‘the beach queue-up’ style of weddings: “We never book until the date is confirmed and we make sure that there is only one wedding per day at our locations.”

“Sandals wants its couples to have a fabulous time they can remember forever.

We work hard to make sure it happens for them. Whether there’s just the two of you or you want to bring a group of guests along, we can cater to whatever you require.”

The cost of using a planner, he adds, is well worthwhile. “Over the years, we have seen how people, particularly in the current recession, have tried to make the wedding arrangements themselves and then come unstuck when they find they don’t have the right legal paperwork in place or the hotel isn’t delivering the service they expected.

Weddings on the Rock

Mauritius marriages

Jeanette Obytz runs Mediterranean Weddings, based in Gibraltar. She concentrates on planning weddings on the Rock, often followed up with receptions in easily accessible Spain.

“Our clients come from the United States, Hong Kong, Austria, Cyprus and Australia Gary Lineker and wi fe Danielle Bux as well as Europe, so one of their favourite destinations is Mauritius because it’s an ideal mid-point. We add the wow-factor to the www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 99

A family affair

Should tying the knot overseas be a private moment between the two of you or a family affair? Andrew Collier looks at the pros and cons of keeping it in the family

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etting married is a wonderful and moving experience, and most of us want our friends and family there to share it.

So we’ll nearly always have them at the ceremony and the reception.

But more and more couples are taking the view that while two’s company, two dozen is a party. So they’re getting married abroad and flying their relatives and close pals out with them for the big day – and sometimes even inviting them to share the honeymoon afterwards!

Bringing those closest to you along is a great way of turning the whole event into a fantastic trip, which everyone will remember for years to come.

It means you can both enjoy the uniqueness of a wedding ceremony in an exotic location while surrounded by those you care about.

And you’ll have plenty of time to relax with them and enjoy their company afterwards.

You might choose to bring your children, especially if you’re getting hitched slightly later in life. Or it may be your parents, brothers and sisters, or close friends. Or if you’re really wanting to make it go with a swing – all of them!

Time for togetherness The critical thing is to make sure that as well as enjoying the company of your guests, you also manage to organise time for the two of you. You’ll want to make sure you have plenty of private moments when you can romance and indulge each other and start to enjoy your new life together.

Vicky Skehan, an expert in weddings at Kuoni Travel, says that family weddings and honeymoons are becoming more and more popular: “In the past, couples might have booked weddings abroad to get away from their families, but that’s not the case these days. They see it as an event and they want other people who are close to them to be involved.”

Big party, small cost!

Kuoni has found that most brides and grooms take a party of about six in total – both sets of parents, perhaps, or especially close friends.

But some really push the boat out and can fly out as many as 20 in one go.

What about the cost?

One way of keeping the overall bill down is to opt for value for money exotic destinations such as Sri Lanka and Florida.

Remember that very few wedding couples pay the bill for everyone – that would, after all, cost a fortune. Most take the view that it’s not unreasonable to ask guests to contribute to or even pay the whole bill for their trip. After all, they’re getting the holiday of a lifetime too.

According to wedding planner Claire Oliver (dreamweddings.co.uk) the average couple invites 20-50 friends. “Guests need as much warning as possible, especially for weddings in expensive destinations. Most people are happy to pay for themselves and guests come on the understanding that they will pay their own way.”

There are advantages to be gained by flying out as a group – sometimes airlines and hotels will offer a discount on block bookings, and some companies may throw in treats or even a free trip for the wedding couple if the numbers justify it.

Upmarket holiday provider Elegant Resorts’ spokesperson, Angela Jones, says her company can negotiate hotel discounts on a case-by-case basis. “There’s no set policy – it depends on the size of the booking, the time of year and availability. The airlines also have group rates, which we apply for.”

The great escape How, though, do you get around the perennial problem of enjoying the company of the family but also getting time to yourselves?

“There are a number of ways of doing it – there are no hard and fast rules,” says Vicky.

“In somewhere like New York, you’ll probably book the wedding ceremony in an alternative

location to a hotel, which means that you can stay in one place and your guests in another.

“You can then enjoy time together in the city or do your own things. Another option is that you could book to get married somewhere like Italy, which isn’t too far away. Your guests might stay two or three days and then fly home, while you and your partner could stay on and enjoy some time alone together.”

Angela Jones offers other potential solutions: “The bride and groom could stay in a hotel and friends and family could stay in a large villa nearby. Quite often the couple will arrive at the destination about a week before everyone else then move elsewhere after the wedding for their honeymoon.”

Familymoons The luxury Sandals Group resort chain has so many people now bringing their loved ones along for wedding that it has now called these trips ‘familymoons’. Sandals properties are strictly couples only, but its sister group, Beaches Resorts, takes families and even caters for children, so they are ideal. What’s more, you can move between the resorts at will.

Spokesperson Chloe Handy says complimentary deals are available for couples bringing groups, such as a free rehearsal wedding dinner, massage, manicure and reception. “We classify wedding groups as bookings of five rooms or more, and encourage couples to call us for our best available offers.”

Back home But perhaps the idea of just the two of you enjoying an intimate wedding in a tropical location is the ultimate dream – in which case you can always throw a party for friends and family on your return to toast the new

Mr and Mrs!

Make guests feel more involved by showing your wedding video and photos. You could even wear your dress again!

To discuss your group booking call the experts, Kuoni, on 0117 927 2009

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 101

Promotion

Plan YOUR dream wedding at boutique hotel Sugar Ridge

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estled in a natural hillside bordered with sugar cane and lush flora, Sugar Ridge provides the perfect backdrop for a stylish and intimate wedding. With its elevated location overlooking the beautiful palm-lined beaches of the West Coast of Antigua, the brand new boutique hotel commands stunning views from every angle to ensure a very romantic setting for the big day.

Sugar Ridge’s dedicated wedding co-ordinator will be on-hand to take care of every last detail and can tailor-make wedding packages to meet individual needs, so that you can simply relax and enjoy the best day of your life with your family and friends.

Sugar Ridge is home to Antigua’s first-ever Aveda Concept Spa, the perfect place to make all the last minute preparations needed before the ceremony. The Aveda Spa provides guests with a full collection of treatments featuring holistic therapies, manicures, pedicures, massage, body treatments as well as a hair salon. Every bride and groom at Sugar Ridge will walk out of the spa feeling like a million dollars before the big day.

This chic retreat, with 60 deluxe bedrooms wrapping round the hillside, can accommodate a small group of close family and friends, or a much larger party so it’s the perfect escape for the whole wedding party.

The contemporary bedrooms are stylish with state-of-the-art facilities and each has a private terrace with sun loungers, while many have their own plunge pool. For larger parties, special rates are available for bookings of ten rooms or more.

And the resort has plenty to occupy the wedding party as well as the happy couple, boasting two restaurants and a trendy bar, a great spa, gym, pilates/yoga studio, three swimming pools, and wide range of activities in and around the resort.

After the excitement of the big day, Sugar Ridge offers the seclusion and relaxation needed to unwind. Newlyweds are treated to breakfast on their veranda on the first morning of their stay and a one-hour romantic massage in the hotel’s Aveda Spa. Those who stay a minimum of seven nights will receive a complimentary room upgrade and a bottle of House Champagne on arrival. In the evenings, for couples looking for the perfect spot for a romantic meal, Carmichael’s open-air fine dining restaurant offers a table with a view – diners can enjoy some of the best views on the island and sensational sunsets. There is no better way to begin your life together...

For an afternoon aperitif, a favourite place for guests is sitting next to the infinity pool by Carmichael’s bar, where Caribbean cocktails are created to order and served throughout the day and into the evening. The popular and bustling Sugar Club bar is open into the small hours of the morning and offers live entertainment at least three times a week.

reservations@sugarridgeantigua.com • www.sugarridgeantigua.com • 001 268 562 7700

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Honeymoons 104

Andrea McLean in Mauritius TV’s Loose Women presenter Andrea McLean honeymoons in the Indian Ocean

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Honeymoon essentials Sizzle on your honeymoon with the coolest fashion accessories

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Honeymoon belle Set temperatures soaring with sensational beachwear

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Maldivian magic honeymoons Choose the Maldivian love islands for romance in Paradise

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Andrea’s

Love Island Loose Women star Andrea McLean shares romantic memories of ‘couple time’ during her belated honeymoon in Mauritius

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ndrea McLean, host of TV’s Loose Women, is having a great year! Not only was Loose Women awarded Best Factual TV Programme at the National Television Awards, but she has also enjoyed a long-overdue honeymoon in Mauritius with her new hubby after tying the knot with hunky builder Steve Toms last August.

on ebay – and a local florist. We had white roses and thistles to represent English Rose (Steve) and Scottish Thistle (me).

Andrea met long-term partner Steve while hosting a TV show and the couple exchanged vows at The Nutfield Priory in Surrey last August. Unfortunately work commitments on Loose Women meant they needed to postpone their honeymoon and instead the couple enjoyed a short mini-moon in Paris after the wedding.

Andrea recalls her fabulous wedding and her romantic trip to the Indian Ocean.

I did have a few celebrity guests. I had my GMTV colleagues, some Loose Women friends and people I met through Dancing on Ice. There were quite a few well-known faces, including Penny Smith, Clare Nasir, Stefan Booth and Lisa Maxwell, and Denise Welsh, who I love. Denise made the wedding because she was completely off her face by about six o clock. I love Denise, she has so much fun and doesn’t care. I am too square.

I would love to be like her. She was so entertaining. But the whole day was just fun.

Let’s start at the beginning.

How did Steve propose?

Presumably your colleagues from Loose Women were all invited?

Were your two children, eight-year-old son Finley and three-year-old daughter Amy, bridesmaid and pageboy?

Yes. And they were brilliant. Amy didn’t really understand what was going on until the day. Finley did and he was really responsible – he’s a sensitive little chap.

Amy wore a sweet little ivory dress from Monsoon with ballet pumps, and provided the entertainment when they asked ‘Does anyone know any reason why these two shouldn’t wed?’ There was a beat and she said ‘Errrr...’ and the whole room turned and stared at her in horror. But she hadn’t been listening and was thinking about something completely different..

He proposed in our room one night on holiday while we were watching Forrest Gump! He pulled out a ring and knelt at the side of the bed wearing just his pants!

When did you tie the knot?

Steve and I got married last August in a typically English country house hotel. It was an intimate wedding and we had a wonderful day. I wore a tightly corseted dress from Caroline Castigliano with floaty layers of chiffon and a tiara. We had sixty guests during the day – just the right amount so that you could all chat and have a laugh. Then at night we had a big party atmosphere with 120 guests and a Take That tribute band.

And your first dance?

We danced to David Gray’s Be Mine. To be honest, our first dance was mainly me holding Steve up, because he was so relieved that it had all gone well that he had indulged in a few too many brandies and he was a bit wobbly! If you look at our wedding video, I’m smiling in a very stiff way thinking, ‘I can’t believe you got so drunk, and he’s saying ‘I’m really sorry, it just kind of happened!’ It was funny, but for the wrong reasons.

Did you use the service of a professional wedding planner?

I did my own planning. I used local people as much as possible, including a cake maker from my village – I bought the cake stand

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 105

You went on a mini-moon first after the wedding ceremony...

Yes, because I had to be back to work on the relaunch of Loose Women, and hadn’t thought it through when I organised the wedding. It wasn’t a problem because I ended up with two honeymoons!

The day after the wedding we headed off for two nights at the Ritz in Paris to totally spoil ourselves – I took pictures of everything there, including the towels! Then after that we drove through France, staying in gites and B&Bs then we met friends in St Tropez and stayed in their apartment for two nights before going home. It was short, but it was a nice little break.

So tell us about your honeymoon in Mauritius.

Was it worth the wait?

Absolutely! I have never been to Mauritius before.

I think it gets overlooked because everyone heads off to the Maldives, but it’s beautiful. We stayed at the Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort, which was perfect! The sea is turquoise, the mountains are lush, but the main thing is that the people are friendly, fun, helpful and cheeky.

Tell us about your honeymoon suite?

We got to the hotel, exhausted after our flight and the receptionist led us through the garden to a breathtaking villa, which was set in gardens and was just incredible. It was like something you’d see in magazines and I couldn’t believe we were going to stay there. You could see straight through to the glass doors at the back, over our pool and out to sea. I cried when I saw it and gave the girl a huge hug.

Would you have preferred to take your children with you on honeymoon, or was it a chance to spend quality time together?

Maybe it makes me sound like a bad parent, but I was counting the days! I am a firm believer that a happy mummy and daddy make a happy family, and you need to have couple time, otherwise you lose your sense of identity and forget why you got together in the first place. My parents are big believers in that philosophy and they offered to babysit the kids as our wedding present. They absolutely understand that you need to revive yourself, fall in love again and come back with a twinkle in your eye. I couldn’t wait to see them again when I got back!

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Did the hotel lay on any romantic treats?

Our villa had its own little Pagoda near the pool overlooking the beach and on the last night the hotel arranged for us to have a romantic honeymoon meal there. When we got back that evening we found that they had lit torches around our pool and there were candles, champagne and our own waiter, Luciano – we felt really spoilt. I had my ipod so we played Atlantic Soul music in the background, which was really romantic and a really special way to end our honeymoon.

Did you indulge in spa treatments?

Absolutely! The hotel’s spa village is called ‘The Seven Colours’ and is influenced by a mixture of Africa and Thailand. Treatment rooms are in thatched huts and we had a nice time just chilling out there. We had a couples’ massage a few days after we arrived. That’s why Steve is so brilliant – he is a great big burley tattooed man and he likes nothing better than flopping down and having a massage. The funniest bit was that Steve fell asleep and was snoring like mad! He was lying there next to me and I could hear the girls giggling. I had one eye open but I couldn’t reach out and prod him like I normally

108 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

would. But it was very sweet, and it’s nice to know that he can relax! I went back a few days later and had one on my own, which was more relaxing.

it just is. I can’t explain it, but it feels very calm, settled and nice. Complete! It feels like I have tied up all the loose ends now. It’s a great feeling. We feel like a proper team.

Did you and Steve take part in any other sporty activities or just relax by the pool?

Any tips for those planning their wedding?

We talked about doing a lot – but it was all talk! The hotel manager was great and found me all the timetables for yoga, and we talked very enthusiastically about aqua aerobics but we didn’t make it to a single class. We were rubbish! After seven days we thought we should do something, so we hired a little boat and went dolphin watching, which was great.

We did find the dolphins, but didn’t manage to get into the water with them. Then we went to another part of the island where the water was only two metres deep and had amazing coral and fish. We spent ages swimming with our flippers and goggles on.

Has being married made you or the children feel any different?

Yes. We do. It’s nice. It’s not something you can put your finger on why it is different. But

Enjoy it! Take your time before making any decisions and don’t feel pressurised because it’s your day. Get a picture in your head or how you want it to be and just stick to that – and don’t let things that don’t work out spoil your day. Just go with the flow!

And for picking the ideal honeymoon destination?

Just think what you want to get out of it. Do you want to just flop and get a tan or do you want somewhere with loads of sports? There’s nothing worse than getting somewhere and being bored rigid. Don’t be swayed into thinking you need a different type of holiday because it’s your honeymoon – do the things you like to do and you’ll enjoy it more.

Photographed at The Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort Photographs: Virginie Lacoste Interview by: Terri Cody-Owen

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From sunshine chill-outs to city-chic glamour, we’ve found the latest stylish honeymoons to fall in love with, whatever your style and spending power, says Colette Harris.

FAIRYTALE SLOVENIA Perfect for: old-fashioned romance

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Enjoy the romance of Lake Bled deep in the heart of Slovenia’s fabulous countryside. Explore the fairytale castle perched high on a hill overlooking the lake, and have a glass of wine (the local Riesling is good!) as you take in the stunning views, take a rowing boat trip to the picturesque island in the middle of the lake (where you might see couples getting married – it’s local tradition that the groom carries the bride up the seemingly endless stairs to the top!), and walk hand in hand around the shore. Explore the capital city Ljubljana’s buzzy riverside cafes and restaurants, and myriad small art galleries, just an hour away; or go hiking in the Triglav National Park.

Book it: Stay at the four-star Hotel Park on half board with daily afternoon tea and biscuits, and enjoy the pool with big glass windows giving you views over the lake, from £1,150 per couple for seven nights with Thomson (www.thomsonlakes.co.uk) including flights from Gatwick to Ljubljana, and airport transfers. From £1,150

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BOUTIQUE CORNWALL

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Perfect for: sunsets, seafood and sheltered coves.

Discover the delights of beautiful little Portloe with a stay at the whitewashed Lugger Hotel (www.luggerhotel.com), a renovated 17th century smuggler’s inn tucked right down on the water’s edge in this tiny traditional fishing village. Eat the freshest seafood selected by Head Chef Didier Bienaime from the fishing boats, which drop by each day, on the terrace overlooking the sea.

Choose a modern room with white furniture and crisp Egyptian linen, or stay in the secluded new Honeymoon Cottage Suite, a love nest set away from the hotel along a clifftop footpath, where you can drink English champagne as the sunsets over the Atlantic.

Book it: from £550 per couple, bed and breakfast, for five nights in a standard room, or from £1,200 per couple for the Honeymoon Cottage Suite, bed and breakfast. From £550

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DELUXE MOROCCO Perfect for: exotic dining, bargain hunting in Souks and sublime spas Get a taste for authentic Morocco as you relax in the lush oasis surrounding the five-star Mazagan Beach Resort, with views plunging down to the deep blue sea, luxurious vegetation and the lagoon, the golf course, the swimming pool and the patio. Spoil yourselves with Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes and good wine at the eleven restaurants and bars in the resort, and unwind in the spa set amidst palm and fragrant orange trees. Walk hand in hand along the pristine beach as the sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean.

Book it: Luxury Holidays Direct (www.luxuryholidaysdirect.com, 020 8774 7299) offers seven nights at the 5* Mazagan Beach Resort in Morocco from £790 per person (Travel: October 01 – December 25 2010)! Price is based on two people sharing a Deluxe Room on breakfast basis and flights on Royal Air Maroc departing from London Heathrow. Airport taxes and private transfers are also included. Offer is subject to availability and prices may vary.

From £1,580

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LUXURY LANCASHIRE Perfect for: foodies who love the countryside

Indulge yourselves at Gibbon Bridge Hotel (www.gibbon-bridge.co.uk) in the unspoilt countryside near Beacon Fell; with gourmet local produce (some of it from the hotel’s own kitchen garden!). Don’t miss strolling by the river which runs through the hotel gardens, a pub lunch in picturesque Chipping village nearby, walking on the fells to get spectacular views, and the hotel’s own honey, chutneys and preserves, made on site to take home. You can also play tennis and go fishing in the grounds. Five days in a VIP suite, with bed, breakfast and evening meals, a four-poster suite with a whirlpool bath, a champagne picnic in the beautiful grounds, with fizz and homemade chocolates on arrival, from £1,540 per couple. Around £1,500 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 119

FRENCH HIDEAWAYS

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Perfect for: total relaxation – and wine tasting!

Tucked away in a little known area of Provence, Crillon le Brave is the ultimate escape just 30 mins from Avignon in the heart of the Côte du Rhône wine region. Formed from a collection of seven medieval houses in a hilltop village, you get wonderful views over the surrounding vineyards, olive groves, lavender fields and the majestic Mount Ventoux. Amble hand in hand through the cobbled alleyways, bridges and hidden courtyards to find terraces, the dining area and the outdoor pool, or explore the nearby sleepy villages on a hotel bicycle – forage for souvenirs in the antiques markets (there’s a good one at Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue on Saturdays) and watch the world go by as you sip rose in a pretty cafe. Or go wine tasting with Cedric Demeneix, Hotel Sommelier, at one of the local vineyards.

Book it: five nights at Hotel Crillon Le Brave (www.crillonlebrave. com) costs £1,030 per couple (room-only) in a standard double room, via Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) from London St Pancras to Avignon (6.5 hours), from £140 return per person. From £1,310

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GLAMOROUS ROME Perfect for: feeling film star fabulous Explore this bustling, stylish city’s boutiques, restaurants and bars, relaxing over Prosecco and fabulous Italian food in the medieval lanes of the Trastavere district, wandering through the ancient wonders of the Colosseum, and the Forum (if you loved Rome, Gladiator or Angels and Demons you’ll be in heaven!), and throwing coins into the Trevi Fountain like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.

Then retire into the opulent surroundings of hotel Rome Cavalieri (www.romecavalieri.com) on the city’s highest hill with sweeping views of the Vatican City. Relax in its lush Mediterranean park, swim in its stunning pool, and feast on Michelin-starred dishes at famous restaurant La Pergola.

Book it: enjoy five nights bed & breakfast from £955pp based on two adults sharing – saving up to £460 per couple. Price example includes one free night and online discount, departing July 20 from London Gatwick, with Citalia (citalia.com). From £955

EXCLUSIVE TURKEY Perfect for: sun, sea and spa Unwind and enjoy the luxury of the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay’s (www.kempinski.com/bodrum) spectacular views of the Aegean Sea as you chill out on your balcony, enjoy the sun on the hotel’s private beach or toast each other by candlelight in the restaurants overlooking the sea. You’ll be surrounded by fresh blue and crisp white of the sea, sky and stylish decor. Then indulge in massages, facials and well-being treatments in the exclusive private couples spa suite, or have a workout and detox in the indoor pool and whirlpool, Hammam, sauna and steam rooms in the Six Senses Spa. Book it: stay seven nights for the price of six, in a Deluxe Room from £1,090 per person including daily breakfast, flights with easyJet from London Gatwick and private transfers, with ITC Classics (01244 355 527; www.itcclassics.co.uk). Offer valid until March 31 2011, excluding July 1-31 2010. From £2,180 120 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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HISTORICAL ROMANCE Perfect for: literary lovers

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Spend your honeymoon in a unique building that resonates with the history of romance, renovated by conservation charity the Landmark Trust. We love: • The Bath House, built in 1748, is set deep in woodland near the Forest of Arden and Stratford-upon-Avon, at the end of a long and gated drive.

As you sip wine at dusk, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in the middle of A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Visit Stratford-upon-Avon to walk by the river and thrill to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s performances of legendary romances such as Romeo & Juliet in the town of Shakespeare’s birth. Priced from £490 for a week.

• Casa Guidi in the heart of Florence was home to the poets Elizabeth and Robert Browning, and is decorated in the 18th century style they loved, a perfect base for exploring the city’s wonderful art galleries, piazzas, coffee shops and lounging in the hilltop Boboli gardens for a Prosecco picnic. Prices from £1,236 for a week or from £239 for a three-night stay. Flights from easyJet, Ryanair, BA, KLM and more, from London, Manchester and Birmingham, from around £100 return.

Book it: find out more about Landmark properties at www.landmarktrust.org.uk From £490

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ECO-LUXE GREECE Perfect for: feelgood pampering Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the breathtaking Cape Sani, walk hand in hand along the golden beaches, enjoy revitalising massages at the fabulous spa as you honeymoon at Halkidiki’s five-star Sani Beach Hotel (www.saniresort.gr), all the while knowing the hotel and sister resort have great green credentials – from a tree-planting scheme to help regenerate areas affected by forest fires, to harnessing solar power and water recycling. But there’s nothing hippy about the cool contemporary style that makes the most of the natural light and fantastic sea views.

Book it: stay for seven nights half-board, from £699 per person including flights from London Gatwick and transfers, with Thomson (www.thomson.co.uk) or call 0871 2313234). From £1,398

INCREDIBLE CROATIA Perfect for: active adventures and gourmet food Discover the hidden charms of Istria in north-west Croatia. Sip incredible Kozlovic dessert wine after a fresh seafood dinner in a restaurant hidden in a higgledy cobbled alley in Rovinj, look out on to the lush green valleys of vineyards and olive groves from the battlements surrounding Motovun, a magical hill town full of shops selling the famous local truffles. Then swim, walk or cycle on the forest trails, kayak down the stunning Lim Fjord, or take a panoramic flight over the red-tiled roofs and sparkling blue seas near Rovinj, from your base at the Eden hotel (www.maistra.com), which also has 12 tennis courts and a spa used by the Croatian football team! You can even have a day trip to Venice, which is just two-and-a-half hours away by boat from Rovinj harbour.

Book it: Stay seven nights at Hotel Eden half board from £1,140 per couple including flights from Manchester, £1;250 per couple from Birmingham or London Gatwick, with www.portland-direct.co.uk. Or book direct with the hotel, and flights to Pula with Ryanair or Thomson. From £1,140

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Maldivian

Magic Looking for the perfect honeymoon? The Maldives is the ultimate playground for loved-up newlyweds, says Terri Cody-Owen

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rom your luxurious beach or water villa you can spot couples snorkelling together, holding hands over coral reefs teeming with marine life. Down on the beach, lovers snuggle in rope hammocks, sheltered from the midday sun by coco palms. And as the sun sets, the beach is transformed into a candle-lit restaurant as couples dine al fresco beneath clear moonlit skies. Is this honeymoon heaven? Yes. This is the Maldives.

In the Maldives, Mother Nature has created perfection, which the Maldivian government is carefully nurturing for the enjoyment of tourists. Hotels are built using natural materials indigenous to the islands and everywhere the lush vegetation has been preserved, marine life protected and beaches groomed and extended to create paradise on Earth.

Marriage blessings Although you can’t legally marry in the Maldives because the Maldives Family Law does not accommodate marriages of religions other than Islam, the breathtaking scenery and sheer luxury of the resorts makes this a wonderful place for beach blessings and romantic non-religious ceremonies, which can be arranged through your hotel or wedding planner. These ceremonies can take place in a choice of exotic locations – from unspoilt powder beaches and tiny sandbank islands to catamarans at sea and even during diving excursions on the coral reefs.

Spa pampering Sun-drenched Robinson Crusoe islands with white powder beaches, tall palms and dazzling lagoons are quite simply the ultimate place to fall in love all over again. Lovers will adore being indulged further with bespoke treatments in world-class spas – including the world’s first underwater and over-water spas. The spa culture in the Maldives is second to none.

Year-round perfection The Maldives is a tiny island nation of around 1,190 islands, grouped into 26 natural atolls scattered across the middle of the Indian Ocean, south of India and Sri Lanka in an area covering 90,000 sq km. The islands (of which only 200 are inhabited) are low-lying, with the highest point just eight feet above sea level. However, coral reefs provide a natural defence against wind and waves, forming lagoons that provide some of the world’s finest opportunities for snorkelling, swimming, diving and water sports.

The capital, Male, the seat of the government is located at the centre of the atoll chain, and provides an excursion opportunity for visitors wanting to mingle with the natives and shop for local produce and crafts.

There are two main seasons in the Maldives, a dry and a wet monsoon. From December to May the weather is sunny and fairly dry, whereas between June and November there are occasional brief downpours followed by sunshine.

Temperatures range from mid-20s to mid-30s and peak in April and May. So whatever time of year you marry, you can be sure of warmth and sunshine on your Maldivian honeymoon.

Getting There Scheduled international flights to The Maldives from the UK include Oman Air, Emirates, Sri Lankan Airlines and Quatar Airlines. There are also a number of charter flights. Most international flights have stopovers in Muscat, Dubai. And Sri Lanka before landing at Male Airport. Transports to the island resorts are either via luxury motor launch or seaplane, depending on the distance from Male.

Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons editor Terri Cody-Owen and husband Martin flew business class courtesy of Oman Air, via Muscat. Return flights with Oman Air from London Heathrow to the Maldives, aboard luxurious Airbus A330 aircraft, start from just £619 including taxes. Tickets can be booked by contacting Oman Air on 08444 822309 or by visiting www.omanair.com

Conrad Maldives

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One & Only Reethi Rah

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f you are one of life’s über achievers with a bank balance to match, 35+ and in search of a slice of Paradise, the One & Only Reethi Rah is the perfect choice for your honeymoon.

The island is so stunningly beautiful that if you were given an endless supply of powder white sand, turquoise water and an abundance of lush vegetation and asked to create perfection, you would create One & Only Reethi Rah: it’s the most exquisite island on the planet.

After a smooth flight via Muscat with Oman Air, Martin, my new husband and I were transferred from Male aboard the resort’s 55 ft luxury yacht on a 75-minute voyage to the resort where the boat moored in the marina outside reception.

On the approach to the resort the view of One & Only Reethi Rah, with its unique shape, is truly breathtaking. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the resort has a stunning six-kilometre coastline fringed by lush tropical forest and twelve picture-perfect bays of white sandy beaches and crystal clear lagoons – ample space to ensure that each and every villa has an ocean view, a generous private veranda and over-water deck or stretch of powder-soft sand.

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Toasting the sunset This all-villa resort offers guests an unrivalled level of style and unprecedented privacy that is especially essential on an intimate romantic honeymoon, or for VIP guests who don’t want to be disturbed.

Accommodation is in Beach and Water Villas.

Beach Villas enjoy direct views of the ocean and a private stretch of beach, whilst Water Villas are on stilts perched over the lagoon connected to the island by walkways. Water Villas have split-level decks with netting suspended like hammocks from its edges for perfect breezy sunbathing.

We were lucky enough to be staying in a Water Villa on the sunset side of the island, which meant that we enjoyed incredibly romantic sunsets, which we toasted with a glass of chilled bubbly – of course!

Our Water Villa, which offered incredible panoramic views across the Indian Ocean, was situated at the end of a romantic backwater, reached by a sandy roadway that looked like a snow piste. Just a few yards away the heavenly Grand Beach bay beckons. This vast, crescent-shaped bay is fringed with lush vegetation, which

cleverly conceals the occasional beach villa. However, during our visit we rarely saw another person on that long stretch of white sand, it felt just like our own private beach, christened by imprints of my ‘Just Married’ honeymoon flip flops.

Cycle of health Outside each villa, two bicycles are parked for guests to cycle around the island. This is not only a fun way of getting around but it’s also a great way to keep fit as guests follow the sandy paths through the vegetation to various facilities, including the main restaurants, spa, water sports centre and hotel reception. Those with less energy (or one too many drinks) can always use the services of the golf buggy taxis.

Restaurants At the centre of the island, the Reethi Restaurant is set in thatched over-water pavilions and offers a glorious fusion of Far Eastern, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, and a cellar housing 18,000 bottles of the world’s greatest wines.

Beach dining is magical at Fanditha, a Middle Eastern restaurant that serves healthy char grills and mezze in a chilled ambience with live DJ entertainment. Guests are encouraged to flump and laze with toes in the sand on Arabian divans and hammocks.

My personal favourite is the Tapasake Japanese over-water restaurant, where freshly-caught sushi and sashimi are served in a romantic setting overlooking Grand Beach bay from which guests can watch the sun set. Or you can simply snuggle up and enjoy villa dining 24 hours a day.

Spa The magnificent One & Only Spa by ESPA is set within a tranquil spa garden, with open-air relaxation pavilions and a Chi Pavilion, positioned over the lagoon where complimentary Kundalini yoga and meditation classes, with resident yoga guru Coco Ryoko Maruno, take place to the sound of lapping waves.

At the spa the journey to wellness begins as guests are given a well-being consultation they are then taken through a range of revitalising holistic rituals and treatments, including Thai massage, European aromatherapy, Ayurveda and the speciality Bastien Pedicure, a totally natural foot treatment created by French ‘foot vikrtuoso’ Bastien Gonzales. There are separate resting areas for men and women, each with a hot vitality pool, crystal steam room, ice fountain and stone sauna.

Never a dull moment With a fully-equipped state-of-the-art gym, a wide range of complimentary water sports, including canoes, kayaks, pedal and paddle boats, windsurfers and snorkelling equipment, a PADI dive centre and an international Tennis Academy with two floodlit synthetic grass tennis courts and beach volleyball and badminton, there’s no shortage of things to do. And if that’s not enough, excursions are also available for deep sea fishing trips and visits to the capital, Male.

Wedded bliss For those wanting to exchange vows in paradise, One&Only Reethi Rah offers ceremonial blessings in the dedicated wedding pavilion under a traditional thatched roof adorned with fresh flowers and orchids; at Reethi Restaurant; or a ‘barefoot ceremony’ on one of the resort’s 12 picture-perfect beaches, down a petal-strewn ‘aisle’ through a fresh flower arch. At the end of each ceremony, the ‘bridal buggy’ whisks the new couple off to enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner under the stars on a private beach.

For ease of planning, The Legendary Sunset Wedding is a complete wedding package, which utilises the service of the resort’s Celebration Consultant. Newlyweds will also cherish the chance to escape to a private sandbank for a romantic moonlit dinner.

BOOK IT! Stay seven nights at the One & Only Reethi Rah in a Beach Villa B&B from just £3,215 per person, saving up to £724 per couple. Honeymooners receive one complimentary candle lit meal at Reethi Restaurant. Price applies to departure on 2nd and 24th and includes flights with Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow.

Call: 0117 927 2009 and quote ref: WWH KU9344 or visit: www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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Baros

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ounger newlyweds will find themselves in good company at Baros, a stunning little coral island, where the profile of the average honeymoon couple is under thirty, successful and very much in love. We were perhaps a little long in the tooth for Baros, but thoroughly enjoyed ourselves anyway!

Baros prides itself on being almost totally dedicated to the privacy and enjoyment of honeymooners – at every turn you will witness displays of true love as couples snuggle up in hammocks, stroll hand in hand along the beach or enjoy romantic meals under the moonlight.

My husband and I transferred to Baros by boat, where we discovered a lush, tropical island, set in the shimmering waters of a shallow lagoon.

The island is in the North Male Atoll; close to Male, yet in total contrast to the buzzing capital.

On Baros a peaceful tranquillity descends, with no traffic, no pool, no motor sports or loud music, just the sound of lapping waves and a gentle breeze, it is clear that this island has been designed as a place to flump and relax amidst nature’s elements.

One of its most striking natural elements is the oval-shaped house reef, rich and alive with marine life, which is so close to the shore that even non-divers can swim to it and spend hours effortlessly snorkelling.

Beach versus Over-water A golf buggy transferred us to our beachside villa, winding its way through the sandy paths and exotic vegetation to a timber and sandstone villa, hidden from view by green foliage and tropical blooms.

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The beach villa was small, but chic with a king size bed, snug patio equipped with sun loungers and a stunning open-air bathroom with waterfall shower and trendy freestanding bathtub. Once on our patio, the beach beckoned just a few yards away, with the turquoise lagoon beyond, enticing us to take a dip, which of course we did!

During our stay we were fortunate enough to experience both beachside and overwater villa accommodation – two contrasting experiences. After a couple of days we moved to a luxurious water villa on stilts over the lagoon, reached via a wooden walkway.

The water villa offered a secluded terrace with total privacy and views out to sea, with steps down into the water allowing us a quick dip whenever we wanted to cool off. Absolutely ideal for loved-up couples!

Wining & dining Romantic dining is an intrinsic part of the Baros experience, with a superb choice of first-class restaurants, all set on stilts over the lagoon.

The contemporary Lighthouse is the flagship restaurant, offering modern fusion cuisine with Asian and Mediterranean influences, and a Lighthouse Lounge Martini and Champagne bar with ambient jazz music and 360-degree ocean views.

The Lime Restaurant is thatched, arched and open-sided and serves breakfast and all-day dining, while Cayenne Grill specialises in alfresco dining in thatched gazebos and hosts traditional Maldivian Nights every Saturday.

The Sails Bar is situated under the shade of palms and serves refreshing drinks all day. In the evening mellow background music transforms this area into the perfect place for couples to snuggle in the soft

furnishings or hammocks, which sway gently in the evening breeze.

Our ‘Honeymoon Dinner’ on the beach was a tad disappointing. We turned up to discover a row of candlelit tables with couples choosing from a special honeymoon menu. Although it was romantic, there were too many couples doing the same for it to feel like an exclusive experience.

Aquum Spa The spa is set in the natural surroundings of a teak atrium and is a sanctuary of calm where couples are invited to renew their strength and inner wellness through spa treatments. Verdant gardens, water features and spa cocoons lie behind the spa’s intricately-carved doors.

In one of the exotic couples treatments rooms, my husband and I enjoyed couples massages. I indulged in a Thai Massage, while he had a more traditional body massage. The Thai massage is one of my favourite spa treatments, offering the stretching benefits of yoga and Pilates without the effort as the therapist massages and manipulates your body into various shapes to increase flexibility.

BOOK IT! Enjoy seven nights in the fabulously intimate Deluxe Villa at Baros from £1,449 per person including breakfast, transfers and BA flights.

To book your honeymoon, call Turquoise on 01494 678 400 or visit www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk

Weddings are Better when Shared

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©2009 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sheraton and its logo are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates.

The Beach House

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ucked away in Haa Alifu Atoll, the northernmost Atoll of the Maldives, The Beach House has been taken over and newly renovated

by Waldorf Astoria to create a chic new luxuriously contemporary resort.

My husband and I took a half-hour domestic flight from Male with Maldivian Air Taxis to The Beach House, which flew us over deserted islands and breathtaking Atolls to a tiny island airport in the remotest corner of the Maldives, where we were met by a speedboat for the short hop to The Beach House. Since our visit The Beach House has acquired its own seaplane so guests can fly directly to the resort – which will speed up the journey by half.

A love affair It was love at first sight when we landed on the jetty at the Beach House to a warm greeting from the manager before checking in to our luxurious west-facing Over-Water villa.

The boutique-style resort offers barefoot luxury and sophistication against a backdrop of natural beauty – with a spectacularly wide stretch of white sandy beach plunging into the turquoise lagoon, complimented by an unspoilt jungle-filled interior. It’s a place where nature has been preserved and nurtured.

Beach villas are tucked away behind the tropical vegetation for privacy and shade, whilst Water villas stretch out on stilts over the tranquil lagoon and offer indoor-outdoor living space with sundecks, a private Jacuzzi and steps down to the sea, so you can swim or snorkel straight from your villa.

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Wining, dining & cocktails Tucked away in our Water Villa, we enjoyed luxury and total relaxation in the bubbles of our Jacuzzi as we toasted the sunset with a cocktail before strolling to one of the superb restaurants for dinner – often an intimate candlelit table on the beach beneath a canopy of stars. There are four excellent restaurants to choose from in stunning settings offering organic cuisine from around the world – from pizzas to Maldivian feasts.

– dining at The Beach House is a celebration.

The delicious afternoon tea is a memorable event. It is served in the Waldorf Astoria’s newly created Maldivian Art Gallery and Café.

Local Maldivian ingredients are used to create a range of delicious pastries with a tropical twist, from Breadfruit cake to a Maldivian Pine Nut and Coconut Scones, served with a selection of hot teas and local juices.

All day entertainment Unspoilt reefs provide world-class diving opportunities and two additional uninhabited private islands offer the ideal escape for a romantic castaway experience or a blessing ceremony. At The Beach House a selection of unique facilities keep all ages amused – from bungee trampolines to a golf simulator.

Guests have a choice of two fabulous pools – the infinity pool is perfect for swimming and watching the sunset, while the Amazon pool weaves its way through indigenous vegetation

and overhanging trees like a river in the rainforest. For active rest you can choose from an abundance of free watersports including kayaking, snorkelling, windsurfing and sailing.

Water skiing and jetski safaris are available at extra charge.

Entertainment continues into the evening with live performers, including the local Maldivian band with their drum extravaganza, who invite guests to join in and have a go. I have great holiday snaps of my husband beating out a drum rhythm with his new ‘bandmates’!

Rainforest Spa A trip to the Rainforest Spa, tucked away in the centre of the island, is a sensory experience. It reflects the local healing culture, using Aromatherapy, Ayurveda and traditional Maldivian philosophies.

After an initial consultation guests are prescribed spa treatments from a range of massage, body and facial treatments top suit their emotional and physical needs – or you can have a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor who will prescribe Indian rituals such as the Shirodhara, where a stream of warm herbal oil is continuously poured on the forehead for the ultimate stress-relief.

BOOK IT! Seven nights from £3,660 per person in a Water Villa, including breakfast, British Airways, interisland domestic flights & speedboat transfers.

Elegant Resorts 01244 897 881 www.elegantresorts.co.uk

Lily Beach Resort & Spa

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Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Glass Bottom Villas

or affordable luxury, the all-new Lily Beach Resort & Spa at Huvahendhoo is a great choice for an unforgettable honeymoon. This pretty little island is in Ari Atoll, just a short seaplane hop from Male.

Luxurious accommodation is in Beach Villas and Over Water Villas. We stayed in a beautifully appointed Water Villa with state-ofthe-art bathroom and amazing glass floor in the hallway, allowing breathtaking views of the marine life – which can range from colourful reef fish to six-foot-long stingrays!

We transferred to Lily Beach by Maldivian Airways seaplane, which landed in the turquoise lagoon in front of the resort, and pulled up alongside a floating pontoon to dispatch the passengers. The 25-minute flight had been mesmerizing as we flew over spectacular islands and unique formations of reefs – infinite memories to last a lifetime.

Soon a traditional dhoni arrived from Lily Beach to transport us across to the island.

The resort officially opened last year as a Luxury ‘Platinum Plan’ Resort, a Premium All-Inclusive resort that is the first of its kind in the Maldives. The ‘Platinum Plan’ offers a fantastic array of quality services including premium wines and spirits, sumptuous dining experiences, handcrafted excursions, sporting activities and the Spa. All the island resorts in the Maldives have a their own distinctive character. Lily Beach was fun, relaxed and thriving, yet couples can still find their own intimate solitude if they preferred to keep to themselves.

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Diner’s delight Lily Maa, the resort’s main open-sided restaurant has sand floors, views of the lagoon, and showcases a wonderful variety of ‘world cuisine’, with two open-cooking stations adding variety to a sumptuous and relaxed dining experience. For a more romantic meal, Tamarind offers distinctive fine dining with signature dishes and a wonderful selection of fine wines.

It was nice to curl up with my loved one in romantic seclusion, but sometimes a more lively experience beckoned when we headed down to The Spirit bar, an ideal spot for chilling out. Sandy floors, day loungers and tastefully selected lounge music make it a very inviting venue to spend evenings.

Fit and beautiful The resort’s Tamara Spa boasts seven OverWater spa pavilions – sanctuaries in which

to refresh and rejuvenate your spirits and physical being as you are pampered with invigorating signature treatments.

We were feeling surprisingly invigorated, so enjoyed active rest in the gymnasium and plenty of water sports including canoeing, windsurfing, wake boarding, catamaran sailing and exhilarating banana-boat rides!

There’s also a floodlit tennis court, table tennis, darts, billiards/pool, beach volleyball and a fully equipped Dive Centre, plus two freshwater swimming pools with bars. There’s not a chance of being bored for a moment!

Or why not just soak in your own private hot tub together, as we did, and watch the spectacular sunsets over the Indian Ocean!

BOOK IT! Stay seven nights all inclusive at Lily Beach in a Beach Villa from just £2,345 per person, saving up to £410 per couple. Honeymooners receive a bottle of champagne, baby wedding cake, flowers, plus one candle lit dinner and a 50-minute massage for two. Price applies to departure on 2nd and 24th and includes flights with Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow. Call: 0117 927 2009 and quote ref: WWH MV1113 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Love Vows Romance is always in the air in the Maldives, so why not take the opportunity to have a renewal of vows ceremony during you stay in paradise?

Island Hideaway***** The Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi Maldives, Spa Resort & Marina is a new luxury boutique resort situated in the Haa Alifu Atoll, on the privately-owned uninhabited virgin island of Dhonakulh in the North Maldives. The resort was opened offers six types of spectacular guest villas and the first marina of its kind in the Maldives. The Island is a romantic haven of peace, tranquility and serenity and the perfect place to renew your wedding vows.

Cinnamon Island Alidhoo **** For the ultimate castaway experience, head to Cinnamon Island Aidoo in the Haa Alif Atoll, which has its own PADI dive centre. The resort is classically Maldivian with all rooms set in individual huts, some perched above the water on stilts with thatched roofs and teak floors giving things a tropical feel.

Luxurious extras come in the form of hot tubs on the sun deck. The Madara Spa is state-of-the-art and floats in the centre of an Oriental-style pond with its own garden.

Kuredu Island Resort **** Kuredu Island Resort is located on the northern eef of the Lhaviyani Atoll, an area famous for its abundant maine life.

The resort has more than three km of white beaches and aquamarine lagoons. Guest accommodation is in exotic thatched bungalows and spacious villas that line the white sand beach and Sangu Sunset Water Villas, built over the lagoon. The resort is divided into two – the magnificent Sangu Resort on the western end of the island, which offers the fabulous Sangu Sunset Water Villas and Kuredu Island Resort, which offers Beach Bungalows and Beach Villas.

Meedhupparu Island Resort ***+ This stunning island is the only resort island in Raa Atoll, and with forty-three acres of land it is much bigger than many other islands. Like most Maldivian resorts it offers fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving. Other facilities include an Ayurvedic centre offering Ayurvedic wellness programmes, a reflexology centre, gym, spa, tennis courts and a badminton court. There is also a beauty salon offering pre-ceremony beauty treatments and hair styling.

Vow Renewal Package The resort’s renewal of vows package costs around $1,980. Packages are available directly on www.island-hideaway.com. Or call our 0117 927 2009

Vow Renewal Package This includes bouquet and buttonhole; ceremony; cake & sparkling wine; traditional Maldivian drum parade; decorated golf cart to the ceremony; candlelight dinner for two on floating boat; selection of photography, special gift, fruit basket in room and spa discounts.

Prices from £1,559 with Thomson. www.thomson.co.uk

Vow Renewal Package This includes: breakfast in bed; flowers in your room; candlelit dinner for two; Maldivian Ring Pillow at ceremony; romantic Villa Turndown on ROV eve, Kuredu wedding certificate, Boduberu drummers at the ceremony; wedding plaque; hair and make-up for the bride.

Prices from £579 with First Choice. www.firstchoice.co.uk

Vow Renewal Package This includes ceremony; five course evening meal with lobster on beach; cocktails & champagne breakfast; fruit & sparkling wine in the room on the ceremony night; lovers paradise excursion with picnic; renewal of vows co-ordinator; cruise on a decorated Dhoni boat. Prices from £949 with Thomson. www.thomson.co.uk

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Push the boat out – for the ultimate honeymoon

Finding paradise is always going to be challenging – but if you have budgeted for a no-expense spared honeymoon of a lifetime, then this is it, says Martin Cody-Owen

T

he Maldives have long been recognised as one of the world’s most spectacular and exclusive destinations. Their isolation, palm-fringed white sandy beaches and clear, Kodachrome-blue seas make these beautiful islands a perfect playground for couples seeking the pinnacle of pleasure.

Just as we were thinking it doesn’t get much better than this, the Sultans way 007 slid silently up to the jetty. At more than 103 ft in length, this Rolls Royce-engined, jawdroppingly beautiful yacht was a spectacular sight and, being almost unfeasibly large for just one couple to charter, we giggled and whooped like excited children! It has that effect!

For this reason, many honeymooners choose the Maldives as the place to fall in love all over again. But if you fancy a unique opportunity to see the Maldives literally from a whole different angle, and your pockets are deep enough, you can hire‘the Sultans way 007,’one of the world’s most coveted über-luxurious cruising yachts, and have this magical island paradise all to yourselves – and it’s highly recommended!

Just as we were admiring 007’s sleek lines and ruby red hull, the captain, in his gleaming white uniform, invited us on board to meet the crew with a welcome flute of chilled vintage Dom Perignom.

For our own honeymoon we chose an idyllic week soaking up the sun and recovering from our hectic wedding at the One & Only Reethi Rah, one of the world’s finest island luxury spa resorts.

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A yacht of this size and comfort can steer you well off the beaten track, and literally into the wild blue yonder, to discover all the hidden corners and coves of these extraordinary islands, many of which remain enchantingly uninhabited. We relished the carefree agenda on board: No forced excursions, no tired tourist trails. On 007 guests are never put under any pressure.

But we jumped at the chance to snorkel over a hidden reef. Anchoring in the shallows of a deserted island, a member of the crew took us on a guided swim over one of the most spectacular sub-marine wonders of the world, with a dazzling array of plant life and the most amazing fish we had ever seen.

The afternoon was spent lazing on the sun deck, enjoying the delicious food, the Champagne, the breathtaking sights, the spectacular sunset and best of all, our own company.

“We giggled and whooped like excited children, It has that effect!”

The Sultans way’s owners will literally go to the ends of the earth to meet the desires of an often-demanding clientele. You want particular types of flowers, fresh every morning to greet you? No problem. They’ll order them overnight from thousands of

miles away, if necessary, and while you sleep they’ll fly them in by seaplane.

Who goes on the Sultans way? International rock stars, supermodels and the global business and sporting elite are among the pampered guests who typically enjoy a break aboard 007. So what do they – and you – get as part of the package?

The exclusivity starts as soon as you land in the Maldives. The concierge of the Sultans way takes your passport and deals with all your immigration formalities, leaving you to head straight to a private jetty at the airport and onto the Sultans way. Your luggage magically and invisibly appears in your stateroom onboard.

Dining on 007 is always an event. On our first evening, the captain and crew left us alone on the yacht whilst they disappeared into the darkness on the tender. Within an hour we were escorted to a tiny sandbank in the middle of the ocean where the crew

had dug a roaring fire pit and, with candles flickering around a beautifully laid table, we were served a sumptuous honeymoon dinner under the stars with the waves lapping our feet. Quite simply a magical and treasured memory.

In the morning we languished beneath crisp Egyptian cotton sheets in the huge double bed of our palatial air-conditioned cabin as we looked out through picture window-sized portholes and watched the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean gliding by.

Breakfast onboard is a sumptuous affair.

The beautifully laid table was thoughtfully bedecked with our favourite flowers. We feasted on fresh fruit and freshly baked pastries and, whilst my new wife enjoyed Scottish salmon, I plumped for bacon and eggs. The diet would have to start once I got home.

Later in the morning we were raring for some action and adventure, and we chose the

yacht’s own jet skis for some extreme fun – and flying over the waves out in the depths of the Indian Ocean put an indelible smile on our faces.

Our time on the Sultans way 007 was all too short but it was a wonderful honeymoon experience and it left us with the taste for more luxury travel afloat. The Sultan’s way 007 is for people who are discriminating and will settle for nothing but the very best in life.

And this is a honeymoon that will really float your boat.

Hiring one of the ‘Sultan’s way’ fleet starts at £6,000 GBP per day excluding alcoholic drinks. Everything else is included. So, if you can, you must…

BOOK IT!

Sultans of the Seas Ltd:

00 960 331 0550 www.sultanoftheseas.com

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 137

Honeymoon offers!

BOOK IT!

01937 585 800

Our Honeymoon offers are special one-off holidays exclusive to Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons and are sold at a significant discount* email: cody@worldtitles.co.uk

Maldives SAVE £3,800 5★ Alilla 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!

WW&H deal: £2,495 pp USUAL PRICE £4,395 pp This offer is for 7 nights based on two people sharing a Water Villa.

BOOK IT! 01937 585 800

Maldives SAVE £2475

5★ Waldorf Astoria, The Beach House

Natural beauty meets chic boutique at this superb resort, the ultimate honeymoon destination or couples spa retreat. Powder white sandy beaches, turquoise water and the ultimate pampering.

WW&H deal: £1925pp USUAL PRICE £3162pp 7 nights’ B&B. This offer is for a water villa based on two people sharing.

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

138 18 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Egypt SAVE £256 5★ Tia Heights, Makadi Bay, Red Sea, Riveria Fantastic, family-friendly complex on stunning Makadi Bay with beautiful sandy beaches. Amazing swimming pools and great choice of restaurants.

Mecca for scuba diving and sun worshippers

WW&H deal: £295pp USUAL PRICE £423pp

14 nights’ B&B based on two sharing a luxury double room.

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

Cyprus SAVE £310 5★ Ayii Anargyri Milou Ayi Anargyrai Spa Resort is a restored monastery in Milou, enjoying a picturesque setting of citrus groves and its own vineyard.

Offers wonderful health and beauty treatments and yoga classes.

WW&H deal: £295pp USUAL PRICE £450pp 7 nights’ Half board in luxury double room based on two people sharing.

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

Greece SAVE £410

5★ Aldemar Royal Mare Village, Crete

Beauty and luxury combined in this elegant Thalasso & Spa resort in Crete. Breathtaking sea views, private beach and well appointed rooms with landscaped gardens. Perfect place to unwind.

WW&H deal: £395pp

USUAL PRICE £600pp

Seven nights’ B&B for two people sharing

Turkey SAVE £345 5★ Ritz Carlton, Istambul Located at the crossroads of two continents, where Asia and Europe come together along the banks of the beautiful Bosphorus Strait. The RitzCarlton, Istanbul hotel stands in the centre of this fascinating, flavourful city, bathed in Ottoman-inspired splendour.

WW&H deal: £395pp USUAL PRICE £567pp

Five nights’ B&B based on two sharing a luxury double room.

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

Crete SAVE £240 5★ Vasia Beach Hotel

Stylish chill-out getaway venue for couples near the quiet and picturesue fishing vilage of Sissi and its beautiful harbour. Great location and stunning views and superb spa for a relaxing break.

WW&H deal: £325pp USUAL PRICE £445pp

Five nights’ B&B based on two sharing a luxury double room.

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

Greece SAVE £516 5★ Royal Myconian, Mykonos Exquisite member of the Leading Hotels of the World. New luxury hotel at the beautiful beach of Ella, 9km from Mykonos town with private beach and amazing sea views. This one will go quickly!

WW&H deal: £472pp USUAL PRICE £730pp 7 nights’ B&B based on two sharing a luxury double room.

BOOK IT! 01937 585800 *Prices exclude flights and are subject to availability.

For more amazing honeymoon deals visit

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 139

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FREE Sandals Wedding

by MARTHA STEWART™*

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For more information or to book call 08000 22 33 31, visit www.sandalsweddings.co.uk or see your local travel agent.

*Terms & conditions apply. ABTA & ATOL protected.

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