Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons

Worldwide

NO.1 FOR WEDDINGS ABROAD

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THE FASHION ISSUE

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101 stylish ideas for brides abroad

27

CLEVER WAYS

to give your day the personal touch

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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

Editor-in-Chief

Terri Cody-Owen terri@worldtitles.co.uk Terri’s wedding dress is by Angelina Colarusso (0208 948 8898) Veil by Caroline Castigliano www.carolinecastigliano.co.uk Congratulations

CONGRATULATIONS! So, he’s popped the question and you’ve said ‘yes!’ Now the fun starts.

Deputy Editor Richard Brugger

Consultant Editor Colette Harris

Edtorial Assistant Sarah Coates sarah@worldtitles.co.uk

Okay, so the first big decision is what to wear. See our fantastic Mediterranean photoshoot (p.24), which showcases a stunning range of designer gowns with real big day ‘wow-factor’ to suit all budgets.

Fashion Editor

The next decision is where to get married: at home or abroad, church or registry office?

Many brides dream of a romantic ceremony surrounded by friends and family with bells ringing, birds singing, confetti and all the trimmings.

Assistant to Publisher

But how about substituting the country church or city registry for sand between your toes, a warm breeze swaying through palm trees and sound of the ocean lapping at your feet?

It’s easier than you think.

Colette Harris Richard Brugger Jack Russell Martin Cody-Owen

Many brides think it’s selfish to drag the congregation out to a Greek island (p.50), or a Caribbean tropical paradise (p.80) but don’t you believe it! In our experience, give enough notice to everyone and they’ll be there like a shot. How about New York (p.12) or Tuscany (p.42)?

Before you jet-off to the sun we have lots of inspirational ideas, from A-list bridal fashion secrets (p.54) and hairstyles for every setting (p.104) to fantastic honeymoon ideas (p.123).

Wherever you fancy, have a look at our Honeymoon deals (p.152) and save yourselves thousands.

Lulu Bousfield lulu@worldtitles.co.uk

Patsy Owen

Contributors

Photography Stuart Pearce Johnny Carr Javan Liam Jack Russell Rex Features Photosearch Dreamstime Istockphoto

Most importantly, when you return from honeymoon and you’ve got your wedding and honeymoon pics back, don’t forget to send them to me: Terri@worldtitles.co.uk. If we feature you in our Real Weddings section you’ll win a bottle of bubbly, and we’ll upload the photos to our popular website www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Design

Have a fantastic BIG DAY and best of luck in your married life!

Printer

Karima El-hakkaoui Graeme Turner James Bucknall

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.

Pelusa 020 806 0820 Mike Murray mike@pelusa.co.uk Ben David ben@pelusa.co.uk

Cover

Chloe Othen (Miss England finalist) and Adam Ullah photographed on the beach in Majorca.

Photograph by Stuart Pearce.

For advertising and sponsorship call Martin Cody-Owen on: 01937 585 800 or email cody@worldtitles.co.uk

Contents

IN THIS ISSUE 18 24 36 98

News From winter wonderlands to the ultimate hen

The look of love12 pages of cool wedding fashions on romantic Mallorca!

Get the look Gorgeous gowns and fab accessories for every setting

Spa hens Pamper parties for the bride-to-be

WEDDINGS York Ruth and John’s sassy 12 New ‘Sex in the City’ wedding Weddings Romance blossoms 42 Real in Tuscany for Roya and Lance Steps to A-list style 54 8Inspirational celeb ideas for star quality to a unique wedding 58 21GiveWays your big day abroad the personal touch weddings Say ‘I Do’ in 62 Wow-factor the world’s most iconic locations in the city Tie the knot in 68 Vows Europe’s romantic cities wedding bells 74 Balearic Magical Mallorca and inspirational Ibiza

80

80

Love the Caribbean Barefoot blessings – seriously chilled in the Caribbean

groomed Stunning hairstyles 103 Bride and products to make you shine 108 Lip service Pucker-up with kissable lips

42

24

SUBSCRIBE

SIX ISSUES £18.00 Worth £23.94 inc FREE P&P

CALL: 01937 585 800 or email cody@worldtitles.co.uk

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 9

146

PLANNING 112 Breaking news

Wedding just for two – how to break the news to family and friends

114 118 120

Weather permitting Our worldwide weather guide

Wedding countdown Month-by-month planning for your wedding abroad

Pop the question

Your questions answered by expert wedding planners

HONEYMOONS 124 What’s your passion 130 Celebrate in Andalucia

Design a dream honeymoon to suit your interests Toast your marriage in the Spain’s very Moorish historical heart

134

Honeymoon essentals

140 146

Oman’s Middle Eastern magic

120

140 124

10 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

134 136

Must-have accessories for your ‘moon

Beauty on the beach Send temperatures soaring with red-hot fashionss Live like Sultan and Queen

Waterworld Jump aboard and hit cruise control

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

�������������NEW YORK

NEW YORK,

NEW YORK! Ruth & John's Sex in the City wedding

W

hen Ruth Saward and her partner John Panton, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, decided to tie-the-knot, they followed in Sarah Jessica Parker’s fabulous footsteps and chose the Big Apple for a chic and cheerful day to remember. Ruth tells us all about it…

Finding the ‘One’...

We met in Grand Central, a bar in Wakefield – our eyes met across a crowded bar. Actually we’d seen each other around through mutual friends over the past few years, in fact, at one point he used to catch the same train 12 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

as me to college – but he says I never acknowledged him and he used to get off the train and walk up the hill looking at my bum! I was home from university for the summer and told him I wasn’t interested in anything serious because I was going back to university. I don’t think I admitted we were ‘serious’ until we’d been together for three years!

The proposal He proposed in the Trafford Centre car park! I’d told him about a ring I liked in a jewellers shop, so he had taken me there because he knew there was a branch of that jewellers – so, it’s more romantic than it initially

sounds! As we pulled up in the car park space he simply asked if I wanted to get married! I screamed, got a bit emotional, then rang my mum! It was only when I was on the phone to her that I realised I hadn’t actually said ‘yes’ yet!

Planning the big day We thought long and hard about our wedding and both agreed we didn’t want a big fuss. We originally thought about eloping but decided it would be nice to have people to share the magical moment. So we asked John’s brother James to be Best Man, and my best friend Kathryn to be our bridesmaid. We both have quite large

families, and lots of close friends, so we just didn’t know how we would keep it small and intimate – this way we got the fuss-free, fun wedding, and arranged a big party when we got back home for friends and family. We booked the wedding about a week after we got engaged, because we already knew what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go.

Location location!

We wanted to get married abroad, and I love all things American, so we looked on some travel websites and New York really appealed to us. We didn’t want a beach wedding, as I’m not a fan of sand! We considered Florida, but decided to marry in New York and honeymoon in Florida instead.

Theme of the big day We didn’t have a theme as such, although everyone who has seen the pics or heard about the wedding thinks it is very ‘Sex and The City’.

I knew I wanted to wear white, but wanted pink in there somewhere.

Thankfully John was happy to wear a pink tie, the bridesmaid dress was pink and invitations were pink and white, with hearts and ribbon and an image of Prince Charming and Cinderella on it. We booked it all 13

�������������NEW YORK through Virgin Weddings who made all of the arrangements for us. The actual wedding and honeymoon took less organising than the party back home!

Getting the look I had awful trouble finding the ‘right’ dress. I didn’t want anything too fancy and I knew it would be warm. I tried on so many dresses – some huge, some slinky, some cream, some white etc., but I just couldn’t find the right one. In the end I gave up and decided to look for my bridesmaid’s dress. I saw a really gorgeous dress and said to mum “that’s what I’d like but in white.” The shop assistant heard me and said I could have it! So I wore a strapless bridesmaid dress by Dessy (www.dessy.com)! I loved it instantly!

I bought my handbag from Australia on the Internet, and my shoes from Ivory Shoes in London, (www. ivoryshoes, com) which cost almost as much as my dress! Our wedding rings were displayed on a beautiful white satin pillow that my friend made for us to take with us. The boys wore light grey suits and silver waistcoats.

Their cravat/ties were in the same colour-rose pink-as the Alfred Sung

'I had awful trouble finding the 'right' dress. I didn't want anything too fancy and I knew it would be warm' 14 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

bridesmaid’s dress.

Finishing touches I wore a white gold diamond heartshaped necklace and ring that my parents bought me for my 21st birthday (they were my something old), and John surprised me with beautiful white-gold earrings on our wedding day (something new!)

My tiara was from BHS and my veil was my cousin’s in South Africa (something borrowed). I wanted to look and ‘feel’ like me on the day, so I did my own hair and makeup. I had a trial makeover and bought some new make-up and got a few tips. My long, straight, blonde hair is something I’m known for, so I didn’t want to do anything fancy with it. I just blow dried it and added the tiara and veil!

And the guests?

We just had the two guests – our Best Man James and my bridesmaid Kathyrn – my best friend since childhood. We didn’t invite anyone else – I think people would have come if they been invited, although some wouldn’t have been able to make it due to finances/family commitments etc. Which was why we decided just

to keep it to the four of us, so that nobody felt obliged or guilty. We all stayed at The Marriott Marquis in Times Square. John and I didn’t stay in different rooms the night before the wedding, we thought we were being so untraditional anyway that it didn’t matter! It was really lovely waking up together on our wedding morning. We went down and had a big breakfast buffet before then going into separate rooms to get ready!

The details The flowers were my one disappointment on the day. I had arranged them over email and telephone, and had opted for a small, simple white rose bridesmaid bouquet; the boys would have white rose buttonholes and Kathryn, just a single rose. But when they arrived at the hotel, my bouquet was nothing like the picture and I was initially upset, but soon got over it.

We didn’t have a cake on the actual wedding day, but we did have a cupcake tower at the English wedding reception. The cakes were pink and white with hearts on and glitter icing.

The cake topper was a Cinderella/ Prince Charming one we bought on

honeymoon in Florida, which tied in with the invitations.

Happy snapper We didn’t plan to have a professional photographer, due to cost and location etc., and had decided to take the photo-package that the travel company offered – literally a few pics of the ceremony. Then we went to a wedding fair and were stopped by a photographer called Javan Liam (www.javanliam.co.uk), who chatted about our wedding and asked if we would like him to come with us!

We were so excited when we saw his fabulous wedding photograph portfolio and went to meet him to discuss travel arrangements. Javan had the idea to create a ‘wedding diary’ album to include lots of different locations around New York plus photos of the friends and family reception back home. The results are wonderful. We got some choice over what went into the album, but to be honest, we trusted Javan and his assistant Dave and what they produced was absolutely amazing,

Snaps in the City The Big Day turned into a fun photo shoot around New York. We bought the city-bus ticket to take us around, and knew we wanted to go on the Staten Island Ferry etc, but other locations and ideas just ‘happened’ – such as pics in the pizza shop near Times Square, where the owners gave us free food to celebrate. We got caught up in the spirit of things – I ended up posing with police men and pretending to eat a hotdog, running across streets – any opportunity for something different or unusual, we grabbed it! Javan really captured the magic of our day as well as the wonderful city of New York and we have those memories and photos to keep for a lifetime.

The ceremony The 20-minute ceremony took place in the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park, next to a beautiful fountain. On the morning of the wedding, the wedding planner phoned to tell us that storms were forecast and would we like to change the venue to the Empire State Building. I said no, because our dream was to have a beautiful www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 15

�������������NEW YORK

'The big day turned into a fun photo shoot around New York.

We bought the city bus ticket to take us around'

outside wedding, and if it rained, we would just have to stand under umbrellas! Thankfully it didn’t – it was actually the hottest day of the year.

We were married by a lovely lady, Reverend Alma, who was provided by the travel company, and we kept the ceremony short and simple, and chose the shortest vows! Kathryn did a beautiful reading for us. We followed the ceremony with a private horse and carriage ride around the park for the two of us.

The reception We had a meal in the Marriott Marquis revolving roof top restaurant on the evening of the wedding, and had cocktails in the bar. Kathryn had arranged for balloons and banners to be put up at our table. We ate a wonderful three-course meal and watched the sun set as we slowly spun round looking at the New York skyline!

Amazing!

The reception back home About 120 guests came to our reception back home – some of who travelled a long way (South Africa, 16 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Newcastle, London). We kept the theme going with an American style buffet, with burgers and muffins etc.

A lot of people commented on how nice and ‘different’ to normal wedding buffets it was! We had some Hershey chocolates on the tables that we had brought back from New York, as well as some printed out pics from the NY wedding. Our First Dance was to Marvin Gaye, How Sweet it is (to be loved by you). John did a thank-you speech, and I took the mic and added quite a long bit as well!

Memories last forever My funniest memory was walking around the corner in Central Park for the ceremony and seeing John trying to quickly put his jacket on – he had assumed I would be late! Also, spilling chocolate ice-cream down my wedding dress (oops!). Generally the attention we got was very funny!

The honeymoon We had a couple of days before and after the wedding to spend sightseeing with Kathryn and James in New York. It was lovely to share part of our exciting

adventure with them. Two days after the wedding they flew home and John and I travelled to Orlando, Florida, where we stayed for another two weeks.

On Budget?

We thought getting married abroad would be cheaper, but it didn’t end up being cheap! Including all outfits, all expenses, travel, honeymoon etc. it came to almost £18k. We didn’t have a budget, we just wanted to enjoy the whole experience – it was a dream holiday and honeymoon, and we just happened to get married whilst we were there!

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JAVAN LIAM www.javanliam.co.uk

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

Romantic getaways with Laguna Tours Want to add a dash of adventure to your honeymoon in Thailand? Then Laguna Tours can oblige, with a range of luxurious romantic getaways on Phuket and its surrounding islands. It offers guests an alternative choice of exclusive and flexible tours – providing the same activities and visiting the same destinations as mainstream day trip operators, but losing the crowds and adding top-scale service. Guests can take an elephant trek through the jungle and canoe ride, board a private speedboat charter to the idyllic Khai Nok Island or embark on a fascinating tour of Phuket’s sights. Laguna Tours’ fleet of private luxury speedboats and top-of-the-line minibuses will ensure you are transported in comfort. www.lagunaphuket.com

WEDDING & Honeymoon NEWS Romantic Racha The Racha – voted one of the Top 10 Best Beach Resorts in the World – offers Honeymoon and Honeymoon Pool Villa package for newlyweds. The deluxe island hideaway on the stunning Racha Island, 12 miles south of Phuket, has a two-night Honeymoon Package in a Deluxe or Grand Villa (THB21,000 and 24,000 respectively, around £410/£470). This includes limo and speedboat transfers, welcome drink and fruit basket in the room, a romantic dinner on the Star Deck or beach, 90-minute Aromatic Spa package, choice of island excursions. Valid until October 31, rates are subject to 10% service charge, 7%VAT and 1% Provincial Tax. www.theracha.com.

18 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

VOTED THE WOR LD’S LEADING TOUR OPER ATOR FOR 11 YEAR S IN A ROW • W W W.K UONI.CO.UK

Luxury travel, tailor made by the experts

FOR ALL ENQUIRIES CALL 0117 927 2009

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Great Scott’s Seven Wonders Wedding and event planner Spencer Scott offers bespoke weddings in the most unique and exclusive venues on earth, including the Seven Wonders of the World! The company can organise weddings parties for 40 – 250 guests at the Taj Mahal, in Petra Gorge and at The Pyramids, as well as in private gardens and palaces anywhere in the world. The comprehensive wedding service includes site inspections, legal arrangements and marriage ceremony, the venue, transport, catering, entertainment, flowers, beauty treatments, photographer, event insurance, on-site management and the honeymoon. www.spencerscott.co.uk/weddings php Tel. 01825 714310.

Take five with Rosewood To celebrate BA’s new twice-weekly direct flights From London Gatwick to Cancun – launching in November – Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is offering seven nights for the price of five at the five-star Rosewood Mayakoba spa and golf resort. The offer is valid from November 1st – December 13th 2010, in a Lagoon Suite (room only) and is available with the following tour operators: ITC Classics, Abercrombie & Kent, Caribtours, Carrier, Azure Collection, Elegant Resorts, Cox & Kings, Kuoni, Quintessentially, Seasons In Style & Lusso Travel. ITC Classics offers seven nights from £1,925pp (saving £615pp) based on two adults sharing a Lagoon Suite on a roomonly basis, including flights and private car transfers. Valid November 1st to December 17th. Tel: 01244 355 527 www.itcclassics.co.uk www.rosewoodhotels.com 20

Pure honeymoon heaven in Zanzibar

The exotic island of Zanzibar may be most famous as the birthplace of one Freddie Mercury, but it is increasingly finding favour with honeymooners thanks to its pristine white sandy beaches, warm azure waters, tropical sunsets and great range of independently owned deluxe boutique hotels. Pure Zanzibar specializes in creating the perfect honeymoon itinerary for the “Indian Ocean’s best-kept secret”, incorporating a short safari in Saadani, Selous, or Mikumi National Parks (just a short flight away on theTanzanian mainland) if you wish. Tel: 01227 753180 www.purezanzibar.com

GRENADA, WEST INDIES

“A de SAVARY PROPERTY”

e is never far away...

Mt Cinnamon’s sweet honeymoon Mount Cinnamon resort on the Caribbean island of Grenada is offering a sweet Honeymoon Package. The package – based on a minimum stay of seven nights (lead-in rates start from US$345/£224 per room including breakfast) – includes a complimentary ‘Lovers Ritual’ treatment at Moi Spa, sunset cruise with Champagne and canapés, complimentary transfers to and from the airport and a Mount Cinnamon romantic keepsake gift.

Honeymooners must present proof (requested at the time of the booking) that they are married for less than six months Valid until December 20th 2010. For further information, visit: www.mountcinnamongrenadahotel .com or email reservations@mountcinn amongrenadahotel.com www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 21

Grab a bargain designer gown!

Suzanne Neville is holding a oneoff sample sale, giving brides the opportunity to snap-up designer wedding gowns for as little as £300.

The sale will offer hand-made bridal gowns for a fraction of their original price. Dresses will be sold on a firstcome, first-served basis, so get there as early as possible. The sale takes place on Sunday September 5th and Monday September 6th from 11am to 4pm at 29 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 1NJ.

Earn your stripes Wildlife-loving couples can enjoy the honeymoon of a lifetime and do their bit to protect the endangered Bengal Tiger. World Big Cat Safaris’ new 12-day Year of the Tiger Safari includes six nights in Kanha National Park and four in Bandhavgarh National Park – two of India’s finest tiger reserves. Limited to a maximum of 12 guests, the group departs from Delhi on Friday February 18 2011 and returns on Wednesday March 2. The land-only price of £3395pp (two sharing) includes a £100 donation to the Conservation of Tigers, most meals, all guided excursions, park/porters’ fees, local air/land transfers, and introductions to experts, wildlife artist, conservationists and local tribes. The itinerary also includes one day’s guided tour of Old and New Delhi.Call 01273 691 642 or book online: www.worldbigcatsafaris.com

Plan it with Planet Weddings Planet Holidays has launched a new website – www.planetweddings.co.uk – to take the hitch out of finding a place to get hitched.

The website highlights hundreds of romantic wedding venues, from stylish five-star resorts to more unusual venues like converted farmhouses, museums, yachts, as well as private villas, churches, chapels, registry offices, garden settings and beaches.

The upmarket operator offers weddings in Greece, Cyprus, Gozo, The Algarve and Mauritius, with information on the website designed to make it easier for couples to tailor-make their perfect big day.

Count your blessings Best ever pyjama party in Dublin!

Arlington Temple Bar Hotel in Dublin promises the mother of all pyjama parties with its Girls Just Want To Have Fun hen package. The hotel – slap bang in the heart of the Irish capital’s party central, Temple Bar – kicks off with a three-course evening meal, Irish dancing and a music show plus complimentary bubbly, followed by VIP club access and a complimentary round of cocktails. In the morning receive a full makeover from Wheatstone Beauty Salon. On returning to the hotel you will receive an invite to a pyjama party like no other, complete with private butler, wine, cocktails, tasty treats and a private screening of your favourite chick flick! Priced £219 per person for two nights B&B. Tel: +353 1 67 087 77 www.arlingtonhoteltemplebar.com 22 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Motivational speaker and blogger Lizzi Vandorpe wanted a way for others to share and record the joy of being in love. The result is a new book: The Blessings Book of Marriage. Vandorpe started counting – and recording – her blessings after meeting her second husband just two months after returning to the UK following seven years abroad with her daughters. “The book is a place to keep all those special moments that arise from being in love,” says Vandorpe. “As well as the inspirational photography and words, there are blank pages where you can preserve your own precious memories.” Available now, priced £8.99. www.theblessingsbook.com

www.honeymoonworld.tv 21

The

LOOK of

LOVE

Melt his heart with this season’s hottest bridal fashions and he’ll know he made the right decision, says Lulu Bousfield

24 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

BRIDE

Dress by Madeline Isaac James www.madelineisaacjames.com Head dress: Polly Edwards Earrings: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Necklace and bracelet

by Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.com Shoes: Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.com

GROOM

Lightweight suit by Marks & Spencer www.marksandspencer.com

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Dress by Madeline Isaac James www.madelineisaacjames.com Headband: Made to order by Penelope Hardwicke 07966 886697 Jewellery: Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.com Shoes: Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.com Sunglasses: Models own vintage Dior

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Dress by Pronuptia www.cococouturebride.com Sunglasses: Tiffany www.cameronbeaumont.com Jewellery: Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.com Shoes: Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 27

BRIDE Dress by Pepe Botella www.beautifulbridalboutique.co.uk Hair accessory: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Earrings: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Bracelet: Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.com Shoes: Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk

GROOM Cream frock coat, gold waistcoat, cravat and white shirt hired from Youngs. www.youngsbrideandgroom.co.uk Shoes: Hired from Youngs www.youngsbrideandgroom.co.uk Sunglasses (worn on head) Tag Heuer www.cameronbeaumont.com

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BRIDE Dress by Pronuptia www.cococouturebride.com Headwear: Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.com Jewellery: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Shoes: Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk

GROOM

Lightweight suit and white shirt from Marks & Spencer www.marksandspencer.com Shoes: Marks & Spencer www.marksandspencer.com

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Dress by Johanna Hehir www.johanna-hehir.com Head dress: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Jewellery: Rosegarden www.rosegardenaccessories.com Shoes: Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk

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Dress by Amanda Wakeley www.amandawakeley.com Pearl Tiara: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Jewellery: Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.com Shoes: Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk

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BRIDE

Dresss by Lyn Ashworth www.lynashworth.co.uk Headband: Aliceband with bow by Penelope Hardwicke 07966 886697 Bracelet: Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Shoes: Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk Sunglasses: Models own

GROOM

Lightweight suit by Marks & Spencer www.marksandspencer.com White shirt by Marks & Spencer www.marksandspencer.com Sunglasses: Tag Heuer www.camperonbeaumont.com

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BRIDE

Dress by Ashley Isham Veil by Pronuptia www.cococouturebride.com Headband: Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk

GROOM Waistcoat by Pronuptia www.cococouturebride.com Trousers: Models own

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Dress by Accessorize www.monsoonaccessorize.co.uk Bracelet: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Headband: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com

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Photographer: Stuart Pearce. www.stuartpearce.com Hair and Makeup: Susie Kennett. www.susiekennett.com Stylist: Lulu BousďŹ eld. Models: Chloe Othen. www.missengland.info Adam Ullah. www.catwalk-uk.com Photographed on location in Majorca.

In and around The Beach House, Betlem. www.mallorcabeachhouse.com

Dress by Ugo Zaldi www.ugozaldi.com

Tiara: Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com

Veil: Caroline Castigliano www.carolinecastigliano.com

Bracelet by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com

Shoes by Rachel Simpson www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 35

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Barefoot bride

Pearl cluster comb, £39 www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk

Be a fresh and natural bride for your beach wedding

A rose in bloom hairband, £36.00 www.ebuni.com

Wedding dress, Persia from the Gower collection by Stephanie Allin www.stephanieallin.net

St Erasmus necklace, £385 www.st-erasmus.com

Pink jewel cuff, £270 www.cruisefashion.co.uk

Ivory lily comb, £22 www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk

Beautiful white flower sandal, £29.99 www.riverisland.com

36 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com www.cococouturebride.com

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Ice tear bracelet, £45.00 www.kleshna.com

Queen of the castle Sparkle and shine at your glamorous fairytale castle or country mansion wedding

Mongranite Butterfly necklace, £995 www.ecore.co.uk

Mongranite fluer earings, £850 www.ecore.co.uk

Queen of Hearts crown, £175 www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk

Mongranite dragonfly ring, £4,100 www.ecore.co.uk

Classically elegant ‘Dutchess’ shoes by Rachel Simpson, £155 www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk

Dress by Hollywood Dreams www.hollywooddreams.co.uk

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Dress by David Fielden www.davidfielden.co.uk

Beaded Bow head band, £40.00 www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk

Indira Laranya neckpiece, £590 www.easternmystic.com

Jahanara Shreya earings with gold trim, £175 www.easternmystic.com

Set of contemporary rings with diamond detail by Alexi, price on application www.alexsisjewls.co.uk

Pretty Isabella shoes by Rachel Simpson, with bow detail in satin, £155 www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk

Gold & diamond cuff, £19,500 www.susannahlovis.com

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City slicker

Blend urban chic with elegant sophisticated for your city wedding www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 39

Weddings 42

Real weddings – the Italian job

50

Real weddings – Greece is the word

54

8 Steps to A-list style

58

21 Ways to make your wedding abroad unique

A truly romantic wedding in rustic Tuscany

Photo: Courtesy of Couples Resorts, Jamaica

Mama Mia! This dream location will give you something to sing about

Live like a celebrity on your Big Day by stealing their style secrets

Dare to be different and bring a personal touch to your wedding day

62 10 Iconic weddings

Say ‘I Do’ in one of the world’s most famous locations

68 Top 5 Cities

For style, elegance and culture, allow one of the world’s most vibrant cities to host your wedding.

74 Balearics

Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera – we focus on exchanging vows on the Mediterranean’s most popular islands

80 Caribbean delights

We reveal the most stunning Caribbean locations for your tropical wedding

98

Spa hens

Relax and indulge your hens in preparation for your big day

Real WEDDINGS

The

Italian Job

42

‘We married in Tuscany and so my dress has this romantic, countrystyle feel to it’

W

hen advertising executives Roya Darling and Lance Neuhauser decided to tie the knot, they chose the rustic heart of Tuscany for a truly traditional Italian wedding.

Roya shares her big day with us:

Finding ‘The One’...

We met when Lance was interviewing me for a job; we spent five hours talking and didn’t mention the job once. I had passed our first interview, which was round one, a phone interview. Next round was meeting for drinks (not strange in advertising jobs) and I was waiting at a table and saw him walk in. He ordered and we started talking about music, film, family, politics, religion – you know, all of the light stuff. After five hours of non-stop talking, I was smitten!

The Proposal He finally proposed in Sintra, Portugal. We had flown to Madrid to visit Lance’s sister Tessi, who was studying in Seville for six months. Our good friend Matt flew with us and the four of us rented a car and drove across the county into Portugal, arriving in Sintra around 5pm. Matt and Tessi went upstairs to put our bags in our rooms and Lance suggested the two of us walk around and get some fresh air. We went back to this beautiful balcony overlooking a lush, mountainous landscape. He dropped down on his knee to propose and I walked away out of sheer shock and left him hanging. It wasn’t until he reminded me he was waiting for a response that I screamed ‘Yes!’ It was totally unexpected! For the four months leading up to the proposal, Lance would take any

opportunity to steer me away from thinking he even wanted to get married. We were married 13 months later.

Getting the look We married in Tuscany and so my dress has this romantic, country-style feel to it. It was made by a designer named Cymbeline, who originated in Paris. The dress was beautiful and exactly what I wanted. I also wore diamond drop earrings, a diamond bracelet given to me as a gift by my husband, and a blue sapphire and diamond ring lent to me by my sister-in-law Kerry. Our wedding coordinator found us me a great make-up and hair stylist. Lance wore a darker khaki suit from J Crew with a green tie and pocket square.

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 43

Real WEDDINGS

Location, location We decided that we wanted our wedding to be our own, in every possible way and we knew if we were to have it in our hometown it would be much larger than we wanted. We knew we wanted it to have a European feeling and had just been to Spain and Portugal.

We both love Italy, so it was a pretty simple decision. We didn’t have to worry about the theme too much because our venue was so unique; it oozed its own personality that we leveraged for our wedding.

Planning the big day We worked with a wedding planner, Sharon Strauss of Weddings in Italy by Regency, and made our own travel arrangements.

44 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Sharon was very helpful and gave us the best recommendations on venue, food, hair and make-up. We had never been to our venue, we had only seen pictures – we were taking a risk but it also took the control out of our hands, which resulted in us not trying to over-plan and over-control every last detail.

And the guests We invited 73 guests, who stayed at Castello di Gargonza in Monte San Savino.

Surprisingly, and luckily, most people accepted our wedding invitation.

Fine details We chose an arrangement of different white flowers (don’t know all of them!) and had a

traditional Italian wedding cake: millie foglie cake with strawberries! Our photographer was Massimo’s Studio but we decided not to have a video. Our favourite wedding photograph was actually taken by a friend – we’re having a private moment and the picture captures that in its entirety.

The ceremony The actual ceremony took place in the Olive Press of the Castello di Gargonza and lasted around 25 minutes. We were married by our dear friend Aaron Goldman and I was given away by both my mother and stepfather.

‘We knew we wanted it to have a European feeling and had just been to Spain and Portugal’

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 45

Real WEDDINGS

What a reception Our reception took place as the Castello’s restaurant and the menu included the local Italian specialities. We had Tuscan ham and salami; sheep’s cheese and rocket salad; Buffalo mozzarella and tomato salad with avocado; Crostini with black olive pate; Pear and walnut risotto; Tagliatelle Pasta with mushroom sauce; a selection of stuffed vegetables; Thick-sliced beef with rosemary sauce; grilled vegetables and Sea bass fillet with prawns. Plenty for every taste! Our first dance was to Aretha Franklin – Baby I love you – we had fun with it, dividing it up and singing to each other.

For our entertainment we asked Lance’s brother Jordan, who is founder of Boom Entertainment. We flew in his partner, Big Daddy, to spin music for us the entire weekend, including our wedding night.

Memories are forever...

Our best memory was during dinner, looking

46 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

around the restaurant at all of our closest family and friends. Never again would I have my absolute favourite people in one place, so far away and magical. It was incredible!

The funniest memory was on the Friday night before the wedding (our wedding was on a Sunday), most of the guests had arrived and we all let loose that evening in the Olive Press.

Everyone was dancing like crazy and my cousin Dan was literally hanging from the ceiling.

On budget?

It cost around £41,000. Right on budget!

Honeymoon Our wedding was amid a big touring trip that started in Rome, took us to Positano and after we wed in Tuscany, we left the next day for Florence. I had never been and can’t think of a better place to go after such excitement. I love Florence! About 15 of our guests randomly went to Florence after the wedding. We kept

running into people, which was an absolute delight as we already missed everyone.

We would meet them for a drink or for lunch.

It was perfect.

Further information Wedding planner: Sharon Strauss Becchi, Senior Wedding Coordinator Regency San Marino.

Tel: +33 348 691 3059 Sharon@weddingsitaly.com

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

T

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46 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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Picture Perfect

Advertising feature

Finding the perfect wedding photographer can be daunting – especially if you are getting married abroad.

So how can you be sure you’ve found ‘the one’ to bring out the best on your special day?

P

re-booked wedding packages often provide wedding photography with local photographers – selected from a small choice of wedding albums and presented by the hotel’s wedding planner just days before the wedding. Not surprisingly, the results tend to be basic and impersonal, with little emphasis on creativity.

couple don’t want me to be the centre of attention. Photographers need to judge that very quickly because every bride is different.

I am not the kind of photographer that takes forever setting the shot up. I think it’s about opportunism. I believe in keeping everything moving, including the flow of the guests, and the excitement of it all.

If you are looking for beautiful, inspirational photography to capture the essence of your marriage abroad you should consider taking along a good, reliable photographer from the UK. Javan Liam, one of Yorkshire’s bestknown and creative wedding photographers, explains why:

“Photographers that work at the same local venues time after time tend to emulate and reuse the same backdrop. I don’t do that.

That’s why I love photographing weddings abroad. I love the opportunity to visit new places that I have never been to before – it’s amazing how you can quickly see photo opportunities that you would miss at local venues. Everyone thinks it’s like a holiday for the photographer, but weddings abroad are also very hard work!

Getting to know you “I think it is vitally important for bride and groom to build up a relationship with their photographer prior to their wedding. I like to have impromptu meetings with the couple well in advance so that we can discuss in-depth what they want from a wedding album. It’s not about what the photographer wants, it’s about what they want as a family.

Good wedding photography is about people enjoying the day from start to finish.”

Passion and creativity “I have a sense of passion and try to entertain the wedding party and create amazing pictures. I do have a big personality but I don’t think it’s appropriate for every couple I work with. Certainly some couples love it and want more. But I am very conscious that it’s the bride’s day and the

The price is right “Saying that, despite the extra work, I love it! And our company charges only a little more than we do for an English wedding.

After all, where would I rather be spending a weekend, in the South of France doing a shoot in St Tropez or in the usual venues? I aim to be fair with the couple by balancing the fact that I am taking three days out of my working week in the UK, with a fee that is almost the same as I would charge for a local wedding.

“To photograph a wedding abroad there are just three things that we would ask: flights, accommodation and our meals.

It can be done over two days. It’s not about the money, it’s about creating a good mix of photographs so that the bride gets a stunning wedding album!”

New York groove “One of the most fun shoots I have done abroad was in New York (see our star wedding on page 12). I met the bride at an exhibition and she liked the style of my photography. She wanted a Sarah Jessica Parker-style of wedding and that fitted bang on with what I like to do. She was full of fun and excited about her wedding day, and from the beginning she didn’t need any encouragement to run around NY, literally, and be the centre of attention. We all had a fantastic time and it was a wonderful experience.

“The most exciting bit for me is watching the couple look at the images afterwards and loving them.

Why go to a different country to get married if you are not going to get spectacular images?”

Contact: Javan Liam Photography.

Strawberry Dale, Harrogate. HG1 5BA. Tel: 01423 500357. www.javanliam.co.uk www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 49

�������������GREECE

Greece is the word

Georgina & Jamie’s movie-style wedding

50 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

‘We wanted a simple beach wedding with the guarantee of warm weather’

W

hen Georgina Burton, an entertainment producer from Hove and her boyfriend James, a PR consultant decided to get married, they chose a stunning Greek island setting, just like in the movie Mamma Mia, for their wedding ceremony. Georgina tells us all about it:

Finding the ‘One’...

We met at University 14 years ago. It wasn’t love at first sight – we were both in the same class and I thought he was a right ‘wide boy’ and he thought I was a stuck up b**ch!’

The proposal James proposed in a little pub garden in Canterbury on our 10-year anniversary! He nervously said: “So, what are we gonna do about this wedding thing then?” I said: “Well, you know, all you have to do is ask!”

After a five-minute monologue, he did ask. I said yes and cried with happiness. It wasn’t totally unexpected, but I was delighted! We

got married 14 months later.

Location location!

We had our first holiday on the Greek island of Skiathos 10 years before and friends had said that it hadn’t changed, so we thought that would be the ideal location for our wedding. Once we had picked Island, the Greek theme followed logically.

The planning We chose an overseas wedding because I always wanted a simple, beach wedding and the guarantee of warm weather. We did most of our own arrangements, which was made a lot simpler by the Internet. We then had a very helpful hotel and events manager at our hotel, the Skiathos Princess Hotel, and we communicated via email and phone. The events manager also arranged complimentary perks for us, including upgrade to the wedding suite, champagne, etc. We planned virtually all the details of the wedding before we went, except hairdresser and flowers.

51

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And the guests?

We had six guests at the wedding, who included family and best friends, they all stayed at our hotel.

Getting the look I wore a Grecian-style Benjamin Roberts designer dress in ivory chiffon, which I bought from Catherine Francis in Arundel. It was perfect for a wedding abroad, and for my Grecian Romance themed wedding, with its simple pale Mediterranean colour palette. I kept my accessories simple; using local white flowers in my hair, and wore strappy sandals with low heel to make it easy to be barefoot in the sand or paddle in sea. James wore a beige linen suit, short sleeve white shirt, matching white flower and leather sandals. I just had one bridesmaid, my best friend Caren, who wore a simple ice blue satin dress with ivory sash to match my dress. I hired a local hairdresser, who had been recommended by the hotel, and did my own make-up.

Finishing touches The flowers I chose were Agapanthus – the Greek flower of love (complete coincidence), but I didn’t have a wedding cake out in Greece – I had one at a party back in the UK instead!

52 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Our photographer was Robert Burton (Brides Father) and retouching was done by Iamflawless.co.uk, which kept quality up and costs down. My favourite wedding photo is one where we are standing in the sea and I am holding up my dress because we both looked (and felt) relaxed and happy.

Sunset ceremony Our wedding ceremony lasted 20 minutes and took place at 6.30 pm on

the hotel’s private beach under a flower arch at sunset. The local Major married us and female guests had baskets of rose petals to throw as confetti.

The reception Our reception was held under a small, intimate marquee on the beach. All the food was cooked next to us by our own chef and we were served by two dedicated waiters. The menu included spinach and feta filo parcels with

‘Our reception was held under a small, intimate marquee on the beach’

cranberry; Pork medallions with sauté potatoes and green beans; Petit fours and coffee; Champagne, local red and white wine and Ouzo. The table was decorated with candles and entwined olive branches to symbolise the bond of love according to an old Greek tale.

For the first dance we danced to Zorba the Greek – deliberately tacky, and had a Greek band playing a combination of English and Greek music.

Memories last forever My best memory of the day is sitting under the stars on a warm night, eating freshly caught food and drinking chilled red wine with closest family, friends and new husband. The funniest is being forced to dance to Zorba the Greek

by closest family and friends! Also, we thought it was going to be a disaster when we had a thunderstorm on the morning of the wedding day; however, it turned out to be a positive as it cleaned everywhere and cooled the evening down.

The honeymoon We stayed at the resort for our honeymoon – we had booked for two weeks and friends and family just came out for one week, so we got the chance to be on our own once they had gone home.

On budget?

The whole wedding cost just £4000, which was actually bang on budget!

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 53

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� �

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Be inspired by style and party ideas from fabulous celebrity weddings, and give your big day the star touch

1

Design your own rings

US red carpet actress Mena Suvari (left) got married at fairytale Castello Odescalchi, in Bracciano, Italy, this summer – the same venue Tom Cruise and Katie Holmeshired for their wedding (http://www.odescalchi. it/) – in a ceremony, which had a quartet, organist and soprano performing as she walked down the aisle, as reported

by US magazine People. The couple exchanged white gold rings, which her groom Simone Sestito designed himself.

‘Having anything specially created for you and knowing that it is completely unique feels like the ultimate luxury, but can be more affordable than you think,’ say Kate Thorley and Zoe Youngman, Creative Directors and co-founders of bespoke jewellers Nest Creates. ‘It can take up to two months for us to get to know our clients and to develop a design with them.

Being able to capture an individual’s personality and spirit in a piece of jewellery can not only make the wedding ceremony more meaningful, but it can also help to create memories that will last a lifetime.’

Find out more about bespoke wedding jewellery at www.nestcreates.co.uk or call 01926 773 926. The ‘starting from’ price for commissions from Nest Creates, the bespoke jewellers, is from £2,000 per piece of jewellery.

54 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

2

Go Low-Key

Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford (left) recently tied the knot in Santa Fe, US, in a no-frills, outdoor ceremony that saw him in jeans and her in a white sundress. To make your ceremony low-key but meaningful and heartfelt try: � TALK TO THE LOCALS ABOUT THEIR WEDDING CUSTOMS ‘If you hear a tradition you love, use it in your ceremony to make it extra unique for you and your guests. Just make sure you rehearse it a few times!’ says wedding planner Erika Unbehaun (www.flutterflyevents.com). For example ‘in Spain, do what the Spanish do and cut the bride’s garter and the groom’s tie! The garter gets passed around to the male guests, while the tie is given to the ladies – both in exchange for money for the happy couple,’ says Olivia Soleto. ��CONSIDER WRITING YOUR OWN VOWS or if the local legal procedures mean this is not possible, write a letter to your groom, telling him how you feel to be getting married, for him to open on the wedding morning. ��CHOOSE A DRESS IN A NATURAL FABRIC, which you could get professionally dyed afterwards or wear again as an evening gown.

Try cotton (get inspired by the gorgeous gowns at www.thecottonbride.com) or more traditional silk.

4

3

Shake up an old tradition

Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross (left) apparently turned the throwing of the bouquet tradition on its head by asking married couples to line up, then throwing it to the couple who’d been married the longest. Give your big day a new twist by...

Giving your bouquet to the flower girl or to the couple who had the longest journey to wedding venue! Both will appreciate the lovely gesture,’ says Erika Unbehaun. In another twist on the usual theme, you could ask your bridesmaids to present their posies to the partner they want to have their first dance with. Or donate all your wedding flowers to the local hospital or hospice. Your on-location wedding co-ordinator can organise it for you.

Get winter wow-factor

Sophie Dahl married Jamie Cullum (left) in the New Forest this January, in a winter wonderland wedding at Lime Wood hotel (www.limewoodhotel.co.uk).

Sugababe Heidi range is also reported to be planning a winter princess event. So if you fancy a day with winter wow-factor, try: ��CHOOSE A SPECIAL COCKTAIL TO KICK-START YOUR PARTY, shaken by maestro Nuno Pires (www.globalcocktailco.com) who travels globally to attend any event, says wedding planner Olivia Soleto (www.oliviasoletoweddings.com). ‘I recommend the glamorous white Honeymoon Martini for winter princesses – it mixes fresh lemon with home-made vanilla sugar, cream and gin with citrus essential oils, garnished with rose petals.’ ��CONSIDER A STRIKING COLOUR THEME FOR YOUR STATIONERY THAT YOU CAN CARRY THROUGH TO YOUR WHOLE DAY. ‘Try pine greens offset with metallic silvers, a snowflake motif and diamante

embellishment,’ says Vaishali Shah, creative design director at bespoke stationer Ananya (www.ananyacards.com). ����������������������������������������� CRYSTAL GEMS & DIAMANTES FOR A FROSTY SPARKLE. Try Tiny gems (£5.75 for 36g) from www.allthingsnice.net � GO FOR ACCESSORIES THAT SPARKLE ‘A glittering, statement headpiece is perfect for making your wedding more glamorous, like our Hollywood Headband or Vintage Sparkle Headband with a crystal and diamante necklace or choker’ says Diana Evans, designer at www.rosegardenaccessories. co.uk. ‘And if you’re wearing a shrug - a crystal cuff bracelet would finish the wonderland look.’ �GETTING HITCHED IN SPARKLING SNOW IN VIENNA (http://www.wien.gv.at/english/administration/ civilstatus/wedding/dreamwedding.html), at an Ice hotel in Sweden (http://www.discover-the-world. co.uk/en/weddings/) or in Lapland (http://www. firstchoice.co.uk/sun-holidays/adult-holidays/ weddings/lapland-weddings/)

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 55

5

Have a classic vintage look

Make like cool Brit actress Gemma Arterton (left), star of Prince of Persia, whose recent, quiet wedding in a Moorish castle in Andalucia had a fresh pastel green and white colour theme and a surprisingly English country classic feel (for ideas on where to spend an utterly romantic honeymoon in Andalucia, turn to page 128).

Wear a Vintage gown. You can channel Gemma’s classic vintage look with a dress from the Starlet collection by designer Madeline Isaac-James. Find your nearest stockist at www.madelineisaacjames.com), or a strapless cream satin dress from the Vintage collection at Benjamin Roberts (find your nearest stockist at www.benjaminroberts. co.uk).

Go for Pearls. As Gemma’s relaxed style is simple and unfussy, classic pearl drop earrings and a matching pearl bracelet, along with an understated pearl tiara would add a little bit of grandeur if you don’t want a veil.

See the delightful collection at Rose Garden Accessories, including their pearl tiara, £110. www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Give your stationery a Spanish flavour with coin or rosary motifs, says Vaishali Shah. ‘It’s a tradition for the Spanish groom to give his bride thirteen coins before the ceremony, and for a rosary to be wrapped around the couple in a figure of eight to portray their eternal unity.

But if you don’t want a religious theme, then a fan or a Spanish rose could be used instead.’

56 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

6

Go Hawaiian!

Megan Fox (left) just married in a secret ceremony at the Four Seasons in Hawaii (www.fourseasons.com/hualalai), with only a handful of guests.

Use island inspiration for your big day.

Use tropical colours, and motifs such as ‘Orchids, hibiscus flowers, or palm trees on your stationery, then carry them through as your theme,’ says Vaishali Shah Wear flowers in your hair. Try fresh, or brightly coloured accessories. ‘Or if you’d rather leave colour to your bridesmaids, try a hair accessory with ivory flowers to work with your dress,’ says Diana Evans. Ivory Flowers Headband, £86, www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Serve bright cocktails on the beach, says Olivia Soleto. ‘Watermelon Daisy mixes watermelon chunks with fresh lime juice, agave nectar and tequila blanco.’

7

Celebrate your new name

Coleen Rooney (left) – who married Wayne at Villa Durazzo, a 17th Century palace in the resort of Santa Margherita Ligure two years ago (www.villadurazzo.it), chose to personalise her honeymoon accessories with her married name in diamante.

Use the very company Coleen ordered from to get your ‘Mrs..’ bikini, T-shirt, vest top, beach towel, or baseball cap for a fun twist to your honeymoon by shopping at www.diamon-t.com

8

Supersize your cake

Eva Longoria Parker’s (left) French wedding included an enormous red cake, Pierce Brosnan chose a fairytale tower of ivory icing, and Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise went for a large, lavish, tiered Italian confection.

Order your cake from the sumptuous designs by Mich Turner at The Little Venice Cake Company, as she created Pierce Brosnan’s fabulous carrot cake (www.lvcc.co.uk).

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������� ������ ������ Discover the best ways to bring the personal touch to your wedding day!

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ne of the joys of a wedding abroad can be that there’s less to organise, because so many hotels and resorts either offer ready-made wedding packages or a wedding planner at the venue. But with more UK couples now choosing to tie the knot this way, you want to make sure your wedding is unique to you, and expresses your individuality.

So how to do it without sacrificing the convenience of a destination’s ready-made wedding? It’s easy when you know how! Just make sure you check with your co-ordinator that your ideas are possible – and legal in the country where your ceremony is taking place – and you can make your event feel truly special.

58 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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It’s your big day, so why not make a speech? Hearing from the bride will make an interesting change, and allow you to bring your personal touch to the day.

Consider a team speech, where you and your new husband work together to create a speech that shows you starting married life as you mean to go on. You could use props such as pictures of you on previous holidays, or not looking quite your best, or with funny hairstyles from your school days, with little jokes about how you’re glad you didn’t meet in your Duran Duran phase or when you loved The Spice Girls.

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ADD MEANING WITH JEWELLERY

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Get your rings engraved with your initials, the date, or a special phrase that means something to you. Try Ernest Jones’ engraving service from £7.00 (www.ernestjones.co.uk), or H Samuel, from £7 (www.hsamuel.co.uk) Create a necklace from a shell or leaf from the place where he proposed, covered in silver or 22 carat gold, from £120 (www.eandkcharms.co.uk) Choose a wedding day necklace, bracelet or earrings that contain your birthstone – for example, February is amethyst, April diamonds, and December, turquoise (www.beautifulbirthstones.co.uk and www. birthstones.org.uk have more information).

Work with an individual jewellery designer to get something unique or create customised rings. Discover individual jewellers by searching online in your local county – try Cornwall’s Carole Allen for beautiful silver and turquoise pieces perfect for a beach wedding (www.caroleallenjewellery.co.uk ), or Lancashire’s Janet Isherwood, whose gold and diamond creations would look fabulous in the opulent setting of an Italian palazzo (www.janetisherwoodjewellery.co.uk). Or get inspired at events such as the Desire jewellery and silver smithing fair (www.desirefair.com) and The Goldsmiths fair (www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk).

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Choose your music carefully

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Ask your friends to RSVP with their top three dance tunes so you can create a wish list for your DJ and you know they’ll fill the floor when that song comes on.

Choose an upbeat, personal song to walk out of the ceremony, such as Stevie Wonder’s ‘Signed, sealed, delivered’, or ‘It had to be you’ by Frank Sinatra.

Choose a first dance song that you both love – and can dance to! Get lots of ideas at www.uk-disco.co.uk/survey/ and www.firstdanceuk.co.uk/top5.htm

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COLOUR CO-ORDINATE Your wedding package may include colour choices such as the Sandals Martha Stewart wedding packages (www.sandals.co.uk) called Flutter of Romance (pinks), Seaside Serenade (white, cream and pale green aquamarine) or Island Paradise (soft tropical coral, yellow and orange with pink) – why not make your pictures even more spectacular by asking guests to wear accessories or dresses in a matching colour? www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 59

UNIQUE BOUQUET You can choose the hassle-free bouquet from a wedding package menu, and still make it your own by wrapping a piece of lace from a favourite friend or relative’s dress around the stems, or clipping on a locket with the picture of a friend or relative who can’t be there.

11 CELEBRATION CAKE

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12 Customise your fragrance

You might want to wear the fragrance you had on the night you met, or the night he proposed. But you could also create a personal fragrance for your wedding day, to be reminded of this wonderful, romantic occasion every time you wear it. Try Jo Malone’s fragrance combining service (www.jomalone.co.uk), the bespoke perfume service from Pecksniffs in Brighton, where you will be given the chance to test three blends based on your likes and dislikes, and to name the one you choose, £250 (www.pecksniffs.com), or create your own at a perfume-making hen party with The Perfume Studio (from £35 per person, www.theperfumestudio.com).

60 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Many wedding abroad packages will include a plain white cake (such as Almond resorts Caribbean weddings at www.almondresorts.co.uk) so add a finishing touch by adding a ribbon, colour co-ordinated to your colour scheme, or fresh flowers to match your wedding bouquet. You could even add an heirloom brooch pinned to the ribbon. Decorate the cake with an elegant or amusing topper or a monogram cake topper of your initials, such as the brushed silver versions (www.aweddinglessordinary. co.uk) £9.95 per letter.

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Choose a perfectly apt charm bracelet as a thank-you to a mum or friend, from the hundreds at Dower & Hall including zodiac signs, angel wings, shoes, initials, cakes, butterflies and animals. From £35 for a charm. (www.dowerandhall.com) Please your mum and dad, best man or best friend with a personalised Monopoly board name-checking places that have special significance to you. From £79.99. (www.mymonopoly.com)

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CHEERS 16 Sew a piece of your mum’s dress, or a keepsake such as a grandmother’s ring, into your lining.

17 Customise you and your new husbands glasses in matching ribbon or something else of sentimental value.

WRITE YOUR OWN...

VOWS. Get inspired at www. myweddingvows.com, or read Wedding Readings and Vows (www.confetti.co.uk) LOVE SONG to perform at the wedding, perhaps with friends. Get inspired at www.ultimatesongwriting.com.

LOVE POEM, to write in a card for him on your wedding morning. Find ideas or hire someone to do it for you at sites such as www.pocketfulofpoems.co.uk.

READINGS. Invite a happily married family member or friend to write something about the nature of love, or what it means to be happy, based on their experiences. Or choose a passage from a religious text, novel or even film, that means something special to you and ask someone to read it.

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BE THE ONLY ONES...

If you really want to avoid the feeling of being a conveyor belt bride in a resort where several weddings happen every day, choose somewhere with a promise that you’ll be the only couple (such as Beachcomber resorts in Mauritius and the Seychelles, www. beachcombertours.co.uk). Work with an experienced wedding planning company such as www.loveandlord.com in Italy; Angelic Events in north Cyprus (www. angelic-events.com ); Get Married in France (www.getmarriedinfrance), or Take us to Thailand (www. takeustothailand.com); or choose an exclusive hire option, where you and your guests take over a whole hotel or venue for the wedding – this is available at many places including the Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux in Malta (www.xarapalace.com.mt ) and Dublin’s The Clarence Hotel (www.theclarence.ie ).

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 61

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Wow-

FACTOR

WEDDINGS

Dare to be different and get married or have a blessing in one of the world’s most iconic locations!

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Taj Mahal India Imagine getting married in a private garden overlooking the Taj Mahal – the most famous and beautiful enduring monument to love? Imagine arriving in an ornately-decorated planquin on elephant back? Imagine celebrating your union in an exotic Indian garden, lavishly furnished with cushions, muslin drapes, water features, candles, fresh flowers and the aroma of incense? Soothing classical Indian musicians play during the ceremony and Royal wedding banquet. Your special day culminates with a spectacular fireworks display.

Wedding package: Wedding & event planners, Spencer Scott,

offer bespoke wedding packages for parties of 40-250 guests including legal arrangements, ceremony, venue, transport, catering, entertainment, flowers, photography, event insurance, on-site management and the honeymoon. You can expect your wedding package in a unique venue for 40 guests and bridal accommodation in a design, boutique or deluxe hotel to set you back around £25,00 – but well worth it!

Legal requirements: In India the legal requirements of a marriage varies from State to State, but because of the legal complications of getting married in India, it is only possible to have a Blessing ceremony at the Taj Mahal.

Book it! Tel: +44 (0) 1825 714310 62

email: weddings@spencerscott.co.uk www.weddingworld.org.uk

Sydney Opera House Take a trip down under and hold your ceremony at the iconic Sydney Opera House, with its striking views over Sydney Harbour.

The ceremony will be held either outside on the boardwalk overlooking the equally iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge (weather permitting) or in a private room within the Opera House. Celebrate after your ceremony with champagne and canapés.

Wedding package: Kuoni offers a

Australia

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Standard Wedding Package (from £2150).

This includes bouquet and buttonhole, Australian sparkling wine toast, wedding car with ribbons, wedding cake, witnesses if required, minister fees, marriage licence and bridal music. Extras are available for £765 per couple including 75 photographs in black and white and colour, CD or all images, bridal hair and make-up and limousine.

Legal requirements:

You need to stay three working days in Sydney before the wedding and six days overall. You must also be over 18 years old. Documentation is required eight weeks before travel.

Book it!

Tel: 0117 927 2009 www.kuoni.co.uk

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Rotorua

New Zealand South of Tauranga, Rotorua is nicknamed the ‘Sulphur City’ after the unique aroma from the geothermal activity that occurs in and around the city. Rotorua is situated on a collapsed volcano, Rotorua Caldera, and this creates the stunning geysers and bubbling mud pools. Claimed to be the Maori cultural capital, by exchanging vows in Rotorua you are embracing the traditional Maori culture and marrying in the place of love.

Wedding package: Kuoni’s wedding package

(£4930) includes venue fee to marry at Tamaki Maori Village; organist to play upon arrival and whilst exiting the chapel; fee for Maori priest and witnesses if required.

Legal requirements:

You need to stay three working days in the resort is required before the wedding.

Seven days minimum stay required at the resort and bride and groom need to be over 21. You also need full documentation.

Book it! Tel: 0117 927 2009 www.kuoni.co.uk

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Rose Red Petra Jordan

One of the most stunningly beautiful, atmospheric and unique places in the world, you can have a religious ceremony at this incredible location in front of the Byzantine Monastery deep inside the Siq gorge. The bride and groom arrive by veiled planquin and a silver-service wedding reception and banquet can be served amongst the rose red pillars of Petra with musicians playing from ledges inside the gorge. Your special day ends under the stars in a private luxury camp in Wadi Rum.

Wedding package: Wedding and events planners,

Spencer Scott, offer bespoke wedding packages for parties of 40-250 guests including legal arrangements, ceremony, venue, transport, catering, entertainment, flowers, photography, event insurance, on-site management and the honeymoon. Price for 40 guests, including bridal accommodation will be around £25,000.

Legal requirements:

Legal religious marriage is recognised in the UK, but not for divorcees. Civil marriages are not recognised. A wedding in Petra requires documents four weeks prior and marriage bands require 23 days notice.

Book it!

Tel: +44 (0) 1825 714310 email: weddings@spencerscott.co.uk www.weddingworld.org.uk

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Table Mountain Cape Town

Tie the knot in one of the most stunning cities in the world and choose a breathtaking ceremony on the top of the famous Table Mountain, with the stunning views over the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, Robben Island and Cape Town.

Wedding package: Go for gold with Kuoni’s Gold Wedding Package (from £1,210), which includes transfers from and to your residence in the City Bowl in a luxury car; bridal bouquet and buttonhole; bottle of sparkling wine; limousine transfer; services of a wedding co-ordinator or the Kuoni Platinum Wedding Package (from £1,690), which also includes a photographer and unlimited digital photos, plus an album of 30 photos.

Legal requirements:

Three working days in resort required before wedding. seven days minimum stay required in resort. Bride and groom must be aged 21 and over. Full documentation required including10 year British passport.

Book it! Tel: 01179 272009 www.kuoni.co.uk 64 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Escape the big budget UK wedding, and instead, share your vows in a stunning glass walled chapel, overlooking a sparkling beachside lake at Laguna Phuket, Thailand.

Honeymoon in luxury and seamless style, in one of seven deluxe hotel and villa properties at a price that’s right for you.

Laguna Phuket offers affordable yet luxurious destination weddings. Make your dream a reality at Laguna Phuket - Asia’s leading resort wedding destination.

For more information on the cost of weddings at Laguna Phuket please visit: www.lagunaphuketweddings.com/wwh

T: +66 76 362330 ext. 2302

E: chapel@lagunaphuket.com

www.lagunaphuketweddings.com/wwh www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 121

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Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco

The Golden Gate Bride is one of the most well-known landmarks in the USA and you can choose to marry in this stunning location.

The ceremony will take place in a viewing area of the bridge looking out over the bay and Alcatraz. An ideal spot for couples looking for a unique and intimate setting. Golden Gate Park is also a romantic spot to say ‘I do’ and offers a breathtaking backdrop to your wedding photographs with its well-manicured lawns, waterfalls and architecture.

Wedding package: Kuoni’s Standard

Golden Gate Park Wedding Packages (from £1,460) include wedding licence, custom written ceremony, bouquet and buttonhole; wedding cake; 36 photographs and a CD of all images; champagne and transfers to and from the wedding ceremony. Or upgrade to Deluxe Golden Gate Park Package (from £1,790) which also includes two tickets to Alcatraz; private city tour of San Francisco with guide

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The Pyramids Egypt

and lunch and dinner at the Carnelian room at the top of the Bank of America with views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Legal requirements: one working day

in the resort is required before you can marry in San Francisco, plus three days minimum stay in the city. You must also be over 18 years of age.

Book it! Tel: 01179 272009 www.kuoni.co.uk

Have a truly spectacular Pharaohs wedding at the incredible temples to the kings, the Pyramids. These iconic landmarks remain as awe-inspiring today as they did the day they were created in the Ancient World. In traditional Egyptian style, the bridge and groom arrive by veiled palanquin or on camels to be photographed in front of the three Great Pyramids before being heralded by trumpeters playing the Triumphal March from Aida as bride and groom arrive at a private exotic Bedouin camp in the desert. Luxurious tents with rugs and sofas, musicians and dancers and a lavish Egyptian banquet is served. Your special day culminates with a champagne reception at The Pyramids as the sun sets.

Wedding package: Wedding and

events planners, Spencer Scott, offers bespoke wedding packages for parties of 40-250 guests including legal arrangements, ceremony, venue, transport, catering, entertainment, flowers, photography, event insurance, on-site management and the honeymoon. Price for 40 guests, including bridal accommodation will be around £25,000.

Legal requirements: To marry in Egypt couples need to be in Cairo for a minimum of five days to process all the wedding details and legalise the marriage.

Book it!

Tel: +44 (0) 1825 714310 email: weddings@spencerscott.co.uk www.weddingworld.org.uk 66 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Vows in the City 5 top European cities to tie the knot in style

Photo by Javan Liam Photography www.javanliam.co.uk 68

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Paris

Best for d’amour Set your pulses racing by marrying in Paris, the city of romance. This sophisticated, fashion capital of the world is also known as ‘The City of Lights’ as after sunset the city pulsates with light and energy.

What to see: Everyone should visit Paris at some time in their lives and what better occasion than for your wedding? The best thing about Paris is the Parisian lifestyle. Be sure to find a pavement café on the Champs Elysee and take time out to people watch with a coffee and a croissant. Shoppers will be in seventh heaven in the great shopping malls, department stores and gallerias. However, as a sightseeing destination, Paris has plenty to offer with a rich culture and heritage.

Marvel at the magnificent landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and Louvre Museum.

Where to stay: If you are going to get married in a city as special

as Paris, then don’t cut corners and stay at the most lavish hotel in the city. The iconic Ritz Paris is located in the Place Vendome, just steps from the best Parisian shopping and cultural attractions. Decorated in traditional French style, highlighting the décor of an 18th-century mansion, all the rooms have state-of-the-art facilities. Push the boat out yet further and book one of the six renowned Prestige Suites, including the Coco Chanel, Windsor and Imperial.

Wedding package: Wedding receptions for up to 250 people are available in the magnificent Grand Jardin with special wedding packages on request.

Book it!

www.lhw.com

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Venice

Best for dramatic photos Hold your nuptials in one of the most unique cities in the world and take the plunge in Venice. Take a Wedding Gondola ride on your wedding day for truly memorable memories and fabulous wedding photos!

What to see: All you need is just one Cornetto and the picture-perfect

scene is complete, as your gondola glides through Grand Canal and winds its way through narrow canal streets and under the ornate bridges of Venice, where delightful architecture spans centuries. Marvel at the palaces and churches in what is one of the most unique cities in the world. Don’t forget to visit St Mark’s Square and take yet more photographs against the backdrop of the Rialto Bridge, or take a trip on a launch on the sparkling Venice lagoon.

Where to stay: Moments from St Mark’s Square. The gothic, yet

elegant and aristocratic Danidi was converted from palace to palatial hotel in the 19th century. The landmark hotel’s centrepiece is the magnificent staircase leading to ornate balconies overlooking the lobby and the breathtaking views from the rooftop restaurant.

Wedding package: Although official wedding ceremonies are not

held at the hotel, civil weddings can be performed in the XVI century Palazzo Cavalli along the Grand Canal or religious ceremonies in local churches. The Hotel Danieli, however, hosts unforgettable wedding receptions for up to 160 guests with views of the Venice Lagoon. The hotel’s wedding planners can arrange everything including flowers, menus, photography, traditional Italian wedding sweets, ceremonial wedding gondolas, music, guest transfers, even bridal gowns, and tuxedo rentals.

Book it!

Stay three nights B&B at the five-star Danieli Starwood Hotel in a Grand Deluxe Room from £694 per person, saving £360 per couple. Offer appies to departures 12th October 2010 and includes British Airways flights from Gatwick. Call 0117 927 2009 and quote Ref: KE2030.

Best for a religious experience Go religious and married in the Catholic capital of the world in one of the most breathtaking of all Italy’s historical cities – Rome is a truly spectacular location to get married.

What to see: There’s arguably more to see in Rome than any other city in the world, with the relics of over two thousand years packed into its sprawling metropolis. Be inspired at every corner with the sighting of yet another awesome landmark – from Vatican City to the incredible Colosseum and the Pantheon, originally dedicated as a temple ‘to all gods’. Or stroll through Rome to the cities famous squares and Piazzas, including Piazza Navona, which displays the Baroque triumphant architecture, and St Peter’s Square, the majestic access to St Peter’s Basilica, the centre of Christianity.

Where to stay: You are getting married, so push the boat out and

stay at Rome Cavalieri, The Waldorf Astoria Collection. Located on the city’s highest hilltop and set in 15 acres of lush Mediterranean gardens, with splendid views over the city and the Vatican, facilities at the hotel include a luxurious spa and the 3-michelin-star La Pergola restaurant.

Wedding package: One of the most fabulous and prestige venues

for weddings in Rome, the Cavalieri is equipped to handle every detail of your big day – transportation, accommodation, reception, food, wine, decorations, music; no detail is too small. The hotel’s team of wedding planners will liaise closely with you to ensure that everything is done just the way you wish.

Book it!

Stay for three nights B&B at Rome Cavalieri, The Waldorf Astoria Collection 5* from £679 per person, saving up to £32 per couple.

Offer includes flights on British Airways from Gatwick Airport and applies to departures on November 30th 2010.

Call 0117 927 2009 and quote ref: IT5580.

70 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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Rome

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Amsterdam

Best for a hip vibe

Have a fun wedding, where anything goes, in Amsterdam, the liberal capital of Europe and a city that never sleeps.

That aside, Amsterdam is also one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and a very special place to say, ‘I do’.

What to see: Amsterdam is all things to all people.

For culture vultures it is heaving with museums and art galleries displaying the works of Dutch masters including Rembrandt and Van Gough. For the more relaxed sightseers a lazy trip down the canal offers an ideal opportunity to enjoy the character, charm and distinctive architecture of the picturesque city. The unconventional types can enjoy smoking cannabis legally in the Brown cafes and the singles nightlife scene is non-stop and fullon! But for the wedding party, it’s a conventionally beautiful setting for a traditional wedding with a hip twist.

Where to stay: Overlooking the Amstel River in

the heart of Amsterdam’s shopping and cultural centre is the Hotel de L’Europe, a 19th century marvel of gracious hospitality, which features a famed display of works by original Dutch masters. Classically decorated guest rooms feature every luxury and modern amenity.

Wedding package: From intimate arrangements

and hip ceremonies to lavish parties, it can all be arranged for you at Hotel de l’Europe, which can cater for all sizes of wedding parties. Wedding options include a complete buy-out of the Dutch Masters Wing; a choice of modern, classic or traditional theme; arrival or departure by boat and a choice of indoor and outdoor venue.

Book it!

Best for culture vultures If you are a culture vulture looking for somewhere truly special, then Vienna could be the perfect choice. Vienna is dubbed Europe’s cultural capital and is a sophisticated place to tie the knot

What to see: The Austrian capital city is a clean, safe

metropolis with unique charm, and flair. Situated on the banks of the River Danube, you can wander at leisure along narrow, medieval alleyways or across imperial squares and marvel at Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Palace (Hofburg). Take time to admire the majestic architecture along the Ring Boulevard.

The city is steeped in history – yet also boasts the comforts and infrastructure of a modern city. And, of course, a trip to the opera is a must! Vienna has been synonymous with music for centuries, and was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss.

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www.lhw.com

Vienna

Where to stay: Originally constructed in 1870, the Grand

Hotel Wien recently reopened after complete renovation and soon became the meeting place for Viennese society, partly due to its prime location next to the Austrian State Opera House.

With elegant rooms and suites, exclusive restaurants and two bars, the hotel offers a legendary experience in opulence and luxury.

Wedding package: Wedding receptions for all sizes are

available in the hotel’s conference area and magnificent ballroom with a capacity for up to 450 people.

Book it!

www.lhw.com

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 71

Advertising feature

STAR

QUALITY Iberostar’s superb hotels offer the perfect wedding venues for starry-eyed couples looking to tie the knot in Tenerife

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ou want your wedding day to be the most memorable of your life.

And that goes doubly if you are heading to the sun to celebrate your union. With its fantastic year-round sunshine and balmy temperatures, Tenerife is the perfect destination for your marriage, particularly as it is only a four-and-a-half flight from the UK. When you reach the island you want a destination to dazzle – which is where Iberostar’s superb five-star hotels come in.

Iberostar offers guests beautiful destinations, supreme comfort, delicious and varied cuisine, innovative, cosseting wellness and, above all else, shining levels of friendly, personal service.

Its professional wedding planners will take care of the tiniest detail of your marriage, helping and advising you about every necessity, from the decoration to the table layout.

72 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Hotel Iberostar Anthelia

Hotel Iberostar Anthelia ★★★★★

Enjoying a fabulous location amidst exotic scenery on Tenerife’s stunning south-western Adeje Coast, the five-star Hotel Iberostar Anthelia is everything you could posible want from a wedding venue, and more.

Perfect venue

Everything catered for

The hotel has the perfect place for the special moment when you say “I do”. Its specially decorated arbor – made just for couples celebrating their special moment – is set in an exclusive and romantic area in the gardens with spectacular views over the Atlantic.

Superb cuisine – presented with imagination and flair – and fine wines of the highest quality will satisfy even the most demanding palate.

The bride and groom can choose from a range of menus, or create their own based on an individual menu which forms part of the “A la carte weddings” programme.

The hotel offers eight luxury rooms adaptable to any marriage, with a banquet which can seat up to 400 diners or cocktail parties with up to 700 guests.

If you would prefer an al fresco wedding to enjoy the wonderful light and warm sea breeze, the hotel’s terraces and 60,000 m2 of gardens are available, including the option of holding the ceremony by one of the swimming-pools, with a capacity up to 700 guests.

Additional services such as special flower arrangements, the music for your reception, the services of a photographer, fireworks, car and bus rental, special decoration, a horsedrawn carriage (even entertainment by Disney characters!) can be arranged. For the evening entertainment you can count on the hotel’s DJ, live bands and professional entertainers for young and old alike.

Advertising feature

Iberostar Grand Hotel El Mirador

Iberostar Grand Hotel El Mirador ★★★★★

If you are after an intimate ‘boutique’ destination for your Tenerife wedding the Iberostar Grand Hotel El Mirador is the perfect match. This select ‘adults-only’ five-star hotel – located next to its sister property Hotel Hotel Iberostar Anthelia – offers the happy couple and guests the best possible service.

Intimate venue The Iberostar Grand Hotel El Mirador has a range of function rooms, which can be adapted to the needs of any wedding, business meeting or convention. El Médano Salon has capacity for 200 people in theatre layout, 50 in imperial, 100 in classroom format, 170 for gala dinners and 220 for cocktail parties.

El Cenador, the hotel’s new gourmet restaurant, serves traditional Canary cuisine with a creative twist.

El Cenador can also be used as an event venue, with capacity for 32 guests outdoors, 48 guests indoors, or a combination of 80 guests indoors and outdoors, all in a banquetstyle arrangement.

Luxurious facilities The sophisticated hotel has 120 suites (Junior, Superior Junior and Deluxe Junior Suites) distributed throughout a six-storey building. Featuring elegant, colonial-style

decoration, each suite has a large terrace with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. The range of exclusive services offered in these suites includes the chance to choose your favourite pillows from an extensive selection, a luxurious set of complimentary toiletries with scented bath salts, daily newspapers to keep up with what’s going on in the world from the comfort of your room, and special VIP treatment on your arrival.

The lavish Presidential Suite has a large outdoor area and private jacuzzi, while the penthouse Royal Suite has a wonderful private living room with panoramic views of the ocean, as well as a fabulous jacuzzi on the terrace.

The hotel has 2,000m2 of tranquil public areas, including gardens, a water park with impressive swimming pools and sun terraces with Bedouin tents where you can chill out in style.

The hotel’s butler service means you needn’t worry about a thing, whether it is booking your excursions, sporting activities or finding places to visit.

World-class cuisine The most demanding of taste buds will be satisfied by the exquisite gastronomy on offer in the hotel’s restaurants: El Mirador, Restaurante La Pérgola Beach Club and El Cenador.

VIP treatment Guests looking for the ultimate experience can enjoy the VIP area, La Balconada, on the

first floor of the hotel. The 11 rooms provide exclusive services reserved for these most special guests, including butler service to cater to your every whim. You can even enjoy a cooling dip in a private swimming pool, a free session in the Thai Zen SPAce Anthelia, early and late check-out, and gourmet breakfasts.

Special wedding package!

• Two nights free in a suite on a B&B basis • Breakfast served in the room (optional) • Late check out • Bottle of Champagne on the wedding night • Special accommodation price for guests • Personalised menus and guests sitting • Chosen wedding menu tasting • Specialised staff advice • Wellness SPA circuit and a Thai massage for the wedding couple • On the first Anniversary: two nights and a romantic dinner in one of our restaurants

For more information visit: www.iberostar.com www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 73

Balearic

wedding bells The romantic Balearic Islands are the perfect destination for your dream wedding Photo courtesy of L’avenida

74 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Vista de la Catedral, Palma

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o get that memorable dream wedding in the sun couples are prepared to travel to all corners of the planet. But what if you could have those stunning beaches with azure seas, melting sunsets, beautiful whitewashed chapels and luxurious resorts just a two-hour flight away? Spain’s Balearic Island ticks all these boxes, and more, providing a stunning backdrop for your big day.

For many Mallorca and Ibiza epitomize what is so special about this collection of sparkling Mediterranean gems. So whether it is a large church wedding or intimate blessing, Mallorca and Ibiza provide the perfect sunkissed destinations. And with the islands so well served by budget airlines and charters, your guests should be able to arrange flights without breaking the bank.

Magnificent Mallorca As the location for a dream wedding the largest of the Balearics really does have it all. From the stylish capital Palma to miles of beautiful unspoilt beaches, upmarket harbours lined with super yachts and super models, and spectacular towering mountains.

Photos courtesy of Turespaña

With its stunning 14th century gothic cathedral, elegant tree-lined streets, chic boutiques and vibrant nightlife the capital Palma is one fine destination for a wedding to remember. Head to the Paseo Maritimo to the west of the centre for the city’s best hotels.

The north-west of Mallorca is dominated by the spectacular Tramuntana mountain range, dotted with historical and picturesque towns, many of which offer stunning panoramic sea views. Port de Andratx is a pretty, wellheeled harbour town with a fine selection of bars and restaurants. The elegant and ‘arty’ hillside towns of Deia and Soller have become hip hangouts for artists, writers, bohemian types as well as the seriously minted. Soller’s square is a great place to unwind with a coffee and admire Gaudi’s

striking church.

If you are after fine beaches and a laidback atmosphere try the village of Cala San Vincente on the north-west coast. If you are travelling with kids then the bustling resort of Alcudia in the north remains a popular choice, with its wide choice of family-friendly accommodation. Further up the coast is the charming Puerto Pollensa, which has maintained a laidback vibe, and has a lovely marina, great beaches and picturesque walks along its pine-fringed front.

If you are heading to the east coast Cala Millor has a long, powder-white beach and azure waters, plus plenty of shops and bars.

Inspirational Ibiza Ibiza has always had that magical – some would spiritual – ‘x-factor’ that continues to enchant visitors new and old. Its days as a hangout on the hippy trail have simply added to the island’s laidback, bohemian atmosphere. This elusive, mystical beauty – and some of the Med’s finest beaches – makes it a very special place to make your sacred vows.

Playa de Cala Longa, Ibize

for families and quieter holidays, and has three fine sandy beaches. Cala Vadella is a picturesque and secluded sandy bay on the West coast, offering superb bathing and watersports. Santa Eulalia – Ibiza’s third largest resort – is a firm favourite thanks to its marina and fine sandy town beach, lined with bars and shops. The resort of Es Cana, is famous for its weekly Hippy Market (every Wednesday from April to October).

Getting married As with the rest of Spain civil and religious (Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim) marriages can be celebrated by people over the age of 18 on the Balearic Islands.

While the temptation will be to visit the islands during the summer months, it may be wiser to plan your wedding around them. If you want kids to join in your celebration think about February half-term, when the almond blossom is in full bloom and the average temperature is a very pleasant 17°C.

Civil and same-sex weddings

Of course in more recent times Ibiza has also become the spiritual home for clubbers, who make their annual pilgrimage to super clubs like Pacha (whose iconic ‘two-cherry’ logo seems to adorn every surface on the island).

Recent Spanish Government legislation states that foreigners may not marry by civil law in Spain – including Mallorca or Ibiza – unless they are resident for at least two years (a parental holiday home on the islands is not enough!).

But while many head to the capital Ibiza Town for a night of foam-filled hedonism, it really deserves to be explored by day, and particularly by night, when its eccentric charms bubble to the surface. Even a simple coffee in a quiet backstreet bar could be enlivened by a flotilla of drag queens dressed to their size nines. Explore the busy Port area, with its bustling bars, cafes and shops, take an envious peak at the swanky yachts in the Marina and walk the Old Town’s 16th century walls .

However, couples can receive a wedding blessing. This requires the couple to have a civil ceremony in the UK before they receive the wedding blessing in Spain. This can be a full religious ceremony in church where you can have your rings blessed, or can take place in a hotel, on the beach, private villa, finca or other venue of your choice. You can write your own pieces for the blessing ceremony or decide on poems or songs for inclusion.

Ibiza’s beach resorts provide an even more chilled, sedate experience. Portinatx on the north coast is a mini-resort that is ideal

Since November 2007 same-sex couples who have registered a civil partnership in the UK should be treated as spouses for legal purposes in Spain. www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 75

Commonwealth Office on: 0207 008 1111, or visit the website: www.fco.gov.uk The documents must be translated into Spanish. The Consulate may be able to translate UK birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates (check with your local Consulate for more details). The Spanish Government has a list of Sworn Translators on its website: www.maec.es

Pitfalls – and how to avoid them It’s all too easy to get excited about arranging your big day, particularly if you’ve always dreamed about that wedding on the beach with the sun setting over the sea. Yet keeping a level head now will ensure you don’t get burned when you tie the knot.

Comercio en Dait Vila, Ibiza

Religious marriages Religious marriages are recognised as legal under Spanish law, but to obtain an official marriage certificate, and for it to be accepted in the UK, the marriage must be registered with the local civil authorities. So it’s important to confirm that the officiator of the marriage is licensed to marry and to establish arrangements for civil registration.

You should check whether the officiator will register the religious marriage on your behalf or whether they will provide you with the paperwork to do so yourselves.

Once you have obtained your Marriage Certificate you will need to have it translated into English, which can be done by visiting your nearest British Embassy. Whilst there you can request the certificate be forwarded by the British Consular to the General Registrar Office in the UK. Spanish law recognises Catholic, Protestant, Islamic and Jewish marriages as legal and valid in Spain without the need of a civil marriage taking place prior to the religious marriage. However, the couple must obtain a certificate to marry before the service can take place.

Catholic weddings Roman Catholics of any country may be legally married on the islands (but only in a church). If you and your partner are both Catholic you must both go through the pre-nuptial enquiry with your local priest.

The necessary paperwork will be arranged from within the church and sent via the Arch Dioceses to the church you have chosen in Spain.

With a Catholic wedding you must apply for your baptismal certificate in advance to allow time for the documentation to be put into place. However, the copy certificate is only valid for a wedding which takes place within the six months, so don’t apply before. Mixed marriages are permissible in the Roman Catholic Church. You will need to visit the parish priest and tell him what you plan.

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Catholic Priests are under no obligations to perform a wedding for people from other countries – they do so as a matter of courtesy. Currently the agreement with the local diocese is for a stipend of €350 for the priest and €250-350 for the church.

Anglican marriages The Anglican church has one chaplaincy on Mallorca with three congregations based in Palma, Puerto Pollensa and Cala d’Or. The clergy welcome enquiries from couples young and old, first and second time around, who want to marry on the island.

For more information visit: www.anglican-mallorca.org

Documentation You will be required to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI). For this you must visit your local Consulate (If you are resident in the UK you should get your CNI there.) and give notice that you intend to marry. If you are divorced or widowed, bring your original divorce decree or a death certificate. You will swear an oath/declare to the effect that there is no impediment to your marriage.

The notice is displayed in the Consulate for 21 days and if there’s no legal impediment to the marriage, the certificate is issued.

The Consulate will then provide you with a Spanish version.

For the Certificate of Civil Status you must visit your local Consulate and swear an oath that you are single and free to marry. If you are divorced or widowed, you must declare as such and present your original divorce decree or a death certificate. Firstly register with the consulate online at: www.fco.gov. uk. Then visit your local Consulate, where you will be issued with the certificate.

You will also require a valid 10-year passport, Birth certificate, Marriage certificate of any previous marriage, Divorce certificate or Death certificate if you were previously married then widowed. The documents must bear the Hague Apostille stamp. For more information contact the Foreign and

Andrew Hubert von Staufer of Mallorca Weddings has a case book filled with couples who thought they had experienced the wedding of their dreams, only to find out that they weren’t legally hitched.

‘We have found instances of hotels finding a willing non-Catholic or self-professed ‘priest’ on holiday celebrating a marriage in a disused chapel for Catholics, who were unaware that they were not being married according to religious custom and Canon Law. ‘Some of the old manor houses have been turned into rural hotels. Many have a house chapel – very beautiful – which is often offered to clients as a suitable venue for their wedding. The Diocese of Mallorca only allows weddings to be celebrated in the parish churches and the hermitages, not the house chapels.’

Andrew also urges caution for couples who want to end things with a bang. “Many clients have asked for the Mallorca custom of a firework display. Fire regulations are strict due to the many flash fires which occur in the summertime. I’ve had to deal with one bride whose day was ruined when her wedding reception was sprayed with fire-retardent foam sprayed from a plane!”

Displays may be longer than ten minutes, accredited pyro-technicians must be used and the hotel must have fire precautions in place. www.mallorca-weddings.com

Dos and Don’ts • Do get your priorities right – priest, church and reception in that order • Do contact the priest well in advance so you can check availability and get to know the precise rules of marriage as there are many regional variations • Don’t hit the sun loungers before your big day – you may end up looking like a pair of lobsters! Fake it rather than baking it • Do remember that temperatures will soar in summer, and that churches aren’t always air conditioned

Best for BOUTIQUE CHIC L’Avenida, Sóller, Mallorca If you want a private destination for a small wedding that also oozes glamour and sophistication then look no further than L’Avenida. Set in the beautiful town of Sóller in the Tramuntana Mountains, this ninebedroom boutique hotel sets the perfect scene for an intimate and informal celebration. Arty decor, designer lighting and crisp minimalism give this beautifully restored 100-year-old mansion a breath of cool.

L’Avenida – which has a capacity for 35 guests – can arrange a ceremony in a local church (and a priest to conduct it), as well as tapas and cava for the reception and even the symbolic release of doves. The hotel is closed over winter.

Wedding package A wedding at the Hotel L’Avenida costs from €9,750 (£8,099) for a minimum two-night stay on an exclusive use basis. The three-day wedding package costs from €15,000 euros (£12,460) (excluding food, drinks and IVA @ 7%). This cost includes all rooms for two or three nights on an exclusive basis and breakfast every day for guests that are staying at the hotel. It also includes the planning of the wedding, together with hire of furniture, tableware linen etc. A range of menu options are available. Flowers, photography, cake and church fees are not included. www.avenida-hotel.com

Your perfect wedding...

Best for HIP COUPLES Hotel Aguas de Ibiza, Santa Eulalia, Ibiza This sensational five-star destination embodies the effortless cool for which Ibiza has become renowned. From its uber-chic pool terrace to the designer bedrooms, this designer hotel has it all for those who want a wedding with some added Pasha. And to make sure bride and groom look and feel fantastic on the big day there is a host of treatments available in the equally stylish Revival Spa.

Wedding package Aguas de Ibiza offers a different, unique space to hold your wedding, complete with five-star service and a wide selection of gourmet menus. Imagine sipping a cocktail in the Rooftop Chillout area while drinking in a sunset over the Med, all set to laidback Balearic beats. Then follow it with a lavish dinner in the hotel’s Ibicencan Events Hall. The hotel can also organise everything from a classic car and classical quartet to a DJ if you want to keep things seriously chilled. Tel: 0117 927 2009 www.aguasdeibiza.com

Best for BREATHTAKING SUNSETS Can Simoneta, Canyamel, Mallorca If views with the all-important wow-factor are what you want then Can Simoneta will leave you speechless. This luxurious and exclusive converted finca – actually two 140-year-old buildings – enjoys a sublime clifftop location on Mallorca’s east coast, offering picture-perfect sea views and a tranquil, intimate atmosphere. Guests can lounge in the sophisticated, pared-down rooms, relax by the infinity pool, or slink into a hammock under the pines trees and drift away, after which they can sample some serious fine dining in the restaurant.

Wedding package The hotel’s attention to detail has made it a popular destination for couples looking to tie the knot with a dash of panache. It can accommodate 70 guests indoors and 200 guests outdoors. www.cansimoneta.com

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Best for BAREFOOT ROMANTICS Restaurant Cap d’es Falco, Playa d’es Codolar Salinas, Ibiza If you have your heart set on a beach blessing then say ‘I do’ at Cap Des Falco. From full-scale white-weddings to low-key laidback celebrations, this chic beachside venue and restaurant offers an inspiring choice, complete with magical, uninterrupted sunset views. With seating for up to 250 people (more for dancing, drinks and canapés) and a truly secluded location, you are guaranteed privacy and exclusivity. Tasteful white decor, funky Balearic chillout beats from DJ Santiago Fe and candlelight after dark create a seriously chilled atmosphere. The venue can call upon the services of Ibicenco dance groups, flamenco performers and fire dancers. A kid’s corral keeps the young ones entertained.

Wedding package Each menu is unique and developed with the bride and groom, resulting in your ideal tailor-made banquet, buffet, cocktail or more formal sit-down dinner. Whet your guests’ appetite with ‘Grandma’s canapés’, try dazzling combinations like foie gras toast with nuts and pear compote, then feast on perfect paella and sensationally-fresh sushi. Cap d’es Falcó’s tiers of wedding cupcakes provide the unique icing on your day. www.capdesfalco.es

Best for MARINA LOCATION Yacht Club Cala d’Or, Mallorca The Yacht Club Cala d �Or on Mallorca’s east coast has everything you need to make your big day ship-shape. The club is housed in an impressive, crisply-styled modern white building with nautical elements that has sublime views over the town’s beautiful marina. Choose from the Proa Suite for up to 180 persons seated and a further 200 on its terraces; the Cubierta ‘Upper Deck’ terrace, with its beautiful marina views, which caters for banquets of 250 and 1400 for cocktail parties; or the intimate CaLa Vista Suite & Terrace (35 inside, 40 on the terrace) that is set alongside the marina. Experienced multilingual staff will help ensure everything is plain sailing.

Wedding package The wedding packages offer “sheer luxury at surprisingly affordable prices”.

The club offers a sumptuous three-course meal, drinks package, venue hire and dedicated wedding co-ordinator from €67.00 pp (€3,350 - based on 50 guests). The happy couple will also receive a three-day pass to enjoy the yacht club’s facilities, including sauna and infinity pool. www.yccalador.com

Best for CLASSICAL SPLENDOUR Valldemossa, Mallorca The composer Chopin described Valldemossa as “The most beautiful place in the world”, and who are we to disagree. This elegant and historic Relais & Chateaux five-star property is a supreme location for a harmonious wedding, with its tranquil hilltop setting, stunning views and classical, tasteful decor. The verdant terraces and gardens, including a gorgeous outdoor pool, complete the scene.

Wedding package The hotel’s attention to detail has made it a popular destination for couples looking to tie the knot with a dash of panache.

It can accommodate 70 guests indoors and 200 guests outdoors. www.cansimoneta.com

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Love the

Caribbean

Kick off your shoes on your wedding day and take the next step into married life in tropical paradise with a totally chilled Caribbean celebration

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f a wedding on the shores of the Caribbean Sea sounds too good to be true or too expensive, think again!

Many leading tour operators are offering superb wedding packages on deliciously exotic Caribbean Islands at prices to suit all budgets. Some are even offering Wedding Packages absolutely FREE! And wedding planners are on-hand at all the major resorts to ensure that your nuptials go without a hitch, leaving you to enjoy the rest of your holiday.

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Why the Caribbean?

Caribbean Islands at a glance

In the Caribbean, the weather is hot and the vibe is cool and laid-back. As for the setting – sublime! The colours of the Caribbean islands are magnificent, with soft white sandy beaches, shimmering turquoise ocean surrounded by coral reefs, and lush green tropical vegetation.

It’s a truly romantic hideaway, and a perfect place to say ‘I do!’

There are more than thirty major islands in the Caribbean – one of the most amazing aspects of the region is that each one is unique with its own individual identity.

The islands of the Caribbean are filled with equally colourful characters, a rich culture, exquisite cuisine, and intoxicating music; Get into the rhythm of the reggae and calypso beat and enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the natives. Allow yourself to escape into island life and enjoy eating the catch of the day and fresh exotic fruits while filling the senses with the aroma of the fragrant spices that infuse the air.

Explore the islands, with their colonial towns offering shopping and a taste of local life, take a leisurely trek through the rainforests or find hidden bays and discover the marine life with a day’s snorkeling or diving. Or simply relax by the pool at your hotel – be it a small, vibrant guesthouse with a local flavour, a colonial mansion, on a private island or a contemporary resort with superb spa.

St Lucia has an amazing natural beauty, with tropical forests, banana plantations and chilled-out beaches. It is also famed for its magnificent landmark, the Twin Pitons, soaring into a cloudless sky. Walk down the aisle to the wedding march played on steel drums to give a wonderful West Indian vibe to your wedding.

Grenada’s landscape is breathtaking – crater lakes, rainforests, mangroves and amazing coral reefs. You can marry on a white sandy beach and celebrate with a romantic sunset champagne cruise.

The other most popular choices for couples getting married in the Caribbean are Antigua, great for anything nautical, from water sports to yachting; Barbados, one of the less mountainous islands, which is a good choice for golfers and has a thriving nightlife; Tobago, a retreat perfect for a tranquil wedding ceremony and Jamaica, one of the largest Caribbean islands with sugary-white sand, lush mountains, waterfalls and a distinct lazy reggae rhythm.

Before you make your choice, you need to know your priorities and do your homework.

However, you can be sure it will have an easy pace, a wide variety of activities available and gorgeous tropical weather, and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that your wedding will be unforgettable.

Caribbean Weather Whatever time of year you choose to get married in the Caribbean, you can almost guarantee idyllic weather with warm temperatures and steady breezes year-round. Most Caribbean islands experience warm, humid conditions with trade winds keeping temperatures comfortable. Average temperatures range from 75-82 degrees. However much of the Caribbean (except more southerly islands such as Barbados and Aruba) lies inside the Atlantic hurricane belt, so the risk of hurricanes is possible between July and November, but improved technology now provides plenty of advance notice making hurricanes almost completely avoidable.

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St Lucia If you are looking for an exotic Caribbean island setting with the wow-factor, then look no further than St Lucia

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wedding on the shores of this lush tropical island has got it all. It’s one of the world’s top wedding and honeymoon destinations, and it’s easy to see why. St Lucia simply epitomizes the concept of a tropical paradise for your wedding.

This verdant island, with its lush mountains is carpeted with tropical vegetation, and rainforests. However, the landmark that dominates the shores of St Lucia and gives the island its distinctive identity is the Pitons – jagged twin peaks soaring more than 2,000 feet above the island’s south-west coast – it’s a photographer’s dream!

St Lucia is a captivating destination, with secluded sandy beaches, banana plantations and a genuine warm welcome from everyone you meet. It even boasts the world’s only walk-in volcano, which last erupted more than 200 years ago.

Active rest, lazy days For those seeking active rest, the island offers plenty of activities – jungle biking; rainforest hikes and sky rides; spectacular waterfalls; sailing, diving, snorkelling and other watersports; whale watching, coastal kayaking, golf and horseriding. These can be balanced with idyllic days on the popular Reduit Beach, the white sands of Rodney Bay or on the black volcanic sand of Anse Chastenet beach.

Most resorts in St Lucia are clustered along beaches on the southwest (Caribbean) side of the island. The lesspopulated eastern (Atlantic) coast is dotted with nature reserves. Pigeon Island, connected to the mainland by a causeway at Rodney Bay, is a 40-acre natural park with the remains of an 18th century British fort. Another beauty spot is the picturesque marina at Marigot Bay, famed as the film location for Dr Doolittle in the 1960s, where sailing yachts and spectacular Gin Palaces anchor for the night when sailing the Caribbean.

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Wedding in wonderland Not only does the island’s natural beauty provide the perfect backdrop for a truly special wedding, most St Lucian hotels offer wedding packages aimed at making your special day a hassle-free, romantic moment to cherish.

What’s more, there are plenty of deals on offer for wedding couples at the island’s hotels and resorts, including free nights accommodation, free meals, free upgrades and even free wedding ceremonies! Check out the special offers available with the leading tour operators, including White Sand Weddings, Kuoni, Turquoise and British Airways.

Weddings at St Lucia’s luxury resorts are offered in a variety of exotic locations, such as garden gazebos, huts overlooking the surf or romantic beach spots. Religious wedding ceremonies can be arrange in a church by the hotel’s wedding planners. You can even tie the knot at some of the island’s most amazing locations – in the midst of the rainforest, a quaint island church or even a wedding involving an adventure activity such as scuba or horseback riding. Some of the more unusual ways to plunge into matrimony are at the top of an expert-only mountain biking trail, along the summit ridge of Gros Piton, diving among the colourful fish on the coral reef or sailing into the sunset. They are all possibilities...

Legal requirements Contacting the wedding professionals at your selected resort can help with compliance of all legal requirements. However, it is worth noting that you need to be over 18 years old and must be in St Lucia for three full business days prior to the wedding day for the license application process to be completed. You

will also need the following documentation: Passport and/or birth certificate; an original or certified copy of a divorce decree; in the case of a widow/widower, a certified Death Certificate

Resort wedding planners The resort’s wedding planners will meet you the day after you arrive at your chosen resort to make final arrangements and set a time for your wedding. You will be shown samples of flowers, cakes, photographers, and music and can choose food and refreshments. You only need to decide what you need; they will take care of the rest. They will also help you organise make-up, hair and beauty treatments. If you would like your wedding to be specially themed, check out Sandals resorts, which offers a choice of Martha Stewart-themed wedding packages, which are colour coordinated and themed to suit your personal taste.

Independent wedding planners Alternatively you can hire the services of an independent wedding planner if you want something more individual than the wedding packages offered by the resorts.

An independent wedding planner can help you to personalise your day, making special arrangements for a wedding that can be anything from traditional to absolutely exotic.

Brides and Beaches is an ABTA and ATOL protected team of independent wedding planners specializing in organizing weddings around the world, particularly in the Caribbean.

Brides and Beaches will ensure that your wedding and honeymoon is a romantic and treasured experience – and is as individual as

you are. Brides and Beaches will arrange every last detail so you can relax and enjoy the most magical day of your life, without the stress! www.bridesandbeaches.com

Dress to impress It’s going to be hot, whatever time of year you choose, so remember this when choosing your wedding gown. A knee length dress and short veil may be better suited to a barefoot beach ceremony while a longer train and full-length veil may look more spectacular in a cathedral.

A wispy dress with a flower tiara is perfect for a tropical garden.

St Lucia – fact file Population: 65,000 and counting Location: closest neighbour is Martinique, 21 miles from the northern tip of the island and St Vincent, 26 miles from the southern tip. Both are visible on clear days. Barbados is 100 miles to the south-west.

Size: the island is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, a total of 238 sq miles Airports: St Lucia has two airports. Hewanorra (international airport) and George Charles (regional and local flights).

Driving: on the left hand side of the road.

Visitors must have a temporary Driving Permit available from the Immigration Office at the airports. Also available from Gros Islet Police Station and issued by major car rental firms.

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (EC$). US$ is also accepted in most shops and restaurants.

Further information: www.stlucia.org www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 83

Where to Wed

Best Views The Ladera Resort Perched above the port town of Soufriere, the five-star Ladera is one of the world’s most romantic and exclusive hideaways and is absolutely perfect for a couple looking for an intimate love nest with a breathtaking iconic backdrop to their wedding. What sets Ladera apart is that each guest suite was intentionally built without a fourth wall, allowing astounding views of the island’s two iconic volcanic Piton peaks and the azure coastline below. Yet the suites were cleverly designed to remain sheltered, safe and completely private.

The open wall in all suites and villas leads to a private plunge pool and lush, tropical landscaping.

Weddings packages Ladera provides the ultimate romantic escape in the shadow of the world-famous Pitons. The resort’s Dream Wedding Package includes all legal requirements and transportation, fresh flowers for the bride and groom, champagne and canapés for four, a two-tiered wedding cake, floral wedding arch and two plush Ladera bath robes for pre-and post-ceremony relaxation.

Book it! reservations@ladera.com. www.ldera.com

Best beach Rendezvous A truly romantic hotel, exclusively for couples, the Rendezvous fringes the two-mile sands of Malabar beach – said to be the whitest sandy beach on the island. For the ultimate in beach relaxation, push a flag into the sand for service! Marry in the lush tropical gardens of this couples-only, all-inclusive resort, which was once a colonial family home, and choose your spot under the 150-year-old Saman tree, or tie the knot in a romantic beachfront location. The new wedding concierge is perfect for pre-wedding organisation to customise your special day

Weddings packages The resort is offering free weddings for couples staying seven nights or more in a Verandah suite or above. Otherwise, wedding packages for a maximum of 16 guests start at £690, which includes decorated wedding arch or table, sparkling wine at reception, decorated dinner table for wedding couple, couples massage and Pampered Bride Experience, which includes mini facial and a manicure.

Book it!

Call: 0117 927 2009 and quote WORLDWIDE WEDDINGS MAGZINE

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

A colonial estate set against the backdrop of a St Lucia World Heritage Site.

To ďŹ nd out more visit:

fonddouxestate.com

Best for active rest The Body Holiday This amazing resort is like a tropical health spa. Situated in the picturesque cove of Cariblue beach, with a soft sandy beach and lush vegetation, the thriving colonialstyle resort is a hub of activity. This luxurious all-inclusive health and well-being resort offers the opportunity to partake in every type of activity from yoga and dance classes to golf and tennis workshops, sailing and all types of water sport. There’s also a serious spa for total pampering of the body and mind. You will return fit, revitalised and married!

Weddings packages Luxury wedding packages start at £749 and include marriage licence, legal and registrar fees, reception with sparkling wine, services of witness if required, decorated wedding arch and special table for dinner for the wedding party. You can upgrade to a deluxe wedding (£999), which also includes a wedding cake and 24 photographs, or premier (£1,519), which also includes lounge access at Gatwick or Manchester Airport, a bottle of champagne, wedding video and steel band.

Book it! www.virgin.com/holidays

Best party atmosphere Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort In a prime position in Rodney Bay, on a causeway between Pigeon Island and Rodney Bay, the impressive resort overlooks the magnificent bay with its multitude of sailing yachts at anchor and its two-mile long stretch of white sandy beach. Sandals is a hive of activity – the resort’s colourful catamarans race around the bay with loved-up newlyweds at the helm and the gently pulsating rhythm of popular music as well as Calypso gives the 301-room resort its lively ambience. It is set in 17 acres of lush landscaped gardens, with a huge central pool area and a meandering lagoon swim-up pool where guests can literally swim right up to their patio. Guests can unwind and be indulged in the Red Lane Spa for pre-and post-wedding pampering.

Weddings packages The resort offers a choice of six Martha Stewart-themed wedding packages so that you can elegantly theme your special day with Martha Stewart’s unique style, which combined with the paradise setting of the resort, makes for a very beautiful wedding.

Choose from: Beautiful Beginnings, Vision in White, Seaside Serenade, Island Paradise, Flutter of Romance and Chic and Natural.

Book it! Tel: 0117 927 2009 www.sandals.com 86 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Best value Almond Morgan Bay The Almond Morgan Bay enjoys an idyllic beach setting under the expert management of Almond Resorts and is perfect for a romantic wedding. At this resort you can relax and enjoy the Almond premium all-inclusive holiday experience with a choice of a-la-carte restaurants serving gourmet cuisine and unwind at the many bars for a drink or exotic cocktail.

The beautiful resort is set in 22 acres of grounds with a secluded beach, which makes the perfect setting for your dream wedding as well as being a thriving hive of activity with the abundance of FREE watersports, which are on tap throughout the day. The resort also has a number of fresh water swimming pools so there are plenty of opportunities for relaxing around

the pool and topping up your tan with your loved one by your side. For those who enjoy active rest, then golf and tennis tuition is also included in the price.

To finish off a hard day in the sun you can put your dancing shoes on and be entertained by Almond’s own nightly entertainment or venture out and soak up the atmosphere at one of St Lucia’s many award winning restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Whatever you want to do, the choices are endless – there is a plethora of memorable attractions and island excursions available – and at Almond everything is included!

Weddings packages If you get married at the Almond Morgan Bay you can choose a romantic barefoot walk down an aisle of coral, shaded by towering palms, or

a more traditional wedding ceremony amidst a floral garden overlooking the shimmering Caribbean. And with everything from a clergy and a decorated wedding venue to a wedding cake and personalised romantic dinner for two included, it’s the perfect way to lead into your honeymoon.

Free Weddings, Honeymoon and Renewal of Vows packages are available when staying just seven nights in a deluxe room category.

Almond also offers a number of upgrade packages to tailor-make your wedding.

Book it!

For more information, or to book your Caribbean wedding call one of the dedicated Wedding Co-ordinators at White Sand Weddings on 0800 107 5710 or www.whitesandweddings.co.uk www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 87

Grenada The island of Grenada is the ideal destination for a wedding with spice, says Richard Brugger

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s anyone who has travelled there, or watched Johnny Depp do his rum Captain Keith Richards act will testify, the Caribbean is a treasure trove of stunning islands, with sublime beaches, sapphire seas and a seriously easy-going vibe.

The thing is, many travellers head to the more renowned islands such as Barbados and Jamaica, giving the less well-known Carib jewels a wide berth. If you are contemplating a Caribbean wedding, minus the hordes, the ‘Spice Isle’ of Grenada fits the bill. Grenada has exclusive, exceptional resorts in stunning locations, ranging from romantic, rustic retreats and sumptuous spa hotels to high-quality allinclusive resorts.

Island life Lying at the southern end of the Grenadines, the island is blessed with rolling hills and mountains, lush rainforests and centuries-old plantations of fragrant spice trees that gave Grenada its spice isle moniker.

But what really makes the 10-hour flight from Blighty worth it are beaches of such jawdropping beauty that you can’t wait to kick off those sandals, pad through the sand, dive into the clear waters then relax in the shade with a

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rum punch. The most renowned is Grand Anse beach, a two-mile curve of sugar-white sand and rolling ocean. There is also some excellent scuba diving to be had, with pristine reef lying off the coast.

The vibrant capital of St. George’s is a bewildering mix of steep, narrow roads and red-tiled buildings tumbling down to the bustling horseshoe harbour. If your luck is in you may even have the chance to watch the Windies play at the impressive new cricket ground, built for the 2007 World Cup. To cool down, head to the hills and take in the verdant splendour of the Grand Etang Rainforest and Annandale Waterfall, where local divers will take a picture-perfect plunge in return for a donation.

The peace of Grenada was shattered dramatically again on September 7, 2004 when Hurricane Ivan dealt it a vicious blow.

Thirty-seven people were killed, 90 per cent of buildings were damaged or destroyed and an estimated 10,000 were left homeless in its devastating wake. Reconstruction was swift – testimony to the islanders’ fortitude – and anyone visiting now would be hard-pushed to see any signs of damage.

Getting married on Grenada Couples must be resident in Grenada for three working days in advance of their wedding.

Application for a Marriage Licence should be made in person to the Prime Minister’s Office after stamp duty and licence fees have been paid at the Treasury Office. This process takes approximately two days (slightly longer if either partner is divorced).

Documents required • Valid Passports • Birth certificates • Proof of Single Status: an affadavit or a letter from a clergyman, lawyer, or Registry on official letterhead • Proof of a Decree Absolute if one of the parties is divorced • Legal proof if a name has been changed

by Deed Poll • Death Certificate is needed if either party has been widowed • Both individuals need to be over 18. If either party is under 21 evidence of parental consent is required in the form of an affadavit

The Calabash Hotel and Villas The Calabash Hotel and Villas serves up a tempting mix of Caribbean paradise with a flavour of home – most notably in the superb Gary Rhodes restaurant. Its 30 luxury suites, arranged in a horseshoe around eight acres of lush tropical gardens, combine modern comfort with a crisp ‘colonial’ style. Each morning breakfast is served on your balcony, with canapés delivered to your suite before dinner. Dinner at the Rhodes Restaurant is a real event, mixing elegant fine dining with the spices and flavours of the island.

The icing on the cake is L’Anse Aux Épines beach, aka Prickly Bay. Like a certain Portuguese manager, Grand Anse may garner all the attention and plaudits, but for my money the calm, languid waters and rising cliffs of this serene bay make it the ‘special one’. A friendly scuba and snorkelling centre will help you explore the crystal-clear waters.

Bride and groom will be floating on cloud nine after some pre-wedding pampering in the cliff top Heavenly Spa, which has open-air treatment rooms with sublime views of the crescent bay below. Try the Heaven & Earth Full Body Massage – a moisturizing and revitalizing therapy with Grenadian spices to stimulate the senses.

Wedding package The Calabash we will look after every detail to make sure your special day is perfect. Its Wedding Package takes care of all the legalities and paperwork, so your day is as relaxing and stress-free as possible.

Wedding arrangements include: Room upgrade (subject to availability); services of a wedding coordinator; two witnesses (if required); wedding cake; bottle of Champagne; flowers for bride and groom; celebration bottle of wine with the wedding night dinner; photographer; Registrar/Minister’s fees and administration fees; marriage licence; certificate and ceremony. During July, August or September there is no charge if the couple stay a minimum of seven nights on a half-board basis. For all other months of the year, the cost is US$850 plus 10% service charge and 8% government tax. However, if the couples stay 14 nights on a half-board basis, there is no charge.

The Calabash Hotel and Villas

Book it! www.calabashhotel.com

Spice Island Beach Resort If it’s five-star luxury or nothing then Spice Island Beach Resort should satiate even the most demanding bride and groom. This exclusive resort is as elegant and stylish as an Armani suit or Chanel dress, yet feels as comfortable as a pair of battered old deck shoes. It was a very different story when 75 per cent of the resort was devastated by Ivan, but a $12million rebuilding project has created an even more luxurious destination.

Sitting on a private stretch of Grand Anse Beach, the resort is a collection of 64 sumptuous suites – 32 with terraces and lawns fronting on to the spectacular stretch of beach – housed in crisp, graceful white buildings that mix traditional Grenadian elegance with modern flair. This is complemented by equally sumptuous cuisine served in Oliver’s Restaurant.

Janissa’s Spa is a cool, calm space that harnesses the restorative powers of local herbs and spices in its range of sumptuous therapies. A salon area offers a full range

Spice Island Beach Resort

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of hair services, manicure, pedicure, waxing and tinting.

Experience the Signature Body Wrap, which combines milk and oatmeal to gently exfoliate, followed by a Grenadian honey wrap to hydrate.

Wedding package Couples can choose between a wedding on the beach or in tropical gardens. The wedding package costs US$1300 and includes: fruit basket in room; room upgrade (subject to availability); transfers for document signings; marriage licence, Embassy signing and priest/magistrates fees; tropically decorated wedding arch; Best Man, Maid of Honour and witness if required; flowers; photos; a bottle of champagne; one-tier wedding cake; and one platter of Hors d’oeuvres.

The bridal couple also receives a sunset cruise of the coastline and harbour the day after the wedding, one Couples Massage and one manicure for the bride.

A steel band can be arranged for a thoroughly Caribbean atmosphere. Spice Island also offers a Renewal of Vows package for US$850.

Spice Island Beach Resort

Book it! www.spiceislandbeachresort.com

Laluna With a name like Laluna you would expect nothing but romance. This discreet, exclusive hideaway is where star-crossed lovers can walk hand-in-hand along the beach and gaze at the crescent moon reflected in the shimmering sea. Nestled in a beautiful, secluded cove (reached by a rather rocky road) and surrounded by dramatic rising cliffs and 10 acres of emerald green hills, it is no wonder Laluna finds such favour with honeymooners and an ever-growing list of A-listers.

Affable Italian owner Bernardo Bertucci has imbued the resort with a dash of Italian designer elegance. The luxurious beach and hillside cottages are the epitome of barefoot chic, with billowing muslin drapes, thatched roofs, intimate verandas with plunge pools and a décor of mottled blues and oranges. Chef Daniele Gaetano creates seriously delicious pasta, seafood and Caribbean dishes in the alfresco restaurant, while the Sunset Bar is the perfect spot to chill with something long, cold and powered by rum.

A love of Indonesia and Balinese therapies led to the creation of the Laluna Spa and Wellness Centre, which combines Asian and European influences in both its design and therapies by [comfort zone]. Try the hydrating, stress-busting Laluna aromatic massage ritual then find inner peace in the beachside yoga pavilion.

Wedding package Laluna’s seven-night night wedding programme for two includes: accommodation for two in a deluxe cottage with private plunge pool; daily American breakfast for two; daily dinner for two (excluding drinks); complimentary bottle of champagne; wedding cake; flowers; photographer; minister’s fee; marriage licence; certificate and ceremony; plus a Laluna gift. Prices from US $6,215 to September 30th 2010, and US $6,725 from October 1st to December 19th 2010.

Book it! www.laluna.com

Laluna

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Virgin Atlantic flies from London Gatwick to Grenada once a week. Fares start from £549 inclusive of taxes and can be booked either online at www.virginatlantic.com or by calling reservations on: 08705 747 747

GRENADA, WEST INDIES

“A de SAVARY PROPERTY”

Romance is never far away...

Your own private villa set in lush tropical gardens overlooking 2 miles of pure white beach and the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. Mount Cinnamon is a new “de Savary” boutique resort perfect for your wedding, honeymoon or both! A chic but friendly atmosphere prevails.

Luxurious accommodation, a choice of dining locations, spa and a wide range of activities are only one flight away from London.

Discover Mount Cinnamon and begin an enduring Love Affair.

Visit our web-site now www.mountcinnamongrenada.com or call 1-473-439-4400.

For further details please contact: Email: reservations@mountcinnamongrenada.com

Jamaica

Your dream wedding

J

amaica is the most hip of the Caribbean islands. No other Caribbean destination is as rhythm-infused or chilled as this colourful island, where the friendly locals clearly love life!

Jamaica is the ideal place to say ‘I do’ in the tropical sunshine. The island has a great mix of luxury resorts offering the perfect setting for weddings, followed by the honeymoon of a lifetime, exploring the island’s many beauty spots, rich in lush vegetation with stunning waterfalls and swaying palms, sandy beaches and vibrant towns. For the more energetic, activities are available in abundance – from watersports to horseback riding, to simply chilling on the beach or by the pool with an exotic cocktail or two!

Couples resorts Looking for the ultimate in romantic luxury?

Then look no further than Couples Resorts, all four resorts are set in lush tropical gardens in some of the most beautiful beachfront locations in Jamaica.

Each elegantly casual Couples Resort features sumptuous accommodation – whether you choose a deluxe room or suite, they are all beautifully appointed with every amenity you require – including an ipod docking station in every room!

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Romantic fine dining is an important part of the Couples experience in a selection of elegantly casual and formal restaurants, where service is attentive yet unimposing, and gourmet cuisine is presented with creativity and passion. Or if you would prefer to have lazy dining evenings – there’s a hammock on the beach with your name on it, where you will be served a hot chicken sandwich or the catch of the day from the Beach Grill right through the night. Just imagine sipping your favourite cocktail or a glass of bubbly while watching the sun melt into the Caribbean Sea at the end of another perfect day in paradise.

Days can be spent lazing in the warm sunshine – or if you prefer to burn off your indulgences with some sporty activities, scuba diving and waterskiing are included in your stay, with state-of-the-art equipment and full professional instruction.

Take the opportunity to explore the thriving marine life and progress your skills to a full PADI dive certificate under the guidance of fully-qualified diving Instructors for an additional charge. Tennis and squash are also provided with expert coaching, again all complimentary. And golf lovers can indulge in unlimited golf on stunning courses provided free of charge, including transfers to and from the courses; all you have to pay for is a fun and professional caddy who will be delighted to help you improve your game.

For your tropical dream wedding, Couples Resorts can arrange everything you need for the perfect day – and it’s all included.

Couples wedding packages include an intimate wedding ceremony, gourmet dining and a relaxing his/hers massage. Couples Resorts also offer as a gift a bottle of Champagne to toast your new life together.

Explore Jamaica From your luxury Couples Resort, the life, culture and famous landmarks of Jamaica are waiting to be explored. You will be taken free of charge to visit the many sites on private excursions available from the resort.

Be sure to visit Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios to climb the world-famous waterfalls; relax on a catamaran at sunset whilst taking in the stunning Jamaican coastline and enjoy cocktails at a popular local place in Negril, where you will be moved to silence by the most memorable sunset you will ever experience. It’s all included in your stay at Couples Resorts.

More information Call now for a holiday quote +44 (0)20 7749 9285. Couples Resorts look forward to welcoming you soon, for luxury, for fine dining, for excitement, for romance, forever. *Min 3 night stay complimentary wedding packages. $200 government fee not included. www.couplesresorts.co.uk/whw

Plan YOUR dream wedding at boutique hotel Sugar Ridge

N

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.

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.

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...

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

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JAMAICA

ANTIGUA

ST.LUCIA

BAHAMAS

HEAVENLY HONEYMOONS

Terms & conditions apply ABTA & ATOL protected

GreatSavings ON 2010 & 2011 HOLIDAYS

+ ASK

PRIVATE ISLANDS

THE RINGS HAVE BEEN EXCHANGED. The champagne has been toasted. Now that you’ve had the most special day of your life, relax and enjoy each other on the honeymoon of a lifetime. With 13 luxurious resorts on 4 of the Caribbean’s most exotic tropical islands, dreamy honeymoons are our speciality.

Only Sandals offers the ultimate luxurious accommodations some with personal Butlers and private plunge

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pools, as well as the Caribbean’s best land and water sports and exotic Red Lane® Spas†.

Couple this with up to 11 gourmet dining options, premium brand wines and cocktails and your holiday of a lifetime is complete. The best part...it’s all included!

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BUTLER SERVICE

Thirteen Sandals resorts created just for lovers take you to places of inimitable allure – from the upbeat tempo of Jamaica and the unrivalled romance of Antigua to breathtaking St. Lucia and the sophisticated Bahamas - and always to your private paradise.

Experience heavenly honeymoons at Sandals.

For more information, visit www.sandals.co.uk, call 0800 742 742 or see your local travel agent.

† Payable locally

Coco de Mer

– your paradise wedding Have an unforgettable wedding at the breathtaking Coco de Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites in the Seychelles

T

he Coco de Mer Palm tree is both rare and beautiful, yet occurs in abundance in the tropical forest surrounding the hotel that takes its name. Coco de Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites offers a beguiling and all too rare mix of serene natural beauty, first-class facilities and superb service. If your heart is set on that perfect wedding in the Seychelles then Coco de Mer Hotel is the answer to your dreams.

This luxurious and modern four-star hotel on the island of Praslin (a 15 minute flight or 45 minute high speed ferry from the main island Mahe) lies in more than 200 acres of natural breathtaking beauty on the edge of the Indian Ocean – a true sanctuary in paradise.

Romantic hideaway With a tranquil, private beachfront location surrounded by lush, spacious grounds and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, Coco de Mer provides an intimate hideaway for your happy day and honeymoon.

The several small private beaches that make 96 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

up Anse Bois de Rose bay are simply made for romantic barefoot walks. All you and your intended have to do is kick off your shoes, feel the powder-white sand between your toes and drink in the spectacular views of the surrounding islands and glorious pink sunsets.

The two magnificient pools, one in the unique shape of a Coco de Mer, overlook the Indian Ocean and are considered to be amongst the finest on Praslin. After a dip in the pool or the balmy, crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean, laze on a hammock and let the world drift by.

If you want to explore the island complimentary shuttle transfers to Anse Lazio beach are available several times weekly. Guests can also use the hotel’s bicycles to access the many private sandy coves that dot the island.

Suite dreams Make your stay extra special by booking into the junior suite wing, the Black Parrot Suites, perched adjacent to the Coco de Mer on an imposing granite rock outcrop, surrounded by lush vegetation. The lavish and elegant Black

Parrot Suites offer every creature comfort and sublime views of the surrounding ocean.

Guests also have access to the private Black Parrot Bar. Standard and Superior rooms in Coco de Mer are open, airy, modern and comfortable, with the added attraction of a balcony/terrace The air-conditioned rooms come with in-room baths, separate bathroom, ceiling fan, satellite TV, tea and coffee facilities, mini refrigerator, safe, hairdryer. Interconnecting rooms are also available.

Divine dining Happy couples can experience an intimate and romantic dinner for two with the hotel’s In-room dining service. The Hibiscus Restaurant offers a host of dining experiences, from full English Breakfasts, international and Creole cuisine to barbecues, themed buffets and Table D’hôte menus. The Mango Terrace Bar and Grill offer mouth-watering a la carte lunch and dinner menus. After a hard day at work on the beach or by the pool the bride and groom can relax with a cool cocktail in The Coconut Bar.

Weddings – your special day Coco de Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites accepts only one wedding booking per day – so your wedding day is as special as it should be. Couples can choose from two stunning settings when it comes to saying “I do”.

Locations with wow-factor At the Coco de Mer Hotel your wedding ceremony can be held on the Sunset Pavilion – a covered gazebo over the azure waters of the Indian Ocean.

Couples choosing the Black Parrot Suites can celebrate their union under a thatched gazebo on the Black Parrot pool terrace, with its beautiful unlimited views, or on the equally romantic Sunset Pavilion. Both locations are decorated with palm leaves and fresh flowers to add an extra dash of exotic ambience to your ceremony.

Wedding briefing and witnesses The day after your arrival you will meet with the hotel’s wedding coordinator to discuss the details of your wedding, where you will be able to choose your wedding location, theme, bridal bouquet/buttonhole, wedding cake etc. The ceremonial procedure will also be explained in

detail. You will need two witnesses present at the wedding ceremony, which the hotel can provide free of charge.

• Photographer

Wedding table decoration

• CDs can be played during the ceremony, free of charge

Bride and groom have a choice of three themes for their wedding table: Traditional – decorated with white tablecloth, frangipani flowers and a heart-shaped ring cushion Tropical – with multicoloured tropical flowers, placed on a banana leaf on the table and the rings presented in a coconut shell filled with flower petals Ocean – on a haze of white or blue Organza, decorated with white flowers and seashells on the table and the rings presented in a clamshell on a bed of sea sand

Wedding services The hotel has a range of services to make your day extra special. It can arrange the following: • Bouquet & buttonhole • Wedding cake • Champagne & sparkling wines

• Hairdresser • Ironing

Stay & cruise For a truly special wedding and honeymoon why not stay at the Coco De Mer and Black Parrot Suites then cruise the ‘Inner Island’ waters of the Seychelles for four nights and five days on-board the Catamaran Charming Lady or Summer’s Day, visiting six different islands.

Seychelles Travel Tel: +44 1202 877330 Fax: +44 1202 877150 www.seychelles-travel.co.uk ATOL 3751/ IATA 91275730 A Promise of Excellence Awarded “Best Performing UK Tour Operator for Seychelles in 2008 & 2009”

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PAMPERED

hen

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Indulge and pamper the bride-to-be with a spa hen weekend to remember

he traditional hen weekend used to be a cocktail of booze and clubbing, all wrapped up in a sassy sash, tiara and some altogether racier accessories. However, more hen parties than ever before are choosing to combine hedonism with a spot of spa pampering, so the bride and her entourage look and feel mighty fine before heading out on the town.

Some brides-to-be are even going full-out with a weekend of gorgeous massages, fab facials, perfect pedicures and chilling out with their mates in a bubbling hot tub.

With such a variety of spas on offer in the UK, hen parties are spoiled for choice. So whether it is a cosmopolitan city break or a health retreat in the country, chances are there will be something to suit.

If the idea does float your hen party boat – and you have a large party – it’s always best to check and book well in advance to make sure the spa can cope with the numbers.

If you do choose to have a treatment before heading out on the tiles remember to 98 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

rehydrate before you hit the vino.

Ultimate chill out When your next door neighbour is Silverstone circuit you would expect some full-throttle, racy goings on. However, things couldn’t be more different at Whittlebury Hall hotel. This luxurious 211 room hotel and spa in Northamptonshire has a huge range of ‘spa and stay’ packages that are perfect for hen parties on a variety of budgets. And if a trip to Silverstone doesn’t appeal, there is always a day at Towcester Racecourse, which is just a short gallop away.

The Day Spa is pure hen party heaven! It offers the ultimate in pampering, combined with the space and range of facilities necessary to accommodate larger parties.

A sublime range of treatments from Elemis, ESPA, Jessica and Jane Iredale cosmetics, plus one of the UK’s largest ranges of heat and ice experiences, a 19m pool with bubble jets and Whirlpool Spa will help the most stressed-out hen and her friends to

recharge the batteries and beautify.

Packages include the overnight Escape & Spa Stay, from £99pp. This includes an overnight stay, full English breakfast, lunch in The Leisure Terrace Café, three-course dinner, heat and ice experiences on your day of arrival, full use of The Spa and The Leisure Club facilities, plus a choice of 25 minute treatment from: Energising Express Facial, Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage, or Body Polish.Valid until September 5th 2010, subject to availability. www.whittleburyhall.co.uk

Country house chic After a hen weekend with style? Then pack your best Louis Vuitton and head to the Feversham Arms in rural North Yorkshire.

Fusing laidback boutique chic with country house elegance, this luxury retreat boasts delicious fine dining, a fabulous heated outdoor pool and hot tub and, best of all, a divine spa.

The Verbena Spa is designed to be calming without resorting to stuffy minimalism – think soft neutrals and squashy sofas. It offers sumptuous, high-class treatments by Elemis and Anne Sémonin, a range of heat experiences, a Spa-tisserie juice bar (that also serves Champagne!) and a tranquil relaxation garden. Brides and girlfriends can indulge with the popular Elemis Pink Ladies package. Relax in the outdoor hot tub and pool, enjoy a massage and facial and be groomed to perfection whist stopping for a light lunch and a glass of Pink Champagne along the way! From £140pp. www.fevershamarmshotel.com

Health resort relaxation If what you really want is a weekend of chilling and pampering then the UK’s favourite health resort, Champneys, has just the thing. Whether you are looking for total relaxation or something more active, Champneys promises to take the stress out of making arrangements with its tailored packages. These offer the ‘ultimate girls’ hen weekend away”, all within the luxurious surrounds of one of Champneys’ four health resorts. Tone up with pilates or yoga, lie back and let your cares be massaged away, bronze your bod with the latest fake tan or freshen your complexion with an indulgent facial.

The Champneys Bride-to-be two-night spa break is the perfect way to ensure you, your bridesmaids, best friends and family all get to look and feel radiant for the big day. This includes the Champneys 25 minute body massage, relaxing 25 minute facial, make-up application, Citrus Body Glow, Detox Wrap or personal training session, half a bottle of Champagne and Champneys Bride-to-be gift.

Prices from £329.95 for a twin room. www.champneys.com

Heavenly day spa For some saintly spa therapies with a dash of sinful decadence thrown in for good measure, head to Chapel Spa in the elegant Georgian spa town of Cheltenham.

This award-winning day spa has a range of day packages for hen parties, as well as optional extras including Burlesque/Exotic dance lessons guaranteed to send the groom’s pulse racing! The spa can also arrange VIP nightclub entrance and a makeover lesson from a professional makeup artist.

The hen and her girlfriends can choose from a wide variety of full-day packages, or purchase a day spa pass and add a choice of treatments by Carita and Elemis.

The maximum number of guests is 22, with prices starting at £27. If you simply want to relax and de-stress without any treatments before the revelling begins then The Evening package is perfect. This includes exclusive use of the spa Friday* and Saturday night from 7.00pm to 10.30pm, a glass of champagne on arrival, an hour-and-a-half use of the spa, steam room and relaxation area, plus a buffet in the lounge area after the spa session. Minimum of ten people at £55 per person (less than 10 guests then a flat fee of £550 will be split between your group) www.chapelspa.co.uk www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 99

West End Girls Put some sparkle into your pre-nuptial celebrations with a capital spa break in London. And where better to chill out with your mates than the very cool and very chic K West Hotel & Spa in Kensington.

Behind the dazzling glass front lie stylish bedrooms, a buzzing cocktail bar and tasty treats at the Kanteen restaurant.

The funky K Spa – which has undergone a swish £2million refurb – offers sublime treatments by ESPA, Germaine de Capuccini and the Asian-inspired Ytsara.

K WEST offers a special Hen Party package for £72.50 per person (based on two sharing), which includes accommodation in Deluxe rooms, plus an upgrade to an Embassy Suite for the hen and a friend. On arrival you will be greeted with a glass of Champagne each.

A spa gift and bathrobe for the hen to take away is also included. The bride and her friends can tailor-make the perfect party with optional spa treatments (one-hour spa treatment & access to K Spa’s wet spa, £85 per person), private yoga classes and even a recording session in a nearby studio for girl band wannabes! www.k-west.co.uk

Brighton rocks With its cheeky mixture of sun, sea and end-of-the-pier sass, Brighton is always a popular choice for hens heading to the south coast. For an all-over glow that isn’t down to too much Pinot Grigio head to Am Spa Urban in the centre of Brighton. It has three hen party packages with a choice of activities to suit all tastes.

All packages include exclusive hen party event management and detailed planning to ensure you are well and truly pampered. Packages start from £195, which includes a facial, massage, spa manicure or pedicure, Champagne and two-course dining. www.relaxandpamper.co.uk 100 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Sienna chiller Manchester is often seen as the barometer of what is cool, so where better to chill out than Sienna Spa at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel. This plush five-star hotel and equally luxurious marble-clad spa are situated in the heart of the city, so you’re just a short stride from fantastic shopping and Manchester’s legendary nightlife.

Sienna offers three hen packages to guarantee a fun, relaxing party with plenty of time to pamper, chat and catch up. These include the Mini Pamper Day, suitable for larger groups (£57.50 per person); the Luxury Pamper Day – suitable for groups of 10-15 max (£73.50 per person); and the Deluxe Pamper Day for groups of five (£127.50 per person). These all include full use of the Health Club and Spa facilities, light lunch and glass of Champagne, plus varying levels of spa treatments according to the package. www.siennaspa.co.uk www.radissonedwardian.com

001—619—563—0017

www.southerncrossclub.com info@southerncrossclub.com

www.honeymoonworld.tv 45

Bridesmaid: Head dress by Penny at Westrow. www.westrow-hair.com Model: Georgina Cody-Owen Bride: Hair accessories by Rose Garden. www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Model: Jessica Linley, Miss Nottingham

Bride groomed for all venues From a fairytale castle in Bavaria, to a sun-kissed tropical beach or a vibrant city, wherever you choose to tie the knot, get the look with our fabulous hairstyles and accessories Hair: Andrew Minarik and Jayne Beecroft. Using Clynol ‘Look at me’ www.minarik.co.uk Make-up: Dean Payne, Assisted by Clair and Emma. Using Helen E Models: Courtesy of Miss England www.missengland.info Photographs: Johnny Carr www.johnnycarr.co.uk

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Hair: Classical high ponytail Diamond Headdress by Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Diamond earrings by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Model: Olivia Cuniliffe, Miss South Yorkshire

Hair: Glamorous loose curls Hair band by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Earrings by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Dress by Pronuptia www.cococouturebride.com Model: Jessica Linley, Miss Nottingham Hair: Neat curls, loosely pinned up.

Sparkling tiara by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Earrings by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Dress by Pronuptia www.cococouturebride.com Model: Jamie-Lee Faulkner, Miss Champneys

Elegant in the country Hair: Loose curls Diamond tiara by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Veil by Caroline Castigliano www.carolinecastigliano.co.uk Model: Olivia Cuniliffe, Miss South Yorkshire

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If you choose to exchange vows in one of the world’s luxurious country house hotels – or even an opulent castle - then glam it up like royalty with classic hairstyles, and sparkling diamond and pearl accessories to complete the look.

Hair: Stylish sided ponytail Earrings by Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Money Penny veil by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Dress by Accessorize www.monsoon.co.uk Model: Amy Willerton, Miss Bristol

Hair: Sleek French pleat Hair accessories by Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Earrings by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Model: Jessica Linley, Miss Nottingham

Hair: Classy curls Tara hair comb, earrings and necklace by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Dress by Pronuptia www.cococouturebride.com Model: Jamie-Leigh, Miss Champneys

Sexy in the city Cool and chic is the word in the city where sophistication is the key element of the city wedding. Choose trendy or sleek hairstyles and accessorize with simple, contemporary and designer hair accessories and jewellery for Sarah Jessica Parker’s sassy style.

Hair: Sassy and short Diamond headband by Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Diamond earrings by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Model: Hannah Kate Buffam, Miss York

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 105

Hair: Wavy bob Headdress, necklace and earrings by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Model: Hannah Kate Buffam, Miss York

Hair: Long and curly, part pinned on side Hair accessories by Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Dress by Pronuptia www.cococouturebride.com Model: Katie Farr, Miss Leeds

Hair: soft, natural curls Headdress by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Flowers by Rose Garden www.rosegardenaccessories.co.uk Dress by Accessorize www.monsoon.co.uk Model: Katie Farr, Miss Leeds

Belle on the beach

Hair: High ponytail, loosely pinned Head dress Aveline by Polly Edwards Hair accessory used as a necklace by Polly Edwards www.pollyedwards.com Model: Amy Willerton, Miss Bristol

106 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Go natural and embrace the elements with flowing locks and pretty accessories, including shells and flowers for weddings on the beach.

Schwarzkopf Sun Protect Hair Conditioner (£9.85, 200ml)

Aveda After Sun Hair Masque (£16)

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil (£17)

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

An intensive cream masque to restore moisture to sun-damaged hair. www.aveda.co.uk

A leave-in UV defence spray protects against colour fade, dryness and breakage. www.aveda.co.uk

A firm-holding spray that is designed to defend the hair against humidity, with UV filter. www.loreal.co.uk

Shine on with new double protection. www.schwarzkopf.co.uk

STAR

L’Oreal Solar Sublime Mexoryl SO UV – Protect Shampoo (£8.90) This shampoo gently but effectively cleanses the hair of environmental build-up such as, sea-salt, sand and chlorine. www.loreal.co.uk

HAIR PRODUCTS

Kerastase Masque UV Defense Active (£25.30) Beautify sun-damaged hair with a treatment that replenishes dry hair. www.kerastase.co.uk

For healthy hair in the heat and sun, be sure to protect and nourish your tresses so that you’re wedding day won’t become a bad hair day!

Redken Colour Extend After-Sun Mask (£19.55) A replenishing deep treatment for sun exposed hair to restore vibrancy of colour-treated sun-exposed hair. www.redken.co.uk

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 107

TRIED AND TESTED Worldwide Weddings & Honeymoons editor Terri Cody-Owen went along to Fiona & Marie Aesthetics Clinic in London’s Harley Street for a Restylane Lipp treatment in preparation for her wedding.

Before

Terri says: My lips have always been on the thin side, and that can be quite ageing. My top lip appears to be flat from the profile and the bottom one has an uneven shape. I wanted plumper, symmetrical lips for my big day.

KISSABLE! PUCKER-UP AND KISS THE GROOM WITH SOFT, LUSCIOUS LIPS!

W

hether smiling, pouting, laughing or kissing, lovely lips can enhance your beauty like no other feature, giving you a special kind of confidence and making you look adorably kissable, not just on your wedding day, but every day! But if you weren’t lucky enough to be born with a perfect mouth, then it’s time to give nature a helping hand.

A good quality lip balm can keep your lips soft, and you can cheat with the shape too by applying lipstick cleverly and filling in lost pigmentation with permanent make-up. But if you think your lips need more volume, a refreshed lip line, a cupid’s bow, happier mouth corners, a more distinctive shape or to be more symmetrical, then enhancing your lips with a filler is by far the most effective way to create the lips you’ve always dreamed of.

Quick fix for lovely lips The Restylane range of fillers by Q-Med includes a treatment designed especially for lip enhancement – Restylane Lipp. It is a safe and natural non-surgical way to enhance your lips and lose the wrinkles and smile lines, that’s so quick and easy it can

108 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

be administered in a lunch hour with the minimal discomfort.

Restylane Lipp can also be combined with other Restylane treatments to improve your looks, including banishing frown lines or nose to mouth lines, or simply the fine lines above the lips caused by sun damage and smoking.

Safe and effective Restylane Lipp is a pure form of hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance that binds with water to give lips their shape.

Our lips’ natural supply of hyaluronic acid diminishes with age and loses its efficiency, making lips thinner and more lined. When Restylane Lipp is injected into the lips it boosts the skin’s hydration system to enhance the lips, lift and smooth away fine lines and create a natural fullness and definition once more.

During a short consultation my Restylane practitioner, Marie, discussed my expectations, medical history and concerns and advised me to take a cautious approach to lip enhancement, then gradually build up to the full effect with top-up treatments if required. Good advice as I was keen to achieve a natural look rather than a ‘trout pout’.

No pain, plenty of gain!

As I lay on the treatment couch, Marie injected my lips with a dental bloc anaesthetic, which numbed the area.

She then injected Restylane Lipp into my mouth and gently massaged my lips into the required shape. I felt no more pain and discomfort than I would during a session with a dental hygienist and the procedure took just 30 minutes. Once finished, the results were well worth it!

A new hairdo?

My lips looked very natural, but softer and fuller. I was delighted. Lipstick and lip-gloss accentuated my fuller lips and my husband (then partner) said I look younger (yes, result!). Reactions from friends were equally flattering and include: “You look fabulous! Have you done something different to your hair?”

Further information Restylane has a clinically-proven track record of more than ten million treatments across 70 countries and is the safest dermal filler in its class. The treatment lasts between nine months to a year and costs from £350 per session. For more information, and to find Restylane trained medical aesthetic practitioners in your area call: 0800 015 5548. www.restylane.co.uk

After Terri Cody–Owen had her lips enhanced at Fiona & Marie’s Aesthetics Ltd, 121 Harley Street, London W1G 6AX. Tel: 020 7487 3032. www.fionamarie.co.uk

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

Planning Guide 112

Break it to the family

114

Weather permitting

116

Wedding countdown

118

Pop the Question

How do you explain to your friends and family that it’s just the two of you?

Relax and indulge your hens in preparation for your big day

Our 12 month wedding checklist for your big day

Our expert wedding planners answer your most frequently asked questions

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‘and could be likely from someone who would love to take this option but wouldn’t have the choice.’

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How to tell your friends and family you’re getting married abroad without them

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‘Ensure you are both planning your simple wedding for all the right reasons, and know what those reasons are,’ says expert wedding planner, Sarah Haywood (www.sarahhaywood.com), author of the Wedding Bible Planner (£35, The Wedding Bible Company Limited). This will help you be confident, and firm in the face of questions or disagreements. ‘Do you simply prefer something low key, low cost and private and that fits with who you are, for example? If that is your explanation you will, in all likelihood, be able to rationally explain the same to close family and friends and they will recognize that you are planning a celebration which reflects who you are as individuals and as a couple.’ You might be wanting to get married in a place where you had a special holiday, got engaged, first said ‘I love you’; or want to make the most of the budget you’ve got to create a day that feels special without getting you or your family into debt.

3

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If your perfect idea of tying the knot is just the two of you together, with no big fuss, no big party, just the romance and commitment of promising to spend the rest of your lives together before enjoying a fabulous honeymoon, you need to do the groundwork with friends and family first.

‘However strong your relationships are, close family and friends will feel hurt and rejected to some degree, unless they are saints!’ says psychotherapist and assertive communication specialist Gael Lindenfield (www.gael-lindenfield.com), author of 101 Morale Boosters (Piatkus, £8.99). So how do you minimize the potential for hurt feelings, and maximize the chances of those closest to you accepting and supporting your decision?

112 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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This will stop you getting ambushed by a strong reaction and losing your own composure or saying something that just makes the situation worse. ‘Some people may respond with anger,’ says Gael, ‘especially if this has been an event they have been looking forward to and may even have saved up for – in some cultures weddings are ways of displaying wealth, success and standing in the community. Be aware that religious views can also generate anger – if this kind wedding is seen as disrespectful to the deity or religious community.’ You may also find some siblings or friends being envious. ‘This can come across through sarcasm,’ says Gael,

‘It’s always best face to face with people you are genuinely close to,’ says Gael Lindenfield. ‘But a handwritten letter is second best if this is not possible.

However, if you know you’re likely to meet anger, you could send a letter first, and within the letter suggest an offer of phone or face-to face conversation later, to give both parties chance to calm down and prepare.

Email or facebook announcements are only appropriate for less close friendships and distant relatives where hurtful emotions are unlikely to arise.’

‘Making your announcement in a calm, sensitive, rational way and being open-minded about the reaction is key,’ says Sarah Haywood. ‘Only in extreme cases would I ever suggest making the announcement after you’ve already got married!’

4

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It’s highly unlikely that someone won’t ask why, or aren’t there any other ways, and are you sure you wouldn’t do it here if we gave you some money towards it, and so on. You need to find a way to answer their questions so they feel you’re listening, but to remain firm as well. ‘Often people just want to be heard, and if they feel they have been will be more likely to support your decision if they feel it

is a considered one,’ says Sarah Haywood.

‘It can feel difficult, but don’t try to justify your decision, as this smacks of excuse,’ says psychotherapist Jules McClean (www.julesmccleancounselling.co.uk). ‘You need to prepare for this and be receptive to people’s feelings without being put on the back foot. Be assertive and confident in your reasoning and say that it may feel selfish to others, but for the two of you it’s a private ceremony and you don’t really want much fuss as it does feel like you. It’s ok to be you!’

‘Vow not to give detailed explanations and certainly no lies,’ says Gael Lindenfield. ‘It’s best to simply repeat over and over again a simple statement of your decision as a ‘fait accompli’, with statements such as: ‘After a lot of thought and discussion we have decided that we are going to get married. I hope you will appreciate that, however strange or even selfish this may sound, it is really what we want.’ Avoid phrases such as ‘would like to’ or ‘are thinking of’ which would suggest that you are open to being persuaded otherwise.’

5

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Don’t get flustered and rise to any negative emotions or upset. Use phrases you’ve thought about in advance to diffuse any tense situations.

Gael Lindenfield suggests the following: “I can understand that that you may find our decision difficult understand at first but I am trusting that when you have had time to think about it you will realise that it is not in any way a reflection of our love/esteem etc. for you or anyone else, it simply that that is the way we would prefer to get married.”

“If we had decided to have a more traditional wedding you would of course have been a special guest.”

“I think it is best if we talk again about this later when we have both had time to calm down. I just don’t think we are getting anywhere talking right now, it is just upsetting for us both.”

6 Drop a few hints ‘A big part of planning any wedding is about managing expectations,’ says Sarah Haywood. ‘It’s really important that anyone who may feel they have a vested interest in the day is advised that a private destination wedding is a possibility quite early on: so parents, siblings, close friends and especially children and/or future step-children can get used to the idea and it won’t be as much of a surprise when you announce it.’

7

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8 Consider your future relationships

‘If your friends and family react well and ‘Be prepared for some relationships to you feel they support you, it could be change, weaken or break as a result of your a good idea to offer them ways to get involved,’ decision – this is a risk you must be prepared says Gael Lindenfield. Options could include to take,’ says Gael Lindenfield. ‘No-one can ever having the wedding filmed on a webcam in real predict exactly how people will react, however well we think we know them or however much love time, having a celebratory dinner for close friends there is in the relationship.’If you’re prepared for and family when you get home (where you could relationships to shift and change, you’ll be even wear your dress and have photos taken), or less likely to waver when you announce going on a mum and daughter meal or spa day your plans and someone gets treat before you go. You could even ask your mum upset or emotional. for a piece of her wedding dress to sew into your lining, or ask your dad to write you the speech in a letter for you to open on the day. of those guests who can’t make a wedding, not However, you need to judge these kinds of guests who have not been invited, so you need to suggestions very carefully in a situation where judge carefully before suggesting something like you’re not sure of the reaction. ‘Be aware that the this, as it may be felt as an insult rather than an more you involve people with the event you are offer of compromise.’ excluding them from, the more likelihood there is of promoting ill feeling, and prompting people ��������������������� ������������� to ask why they’re not good enough to be there ����������������� in person if they’re good enough to write the speech or organize the hen event etc,’ says Sarah ����� Haywood.

If you were invited to friends’ weddings, or asked to be a bridesmaid, or be a special ‘As a wedding planner and a member of guest who did a reading, be aware that your an extended family with step-children, I feel friends may feel put out that the honour weddings are occasions where we affirm and bestowed on you is not being reciprocated. celebrate the very concept of family, so if your ‘There will be a level of resentment as celebration is not about that it would be bizarre people do tend to believe that if you do to try and make it so without those key people something it should be reciprocated,’ says being present. If you come from a large or close Jules McClean. ‘Taking your friend out family and you are choosing not to include people for meal or a girly day out is a good idea you are close to (and that may be for legitimate to make her feel she’s still special, and if reasons), just play it carefully and sensitively – for you want to let her into the real reasons example, if you have a celebration such as a meal behind your decision, such as family issues, or low-key party before or after the ceremony, money, other people’s children etc. then with people you do want to share your wedding do so. She will immediately feel included; with in some way, be sensitive to the fact that it will boost the bonds of your friendship some of them may feel that seeing you in your and help prevent feelings of exclusion and wedding dress, and watching the video of the rejection. I would say don’t ask for them event would be a bit odd, like rubbing salt into the to write you a letter or donate something wound. My advice would be keep the private part borrowed for the day unless you’re 100 per low-key in other people’s minds and involve them cent sure of their feelings, as this could just in the part you are prepared to share, but make it reinforce the fact that they won’t be there feel like something unique you’ve organized with in person.’ them in mind – don’t try to make it feel like the ‘For a best man your partner could wedding.’ restore a sense of the code of honour by ‘You should also consider the potential stress organising a boys’ weekend away, or even of having a pre-or-post-wedding abroad party if asking his friend to organise it for him,’ the reason you’re going away in the first place says Gael Lindenfield. In both cases, you is due to stresses and difficulties about guests could even buy the traditional thank-you or family issues,’ says Jules McClean. ‘It could gift for the key friend, to say thanks for all be better for you to have the courage of your their support in helping you get to this stage convictions and simply go ahead with a ceremony in your life, as a token of your friendship, just for the two of you. But if your reasons are even if they won’t be with you on the day solid and accepted by your friends and family, a itself. ‘The main thing in all these areas celebratory meal could be a great way to help is to be sensitive,’ says Sarah Haywood. everyone feel loved and involved – even if you ‘Then you can have the wedding you want decide it should be just immediate family. One with the support of the people who are other thing I would say about the wedding itself important to you.’ is that webcams and letters belong in the sphere

9

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 113

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

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

At a glance

Best for May-October

Best for November-April

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

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

114 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

January

February

Hot Spots

Hot Spots

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

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

Cool & Chilled

Cool & Chilled

Canada, European Alps Iceland, Scandinavia, USA

Canada, European Alps, Iceland, Scandinavia, USA

Something Different

Something Different

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

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

Jungle Safari

Jungle Safari

Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Avoid

Avoid

Alaska, Borneo

Alaska,

March

April

Hot Spots

Hot Spots

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

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

Maldives, Mexico

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

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

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

Avoid Alaska

Cool & Chilled European Alps, Scandinavia

Something Different Argentina, Egypt, Hong Kong, India

Jungle Safari Belize, Borneo, Botswana, Costa Rica, South Africa, Zambiaa

Avoid Alaska, Kenya, Tanzania www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 115

May

June

Hot Spots

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, US

Cool & Chilled

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, Iceland

Canada, European Alps, Iceland, Scandinavia, USA

Something Different

Something Different

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

Alaska, New Zealand

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

Avoid Caribbean, Cuba, Kenya, Maldives, Tanzania

July

Jungle Safari Borneo, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia

Avoid Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, Egypt, Maldives

August

Hot Spots

Hot Spots

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

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

Cool & Chilled

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, Iceland

Alaska, Iceland

Something Different

Something Different

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

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

Jungle Safari

Jungle Safari

Borneo, Botswana, Kenya

Borneo, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia

Tanzania, Zambia

Avoid Caribbean, Cuba, Dubai, Egypt 116 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Avoid

Beliza, Caribbean, Costa Rica Cuba, Dubai, Egypt

September

October

Hot Spots

Hot Spots

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

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

Cool & Chilled

Cool & Chilled

Alaska, New Zealand

Canada, USA

Something Different

Something Different

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

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

Jungle Safari

Jungle Safari

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

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

Avoid

Avoid

Belize, Caribbean, Cuba, Costa Rica

Alaska, Belize, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Cuba,

November

December

Hot Spots

Hot Spots

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

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

Cool & Chilled

Cool & Chilled

Canada, Scandinavia, USA

Canada, European Alps, Scandinavia, USA

Something Different

Something Different

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

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

Jungle Safari

Jungle Safari

Belize, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya South Africa,Tanzania,

Avoid Alaska, Borneo

Avoid

Alaska, Borneo www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 117

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 118 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

Martha Stewa

rt, Sandals

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

Laguna Tours, Phuket

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 119

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

The facts...

The legals...

Where can I get married abroad?

Are there residency restrictions in some countries?

Will our marriage be legally recognised in the UK?

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.

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.

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.

How much will it cost?

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

120 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

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.

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.

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?

When will I receive my Marriage Certificate?

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

The ceremony...

Can we invite guests to our wedding?

Of course! Some hotels even offer reduced rate weddings for more than four guests.

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

When do I meet the resort’s wedding planner?

One to three days after your arrival at your resort. Your wedding planner will sort out the fine details of your wedding, from champagne to the icing on your cake, and check your documentation so that you can relax as the arrangements are done on your behalf. Once the local registrar is happy your paperwork is

in order, your wedding planner will give you a date and time for the ceremony and send out invitations to your guests.

Where will our ceremony take place?

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

Who will be at the ceremony?

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

The important bits...

How should I transport my wedding dress?

We recommend wedding outfits should be packed in a hard suitcase or strong box, as they will be placed in the hold of the plane.

It might be an idea to contact your airline for more information. Generally, there is no extra

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 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 121

Weddings are Better when Shared

A Match Made in Paradise…

Create special memories with your loved one with one of our Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa Wedding Packages. Have access to your own private beach ceremony, decorations, wedding cake, candlelight dinner & champagne. What could be better?

basic wedding package for two

700

$

You’ve made the commitment, let us take care of everything else.

Book at Sheraton.com/maldivesfullmoon, Sheraton.maldives@sheraton.com or call +(960) 664 2010

©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.

Honeymoons 124

What’s your passion?

130

Celebrate in Andalucia

134

Honeymoon essentials

136

Beauty on the Beach

140

Live like a Sultan in Oman

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Waterworld

Tailor-made honeymoons to suit your individuality

Hidden treasures in Southern Spain

Sizzle on your honeymoon with the coolest fashion accessories

Sexy swimwear to get his pulse racing

Stay in the exotic Middle East for sun, sea and sand dunes

From a lazy river cruise to an adventurous bareboat sail or a luxury ocean liner. You pick!

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�������� Design a dream honeymoon to suit your individual style with our fabulous suggestions! By Colette Harris

HISTORY LOVERS

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This enchanting Italian island, just off the coast of Sorrento, is a riot of lush plants, hilly paths to secluded luxe villas, buzzing designer boutiques, a wonderful perfumery (Carthusia) where you can buy scents made with the island’s famous flowers and lemons, and stylish squares filled with cafes where the local stylistas hang out. History lovers will be dazzled by the ruins of Villa Jovis, the emperor Tiberius’s island retreat looking out over the sea, the church and ancient monastery of Anacapri, and the 1930s glamour of the Augustus gardens, set on a terrace cascading down to the sea. A short trip across to the mainland by regular boat will set you on your way to the magnificent ancient ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii, where you can see bath houses, an amphitheatre, villas with beds, graffiti and cart-rutted streets frozen in time by the preserving ash and mud from the massive explosion as nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted. The nearby town of Herculaneum was where the super-rich Romans had their villas, and you can admire their layout, and wonder at what else lies beneath the current modern town still sitting over unexcavated ruins.

Back at your luxurious hotel, swim in the gorgeous cliff top infinity pool with panoramic views across the sea, dine with stunning views over the Bay of Naples, and enjoy outdoor massage on the sundrenched patio. Blissful! ➤ GO THERE! Enjoy five nights Bed & Breakfast at the 5* Hotel Caesar Augustus, Capri from just £999 per person (including a free night and online discount, for departures on Sept 10th from London Gatwick, saving up to £1010 per couple). Find out more at www.citalia.com or call: 0871 664 0253

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ADRENALINE JUNKIES Indulge your passion for action in the wondrous surroundings of Bali’s beaches and lush tropical landscape in this stylish resort (www.uma.ubud.como.bz) set in the cultural centre of the island. White water rafting lets you check out the natural scenery, wildlife and exotic plants; the Bale Timbang Trek lets you explore the misted villages, paddy fields and local temples and shrines following the sinuous Ayung river gorge with sweeping views

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over the rice terraces, and returning to Uma Ubud by vehicle; the Kelabang Moding Bike Tour lets you enjoy an exhilarating freewheel down from Uma Ubud and a hearty climb into the centre of bustling Ubud itself before winding out on a quiet, picturesque lane into Sambahan village, past galleries, pretty houses and rice paddies to the traditional Kelabang Moding village. Back at the resort, unwind with delicious massages and facials at the

intensely good spa. ➤ GO THERE! Seven nights in Bali with Virgin Holidays + Hip Hotels, including economy Virgin Atlantic flights, accommodation at Uma Ubud with breakfast and private transfers starts from £1,590 per person, sharing a Terrace Room on selected departures August – December 2010. Find out more at www.vhiphotels.co.uk or call 0844 573 2460.

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FOODIES

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Love fine dining? Thrill to the taste of perfectly paired, high-class wines as you eat? Then treat yourselves to a true gourmet experience at this Relais & Chateaux converted abbey near Dijon, in the Burgundy region of France (www.abbaye-dela-bussiere.com). Set in 15 acres of beautiful grounds crossed by a stream, and cloaked in a deep tranquillity, this stunning historic building is a magical hideaway for romance, whatever the season.

Sip fine wines on your four poster bed, toast each other in your private whirlpool bath, and descend to dinner in the atmospheric restaurant surrounded by finely carved balconies and overlooked by stunning stained glass windows, where you can indulge your foodie fantasies with the creations of chef Emmanuel Hébrard, who chooses the freshest seasonal produce. Spend your days exploring

PARTY PEOPLE

������������������� For super-star luxury and glamour, jet off to the world-famous 5-star Hotel Byblos St Tropez (www.byblos.com), an iconic celebrity bolthole on the Cote D’Azur in France. Indulge in fine dining at Alain Ducasse’s Le Spoon restaurant where you can feel ultra-romantic in the ‘salon rouge’ terrace by candlelight, or choose to sit in the ‘see and be seen’ area, with raised tables and stools, to enjoy the staggering wine menu.

Then party at the opulent hotel nightclub, Les Caves de Roy, until the early hours.

Recover in style at the first Sisley Spa, with aromatherapy treatments in calm treatment rooms that have views to lush plant-life outside, and relax by the sparkling outdoor pool. Set in the very heart of Saint-Tropez, the location allows you to step straight into the chic town and explore the markets, galleries, cafes and buzzing beaches. ➤ GO THERE! Stay 3 nights from £1,370 per person, based on two persons sharing a Classic Room on a room only basis, economy flights from London Heathrow with British Airways including transfers.

(Based on 25 September 2010 departure).

Find out more at Elegant Resorts Reservations on 01244 897538 or www.elegantresorts.co.uk.

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the region’s vineyards, walking in the hills and quiet lanes nearby, or exploring the region’s capital, Dijon (www.visitdijon.com), where fabulous gardens, galleries and churches let you wallow in history, and local cafes, or the mustard boutique lets you soak up the heavenly atmosphere! ➤ GO THERE! 3 nights in a superior bedroom with welcome tray, breakfasts, three different gastronomic dinners (excluding wine), a full day’s wine tour including lunch, (but not lunch wines), and transfers from and to Dijon station costs 2133 euros per couple. Find out more at www.abbaye-dela-bussiere.com.

Exploring the region in a stylish Westfield sports car for the day costs €400. Travel with Eurostar, prices from £69 return. www.eurostar.com

WATER BABIES

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Love swimming, lounging by the pool, watersports? Overlooking a wide sandy beach, and the splendid turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, this resort (www.lemeridienmauritius.com) is a perfect retreat for you, especially if you hole up in the fabulous Nirvana Wing where the rooms have extra luxurious touches. From your room perched at the edge of the tranquil lagoon, retreat to the exclusive heated infinity pool or spend the evening enjoying a complimentary cocktail on your personal terrace or balcony, overlooking luxuriant tropical foliage. Pamper yourselves at the Asian spa and enjoy the pool, the sea, and the free sports on offer – from waterskiing to snorkelling, canoeing, pedalos, windsurfing and trips on a glass-bottomed boat. You can also choose to go diving, fishing and cruising to indulge your love of the ocean. ➤ GO THERE! Enjoy seven nights from £1149 per person in a Deluxe Room, all inclusive, with flights from Air Seychelles and VIP Private transfer exclusively with Luxury Holidays Direct, for travel between 20 Aug -30 Sept 10, and get an exclusive room upgrade and free watersports. Find out more at www.luxuryholidaysdirect.com or call: 020 8774 7298

CULTURE VULTURES

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Wend your way through the cobbled streets, gothic spires and picture-perfect bars and restaurants of medieval Tallinn to discover eastern-flavoured architecture, art and jewellery galleries, and festivals celebrating flowers, beer, design and chamber music in the European Capital of Culture in 2011 (www.tourism.tallinn.ee). Stay in the heart of Tallinn’s higgledy old town in the opulent Hotel Schlössle, a 15th Century Merchant’s House with original features, antique furniture and giant wooden beams. Unwind after a day taking in the sights such as a magnificent Russian orthodox cathedral and Tompea Castle. Enjoy dinner in the awardwinning restaurant Stenhus’s 13th century vaulted cellar in winter or leafy outdoor courtyard in summer. Enchanting! ➤ GO THERE! Stay at the Schlössle

including transfer to and from your point of arrival to Schlössle, a four-course romantic candlelit dinner in the wine cellar or in your suite, a bottle of your chosen wine from a selected list, a night in a luxury suite, complimentary late checkout until 18:00 and a choice of ‘Breakfast-in-bed’ from €467 per night based on two people sharing a suite. Any extra nights are priced from €209 per night for two, bed and breakfast. Find out more at www.schlossle-hotels.com or call: +372 699 7700. Estonian Air operates daily direct flights from London Gatwick to Tallinn www.estonian-air.ee easyJet operates flights on select days from London Stansted to Tallinn. www.easyjet.com from £24.99 one way.

SUN WORSHIPPERS

������������������������ Find a paradise of white sand beaches, blue ocean and residential-style villas tumbling down towards the bay in this lush tropical playground, where visiting yachts and a casino bring a touch of James Bond glamour to the proceedings.

Walk barefoot on the beaches, splashing hand-in-hand through the surf during the day, sip cocktails as the sun goes down, and eat by soft candlelight in the resort's four restaurants – one by the water’s edge is particularly romantic. If you’re in the mood to party, live music in the bars takes you into the small hours. ➤ GO THERE! Stay 7 nights from £1199 per person in a Club room, all Inclusive, with private transfer and flights on Virgin Atlantic – valid for travel between 01 Sep - 15 Oct 10. Find out more at Luxuryholidaysdirect.com or call: 020 8774 7298. www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 127

SPA LOVERS

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Surrounded on three sides by the sea, this stylish hotel (www.thalassa.com.cy) is set on a peninsula and is a haven for unwinding and pampering after the hectic run-up to your wedding. Toast each other at sunset on your balcony, take a romantic panoramic helicopter flight across the deep blue ocean, and let your personal butler cater to your every whim. You can order a gourmet dining experience, catered by the head chef, where you can have a private dining table set up in a

GET YOUR SPA, FOODIE AND HISTORY FIX ALL IN ONE AT...

Lucknam Park, Wiltshire Indulge in the ‘Luxury and Romance' package at elegant Lucknam Park and you can stay in the historic house, explore the stunning Regency City of Bath nearby for a fix of Roman architecture at the wondrous baths complex and Jane Austen history in the Pump Rooms, alongside fab shopping and a buzzy bar scene, then retreat to the sumptuous spa on your return. Enjoy a tailor-made facial with luxurious Anne Semonin products, and watch the sun set over the parklands in the outdoor whirlpool, letting peace and tranquillity seep into you.

The pool is super-stylish, with a fire along one wall that makes it feel wonderful to swim there in the evening. And the food here is exquisite – fresh, local ingredients put together in a lively, contemporary way.

If the pea risotto is on the menu, grab the chance! Look out for the English wines on the list. And don’t miss out on the more-ish fresh scones in the Brasserie. ➤ GO THERE! The package costs from £615 per person in a Standard room and includes three nights accommodation based on two adults sharing, full English breakfast each day, one dinner for two in the Michelin starred restaurant The Park, one dinner for two in the Brasserie, Two luxurious

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location of your choice, and have butler service to create a luxurious romantic evening. Spend your days lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun. Or dive into the astonishing variety of delightful treatments available in the spa – from the delicious Chocolate massage to the Mint foot soother, a couples massage using the signature Anagenisis range of treatment products made with local ingredients such as sea salt, olive oil and honey and a menu of Darphin treatments that includes

one-hour treatments in the spa, and champagne and handmade chocolates in your room on arrival. Find out more at www.lucknampark.co.uk or call: 01225 742 777 IF YOU LOVE ADRENALINE, SPAS AND SUN WORSHIPPING, TRY THIS BRILLIANT IDEA...

Kite surfing in the Canaries Tap into your adventurous spirit with kite surfing at Sotavento, a stretch of coastline on Fuerteventura, The Canaries, where a huge lagoon fills up during high tide, and is tipped by kite surfing specialist Waveriders, to be one of the most suitable places for a smooth introduction to this addictive sport.

You can incorporate as much or as little kite surfing as you like into your honeymoon – eight hours of beginners’ tuition costs £245 pp. Or sign up to travel on buggies (off road), bikes (on and off road), camels or conventional car hire to visit pretty local villages. The 4* Melia Corriones has three swimming pools where you can lounge in the sun, even over winter, and a spa for extra relaxation. ➤ GO THERE! Costs from £599 pp (two sharing) including return flights (Gatwick), seven nights (HB) at the 4* Melia Corriones and transfers. Find out more at www.waveriders.co.uk or call: Waveriders 01273 224 069.

10

‘Prelude to Seduction’ – perfect for lovedup honeymooners! ➤ GO THERE! Honeymoon special - Save £420pp. Stay 7 nights from £1130pp including complimentary room upgrade to a One Bedroom Suite, a romantic candlelit dinner, bottle of champagne and fruit on arrival, 30 minute spa treatment per person, return flights from London Gatwick to Paphos and private transfers.

Valid until 31 Oct 10. Find out more at 2009 www.carrier.co.uk or call: 0117 0161 927 491 7650

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Kilindi Resort, Zanzibar

  

Stay 7 nights and pay 5

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   

  

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    

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    

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           

  

          

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    

  

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

  

 

          

   

 Call: 01227 753180 to discuss your perfect trip.



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f all-inclusives just aren’t your style, break away and create your own romantic journey through the history and nightlife of Andalucia. Plan a route where you stop off in magical Paradors, historic buildings transformed into wow-factor accommodation – Spain’s best-kept secret for stylish honeymooners.

Then soak up the atmosphere of this region, where Spanish food and culture combine with the romantic history and architecture of the Moorish past.

Toast your new status as man and wife with a romantic trip for two through Andalucia’s whitewashed villages, beautiful beaches and chic cities, says Colette Harris

�������������������������������� In Granada; wander through the fragrant gardens of the Arabic Parador San Francisco, within the awe-inspiring Alhambra, the world-famous 14thcentury palace and mosque. This is such a famous place, with a magical romantic atmosphere, that it’s a real treat to be able to stay within its walls when the tourists have gone home. Explore the arcaded courtyards, linger by the fountains and breathe in the fragrance of the scented flowers. Each of the unique bedrooms

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has views of the gardens and beautifully crafted buildings.

Granada itself is a city with an unmistakable Arabic flavour in its cuisine, crafts and geographical layout. The narrow streets, tiled balconies, richly decorated facades and hidden patios all contribute to its charm and let you wander lazily around, soaking up the flavours.

Stop off for coffees and cocktails in the many bars and restaurants, and enjoy the flavours of the region in the tapas –

try refreshing Gazpacho with Salaíllas, a salted bread, or Ajo Blanco, a cold, almond-based soup, with fried bread crumbs seasoned with garlic and paprika (Migas alpujarreñas), Plato alpujarreño, a dish of fried potatoes, fried egg, cured ham, and spicy sausage or the simple Espetones, barbequed sardines, or bread dipped in local olive oil, all washed down with the region’s delicious wines. ➤ Prices from £168 per person per night at the Parador San Francisco.

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Carmona – known as Carmo to the Romans – was a Moorish stronghold until captured in 1247 by Ferdinand III, who gave the town its motto: ‘As the Morning Star shines in the dawn, so shines Carmona in Andalucia’. The Parador de Carmona – inside a medieval fortress – is a great place to unwind after the stress of wedding planning. Relax on the sunny patios and take a dip in the pool before heading into Carmona for a romantic dinner and a stroll around the Roman walls on a warm evening.

Carmona is also a perfect base to explore Seville, an elegant city of cobbled alleys and delightful restaurants only 20 minutes away. Don’t miss the World Heritage Alcazar Palace, a truly gorgeous Moorish architectural gem, surrounded by lush tropical gardens, perfect for a picnic. You can enjoy moonlit concerts here in summer.

And get wow-factor views from the top of the Giralda, the old minaret of the mosque, which was replaced by Seville’s impressive gothic cathedral. Don’t skimp on the cava in the local bars, either, as there’s a buzzy scene after dark. ➤ Prices from £85 per person per night at the Parador de Carmona.

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Enjoy the authentic Spanish buzz of lively Malaga, a city that often gets overlooked by tourists who land at the airport and drive straight out. Birthplace of Picasso, the city itself has his house and museum to enjoy, an Arabic fortress, impressive cathedral and a good local beach.

Shoppers will love the Calle Larios area, a vibrant mix of slick designer boutiques, shops selling unique handicrafts and souvenirs (the leather goods, ceramics and religious figurines are popular), flea markets and restaurants.

From your vantage point high above the city from the outdoor dining terrace at the Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro, you discover the stunning views across the bay and the harbour over pre-dinner cocktails. Or hit the city’s bars after a glass of fizz on your Parador balcony at sunset. For lazy days in summer, make use of the Parador pool (open in warm weather), or you can lie back and soak up the sun in the lush gardens. ➤ Prices from £52 per person per night at the Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro.

Book it! 0117 927 2009

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Get your coastal fix in the Parador de Nerja, where you can stand in the cliff-top gardens looking down on the golden beaches and azure sea of the Costa Tropical. Enjoy lazy days by the large, warm outdoor pool, then stroll into the attractive little town of Nerja for dinner and late night drinks in the warm sea breezes. You’ll rub shoulders with lots of Spaniards who choose this as their holiday destination.

Scuba dive the local coves, where you can often find a spot practically to yourselves for a romantic picnic, and lie in the blissfully warm sunshine. Or climb in the mountains of the Sierra de Almijara where you can walk amidst spectacular views.

If you like history, visit the Nerja Caves, one of Spain’s most popular tourist haunts as they’re filled with prehistoric paintings and spectacular rock formations. ➤ Prices from £47 per person per night at the Parador de Nerja. Book it! 0117 927 2009

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Explore this romantic hill settlement, from The Parador de Ronda, spectacularly located on the rim of the 120m-deep El Tajo canyon that splits the town in two.

Wander through the pretty gardens and enjoy the pool before heading out, after siesta, for an evening in the local bars. Explore the town – with its mix of Roman, Moorish and Spanish history – during the day, when you can wander through galleries, wine museums and celebrate local festivals against a backdrop Ernest Hemingway described as the last word in romance: “Ronda is where you should go if you ever go to Spain on a honeymoon... The entire town and as far as you can see in any direction is romantic background… If a honeymoon or an elopement is not a success in Ronda, it would be as well to start for Paris and commence making your own friends.” ➤ Prices from £52 per person at The Parador de Ronda.

Book it! 0117 927 2009

BOOK IT: For information on Spain’s Paradors, visit www.keytel.co.uk or call 0207 953 3020. Monarch (www. monarch.co.uk) offers flights to Malaga from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, from £46.50 one way (£76.99 return). Car hire from £20-30 per day for a Group A car (dependent on the time of year) www.avis.co.uk. Find out more about Andalucia at www. andalucia.org and www. spain.info

2 MORE ADALUCIAN HIDEAWAYS WE

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Kempinski Hotel Bahia An idyllic and luxurious retreat near the charming village of Estepona, not far from Malaga, with perfectly manicured gardens, and a sandy beach overlooking the Mediterranean Sea (www.kempinski. com/en/estepona). Prestige Holidays (www.prestigeholidays.co.uk; 01425 480400) offers 7 nights Bed and Breakfast, flights from London Gatwick with easyJet, and private taxi transfers from Malaga to the hotel from £1,029 pp if you book 60 days in advance.

Casa de Carmona A romantic bolthole in a converted 1561 Renaissance Palace full of airy rooms decorated with exquisite antiques (www.casadecarmona.com). Enjoy a candlelit dinner of fresh market produce by the pool, lazy days soaking up the atmosphere and the sunshine, or exploring Seville in a horse and carriage.

Prices from £100 per room in low season.

Flights online with BA to Seville or Ryanair to Jerez.

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SEAFOLLY TROPICA Bandeau white top £44.00 Ring side pant £35.00 www.cocobay.co.uk 10% off for our readers use code wwh0710

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Oman is emerging as a surprising new Middle Eastern honeymoon destination, says Richard Brugger

p until now, if you were to choose a honeymoon in the Middle East, then Dubai would be your default choice, with its sun, sand, lavish five-star palaces and retail therapy aplenty. But if you think the colossal skyward expansion of this city has created a metropolis of bling that is more Manhattan than Arabia, then head to Oman instead to enjoy a more traditional flavour of the exotic Middle East.

Occupying the south-eastern peninsula of Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman is emerging as a new contender for luxurious Middle Eastern honeymoons. It is a land rich in heritage, cultural treasures and dramatic scenery that swoops from the warm azure ocean to dramatic honeycoloured mountains. And in recent years it has witnessed the opening of some truly world-class hotels that are the equal of anything you will find anywhere across

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the globe – from grand resorts to ultrachic boutique hotels.

Flying into the capital Muscat, what strikes you is the low rise and traditionally Arabic nature of the city – none of your skyscrapers here. Muscat is certainly no facsimile of its flashier neighbour, nor does it seem in any rush to become one.

Of course there is no reason why you can’t visit both – Dubai is, after all, only a four-hour drive or 45-minute flight away.

While the mercury nudges a ferocious 50ºC in summer, in late autumn the temperature drops to a much more pleasant 25-35ºC, making it a perfect autumn and winter honeymoon destination.

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Oman is proud of its traditions and is home to some beguiling cultural treasures and areas of stark natural beauty. One of the most impressive examples of

the former is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. This proud and mighty new mosque accommodates up to 6,000 worshippers and is home to the world’s biggest chandelier. A must visit! Old Muscat is the spiritual heart of the capital, and is also where Sultan Qaboos resides in one of the most unique palaces you will ever see. Buckingham Palace it is not. Visitors can learn more about Oman’s cultural fabric at the Bait Al Zubair museum before strolling around the alleyways of the historic souk at Mattrah.

Mezoon.

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Oman is also home to the most valuable perfume in the world, Amouage. At its headquarters on the outskirts of Muscat you can learn about the history and development of Amouage’s exotic fragrances and take a sniff of the heady scents. www.amouage.com

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��������������������� Located off the main Dubai to Muscat highway, about 80km from Muscat, near to the town of Barka, Al Nahda Resort & Spa occupies a vast 30-acre site that used to be a mango plantation. The fruit trees have been replaced with boutique villas and rooms, a huge array of sporting activities and a very comprehensive wellness offering, including a range of high-tech medi-spa machinery that would put NASA to shame.

After checking in at reception you are whisked off to your villa in a golf buggy.

Accommodation is in single and two-story white washed buildings, and includes simple, yet tastefully furnished studio rooms, studio villas and two-bedroom villas set in tropical landscaping.

Al Nahda has everything you need on-site, including a large lagoon-style pool, spa, shop and three restaurants. For couples wanting active rest, there’s also a fully equipped gym and aerobics studio with personal trainers on hand and floodlit tennis court and volleyball court.

The hotel takes its spa seriously and offers a huge array of treatments in 23 treatment rooms located in villas which are furnished in bright colours that you will find either vibrant or jarring, dependent on your taste.

Treatments range from ancient rituals of Ayurveda and Thai massage to state-of-theart procedures and alternative therapies.

The spa also has some unique attributes, notably a Steam Tunnel located in a cave and circular subterranean Meditation Hall for yoga sessions. A number of healing and wellness packages are available should you wish to turn your honeymoon into a luxuriously indulgent spa break. ➤ BOOK IT www.alnahdaresort.com Call: 0117 927 2009 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 141

‘The service is impeccable too; with chilled glasses of mintinfused water brought to you the second you hit a sun lounger.’

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If designer style and understated opulence is your thing, then there is a beachfront hotel in Muscat that you simply have to experience.

The Chedi is pure Arabian boutique chic from the moment you step inside the cool (in both senses of the word) reception. The clean, minimalist lines of the low-rise white buildings are accentuated by gardens of symmetrical simplicity, with manicured box hedges and water features creating an implacable Zen calm. A recent refurbishment has added an extra freshness and gleam to the terrazzo floors, marble, dark wood and richly-hued furnishings.

It is a similar story in the hotel’s superior and deluxe rooms and fabulous private villas, which are the stuff of dreams, combining cool designer sensibilities with plush furnishings, a hi-tech gadgets and an ultra-hip bathroom, with Bulgari toiletries and sunken terrazzo bath.

The service is impeccable too; with chilled glasses of mint-infused water brought to you the second you hit a sun lounger. As well as a stretch of private beach there are two pools: the adults-only infinity Chedi Pool, surrounded by cabanas with wide couches, and the Serai Pool, with its black mosaics and elegant canopy.

Tucked away in a secluded courtyard and reached via a set of steps, The Spa is a true sanctuary of calm. There are seven spacious treatment rooms, including four exclusive Spa Suites, perfect for honeymooners, that are the epitome of understated elegance, with cream walls, wood floors and subtle Arabic/ Asian detailing. The spa specialises in Balinese therapies, but also offers an extensive variety of beauty rituals based on aromatherapy, Ayurveda and Herbalism. ➤ BOOK IT www.ghmhotels.com

Call: 0117 927 2009

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www.honeymoonworld.tv 117

‘For honeymooners, the six-star Al Huan is the perfect choice and provides the opportunity to live like a sultan’

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���������������������������������������� If there’s one resort that signifies Oman’s desire to be taken seriously as a contender for your hard-earned bucks, then it has to be Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. This award-winning three-hotel luxury destination comes complete with a CHI spa.

Just 20 minutes drive from the lively centre of Muscat, yet offering a haven of calm and privacy, the resort is reached via a road that twists and turns through rugged mountains of lunar beauty before dropping down to the sweeping bay (barr) that is home to this king-sized destination. The mountains – lit spectacularly at night – provide a natural amphitheatre that frames the resort.

The Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa consists of three hotels in one resort to provide a huge variety of choice. The resort’s combined facilities offer a choice of six main restaurants, seven casual dining outlets plus bars and a nightclub. Entertainment on tap includes three fresh-water swimming pools, where guests can float between Al Bandar and Al Waha on the 250m Lazy River ride. The hotel’s marina and dive centre is home to a fleet of charter boats that offer everything from big game fishing and scuba diving to romantic sunset cruises.

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The 198-room Al Bandar (the Town) is located at the centre of the resort and is home to the main reception, luxury shopping area and an art gallery. The 262-room Al Waha (the Oasis) is more suited to families with its kids club and family friendly dining.

However, for honeymooners, the six-star Al Husn (the castle) is the perfect choice and provides the opportunity to live like a sultan. The opulent, Moorish-style hotel, located dramatically on a headland, has 130 sumptuous rooms and suites, with a private butler service and use of a private gym, private beach and bar, library and infinity pool, which offers a stunning vista over the Gulf of Oman.

The Chi Spa is located in its own landscaped ‘village’ and is the epitome of Eastern calm, offering soothing oriental treatments, which embrace the Chinese wellness philosophy based on the five elements: earth, fire, water, metal and wood.

Subtle Middle Eastern flavours, such as locally grown Frankincense are used in specially created facials, wraps and scrubs. ➤ BOOK IT www.shangri-la.com

ÒGETTING THERE It’s your honeymoon, so why not be whisked away in the lap of luxury on a direct flight from the UK to Muscat with Oman Air. The airline’s fleet, which includes the new airbus A330, offers spacious and luxurious interiors and state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment, and is the first airline in the world to offer passengers full mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity simultaneously.

Oman Air offers daily direct flights from London Heathrow to Muscat from £317 return, including all taxes. Tickets can be booked through travel agents, online (www.omanair.com) or by phone (08444 822309). Oman Air offers online checkin for added convenience.

OMAN FACT FILE Flight time: 7-8 hrs Time difference: GMT + 4 hrs Population: 3 million Capital: Muscat Language: Arabic, English widely spoken pound75 = Rials 0.61 Currency: Omani Rials (1 (around rials) to the pound) Climate: Hot and sunny, up to 50C in summer, 25-35C in winter.

Visa requirements: A visitor’s visa (six Rials) Rials) must must be be bought bought at at the the Travelex Travelex counter counter in in arrivals arrivals at at Seeb Seeb Airport.

Airport. A A full full British British passport passport valid valid for for aa minimum minimum of of six months beyond your date of return six months beyond your date of return is required. is required.

OMAN Advert

Experience Oman For over 5000 years the Sultanate of Oman has welcomed visitors, showcasing its culture, heritage, nature and adventure.

Today the 500 forts and castles, the majestic Hajar Mountains and Canyons are witness to Oman’s evolving journey along an Indian Ocean coastline of 1700km.

From the thrills of abseiling down jagged mountain sides, magical desert safaris, gentle dhow cruises or the excitement of haggling for gold and frankincense in the souks, Oman offers a range of opportunities to suit every visitor.

Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om Call: 020 8877 4524 Email: oman@representationplus.co.uk

Honeymoons

Afloat Let your love blossom and your cares drift away

146 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Bliss on a barge Imagine snuggling up with your loved one in newly married bliss whilst floating along the picturesque canals of England and Wales. Choose a unique honeymoon on a narrowboat in the UK and you can be sure of an intimate, romantic experience as you discover a totally new world. You will navigate locks and float along through sleepy backwater villages and wonderful wildlife to rich heritage and bustling cities. Meandering down the canals at a leisurely pace is like stepping back in time dating back to the days when a horse would pull the canal boats along the banks to transport cargo to the industrial cities in the 18th century. Luckily the narrowboats of today now offer one of the most comfortable ways to travel the waterways.

See it!

There are many options available. Cruise down the canals of Lancashire and Yorkshire, through Skipton and Saltaire, stopping off to visit Salts Mill with its David Hockney art collection? Or visit the potteries in Saffordshire where you can tour the Wedgewood Museum, or burn off energy at Alton Towers theme park; The Home Counties offers trips to Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and Oxford; Cotswolds & the West Midlands takes you through Stratford-upon-Avon – the birthplace of Shakespeare; South West England canals weave through the Roman town of Bath and Bristol or head west to North or South Wales.

Book it!

Prices start from £450 for a week. For further information visit: www.blakes-boats.co.uk

Float to Mandalay Honeymoon on the Orient Express – no not the famous train. Dare to be different and sail away to Burma aboard the luxurious river cruiser Road to Mandalay for the honeymoon of a lifetime. Burma is a country of exceptional beauty and interest and you can marvel at its most spectacular sights by cruising along the Ayeyarwady River on the Orient Express Road to Mandalay. The ship takes its name from Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem celebrating the images of colour, golden temples, verdant rice fields and wooden ox carts trundling over dusty roads. You can select from a range of 3-11 night cruises, taking in all that Burma has to offer and glide past dramatic landscapes and sacred domes of Sagaing to smaller riverside towns and villages on a honeymoon of constant discovery.

See it!

Fly from Yangon to Mandalay and transfer to Road To Mandalay, berthed on the Ayeyarwady River then set sail on a journey to northern Burma, including three dramatic gorges for which this stretch of river is well known.

Book it!

Prices start from £1,910 for a Superior Cabin. Prices are per person and include flights from/to Yangon. Visit: www.roadtomandalay.net

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Meander down the Danube Leave behind your travel plans, maps and be swept along on an elegant river cruise through Europe. It’s one of the most relaxing and luxurious ways to explore the cultural and historical heart of Europe. You’ll float along through picturesque half-timbered villages, medieval towns, vibrant cities and visit places you never dreamed you would go. It’s a unique and interesting way to spend your honeymoon and you’ll have plenty of memories to share. River cruises offer spacious, modern hotelstyle accommodation and an enchanting experience , discovering Europe from an entirely different perspective. Choose from an exquisite list of itineraries, then lay back and enjoy a truly magical honeymoon.

See it!

Peter Deilmann River Cruises offers a number of itineraries including River Danube – visiting Vienna and Budapest as it travels through Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia; River Seine, travelling through Paris and Le Harve as it takes in France and the Normandy coast; River Rhone travelling through Burgundy and Provence and River Rhine weaving its way through Amsterdam, Düsseldorf and Strasbourg.

Book it!

Peter Deilmann River Cruises specialise in European river cruising. Prices start around £1,000 for a blissful week. www.deilmann.co.uk

Celebration Cruise It may be the most obvious way to have a holiday afloat, but it’s easy to see why. Cruises offer the opportunity to see the world in the comfort of a luxurious floating hotel.

What can be better than waking up each morning to a different spectacular vista from the balcony window of your sumptuous cabin? Not only does a cruise offer a the perfect setting for a honeymoon in the lap of luxury, but did you know that you can get married at sea? You can then relax into the honeymoon of a lifetime afloat as you sail away into different ports. Cruises offer the perfect setting for weddings and honeymoons. NCL performs more than 400 weddings annually. Brides can celebrate on board any of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships with every detail taken care of by Norwegian’s Wedding Planner – from the day she schedules her wedding to the ceremony and champagne toast. NCL offers two wedding packages: “Onboard Aisles” for shipboard weddings and “On Shore Aisles” for those held on land.

See it!

Both packages are available in a wide range of ports - including the A (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Book it!

Onboard Aisles ranges in price from $1,850 per couple and includes a ceremony conducted by a local civil officiate, music, a wedding coordinator, a bouquet and buttonhole, photos, cake, and a bottle of sparkling wine; On Shore Aisles is from $2,450 for a wedding in Florence, Rome or Venice or on the sands of South Beach in Miami. For as little as $135, guests can add the Honeymoon package to their existing cruise. Call 0845 201 8900 or visit www.ncl.co.uk

Freestyle Cruising Romantic Memories at Sea ®

Imagine the two of you dancing under a canopy of stars. What could be more romantic? With Norwegian Cruise Line, you can enjoy intimate restaurants, secluded lounges and spacious staterooms. Our discreet staff are available for you morning, noon and night. Ask us about our Bon Voyage & Special Occasions gifts. Champagne and flowers. Professional portraits.

Passion. Memories.

Whether you want to exchange vows or vow to do it all over again, there’s no better combination than a cruise with the one you love. Choose to celebrate your special day with just the two of you, or together with family and friends, followed by a romantic reception. With Norwegian Cruise Line the choice is yours.

Europe | Caribbean | Alaska | North America | Hawai’i | Panama Canal | Transatlantic

������������������������������������������������� © 2010 NCL Corporation LTD Ships’ Registry: Bahamas and United States of America. 9959/8.10

What could beat spending the first days of married life sailing a yacht on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean a warm breeze ruffling your hair, as you soak up the sun on deck with your new man at the helm? Asks Martin Cody-Owen 84 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 150 www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

T

he good news is that it’s really possible – and you don’t need your own yacht. Bareboat chartering is the answer and as if you’ve got some experience, the oceans are yours to discover.

The Caribbean Sea off St Lucia’s west coast is sheltered from the strong winds and waves of the Atlantic and thanks to a consistent breeze and year-round temperatures of 29 degrees; it makes for perfect sailing conditions and an idyllic introduction to life on the ocean.

Don’t worry if you don’t yet have the confidence to skipper a £250,000 luxury yacht – The Moorings, an established yacht chartering company with offices worldwide, offer a fully crewed option so you can sit back and have the honeymoon of your dreams.

On our first night on board ‘Second Chance’ we moored at Marigot Bay’s peaceful marina where we rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, and the uniformed-crews of their super yachts anchored alongside.

We chose the tropical island paradise of St Lucia in the Caribbean and opted for a bareboat charter as we had both sailed before - but as we were a bit rusty we were glad to have a friendly captain on board for a few hours for reassurance.

We collected our yacht, a gleaming white Beneteau Oceanis 44.3 from Marigot Bay, a beautiful and natural deep-water harbour surrounded by an equatorial rain forest and a favourite stopover for yachts cruising the Caribbean.

Then the choice was ours to go north or south – if you sail for a fortnight you can visit the neighbouring islands of Martinique to the north or St Vincent and Mustique to the south but we were less ambitious and coast-hopped to a new port each day.

We first headed south towards Soufriere to anchor in a sheltered harbour beneath the mighty Pitons – twin volcanic peaks rising 2000 ft above the sea and a treasured World Heritage site.

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All day, the gusty wind and lively seas kept us on our toes – but once we learned to balance the yacht our confidence grew. With me at the helm and my new wife, proving surprisingly strong working the winches and trimming the sales, we proved to be a great team.

As we approached the Pitons, even from several miles out to sea, there was a distinctive whiff of sulphur in the air – just to remind us that although they haven’t erupted for over 2000 years, the twin peaks are still volcanoes nevertheless.

As we cruised into the shelter of the natural harbour we picked up a mooring for the night and once secure, we dived and swam in the crystal-clear waters of the bay.

soon got into the daily rhythm of life onboard – and we were totally hooked. We loved the stillness of the early mornings when the waters of the harbour were still like a mill pond – we relished the challenge of ploughing through the spray as the wind increased around noon and we cherished our evenings at anchor, curled up with a chilled glass of bubbly as we recounted the excitement of the day.

candlelit dinner at the Rainforest Restaurant back at Marigot Bay. As the name suggests, the Rainforest is enveloped in tropical jungle and is really only accessible by boat. As we moored our tender, the maitre d’ met us at the water’s edge and enquired if we had made a reservation. When we said no he asked if we were cruising the Caribbean, to which we gave a resounding YES!

The great thing about members of the sailing fraternity is that after a long sail, especially when the elements have been particularly challenging, they like to let their hair down - and there are plenty of wonderful waterside restaurants and bars in St Lucia to revive weary crews.

He added the name ‘Second Chance’ to the thousands of yachts already entered in the big black visitors book and showed us to our table at the end of a pier, with the water lapping inches from our feet. With our table lit only by a single candle and the light of the moon we realised hat we had just discovered the perfect honeymoon.

As the day drew to a close we hopped into our tender and zipped around the other yachts in the bay before heading for the super-cool Jalousie Plantation Resort for rum cocktails to watch the sun go down. What a day to remember.

At the marina at Gross Islet in the north of the island, the banks of the marina positively pulsated to the infectious rhythms of a steel band as crowds of increasingly jolly ‘yachties’ gathered around a thatched-bar selling glasses of iced margaritas served in gold fish bowlsized glasses.

Over the following days with the sails billowing and cool vibes playing over the speakers we

At the close of our wonderful week afloat, one of our lasting memories was an unforgettable

Book it!

Hire your own yacht for the week from a choice of luxurious yachts and Catamarans around the world from the Moorings The Best Sailing Holidays in the World. 0844 463 6375. www.moorings.co.uk

www.worldwideweddingsmagazine.com 151

HONEYMOONoffers!

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! www.alilahotels.com/hadahaa

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

Malta SAVE £300 5★ Kempinski Malta Gozo is the Med’s best kept secret. The Kempinski at St Lawrenze in a stylish countryside hideaway. Induge in luxury, history, culture, sun and sea.. www.kempinski.com/gozo

Spa World deal: £295pp USUAL PRICE £445pp

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

BOOK IT NOW! CALL 152 18

01937 585800

For more amazing honeymoon deals visit: worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Egypt SAVE £256

Cyprus SAVE £310

5★ Tia Heights, Makadi Bay, Red Sea, Riveria

5★ Ayii Anargyri, Milou

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. www.tiaheights.com

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. www.aasparesort.com

WW&H deal: £295pp

WW&H deal: £295pp

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

USUAL PRICE £450pp 7 nights’ Half board in luxury double room based on two people sharing.

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

USUAL PRICE £423pp

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. www.vasiabeach.gr

WW&H deal: £325pp USUAL PRICE £445pp

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

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

*Prices exclude flights and are subject to availability.

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Ibiza

SAVE £718

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

WW&H deal: £695 pp USUAL PRICE £1,054 pp Stay in a beautiful Dreamer Room for 7 nights on half board.

BOOK IT! 01937 585 800

Mauritius SAVE £3471 5★ The Heritage

The Heritage is a deluxe hotel on the south coast of Mauritius, set in lush tropical surroundings with its own 18-hole championship golf course. Superb for families with activities for tots through to teens.

Spa World deal: £4,995 USUAL PRICE £8,736

10 days half board in a 100m2 Senior Suite Suitable for two adults and two children

BOOK IT NOW! CALL 154 18

01937 585800

For more amazing honeymoon deals visit: worldwideweddingsmagazine.com

Italy SAVE £130 5★ Petriolo Spa Resort, Tuscany An exclusive oasis of relaxation and well-being in the Italian region of Tuscany. Set in the midst of a private nature reserve above the medieval hot springs of Bagni di Petriolo, Pertioli Spa Resort provides guests with an unforgettable luxurious and sensorial experience. www.atahotels.it

WW&H deal: £375pp

USUAL PRICE £440pp Enjoy a magical and memorable 4 days on half board.

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

Turkey SAVE £345

Greece SAVE £350

5★ Ritz Carlton, Istambul

5★ Aegialis Cyclades Greece

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

5★ Aegialis Hotel and Spa is the “Jewel of Amorgos”, one of the most amazing of the Greek Cyclades islands. The hotel enjoys panoramic views and is a short stroll away from the sandy beaches of Aegiali Levroso.

The island of Amorgos is the perfect setting for your wedding or special celebration. www.aegialis-amorgos.com

WW&H deal: £395pp

USUAL PRICE £567pp Five nights’ B&B based on two sharing a luxury double room.

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

WW&H deal: £495pp

USUAL PRICE £670pp 10 nights’ H/B on two sharing a superior double room.

BOOK IT! 01937 585800

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A N T I G U A

S T. L U C I A

B A H A M A S

FREE Sandals Wedding

by MARTHA STEWART™*

THE CARIBBEAN has long been associated with romance, the draw of palm shaded beaches, dreamlike surroundings and sultry nights proving irresistible to those seeking to exchange their vows or escape on honeymoon.

Announcing a romantic new partnership with Martha Stewart, Sandals offers brides and grooms a choice of 6 elegant collections including romantic touches ������������������������������������������ Stay in a concierge level room or above and your Sandals Wedding by Martha Stewart™, is complimentary*. At Sandals your wedding day is as unique as your love.

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.

J A M A I C A