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Getting Married Abroad Guide
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Weddings Abroad

More and more weddings are reaching the £20K mark so there is no better time to get married abroad with the average weddings abroad costing half this

Weddings Abroad – Pro’s
  • There are numerous tour operators/wedding co-ordinators who will be more than happy to help you plan your wedding. This relieves the planning obligations and more importantly reducing the stress involved so you can enjoy your big day.
  • You can start your honeymoon straight after your wedding ceremony.
  • Depending on the location the weather will be perfect for a wedding. Always check weather reports before you start looking if this important to you.
  • You can get married in tropical location.

Weddings Abroad – Con’s
  • Due the expense and time off work may mean you have fewer guests than you would like.
  • Some church weddings abroad are not recognised in the UK so may need to settle for a ceremony and blessing afterwards.
  • You may need to stay as a resident for a short/long while to obtain a marriage licence.
  • If it's just the two of you, you’ll need a stranger to act as witness.
  • There is more important legal documentation needed depending on which country you are getting married in. Always check the destinations legal requirements before you go any further.
  • Unless you head off for a second week somewhere else, you might be stuck on honeymoon with your friends and family!

Getting Married Abroad - Checklist

  • Check you have a valid passport.
  • Some destinations abroad have restricted days on when you can get married i.e. Not Weekends and Public Holidays. Make sure your chosen date is ok. Get this date confirmed in writing with the celebrant who will be performing the wedding ceremony.
  • Ensure you find out if there is a minimum residence stay and how long it is if there is one.
  • Check the weather for your wedding date, ensuring there are no freak changes in weather predicted.
  • Different countries require different documentation so make a list and ensure you obtain all the required documents to get married in your chosen country.
  • Check whether your documents will need to be translated into the countries own spoken language.
  • You may need to deliver some or all documentation to the appropriate authorities in person before the wedding day. You may also need to sign some documents in front of registered witnesses.
  • It’s very important to contact your chosen countries embassy in the UK, for further information on getting married abroad. There maybe something you have missed that can stop you from getting married overseas
  • Wedding and Travel Insurance. We would advise to take out travel insurance and wedding insurance for all those unforeseen events. Make sure you read all the print to find out what you are covered and not covered for.
  • When booking a wedding package with the Tour operator it is important to make sure of the details. You need to find out what they are doing and what they are not doing which helps you better with the rest of the organising.
  • Ensure the wedding ceremony abroad is legally recognised by the UK.
  • You may need to allow extra time If you are planning a church wedding abroad. You may need to seek permission from the church authorities where you wish to marry. You may be asked to attend pre-nuptial consultations in your chosen country.
  • Ensure you have an interpreter present to translate the proceedings if your ceremony is not being performed in English, even if you feel you are confident in the language it is always best.
  • If your marriage certificate is written in a foreign language you will need to ensure it is translated on your return to the UK.

You may look at the list and it may appear a little daunting however there some very important checks you need to do which may save you time and money in the long run. It will also help you plan your wedding abroad to perfection. Choosing a tour operator/wedding planner Whether you want to get married aboard in an unusual location or a vibrant city, a tour operator will be able to organise your full wedding package. The easier way to organise a wedding abroad is to book with a tour operator who specialises in arranging weddings. A wide variety of well known tour operators and holiday operators now have a specialist weddings section of their business. They have dedicated wedding staff who can answer all your queries and can arrange or advise on every detail of your wedding abroad.

Other things to consider before you book

  • Decide on a budget before you choose your destination
  • Choose the theme or kind of destination you want. Things to consider are do you want it Hot or Cold (Although you can never be safe with the weather anymore) Exotic location? Cultural?
  • Location, How far you want to travel? How important members family are going to get there?
  • If marrying abroad it is important after you decided on a location to pick a time of year that is i.e. not hurricane season.
  • Check out the where the physical ceremony is going to take place and if it is suitable. Is there a restriction of some sort?
  • If you are having it in a hotel do they provide their own wedding co-originator?
  • Try to communicate via email with anyone from overseas. Easier and cheaper.
  • Get everything in writing.

I have thought of everything, but when shall I book?

Book at least 3-4 months before the date you wish depart which should allow enough time for all the arrangements to be made. This should also allow enough time for the all the administration and important documents to be completed. When you have arrived at your destination more documentation will need to completed which may take around 3 days depending on each country and you may need to comply with any residency requirements that country may have, so make sure you allow enough time.

I want to arrange my own wedding abroad and not use a tour operator

Of course it is possible to arrange your own wedding abroad, but you must research the legal requirements. You will need to research of the residency rules. You will need to do all the organising from a different country which makes things more difficult. It sounds like we are being negative, however although it may be challenging it can be very rewarding. The first step would be to contact the embassy of the country where you plan to marry to obtain advice. We would always advise to take out wedding and travel insurance.

What is the norm when it comes to inviting people abroad for a wedding?

It’s entirely up to you. One of the first things you should do is think about is who would you like to share the day with you. You will probably keep your quest list small so make sure you think carefully of who could be left off your list. Remember whoever you decide to invite make sure you give them plenty of warning in advance. It is fine to expect the guests to pay for there own travel and accommodation but ensure you are clear about this up front. Never get upset if someone cannot make it as you can celebrate with them once you have returned.

You may wish to by-pass the family and friends and go alone. Be warned you are bound to upset some people. To make up for this why not arrange to have a blessing or reception party when you have returned from your adventure. If you are not to sure about this then why not get the ceremony filmed so you can share this with them when you get back.

What is a Affidavits Declaration/Statutory Declaration?

They are a legal document that needs to be obtained from a solicitor authorised to authenticate oaths. They must be individual declarations not joint declarations. They must state you are both free to get Married, that you are divorced, that you are widowed or that you are of course single. They must be signed and stamped by a solicitor. The declaration should include your Full Name, Address, Nationality, Religion, Occupation and Passport Number. The declaration must be obtained within three months of your intended date of marriage. It will need to state the destination you have chosen.

I am already married and want to renew my vows, is there anything I need to do legally?

You will need to take your original marriage certificate with you however there are not any legal requirement at the moment. Some countries may ask for a copy to be sent up to ten weeks before the proposed date of the blessing.

That’s about it. You can find other tips and advice throughout the site about Getting Married abroad. Remember each country is different so check your location in our Find a Destination section and ensure you have met the requirements we have detailed. If you feel any of our information to be not up to date then by all means let us know and then we can update accordingly to benefit other wedding couples.

Good Luck with everything and congratulations on your engagement from everyone at Your UK Wedding
IMPORTANT NOTICE - Disclaimer - Your UK Wedding

The details, specifications and requirements may change from time to time and although we (You UK Wedding) take care in providing the best information for  you we (Your UK Wedding) cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content or information.

We expect you to use this as a guide and you should always consult other sources of information. These may includie the embassies or consulates of the countries in question or your lawyer.
Getting Married Abroad