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Getting Married Abroad 3

Getting Married Abroad (3)
By
Janice S Ramkissoon


You’ve considered what’s involved in having a wedding or honeymoon abroad and made the decision to pursue your dreams. 

At this point we’d like to remind you to liaise with a wedding and honeymoon specialist, to decide on the most appropriate option for you.   And while you are planning this very special event: ‘To ensure that you both enjoy the honeymoon, make all the decisions together... If one of you does all the work, he/she'll feel guilty if things don't go perfectly.  If you don't take part in the planning, you'll probably end up dissatisfied’ (Wedding planning department of Cerf Island Resort Seychelles).

 

 

 

This is the start of your ‘togetherness’ so do take time to plan your wedding and honeymoon together.   It’s more fun when you do things as a couple and that way if things don’t turn out as well as you expected, you can laugh at it together rather than casting the blame at each other or carrying the weight of guilt into your marriage. 

 

 

Consider the following as you put your list together:

 

  1. Hair and  Make-up:

Some hotels have beauty salons on site while others have individuals who are contracted to provide such services upon request.  If you are not travelling with your own hair and make-up designers then you would need to request this service in advance.

 

  1. Photography:

You can have all your photographic needs taken care of as part of your package.  Some properties like Sandals provide professional photographers as well as video professionals as part of their package.  

 

  1. Transportation:

As well as thinking about how you are getting from the airport to the resort, you also need to think about your local travel needs when you are not on resort.  Will you be chauffeur driven or will you be doing the driving?  If you are doing a ‘DIY’ booking it would be advisable for you to make contact with a local transportation firm to arrange hotel transfers.   Then choose from the range of luxury cars they offer, check the charges and have the correct local rate available for the driver. 

 

  1. Extra Cash for Tipping:

Some All Inclusive hotels and some restaurants have a no tipping policy.  However, in some countries waiters/waitresses/taxi drivers and luggage handlers/Porters do expect a tip.  Some Porters (in Jamaica for example) are not salaried so they rely on your kindness where tipping is like a meal ticket for the family – a real blessing. 

 

  1. Special Offers:

 

Having looked at all the factors involved in getting married abroad and decided on your destination, then the next thing to do is book a suitable package.  This is when you check out offers.  If the conditions are right then take advantage of these offers.  Sandals currently offer a 25% reduction for bookings made by 15th December 2007.  This offer is valid for a few of their properties across the Caribbean and is applicable for travel up to the 31st December 2008.  Offers like these can save you on average £200 which can be added to your spending funds and can be used for tipping and souvenirs.

 

 

We’ve looked at the Caribbean with a focused on Jamaica for this series of articles.  However, the wedding and honeymoon market offers a variety for romance.  Some of the more popular destinations include: St. Lucia; Barbados; The Bahamas; Paris; New York; Mauritius; Venice and The Seychelles.   If tropical is not your style, then you may find your ideal destination either in Europe, Canada or America.   For a winter wedding: think log cabin, open fires and the warmth you’ll create from each other – a great way to spend your honeymoon and begin your life of togetherness!

 

Keep focused on your goal and plan things together.  Let’s keep LOVE alive...

 
© J. S. Ramkissoon 2007

 

 

 

 ...as printed in The Big Eye Newspaper's Travel Column

 

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