Weddings Abroad - Affordable Or Astronomical!
By Colette O\'Loughlin

It\'s all in what you choose to spend your money on, really. I personally think a wedding abroad can save a lot of money and sometimes heartache in the long run. There is the question of whether you want to pay for them to come, or if you\'re leaving it up to them. You can see how there are a million factors that affect how much a wedding away can cost. Pinpoint exactly what you\'d like to do and try to draw up a realistic budget. That\'s the best way to find out whether it\'s cost-effective.

I have made a list of some of the most common pros and cons to planning a wedding abroad.

Pros

You can get married on a tropical Island if you want, be guaranteed the idyllic setting and most importantly idyllic weather!

Going away to get married can be less expensive. Obviously you will splash out on the hotel, flights and other luxuries, but you\'re unlikely to be paying for a large number of guests to join you, so catering, venue and drinks costs may well be less than the Irish average.

There are so many wedding companies now that focus entirely on weddings abroad. If you choose Cyprus, Italy, the Maldives, France or anywhere else, you can be sure there is a company that can take the hassle factor away from you!

If you\'re looking for an intimate wedding celebration, this is it. You can tie the knot abroad on a small scale, then celebrate with family and friends when you get home. If you like to be alone\', this is the perfect option. It can also minimise guest list dilemmas - you don\'t risk offending friends and relatives if you\'re not inviting anyone!

You get your wedding and honeymoon all in one. Get married overseas and as soon as you become husband and wife, you\'re on honeymoon. No packing, taxis or waiting around at airports.

Cons

Not all of your friends and family will be able to see you get married on your special day.

You need to swot up on legalities. In some countries it\'s very easy to marry, in others it\'s very difficult with lengthy residency rules. So, you need to do your homework thoroughly.

Getting married abroad obviously involves a journey and transporting everything for your wedding isn\'t always easy. An intricate chocolate cake, fresh flowers or anything else delicate or perishable is unlikely to survive the trip - so you will have to consider alternatives or trust local suppliers.

If you\'ve invited immediate family and friends to your wedding overseas, there\'s no escaping them after the ceremony. If you want to get away for some private time, you may have to jump on another flight!

There are certain things you must look out for. For example; some foreign hotels, especially those that specialise in weddings will have more than one wedding a day. Just be sure you want to share your day or if not can afford to make it more exclusive.

Wedding packages abroad tend to be quite basic and any extras will cost you money so just be aware of hidden costs when calculating your budget.

Destination weddings can be exciting and glamorous but can also be hard work. Make sure youre aware of the pros and cons before you make any decisions. I think they are a fabulous idea but sometimes people tend to get caught up in the love and forget about the reality!

Newsworthy section which can be found on the Hompage, for both clients and bridal couples alike to keep them abreast of what\'s happening in the \"World of Weddings\".

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