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Getting Married Abroad? : All You Need To Know

Many people go to exotic locations for their honeymoons but an increasing number of people opt for overseas weddings too. This article outlines some of the most important parts of planning an overseas wedding.

Overseas weddings

Overseas weddings are becoming more and more popular, as they can be a fraction of the cost of a wedding in the UK – all with the excitement of being in an exotic location and taking a holiday / honeymoon at the same time.

The weather is often an important factor for couples when deciding when and where they would like to marry. Couples need to plan their wedding abroad for the climate they want at the time of year that is perfect for the

location - not just for the summer at home. In some destinations the heat can be unbearable during summer, with many brides regretting that they chose to marry in hot destinations (such as Cyprus) in August and turning up on their wedding photos looking like lobsters. By providing advice to choose a cooler month, when temperatures are kinder to the paler UK skin, the wedding will be considerably more comfortable for both the

couple and their guests. Some locations may also be too hot for older guests or young children, with others areas suffering from hurricane and typhoon seasons (Caribbean and Indian Ocean Islands).

Weddings abroad are usually non-religious civil ceremonies. However religious weddings are usually possible in many locations for many faiths including Christianity, Islamic, Jewish and Buddhist. Wedding ceremonies abroad often vary completely in style; weddings in Thailand usually have a Buddhist theme where you are blessed by monks, while in Florida you can be married on the beach. Civil ceremonies are easier to arrange than religious ones, though in many wedding destinations abroad you will require a civil ceremony before a religious one. Each country has its own wedding rules. In some destinations you can only get married in the town hall, chapel or church. Other destinations will let you marry quite literally anywhere you want.

 

Legal issues and restrictions on dates

In some places it is nearly impossible for a foreigner to get married, with others being slightly easier than others. France requires you be resident for over 8 weeks (with proof of residence and a myriad of accompanying documents) while most of the Caribbean requires less than a week's residency. For the best advice for any couple wishing to marry abroad is to check with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk). Their website outlines what couples need to check and the legality of overseas marriages. If couples are marrying at hotels or resorts that are used to undertaking weddings on a regular basis, they should be able to provide advice about what documentation is required, and any fees that may need to be paid.

Those marrying or planning a civil partnership abroad may need a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) or a Nulla Osta (Italian version of a CNI). A CNI is a legal document which states that there is no impediment to the couple becoming married. UK citizens can obtain a CNI from their local registrar. Couples should check with the local authorities of the country conducting their marriage ceremony to see if they need their UK CNI translated or legalised for it to be valid in the country where they want to marry (stamped with an official stamp - an apostille - by the UK Legalisation Office).

 

Before any of this happens, the couple must:

• Publicly announce their intended marriage through a notice which must be in their local newspaper for at least one week (The application form includes a specimen with correct wording so that couples get it right - this is similar to publishing banns if marrying in church and allows people to lodge formal objections to the marriage).
• Swear an Affidavit in front of a Commissioner of Oaths (a specimen affidavit is included in the application form). The Affidavit should bear the official stamp of the Commissioner of Oaths.

 

 

Celebrations – home and abroad

When, as wedding planner, you become involved in making arrangements for the overseas part of the celebrations, you may also be required to arrange a celebration event back in the UK. Couples often organise an event back in the UK for friends and family who were not able to travel to see them exchange their vows. Obviously the couple still need to be centre of attention at their celebration, so they may choose to go through

some short speeches or the cutting of a cake to provide the event with a ceremonial aspect. The main reason is for them to enjoy the biggest party of their lives with friends and family to celebrate.

 

This article has been put together by the distance learning organisation Start Learning who are experts in home study. If you want to find out more about Event Management or many other distance learning courses please browse their website: http://www.start-learning.co.uk

A good way to start working towards a career in Event Management is to sign up for a distance learning course on the subject. By studying in your free time and pace, you can gain the necessary knowledge while tailoring it to suit your schedule.

Kerrana McAvoy

Academic Director – Start Learning

http://www.start-learning.co.uk

 

 

 

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