Try the following destinations for saying "I do" in style.
Thailand Bali
Located on the secluded and romantic Pranburi beach, south of Bangkok, Villa Maroc Resort is the ideal setting for a memorable wedding. Plan a private ceremony just for two, or an intimate wedding reception with family and friends. Villa Maroc's wedding packages are priced from THB49,000 until October 31, inclusive of a one-night stay in a luxurious pool villa. You'll also enjoy a complimentary in-room romantic breakfast, wedding decorations in your room, vow and ring exchange ceremony with a Master of Ceremonies, ceremony set-up and floral decorations, bridal bouquet and a corsage for the groom and a wedding cake with ceremony - inclusive of two glasses of champagne for the bridal couple and free-flow of soft drinks for up to 30 guests.
For the wedding reception, choose from mouth-watering menus - Thai and international, both buffet style and seated dinner. Opt to party on the 153-metre stretch of private beach, at an intimate courtyard by the pool, high on the rooftop - ideal for a shisha party - or even a private rooftop soirée in your own villa. You'll also be entitled to a romantic candlelit dinner for two on the beach, including a bottle of champagne and stunning flying lanterns. Wedding specialists are at hand to help you plan every detail of your special day. www.villamarocresort.com, Email: spa@villamarocresort.com
For an elegant and chic celebration, Conrad Bali near Nusa Dua, offers a variety of intimate indoor and outdoor locales ideal for wedding ceremonies. Exchange your vows in a private garden gazebo, a traditional Balinese pavilion, the resort's Grand Ballroom, or at one of three award-winning restaurants. For a truly special ceremony, book the Infinity wedding gazebo overlooking the Indian Ocean. At a spacious 117 square metres, it also has 12-metre high ceilings, marble floors, floor-to-ceiling ocean-facing glass windows and comfortable seating for up to 60 guests, ensuring you say "I do" in the ultimate style. Conrad Bali has a beautiful 350-metre beach, a swimming pool with lagoons and offers a myriad of watersports. http://conradhotels1.hilton.com
Agents recommend...
Maldives This once-in-a-lifetime paradise is a wedding photographer's dream come true. Jetabout Holidays, www.jetabout.com.sg
Bali offers stunning accommodation and the option of unique cultural settings, so apart from sun, sea and sand, you can also immerse yourself in the island's distinctive cultural heritage.
Bora Bora Island, with its picturesque beaches and azure waters, takes your breath away. Country Holidays, www.countryholidays.com.sg
Sri Lanka is one of the easier destinations for foreigners to get married in. The choice of wedding venues is also second to none - tea or coconut plantations, eco lodges, beaches, mountains or jungle waterfalls. Dancers, elephants, traditional costumes and Buddhist monks are all available to ensure your wedding is simply unforgettable. And as it's just three hours from Singapore, Sri Lanka is an easy distance to travel too and you can check on preparations in person a few months in advance. Barefoot Traveller, www.barefoot-traveller.com.sg
Bride-to-be tips
When planning a wedding in a foreign country, take note of the following...
Be mindful of the customs of the country.
Have in mind the type of wedding you desire and discuss your ideas with the hotel or resort's event organiser or wedding planner.
Prepare To Bring and To Do lists well in advance.
Get lots of rest before travelling - you don't want to be tired when welcoming guests, or fall ill in a foreign land.
Enjoy being pampered and remember to have fun! Jetabout Holidays, www.jetabout.com.sg
- Certain countries require a minimum residency period before you can get married. This can range from two days, to two weeks. Also, some countries don't recognise marriages abroad as legally binding, unless you've complied also with your home country's legalities. Make sure you have all your paperwork sorted well in advance - especially if one of the bridal party is divorced, as proof is absolutely necessary.
- Many Asian countries experience monsoons. Although it's considered good luck to have rain showers of blessings on your wedding day, there's a big difference between a light shower and a torrential downpour! If you can, visit the destination at least a month before the big day to give you ample time to modify anything you're unhappy about or devise a wet weather option. Barefoot Traveller, www.barefoot-traveller.com.sg
Posted Feb 2011
