Cheapflights.co.uk's guide to weddings abroad

With the Royal Wedding just four days away, the UK’s leading website for flight price search and comparison helps consumers plan the perfect destination wedding with all the necessary trimmings, minus the royal price tag.

“Organising a wedding and travel for large groups of people are both mammoth tasks when attempted individually, so put them together and it can potentially be a recipe for disaster, without the right knowledge and set of planning tools,” says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights.co.uk.

“Things like theme, destination, local customs and legal requirements are all important to consider when planning a destination wedding,” adds Hallak.

Here we explore three of the six essential elements for planning the perfect wedding day abroad:

Destination Decisions

The choice of destination can determine the theme and if you’re feeling adventurous, the world is quite literally your oyster when it comes to theme options. Fantasy weddings come in all shapes and sizes, from fairy-tale ceremonies at Disneyland to Elvis weddings in Vegas and underwater vows in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. So contemplate your priorities around budget and climate while speaking to friends, checking out brochures, and browsing the internet for planning an unforgettable day.

Legal Eagle

Here comes the admin. Once the destination and theme have been selected, the next step is researching the legalities of the country in which you’d like to say ‘I do’. Different places have different rules. For example, France requires the bride and groom to have been living in their place of marriage for at least 30 days prior to tying the knot while Vegas only requires a marriage license on arrival at the registry. Depending on the age of the individuals getting married, parental consent may be required, as might other documentation. Information can be obtained from the embassy or consulate of the country in question.

Ironing out the Frills

Often focusing on the bigger tasks can mean forgetting the finer details, such as looking into the local customs for food and drink. While three course meals are the way forward at home, buffets might be a better option in an exotic destination. The same goes for the wedding cake, hot climates and three-tiered wedding cakes often don’t mix, so it’s worth checking out the local customs for food and drink prior to departure. It’s also a good idea to check with your airline whether you should be checking your wedding clothes in or putting them in a special hold.

For the remaining three essentials on planning the perfect destination wedding, visit: cheapflights.co.uk