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Getting Married Abroad Destination weddings are the buzzword for 2009. Here’s WJ’s round-up of the top places to tie the knot abroad…

It's an undeniable fact that more Irish brides than ever before are choosing to get married abroad. The reason? We would guess that most of you want to save some money and the rest just want some guaranteed sunshine. But before you rush out and gather up those travel brochures we'd like to issue a word of warning - marrying abroad isn't always cheaper, the weather isn't always great and the legal red tape can be infuriating. But if you're looking for something different and you've lots of patience and a knack for paperwork, an overseas wedding can be truly magical.

As any bride will tell you, planning a wedding here can be headache, but trying to plan one in a foreign country can be even worse, especially of you aren't fluent in the language.
 
There are two approaches to getting hitched abroad - one is to book a wedding and honeymoon ‘package' through a tour operator such as Kuoni, Thomas Cook or Virgin Holidays, all of which specialises in
weddings. Many of the leading travel agents in the north and south of Ireland also specialise in wedding packages and would be more than happy to tailor
make a wedding itinerary for you working within your budget. This is the most straight forward approach -
all you need to do is choose your country and hotel, and the tour operator will take care of the rest.

The second option is to DIY and plan every aspect of the day yourself - from the flights and accommodation to the legal papers and the ceremony. Given the amount of time and effort that goes into the planning of a wedding, we'd highly recommend that in this case you use a specialist agent who is familiar with the legalities of getting married in your chosen county and has all the necessary contacts. Where possible choose a country that you have visited at least once, so you have an idea of what to expect when you get there and try and schedule one visit a couple of months before the day to meet with the wedding coordinator at the hotel. Determination, good organisational skills and a lot of patience are required skills if you want to see your dream day materialise, but you'll reap the rewards at the end of it all.

FRANCE - Medieval romance in a beautiful chateau

Why: France is an obvious choice for couples that want a fairytale wedding in a fabulous castle - or chateau, as they say in France. Steeped in history, France's landscape is dotted with picturesque chateaux, most of which are now luxury boutique-style hotels that make unforgettable wedding venues. Head south of the country for the better weather and for the best wine and Champagne. The Beaujolais region has a fairytale air to it that makes it perfect for grand rural
nuptials.

The legalities: Non-residents cannot have a civil ceremony in France unless they have been resident in the country for one month before the wedding. Most ‘non residents' who get married in France tend to arrange a civil wedding at home, followed by a blessing in France. It is possible to have a religious wedding, the only obligation is either to come with your own priest or visit the church/chapel of your choice several times beforehand in order to meet the local priest and make the necessary arrangements.

Top wedding spots: Chateau de Bagnols, Bagnols
This privately owned chateau was lavishly restored a few years ago and if you have around 50 guests
staying for your wedding, you can have the whole
place exclusively to yourselves.

For more information: www.franceguide.com , www.roccofortehotels.com

LAS VEGAS - Glitz and glamour in the US

Why: Elvis and Priscilla did it. Bruce and Demi, Cindy and Richard, Billy Bob and Angelina all did it. Getting hitched in the City of Sin is the height of wedding kitsch. This vast metropolis of lights in the Nevada desert has carved out a reputation as the wedding capital of the world, with more than 120,000 marriage licences being issued every year.

Anything is possible here, whether you want a quick and cheap wedding with Elvis as your witness, or a loud and lavish celebration in a mini Venice, Las
Vegas is the place to make it happen. With the process of getting married being as easy as saying ‘
I do' it's no wonder that Las Vegas is the home of
kiss-me-quick vows. But beware, Vegas deserves its title as the city that never sleeps. Prepare to have
your world turned upside down as you party into the
wee hours.

The legalities: There is no residency requirement in Las Vegas but you do need a marriage licence. The simplest way to get married is at a brief civil ceremony performed by the Las Vegas marriage commissioner, which takes about half an hour. Of course, there are many other places to get married including numerous wedding chapels. In order to have a legal marriage, a ceremony must be performed in the State of Nevada within one year from the issue date of the marriage license by any person licensed or authorised to perform ceremonies in Nevada. The ceremony may be performed in any wedding chapel, church or the civil marriage
commissioner's office. These marriages are recognised throughout the world.

To obtain your marriage licence you must both appear
in person at the Marriage Licence Bureau, 200 South Third Street, downtown Las Vegas.

Top wedding spot: The Bellagio
Boasting European design, this exquisite venue charms guests with opulent details serving as the perfect canvas for your picture-perfect union.

For more information: www.visitlasvegas.co.uk , www.bellagio.com

ITALY- Stately splendour in Florence

Why: You can't fail to fall in love with Italy and Florence is perhaps the most captivating of all the Italian cities.

The birthplace of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci
and Donatella, Florence sparkles in the heart of the Tuscan countryside like a Renaissance jewel. A city
of art and culture it boasts magnificent churches, meandering medieval streets, and stunning piazzas. Add to this a healthy dose of history and heritage and you've got a city that will take your breath away. And
if the rich and intoxicating atmosphere of the city ever gets to be too much, the green tranquillity of the
Tuscan hills is just a few miles away.

The legalities: If you would like to get married in Italy, allow plenty of time to organise your wedding, as bureaucracy can be fairly complex. In fact the Italian embassy recommend that you arrange your wedding through a wedding specialist. Civil weddings in Italy can only be performed in a register office, and most town halls are located in historical buildings and offer a lovely setting for a wedding. Depending on the municipality the marriage is taking place in, you are required to sign a Declaration of Intent to Marry two to five days prior to your wedding. The ceremony lasts about thirty minutes and is conducted in Italian. An interpreter will be needed throughout the ceremony and the Declaration of Intent to Marry.

A Roman Catholic ceremony can be performed in
most cities and it will be automatically registered with the Italian authorities, therefore a civil wedding is not required. Ceremonies for other religions can also be organised, but these are not recognised by the Italian authorities. In which case for the marriage to be valid,
a civil ceremony is required prior to the religious ceremony. This can take place either in Italy or at home before you travel.

Top wedding spot: Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy, Florence
Whether you choose a function suite for an intimate gathering, or a lavish dinner dance, the hotel prides itself in accommodating your every whim.

For more information: www.italiantouristboard.co.uk , www.hotelsavoy.it

CYPRUS - Love and romance on the island of Cyprus

Why: The legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love, how could Cyprus be anything other than romantic? The tiny hilltop villages, Byzantine churches, archaeological sites and dramatic coastline make it simply intoxicating.

The legalities: Tying the knot in Cyprus is relatively simple for overseas visitors. Couples must apply to
the Marriage Officer of the area in which the hotel or church stands. A marriage can be arranged either
by giving notice or by applying for a special licence. Both parties must also present a valid passport, a
birth certificate and evidence that they are free to marry. By special licence the marriage can be celebrated within four days, but no later than three
months from the date the licence is granted. A civil marriage may be celebrated by the Marriage Officer at his office, or by a Registered Minister of Religion (priest of various denominations registered and licensed by the Ministry of Interior of the Cyprus Republic) at his church.

In this case all the same procedures should be
followed at the municipality, but the religious
ceremony can be held at a church.

Top wedding spot: The Anasa Resort, Polis
Built in the style of a Byzantine village, this 177-
room resort overlooks a long sandy beach and offers five-star luxury.

For more information: www.visitcyprus.org.uk , www.thanoshotels.com

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC -
Colonial splendour meets contemporary chic in the Caribbean

Why: The playground of the Caribbean, The
Dominican Republic is a Caribbean destination with
a distinctly Latin feel. The white-sand beaches, impressive mountain ranges, spectacular waterfalls
and saltwater lakes teeming with exotic wildlife are
just part of the Dominican Republic's appeal. Whether you're looking to celebrate your wedding with lots of partying or you'd prefer to relax in the sunshine, the Dominican Republic has lots to offer.

The legalities: The Dominican Republic recognizes two types of weddings, Civil and Canonical: "Civil" marriages are those in which the parties themselves register the marriage with the Dominican government. Typically, the officiator is a government official, usually a Notary Public. This category also covers all religious ceremonies in all denominations, other than marriages performed by the Roman Catholic Church. "Canonical" marriages are those performed by a Roman Catholic priest. After the ceremony, the church registers the marriage with Dominican government offices.

The Dominican Republic does not require a marriage license, but you need to register with the OficialÍa del Estado Civil, submitting the relevant paperwork, before your ceremony. You will also need two Witnesses. If they are foreigners, they will need to have passports
as identification. After a civil ceremony you will be
given a document that proves the wedding took place and you need to request a marriage certificate from
the local Justice of the Peace.

Wedding hotspot: Casa Colonial Beach & Spa, Puerto Plata
.A fusion of quaint charm and modern sensibilities, Casa Colonial is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for a seriously stylish beach wedding location.

For more information: www.dominicanrepublic.com www.casacolonialhotel.com

PRAGUE - History and heritage in the Czech Republic

Why: Prague has become one of the most popular cities in Europe to be married in and it's not hard to see why. Boasting a wonderful atmosphere, elegant architecture and rich history, Prague is simply beautiful whatever the season or occasion. Old cobbled streets twist past architectural gems, intimate coffee shops beckon you inside and street vendors and performers bring dashes of colour and life into the historic heart of the city. Then there's the fact that it's relatively easy to get hitched in the Czech Republic.

There are numerous churches throughout Prague that can be booked to hold the religious ceremonies and there is also a wealth of picturesque places around Prague that are popular for civil ceremonies such as Old Town Hall, right under the Astronomical Clock in the centre of town; Letensky Zamecek, the mansion
in Letna; as well as numerous castles and gardens surrounding the city.

The legalities: All of the required documents (birth certificate, divorce decree, certificate of No Impediment to Marriage) must be issued in your home country and must be legalised with an Apostille, a stamp that certifies any foreign documents for official use in the Czech Republic. The stamp can be obtained at the Foreign Police office in Prague 3 district. Additionally, the documents must be translated into Czech, and legalised by an official translator. When you have all the documents, you're good to marry. You can simply head down to a registry office with your passport and a couple of witnesses, sign the marriage certificate and you're officially married.

The legal part of the ceremony will be in Czech, and
if the bride/groom doesn't speak Czech, Czech law requires an interpreter to be present as well.

Wedding hot spot: Le Palais
The interior design and architecture is a masterful combination of elegance and modern technology.
The open terrace enjoying the beautiful views of
Old-Town Prague.

For more information: www.czechtourism.com , www.palaishotel.cz

Compiled with the help of A Place to Wed, £16.99, Conran Octopus

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

If you or your partner are Irish or UK citizen(s) and are thinking of getting married outside the island of Ireland, you should realise that the legal validity of your marriage is governed, in part, by the laws of the country in which you marry. In most, if not all cases, the legal formalities abroad are very different to those in Ireland and the UK. For example, a church marriage abroad is usually a purely religious ceremony with no legal effect. Because it is not recognised in law in the country in which it takes place, it cannot be regarded as a legal marriage in Ireland and the UK. This is the case even though a marriage in the same church or denomination in Ireland or the UK can be legally binding.

It is vital, therefore, that you make sure you meet all the legal requirements of the country you are marrying in. You should contact the relevant embassy or the religious authorities in that country to find out what is required.

• If both of you are resident in Ireland, contact the Department of Foreign
  Affairs in Dublin - tel: 00 353 1408 2568, www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie for more
  information.

• If one or both of you are British nationals you will need to contact the Foreign
  and Commonwealth Office in London, tel. 020 7008 1500 www.fco.gov.uk

CELEBRITIES WHO MARRIED ABROAD:

• Renee Zellweger ran off to the Virgin Islands
• Heidi Klum got hitched in Mexico
• Pink married in Costa Rica
• Britney Spears, Demi Moore and Angelina Jolie went to Las Vegas
• Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban did the deed down under in Sydney