Why the UK doesn’t have to be your only option for a perfect wedding!

When you were growing up did you dream about having the perfect wedding? Was it all about veils and amazing dresses or more of the biggest & loudest party on the planet? Those horse drawn wedding carriage always looked so perfect….until that is Katie Price spoiled that dream when she married Peter Andre!   But what about if you are one of a growing number of couples who wants to do things differently and celebrate their own special day with either just close family and friends or even make it a “just the two of us” occasion? What if you didn’t have to find a king’s ransom to be able to be able to organise the wedding of your dreams?   Organising an overseas wedding can be a risky business – you need a perfect venue, location, there is paperwork to complete in advance and in resort, legal requirements that need to be met – just where do you start? A number of hotels and resorts seem to believe that a “conveyor belt” approach is quite acceptable; I visited one Caribbean resort where I was politely asked if I could move my sunbed as the “happy couple” wanted to get married close by and they didn’t want my bikini clad body in their photos for posterity – of course I moved and at the time it was mildly amusing, but I can honestly say I saw more brides on that holiday than I have ever seen both before and after in my life. Many destinations are able to deliver so much more but how do you know or find out which destinations would be good to look at and which of the hotels may suit you best?   Quite a dilemma really………unless that is, you know a really good travel agent!!   Now, whilst there are various locations that may suit your needs, one gem of an idea that we can share with you is how suitable the lovely island of Mauritius is.  More than just telling you how perfect the island is for weddings we also know a number of hotels that will make organising your wedding a pleasure and the day itself as magical as it can possibly be.   In this blog we are focusing on some of hotels that belong to the family of Beachcomber properties. We know each of their hotels well and will be able to talk you through the advantages of each of their properties and which hotel we would recommend for your nuptials (once we understand more about your needs and expectations!)   Beachcomber hotels offer two different types of wedding packages – you can opt for the Beachcomber Package or for their Luxury offering. The easiest way to explain the difference between the two packages is to list down what’s included in both and then give you a separate list of what comes as extra with the luxury package.   Both wedding packages include the cost of the legal procedures, fees and the cost of getting married in Mauritius (including the Civil Status charges in Port Louis – the cost of transfers to/from Port Louis are included). You also get your very own Mauritian Wedding planner plus help and support from a UK based representative. You can choose your wedding location from a selection of options within the resort of your choice – your wedding planner can help guide you the options. There is a wedding cake for ten people, a bridal bouquets and a groom’s button hole. Add to that a celebration breakfast in bed and a separate room (subject to availability) for the groom to change in and you really are ready to tie the knot.   You get all of the above for between £605 - £695 depending on which hotel you choose for your stay.   Compare this with the basic costs of getting married in a civil ceremony in the UK (in this case Chelsea registry office) with costs varying between £375 and £825 for the ceremony alone – there are also additional costs for the certificate and if you want an evening function!! All that money and no cake!!!!!   If you opt to enjoy the Luxury package you will also enjoy a Brides spa treatment (including a luxury manicure, pedicure and massage), a grooms spa treatment (including a body polish and massage). There is the brides hair and make-up (including a trial so  you can relax safe in the knowledge that you really are going to look your very best on your wedding day), bottle of champagne and canapes for the bride and groom after the ceremony, a four course wedding dinner in a private location, romantic room set up and a gift from the hotel. All this for an additional amount of between £330 - £570 again, hotel dependent.   Now comes the hard bit – Beachcomber have eight fantastic, but all very different hotels. Which one should you opt for? Each member of the Designer Travel team will have their very own personal favourite. The hotels are all quite different but I’m more than happy to tell you about my favourites and which one I would pick if ever I felt the need to reaffirm my vowels in the future.   I loved Trou aux Biches. I loved the setting (close to Grand Baie with its shops and Grand Bazaar), the beach was gorgeous and the team of staff who looked after us were so friendly and accommodating that I just know they would go all out to ensure your special day was “magical”.   Royal Palm is steeped in island tradition - from the white gloves that the friendly "guards" on the beach wear to the silver service at meal times. Old fashioned luxury meets modern day extravagance. Arrive by helicopter and enjoy the special charm of this luxury five star hotel.   Paradis has so much to offer – great food, amazing golf, beautiful setting. In fact all very romantic – think Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) & Mark Darcy (Colin Firth).   Dinarobin enjoys an unforgettable setting – a magic beach and a backdrop of Le Morne Mountain. This golf and spa resort has a lot to offer – great dining options, all suite accommodation and a tropical setting. For couples who are travelling out as a family with children the resort has a great kids club!   Shandrani and Victoria are great all-inclusive options.   But, having said all that if I had to pick my favourite…….. It would have to be Trou aux Biches but all of the other hotels would be very close runners up!!   So, if you think getting married overseas might just be the perfect option for you then feel free to call me or any of my colleagues, we would be delighted to help you plan your very special and more importantly ….you very individual wedding.