Picture-perfect venue ideas for planning a wedding abroad
Here's a selection of our favourite hot spots for anyone planning a wedding abroad. If you fancy marrying in any of these destinations, or you want to know more then check out thomson.co.uk or firstchoice.co.uk for more details.
Cyprus
Nowhere in the Med spells romance quite like Cyprus. Not only is it the birthplace of the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, but Mark Anthony presented the island to Cleopatra as a token of his affection. So you're in good company if you tie the knot at this venue.
The island offers up some spectacular big-day backdrops. For starters, its got more than 800 kilometres of coastline to its name, with rocky inlets and secluded bays giving way to swathes of sand that stretch for miles. Inland, meanwhile, its all pine-covered hills, winding streams and citrus groves.
Cyprus also comes with a huge helping of history. Explore crumbling churches, and time-worn forts, and discover hidden charms like the famous mountain top monastery at Kykkos. Your hardest decision will be choosing East or West Cyprus. East hosts lively resorts such as Ayia Napa and Protaras, with some of the best beaches on the island while the West is home to Limassol and Paphos, bigger resorts with a more cosmopolitan feel.
Check out the Holiday Village Aliathon in Paphos for family-friendly fun, or the Amathus Limassol for a chic luxury stay.
Italy
For real weddings abroad, Italy is Europe's most romantic destination, from the breathtaking bay of Naples to the serene Sorrento. Italy just oozes romance. And whether you love the tumbledown Roman ruins, gelato-coloured homes or chi chi boutiques, it's the place to say 'I do'. There is a huge choice of stunning venues to get hitched in, including…
San Francisco Cloisters, Sorrento
When it comes to atmospheric surrounds for a wedding venue, you can't go past the 14th-century San Francisco Cloisters. There's a pretty, flower-filled courtyard, the architecture dates between the Gothic and Renaissance periods and, because it's in the centre of town, it's easy to get to. Plus, there are public gardens right next door for your first 'Mr and Mrs' photos.
Villa Fondi, Piano de Sorrento
Villa Fondi's the spot for couples not worried about being upstaged by the scenery. The whitewashed villa and its geranium-filled parklands look out across the Bay of Naples and towards Mount Vesuvius. So, between 'do you' and 'yes' you can sneak a peek at Italy's jewelled coastline.
Also don't forget to check out Positano Town Hall and Maiori Town Hall - a perfect venue for any fairytale real wedding!
Lapland
For the unique romance of crackling log fires and sleigh rides, Lapland is a winter wonderland for newlyweds.
Lapland in the winter is a natural choice for an oh-so-white wedding venue abroad. But, in the frozen north, getting married isn't just about shared promises and pledges in a fairytale landscape and 'that' dress. Here, weddings are about falling in love with snow-covered trees that twinkle in the starlight. It's about saying 'I do' in a chapel carved from ice and it's about honeymoons spent snuggled up by a crackling log fire.
Away from aisles and vows Lapland's got the right mix for brides, grooms and loved-up friends and family. The cosmopolitan capital Rovaniemi has nightlife that'll get you grooving and is the perfect base to meet the country's most famous resident - Santa Claus. Head to Yllas and Levi and you'll not only leave behind the bright lights of the big city, but you'll also get a taste for old-world Lapland.
We would go for the Winter Wonderland, a mix of a cosy hotel with a 'in the middle of nowhere' feel wedding venue.
Mexico
Stylish hotels, perfect sandy beaches and friendly people. Find your dream wedding in Mexico. Probably the most famous and visited area in Mexico is lively Cancun. Its got everything you could want from a wedding destination, with candlelit dinners and slow dances on the one hand, and amazing white-sand stretches and buzzing nightclubs on the other. Its clichéd, but its definitely a something for everyone kind of venue.
The Riviera Maya, meanwhile, gives you the chance to see some of the worlds biggest and best cultural sights. You can take in the incredible Mayan history at places like Tulum and Chichen Itza, or uncover the natural beauty if Xel-Has blue lagoon, near Playacar.
Playa del Carmen's chilled out atmosphere really lends itself to romantic sunsets, while the restaurants and bars also mean there's the option of a fun evening out.
Don't miss - Sensatori Mexico by Karisma. This hotel offers a luxury celeb-style rooftop wedding location, complete with your very own personal wedding butler!
Rhodes
With jaw-dropping hotel wedding locations sitting side by side chapels and gardens, this really is the island to offer too much choice! You will have a hard job narrowing down your big day venue choice! However we think Kalithea Springs and St. Paul's Bay takes some beating and here's why….
Save a seat for Apollo, the Greek god of healing, when you tie the knot at Kalithea Spa. The cliff-side where you'll say your vows is infused with spring waters which have been known for their healing properties since ancient times. Your ceremony will take place in the Spa Dome, with open port holes and traditional arches in the whitewashed walls. After you've made your promises, you can head outside to have photographs taken with the sea in the background. Kalithea is one of the best-looking places in Rhodes, so chances are you won't want to stray far from the town for your reception. Some eateries even offer champagne cruises from the spa to the venue.
As far as photographic backdrops go, its hard to beat the towering Acropolis in Lindos. And you can get married in its shadow when you choose to have your ceremony at St. Paul's Chapel. The small whitewashed building where you'll tie the knot is as Greek as they come, and is dwarfed by the ancient monument that dominates the hillside above it. You'll say your vows outside the chapel. And, once you have become man and wife, you can take the short walk to St. Paul's Bay to have your photographs taken to the sound of the rippling tide.
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