Destination weddings are gaining popularity among couples
Couples can opt to have their big day at an exotic resort or an ancient castle
Destination weddings are all the rage. From romantic beaches to heritage castles and even exotic deserts, stylish and well-travelled couples are jetting off across the globe for their dream wedding. Although an overseas nuptials can tell a couple's unique story, the planning to ensure a perfect day doesn't come easily.
"[The trend] has been going on for a few years," says Bonnae Gokson, owner and founder of Sevva. "I'd say, 'why not?'. It's all about sharing wonderful moments with the people [the couple] want to share with. You need to have imagination and great fantasies of what the couple's dream is and work towards it for more surprises."
Gokson cites her own niece's wedding in Venice. "The party took over Cipriani Hotel and palazzo and we only used candles - 4,500 of them - for lighting. It was incredible," she says.
Catering to the rising demand, luxury hotels and resorts have designed all-inclusive wedding packages for overseas couples in popular destinations such as Bali, Santorini and the Caribbean. Banyan Tree Ungasan in Bali, for example, is one of Banyan Tree's most popular properties for weddings. Located on the cliff-top of the scenic peninsula, the resort features 73 pool villas. In September last year, the resort opened The White Dove - an intimate wedding chapel overlooking the Indian Ocean. Also famous for their oceanfront chapels in Bali are Bulgari Hotels and Resort, and Alila Villas Uluwatu.
For the more adventurous couples who opt to take their vows at much more historical and lush settings, heritage castles and chateaus are perfect choices. Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou married long-time model girlfriend Hannah Quinlivan earlier this year. The couple had their lavish wedding ceremony at a 1,000-year-old abbey in Selby, north Yorkshire, England, followed by a reception at the nearby Castle Howard. Weddings at the 4,050-hectare estate cost more than £8,000 (HK$98,400) with rental of the main house in the region of £15,000.
The old-school glamour and hospitality that castles and châteaux in England, the south of France and Tuscany in Italy provide, appeals to couples looking for something different on their big day.
Feeling overwhelmed by the choices and possibilities of destination weddings? Start your research by finding a venue that's "in season".
Denice Wong, the founder of Binc Photography who is constantly travelling for destination wedding photography and pre-wedding photo shoots, says that timing is important in order to capture the perfect moment. Make sure you make a booking in advance during peak wedding seasons.
