Top 5 Weddings Abroad Destinations

If you are thinking of having a wedding abroad there are so many great destinations it can be hard to choose a location. Here are my top five weddings abroad destinations.

Italy – Tie the knot in Tuscany

Tuscany is the region where Italian dreams and romance were created. Tuscany, with its rolling hills covered with olive trees and grapevines, bright yellow fields of sunflowers and inviting villages with cobbled streets - what better place to have your wedding and honeymoon in Italy.

Imagine an historic chapel of a 15th century villa - the property lined with cypress trees with an Italian garden, offering spectacular views of the Tuscan countryside. Many popular movies have been filmed at this location, featuring such famous actresses as Isabella Rossellini. Picture your wedding in a beautiful renovated villa in the lovely town Montepulciano, with breathtaking views and a lush property. A Catholic or Protestant wedding can take place in a 1000 year old church, located in the hills of a small, quaint Tuscan town.

Florence in Tuscany is perhaps the best-loved city in Italy, known world-wide for its historic buildings and magnificent art treasures. But Tuscany is not only Florence; it is much, much more...

Australia – Hayman Island

Hayman, Australasia’s most awarded luxury nature resort, is a private island of astonishing natural beauty, restorative peace, adventure and indulgence. Hayman offers a front-row seat to the Great Barrier Reef and a world of leisure and adventure; a place where Hayman moments become lifetime memories and family traditions.

In this stunning setting, the waters surrounding Hayman are abundant in a myriad of corals, tropical fish, dolphins, turtles and rays and the island presents tropical beauty and tranquility.

Hayman is a natural choice for your wedding, offering an experience of romance, beauty and celebration.  Choose from a range of elegant indoor and idyllic outdoor spaces, which lend themselves perfectly to all aspects of a wedding, including ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner and bridal lunch and showers.

Cayman Islands – Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman

Hidden away in the western Caribbean Sea, 150 miles south of Cuba and 180 miles northwest of Jamaica, The Ritz-Carlton Cayman Island resort is located on an archipelago of three picturesque islands – Cayman Brac, Little Cayman and the more prominent and decidedly larger Grand Cayman. First sighted by famed explorer Christopher Columbus on his final voyage to the New World in 1503, the Cayman Islands are named from the Spanish term for crocodile – caiman. Today, the Cayman Islands are still the ultimate destination for the adventurer at heart. Boasting famous Seven Mile Beach, crystal clear Caribbean waters and a near endless variety of marine life, resorts in the Cayman Islands are a tropical paradise for divers, snorkelers, fishermen and water sports enthusiasts alike.

A wedding at The Ritz-Carlton sets a new standard in romantic elegance. From bridal showers and island excursions to breathtaking Grand Cayman Island inspired wedding receptions – comprehensive wedding services and stunning Cayman Island wedding venues are on offer for uniquely perfect experiences.

Maldives – One&Only Reethi Rah

Surrounded by the wonders of the crystal blue ocean, this superb all-villa resort offers an unrivalled level of style, choice and personalised exploration. Sleek and spectacular, with unprecedented privacy, One&Only Reethi Rah inspires extraordinary journeys for the soul.

Set on one of the largest islands in North Male' Atoll, adorned with endless white sand coves and turquoise bays, all villas enjoy beautiful ocean views and direct access to the lagoon. One&Only Reethi Rah offers the ultimate holiday experience to those seeking the pinnacle of tropical luxury. Nowhere else in the Maldives is there a resort with this much space and exclusivity.

Dreams become reality in the glorious setting of the Maldives. Against the stunning backdrop of the Indian Ocean, with a gentle breeze rustling in the palm trees, One&Only Reethi Rah provides the perfect island hideaway for intimate celebrations.

As with all visitors’ marriages in the Maldives, the ceremony is a blessing rather than a legally binding wedding. For ease of planning, the resort offers a Legendary Sunset Wedding package, a comprehensive programme of wedding day details and pampering services.

Thailand - Anantara Phuket Villas, Phuket

Time-honoured rituals steeped in history. Thai long drum processions, traditional music and dance, the releasing of fish for good luck - a firsthand taste of a local custom as magical as the culture that inspired it.

Orchids adorning your hair, bouquet and the wedding party's corsages. Tropical breezes and warm rays intermingling to create the perfect atmosphere. An endless horizon as your backdrop, symbolising your everlasting union.

Say "I do" surrounded by blue skies, cerulean waters and lush island landscapes. On the beach, in the gardens, or in one of our many indoor venues - the choices for the perfect setting and type of ceremony are endless. Make your dream wedding come to life at Anantara Phuket Villas.

Thai Wedding - Blending luxurious experiences in a world famous island paradise with Thailand’s thriving ancient customs, a Thai wedding ceremony at Anantara Phuket unfolds in rituals of heartfelt tradition and truly imaginative touches.

Western Wedding - Celebrate your wedding in truly unforgettable beach style. Let the national park setting and secluded northern shoreline conjure a distinctly authentic exotic backdrop, as you say “I do” to a wedding march of the rhythmically sensual Andaman Sea.

Article by International Wedding Planner Karen Thornton-Brown

All Images Courtesy of Weddingsabroad.com except Phuket Image From Flickr by nickgraywfu

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