WEDDING ABROAD Sunny Islands 2023 views

Weddings abroad have been popular for ages but until recently the idea has been to escape to the Caribbean and celebrate solo. Now, however, short-haul wedding destinations are seeing the bride and groom turn up with all their guests in tow.

A recent Mintel survey found that one in six couples choose to jet off into the sun for their special day. But according to Shona Swain, general manager of weddings for First Choice, “Cyprus is the most popular destination overall for us, with Greece and Italy becoming more popular than the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. After all the hype surrounding Colleen and Wayne's wedding in Positano last summer, we have noticed Italy as a destination grow in popularity."

Couples travelling to Greece, Cyprus and Italy are able to choose really individual and special places to get married for a fraction of the price that they would pay in the UK. From vineyards and monasteries, to traditional chapels, tour operators are opening up more and more stunning locations for couples to marry in at very competitive rates.

Recently engaged Hannah Burden, 27, from Dorset says, “For us looking at wedding locations in the UK was just depressing, as there was nothing that really struck me as perfect. Whereas when I started looking into getting married in Italy there seemed to be so many more beautiful and affordable options to choose from. We have decided on getting married in the cloisters in Sorrento and having our reception at a private villa.”

Rumour has it that Gary Linekar has his sights on a Rooney-style wedding, so you might want to book your Amalfi nuptials before Italy-zilla strikes again. Wedding packages cost from £489 with 14 nights half-board at the cliff-top Hotel Europa, from £1329 per person, based on two sharing, departing from London Gatwick on the 4th of May.

For further information go to firstchoice.co.uk or call 0871 664 9014.

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