Destinations

Weddings and honeymoons abroad: Travel Weekly guide

(05 June 2009)

It’s a great time to sell weddings abroad. One out of six British couples got married overseas in 2008 - which equates to around 51,300 ceremonies.

On this page: Features | News and trends | Links | Selling tips | Sandals weddings

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Even if a couple wants a British wedding, the relative cost of marrying overseas could sway them. According to research firm Mintel, You & Your Wedding magazine found that the average cost of a wedding in the UK is as much as £20,000, compared with just £6,500 abroad.

A successful wedding can win travel agents a customer for life, and the happy couple are likely to recommend you to family and friends. Weddings are also an ideal opportunity to book groups and see your commission soaring. Many suppliers offer special group deals.

On this page you'll find links to wedding and honeymoon features from Travel Weekly and elsewhere, plus selling tips from Sandals' wedding experts.

Head to the bottom of the page for details of what our sponsor Sandals can offer to you and your clients, including group deals, romantic extras and exclusive packages.

Weddings and Honeymoons on Travel Weekly

Search for more features on weddings abroad...

Tips: Family weddings and group weddings

Halifax claims that 1.4 million Brits will attend at least one wedding abroad this year and more than 4 million have been to one the past three years.

But a family wedding can be a complicated booking. Here we look at how to deal with three common problems, with details of how our sponsor Sandals can help.

Issue: According to Halifax Travel Insurance, guests attending weddings abroad will spend on average £1,300 - £1,000 more than they would spend in the UK.

Solution: Many resorts offer extra benefits to group parties. And emphasise that all-inclusive resorts can help guests keep control of their budget.

Sandals Solution: Sandals resorts are all-inclusive, down to premium-brand drinks and transfers. Sandals offers a group WeddingMoon® package for bookings of five rooms or more for a minimum of seven nights.

________

Issue: Family members have different budget restrictions, accommodation needs and general holiday preferences.

Solution: Offer accommodation in other nearby resorts, or offer a resort with a wide variety of accommodation options and enough activities to satisfy everyone’s needs.

Sandals solution: Sandals and Beaches Resorts offers wide range of activities and accommodation that can satisfy all tastes and budgetary needs.

________

Issue: Keeping children occupied during a family wedding.

Solution: A number of resorts include facilities for children that allow parents to spend some time alone and enjoy adult social events.

Beaches solution: Beaches resorts feature a wide range of children's facilities, that will keep kids of all ages busy, from Kids Camps with certified nannies, to XBOX 360® Game Garages featuring XBOX 360® consoles.

News and trends

Mauritius is emerging as a popular destination for weddings and honeymoons, but the ever-popular Caribbean is still strong and is often a more affordable option.

Antigua and St Lucia are ideal for couples who are looking for a picture-perfect day, and Jamaica is perfect for those wanting a romantic and lively honeymoon.

Wedding trends in the news

Useful links

Aisle of dreams: our guide to weddings abroad [Telegraph]
Marrying abroad [Brides Magazine]
Advice on marrying abroad [Foreign Office]

Tips: Selling weddings and honeymoons

Improve your wedding and honeymoon sales with this step-by-step guide from a Sandals expert

1. Make the couple feel comfortable. Congratulate them on their engagement first; you can even ask how they met to create a friendly atmosphere.

2. Find out what kind of wedding the couple wants; is it a romantic private wedding or a big family one? Some resorts are adults only, some can accommodate families.

3. Every couple wants an unforgettable wedding that provides good value for money. Start with the best options, and look for alternative ideas if the couple brings the money issue up.

4. Suggest a few special touches, such as spa treatments for the bride and groom, a personal dressing assistant for the bride or a candlelight dinner.

5. If your couple wants to organise a honeymoon, why not suggest they combine the two and book a destination wedding?

6. Finally, suggest they book their anniversary or a renewal of vows now and keep them coming back.

Sandals offers all the above, as well as exclusive wedding packages to make the ceremony extra special. Find out more below...

About Sandals weddings

The Caribbean has long been associated with romance, with the draw of palm-shaded beaches, dreamlike surroundings and sultry nights proving irresistible to those seeking to exchange their vows or escape on honeymoon.

Recognising this and the romantic ambiance of the resorts, Sandals pioneered the Caribbean wedding, becoming innovators in the field.

When couples book for seven nights or more their wedding is complimentary with a range of additional options available. Each resort has a wedding office, and couples are assigned their own wedding consultant. The complimentary wedding includes:

Personal wedding consultant
Picturesque wedding location
Preparation of documentation
Certified copy of marriage license
One 5"x7" wedding photograph
"Just Married" T-shirts
Caribbean Wedding Cake
Marriage officiant
Reception for bride, groom and 2 guests
Honeymoon dinner for bride & groom
Continental breakfast in bed
Bouquet and Boutonniere
Government / Administrative fees

Ceremony locations are many and varied, from garden gazebos to piers that are framed by the ocean - and marrying at a Sandals resort means that the honeymoon begins the moment that you both say “I do”.

Find out more at sandals.co.uk/weddingmoons.