Many women dream of a white wedding. But is this about the colour of their dress or the colour of the beach where they say 'I do'? Increasing numbers of couples are choosing to get married in a sunny or exotic destination. Getting married abroad has numerous advantages, but is it legal? What sort of costs are we talking about and which location should I choose? Find out here.
A wedding abroad can be a wonderful start to the honeymoon
It is an especially good choice if you met abroad. Nowadays it is not unusual to marry someone with a different nationality. At around 15% of Belgian weddings one of the two partners is not Belgian.
A third reason not to get married in your own country is the intimate and personal atmosphere of a wedding abroad. Often only the closest friends and family are invited to a wedding abroad. This also makes it easier to actively involve all the guests in the ceremony and you can celebrate your wedding together for several days.
Different cultures hold on to different traditions. This has always been so and is still the case today. Find out about some fascinating wedding traditions abroad here. In some cultures wedding rings are not even exchanged.
Before the establishment of the People's Republic of China it was customary for children to be married off. This is fortunately no longer the case, but parents are still heavily involved. They often taken on the role of matchmaker or intermediary for their son or daughter.
In China the colour red is also of central importance. The bride wears a red dress, the wedding bed is made up in red, and even the wine glasses are held together with a red string.
Wedding planning in India varies from religion to religion and according to the region. Parents often still decide on the future partner of their son or daughter.
The many traditions associated with weddings in India result in exuberant wedding celebrations that can last for days and cost a lot of money. On the special day the bride wears a traditional red sari that is fastened to the wedding sash of the man.
It is unheard of for womento go to a wedding in the United Kingdom without a hat. It is not a particularly big problem to wear white to a wedding in the United Kingdom, but it is best to steer clear of black party clothing.
It will come as no surprise to hear that getting married abroad is only legal subject to the fulfilment of the necessary administrative requirements. It is best to contact the consulate or embassy in good time.
Should you wish for everything to take place abroad, then you still need to have your wedding recognised and registered in Belgium retrospectively. You will need to request the certificates in the country where your wedding takes place for this. This certificate also needs to be drawn up by the authorised authority abroad, be legally valid, and be translated by a sworn translator.
In some countries the authorities require a certificate to prove that there are no impediments to marriage. You can request this document from the Belgian consulate in the country where your wedding takes place. In several countries you need to provide the local authorities with an affidavit which states the marriage regulations from the Belgian Civil Code. You can get this document from the Belgian legal authorities.
The exact cost of getting married abroad for you and your guests depends on the location. An untouched coastline in southern Spain is a beautiful location and the plane tickets to get there are not so expensive. A ticket to the Caribbean costs a whole lot more of course.
Invite only close friends and family to keep the cost down. A bigger party in Belgium can follow later
The costs of getting married abroad also depend on the food that you serve. Will you choose an extensive menu in a renowned restaurant or go for something else? The location will determine whether the cost of catering or going to a restaurant is lower or higher than in Belgium.
In countries such as the United States it goes without saying that the bridal couple pay for their guests. This means that getting married abroad costs their guests almost nothing. This tradition is not as strong in Belgium or the Netherlands. So be sure to communicate with your guests well so that everyone is on the same wavelength.
Organising a wedding celebration abroad is no walk in the park, especially if you are still in Belgium. So definitely get to your destination a few days ahead to make sure that everything is going well or work with a wedding planner.
There is a lot more to consider with a wedding abroad. You will need to provide accommodation for your guests and maybe even a transfer to and from the airport.
There is plenty of inspiration online to make sure that your wedding celebration is an unforgettable experience. The Bridebook app enables you to create handy to-do lists for example. This way you won't overlook anything.
Appy Couple enables you to easily keep an eye on the guest list. You can even send your invitations with this app. Once your guests are confirmed, you can get started with the seating plan. The Table Plan app does away with complicated work with pen and paper. The Pinterest and Instagram platforms are also invaluable sources of inspiration.
You can also get married abroad in a large city. Just take your wedding photos in the middle of the city. A couple in love in wedding clothes creates a stunning effect among the crowds commuting to work.
You will still choose the same wedding rings no matter whether you are getting married abroad or in your own country. Choose rings that make you both feel good and that truly reflect your love for each other.
The possibilities are also endless with precious metal. Red gold creates a distinctly vintage look, while platinum has a tougher look. The durability of platinum also makes this precious metal absolutely perfect for men.
Do you have your own design in mind? Then why not go for made-to-measure wedding rings? Our experts will get to work based on your idea. You will be closely involved in the design process at all times. Once you have approved the proposal, we will then create a 3D design. This gives a good impression of how the final ring will look. Adjustments are of course possible in this phase. We will only start to make the ring once you are 100% satisfied.
It has long been traditional for both partners to wear the same wedding ring. It seems that more and more couples are choosing a different option. Now it is usually their own style that determines their choice of wedding ring. Matching wedding rings are also possible of course and create a pure and romantic look.
There is no need for your engagement ring to disappear into your jewellery box once your wedding ring is on your finger. So choose a wedding ring in a style that goes with your engagement ring. This engagement ring and wedding ring set is a perfect solution.
There are plenty of things to take into consideration when organising a wedding abroad. But it is definitely worth the effort to take this step. It will be an unforgettable experience in wonderful surroundings for both you and your guests. Be sure to find out about the local traditions and customs. Perhaps you can even include one or more of them in your wedding ceremony. And don't forget: wedding photos from these unique locations will enable you to still look back on the best day of your life in years to come.
Getting married abroad is definitely recommended and it is an experience that will stay with you for a long time. Do you also know which dress you will wear and what kind of dress code there will be? Will you go for vintage wedding rings, matching ones, or diamond wedding rings? And how will you be sure not to forget anything? Find out about this and much more in the blogs below.