How do I start to plan my wedding abroad?
Start by thinking about the type of ceremony you’d like. If you’re looking for something different from the “norm” then consider finding a wedding provider in an unusual country, or one that offers ceremonies in unusual locations (underwater, bungee jumping etc).
Also consider the time of year when you wish to marry. Many tropical countries have hurricane or wet seasons so make sure you know what the weather will be like before you travel (and buy your dress).

http://www.marryabroad.co.uk/time-of-year-to-marry.shtml

Can I get married in ANY country?
No. Some countries have residency restrictions which mean that you can’t get legally married there. Although you can always have a blessing in any country and legally marry at home (you don’t have to tell anyone!).
For example, in France you have to be resident for at least 40 days, and in Spain resident for at least 2 years before you can legally marry.

Will it be expensive?
It’s really up to you. The wedding itself doesn’t need to be expensive, although you will have to pay for travel and accommodation of course. Getting married abroad can be as expensive or as cheap as you like. (just like a holiday).

Will it be difficult to arrange, as I’m in the UK?
It’s usually easier to hire a wedding planner in the country in which you wish to marry to take care of all the local arrangements, as it can be difficult to find suppliers and ensure quality when you are hundreds or thousands of miles away. A good wedding planner is like an accountant, by employing them you should save more money on the wedding than their fee costs you. And they also take care of the stress so you can enjoy the build up to your wedding even more.

Will I need to go to the country BEFORE the wedding?
It’s really up to you, and how far away the country is. Most couples do visit their wedding location at least once before the day in order to meet the wedding planner personally and to take a look at venues. It’s easy to do this in Europe as budget airlines are plentiful, but if you’re planning to marry further afield you may prefer to rely on Skype to “meet” your planner and see venues.

What legal stuff do I need to do?
Legalities vary per country, but generally you will need the following:
 Full birth certificates showing both parents’ names
 Passports
 If divorced, show your original final divorce papers
 If widowed, show the death certificate of your former spouse
 If you have changed your name then show legal proof of the change

(Bride and groom must not be related by blood, marriage or adoption) and you may also need to obtain certified translations of all documents if you are marrying in a country where English is not the official language.

And you may need to also provide some of these documents
Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage
This can be obtained from your local department of foreign affairs, register office, or your embassy in the country in which you are getting married.
Apostille Stamp
Some countries require foreign legal documents to be stamped with an apostille which then makes them legal documents in that country. A solicitor can do this for you for a fee.
Certificate of Single Status/Sworn Affidavit that you are free to marry
These are similar to a Certificate of No Impediment, but instead you have to swear you are single in front of a legal representative (solicitor/notary).

http://www.marryabroad.co.uk/how-to-get-married-in-europe.shtml

Will it be legally binding in the UK?
Generally if the wedding is legal in the country in which it took place, then it is legal in the UK too.

Will it be the same as a wedding here? Church, speeches, cake etc? Or can I do something bonkers??
It’s your wedding, you can do whatever you wish! Bonkers might be easier in some countries than others, and if you are religious then you may wish to marry in a church in your chosen country – it’s totally up to you!

What are the pros?
 have your wedding, your way, without pressure to do what your relatives want
 invite less people
 have a truly unusual wedding that isn’t just like every other one you’ve been to
 cost – keep your costs down by going away (and combine wedding and honeymoon)
 weather – choose a country with good weather and you won’t be worried about rain on your wedding day
What are the cons?
 some people may feel offended that they can’t afford to come (this does sometimes happen)
 you will have to trust your wedding planner more as you won’t be there in person until the actual day

http://www.marryabroad.co.uk/home.shtml

Weddings Abroad
Stephanie Bishop

Stephanie is Director of Marry Abroad, she will be sharing her expert tips to help you if you are thinking of planning a wedding outside the UK.

If you’ve ever dreamt of getting married under a tropical sun with the sea lapping at your feet, or exchanging vows on a catamaran, or tying the knot underwater, or even marrying at a lighthouse with the sun setting behind you, then perhaps you should have entered the Bahamas 16 Weddings competition last autumn? The prize for 16 lucky couples was to get married on one of 16 Bahamas islands.

The winning couples were chosen by a panel earlier in the year, and on 16 May 2012 they all married on their respective islands at 16.00 (4pm).

Here at Marry Abroad we were lucky enough to be invited to the wedding of Carla and Daniel at the lighthouse on Hope Island, part of the Abaco islands in the Bahamas. We travelled as a guest of the Bahamas Tourist Office to follow the competition winners and to discover the delights of this island chain.
With 29 inhabited islands, and 661 cayes and islets, the Bahamas stretch from close to Florida all the way down to the Turks and Caicos islands. The 16 couples each had chosen an island on which to marry, and each had a different type of ceremony. These ranged from an underwater wedding on Grand Bahama, to marrying at 12th century Augustinian cloisters on Paradise Island, to a Junkanoo (street party) wedding full of colour and music at the Sheraton in the capital Nassau.

We went to Carla and Daniel’s Lighthouse wedding on pretty Hope Town in the Abaco islands. This small island is surrounded by little coves and beaches and the buildings are all decorated in pastel colours. It’s a gorgeous place for a relaxing wedding or holiday.

Unfortunately it rained on the day of the wedding, but a quick move of location to a dock in the harbour worked well. The couple said their vows with the lighthouse behind them and the dock was decorated with local conch shells, palm leaves and flowers.
After a celebratory glass of bubbly the new Mr and Mrs went back to their resort on a golf cart decorated with a “just married” banner and beer cans attached to the bottom.
It was a lovely day, despite the rain. And when it’s 27c rain doesn’t matter as much!

The 16 couples married on the following islands.

BIMINI- Karén and Kane from Leeds held their “LOST IN YOUR EMBRACE” underwater themed wedding where Hemingway wrote “Island in the Stream”

CAT ISLAND – Joanna and Peter of Scunthorpe, had a “Top of the World” themed wedding at the The Hermitage, a medieval-style chapel

SAN SALVADOR – Teresa Maria and Tarik of London retraced the steps of Christopher Columbus when they said ‘I do’ in their “LANDFALL ELEGANCE” wedding theme at the historic spot where Columbus is said to have first landed in the New World

THE ABACOS – Carla and Daniel of Baldock, Hertfordshire celebrated their “LIGHT UP MY LIFE” theme wedding against the backdrop of an iconic candy-striped Elbow Cay lighthouse.

MAYAGUANA – Claire and James of York, said ‘I do’ in their “MONUMENTAL LOVE” themed wedding at the historic monument commemorating the landing of the first rocket that took colour photos of Earth in 1959.

CROOKED ISLAND – Felicity and Andrew from Amesbury, Salisbury had their “SEASHELL BEAUTY” themed wedding walking up an aisle decked with local seashells on a pristine white sand beach

THE BERRY ISLANDS – Jade and Mikhail of London, celebrated their “NAUTICAL LOVE KNOT” ceremony on a beautiful catamaran surrounded by stunning turquoise ocean teaming with marlin and tuna.

THE EXUMAS – Grazina and Ruslanas of Edinburgh celebrated their “SEASIDE SERENADE” theme wedding in a garden gazebo, with fuchsia roses and magenta orchids and pink paper lanterns

LONG ISLAND – Sarah and Colin of Blackpool, held their “TROPICAL DREAM” wedding on the world famous soft white sand beach at the Stella Maris Resort

ELEUTHERA – Jill and Philip from London dipped their toes in the sand on one of the most historic islands in the Bahamas, following in the footsteps of Mariah Carey

HARBOUR ISLAND – Laura and Richard of Fareham, Hampshire held their “PINK SAND PARADISE” themed wedding on this quaint island known for its pink sand backdrop.

NASSAU – Clair and Jason of Rhyl, North Wales experienced the exuberant Junkanoo dancers in colourful costumes, masks, vibrant decor, music ‘rush out’ to celebrate their “COLOUR ME WITH LOVE” themed wedding

PARADISE ISLAND – Adele and John of Balby, Doncaster exchanged vows with glamour and style at the Augustinian cloister (One & Only Ocean Club) under an elegantly draped four-post arbour

Weddings Abroad Expert Stephanie Bishop

Stephanie is Director of Marry Abroad, she will be sharing her expert tips to help you if you are thinking of planning a wedding outside the UK.

1. It’s easier to get married abroad.

Well sometimes it is, but sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes you can’t even marry somewhere unless you are a resident – it really depends on the country. In Las Vegas you can just show up with your passport, but in Spain you have to have lived there for 2 years. So double check the paperwork before you decide where to marry. Marry Abroad’s Legalities pages can help.

2. You do all the same things as a wedding at home (invite all your relatives and friends, wear the same sort of dress, have a big reception).

There’s no etiquette to getting married abroad – you just do what you want to for your big day. Don’t feel that you have to replicate the same traditions as you would at home.
3. You should have a beach wedding.

Beaches are great but you can choose from a really wide selection of different ceremonies, so branch out and have exactly what you want. In a tropical garden, up a mountain in the snow, underwater, in a palace…..the choice is yours.

4.Having a wedding abroad will upset people not invited.

Perhaps it will, but if your nearest and dearest really love you then they’ll want you to have the type of wedding you want, not just do something to please them. You can always have a big party when you get home!

5. You only marry abroad if you want a cheap wedding.

In fact there’s an even wider choice of wedding ceremony than at home, so it’s suitable for all budgets, large or small.

6. It’s always sunny and warm in the summer

Not entirely true! In the Caribbean their summer is also the rainy season (June to November), and remember that the seasons are opposite in the southern hemisphere, so a July wedding in South Africa will be cold. Make sure you check the forecast before you book a summer wedding and expect sunshine or warmth every day.

7. A wedding abroad isn’t legal at home

In general, yes it is, as long as it was conducted legally in the country in which you married. So as long as you follow the marriage laws of the country in which you exchange vows then you’ll be fine. Although bear in mind that if you marry in a non English speaking country you’ll have to have your marriage certificate translated to use it at home.
8. It’s cheaper to plan your wedding abroad yourself

That depends on whether you have good contacts in the country you wish to marry in and/or speak the language. If you want to do it all yourself you can, but it’s generally easier (and cheaper) to hire a local wedding planner. They can get you the best deals on everything, and best of all, they know the best places to tie the knot.
9. You can fly home using your married name