| Mr & Mrs Aldred |
Those agents who sell thousands
of wedding packages each year are recognised experts in their
market. But where do the agents themselves choose to get married?
Travel Weekly spoke to four newlywed retailers about their big
day.
Trailfinders first and business-class consultant Tim Aldred, 29,
married in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, last
December
For better, for worse? “We chose the gardens
because that’s where we met in 2001, when backpacking. The
best part of the wedding was having the backdrop of Sydney Opera
House and Harbour Bridge. The ease and simplicity of it all was
also a selling point – it only took me a few e-mails to
organise. The venue is outdoors, so the only thing that could have
spoilt the day was the weather, but it was 34C and
sunny.”
Who’s next down the aisle? “I would
recommend it to people who don’t want a big wedding or a lot
of stress. It would also suit those who want to do something a bit
different to the Caribbean, for example, which is so
popular.”
For richer, for poorer? Kuoni offers weddings in
the Royal Botanic Gardens from £1,098 per couple. The price
includes fees and licence, wedding co-ordinator and sparkling wine
toasts. A week at the three-star Corus Hotel in Sydney costs
£1,248 with Kuoni, including flights and transfers.
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Felixstowe Travelcare branch manager Lisa Gooding, 27, entered a
Travel Weekly competition in conjunction with Columbia Beach
Resort, Pissouri Bay, Cyprus, and Cyprair Holidays, and won a
wedding in the hotel’s chapel
For better, for worse? “The best part of the
package was the lack of worry. From what people have told me about
getting married in the UK, there seems to be so much to tie up for
the day to go smoothly. But everything was done for me. The only
thing we had to organise was the wedding licence. The hotel’s
laid-back atmosphere relaxed us completely. The only bit I had
trouble with was directions to the town hall.”
Who’s next down the aisle? “This would
suit young people on a budget or those marrying for the second
time. For those with family far away, it can cost them as much to
travel to a UK venue as it does to fly to Cyprus. It’s not
too far for children either. The nice part was we didn’t just
have the one day with our families; we could see them throughout
the week we were there.”
For richer, for poorer? Flights with Cyprus
Airways start at £119 return to Paphos or Larnaca, excluding
taxes.
A junior suite at the five-star Columbia Beach Resort leads in at
£230 per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis. A dedicated staff
member at the resort can make all arrangements for weddings in the
All Saints chapel in the grounds. Alternatively, the product can be
booked through Planet Holidays from £1,075 per person
twin-share for two weeks, including flights and transfers.
Additional wedding costs include a £150 administration fee, a
£203 licence fee, payment to the priest of at least £261,
as well as extra costs for items such as flowers and
photography.
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Hays Travel homeworker Clare Vest, 31, tied the knot in Goa last
December
For better, for worse? “We went to Goa the
year before our wedding and decided to go back because the people
are so friendly and because of the long Mobor Beach in Cavelossim,
which was practically deserted. We had the ceremony on that beach.
I would recommend agents book the wedding with a reputable
operator. You have to go to a court to get permission to marry in
Goa. The process took three hours to complete – relatively
quick for India – and was well-organised. However, it would
take much longer if organised independently.”
Who’s next down the aisle? “This
wedding would suit someone who appreciates deserted beach locations
and is looking for a peaceful resort. In some resorts, it feels
like the weddings are on a conveyor belt; here it was very
different.”
For richer, for poorer? Travelpack organises
wedding packages in Goa from £425 per couple, including legal
fees, the ceremony, flowers, cake, and a local wedding
organiser.
Photographers and elephant greetings are available at an extra
cost. The five-star Leela Goa hotel at Mobor Beach leads in at
£817 for seven nights per person twin-share with Travelpack.
Most ceremonies take place in North of Goa, so those couples
wanting to marry in South Goa should take note of additional
booking expenses.
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Edinburgh-based First Choice Holiday
Hypermarket worldwide department manager Shirley Jack-Thomson, 34,
got hitched at Beaches Varadero in Cuba, in February
For better, for worse? “The main selling
point for this wedding was the location. We got married in a gazebo
in the hotel grounds, but you could also marry on the beach.
Everything is organised for you, which means it is stress-free. On
our second day, we met the wedding co-ordinator to go through
details, such as the colour of the flowers. It was my
husband’s second marriage and he had to get divorce papers
translated into Spanish before we went. That’s something
agents should warn clients about.”
Who’s next down the aisle? “It’s
got wide appeal. There were six other people getting married when
we were there. There were two older couples and another celebrated
their silver wedding by renewing their vows.”
For richer, for poorer? Wedding packages at
Beaches Varadero lead in at £235 per couple through First
Choice, including a room upgrade subject to availability, a special
dinner for the wedding party, ceremony and cake. Registrar fees are
not included. Prices lead in at £1,109 for 14 nights at the
four-star Beaches Varadero per person twin-share, with
all-inclusive accommodation, flights and transfers.
