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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will my wedding be legal?
Yes, all ceremonies performed on the islands we feature, are legally recognised in the UK in accordance with British Law.
What documents will be required?
The list of documents required on most islands is quite similar with a few additional items required for some. See our comprehensive chart below which outlines the specific documents required for each island.
How long will we need to be on the island prior to getting married?
The minimum residency requirements varies from island to island, however generally it is between 1-3 days, see the Minimum Residency section in the chart below for specifics on each island.
Who will take care of overseeing my wedding arrangements?
Culsen Travel work with their professional on-island wedding co-ordinators to ensure that the plans for their clients weddings are tailored to suit their needs prior to their arrival, and to oversee all the arrangements for the wedding right up to the day itself. The wedding co-ordinator will arrange to meet you immediately after your arrival on the island to answer any queries you may have and to accompany you to make your application for your marriage licence. They will then be on hand to oversee every detail of wedding ensuring you will not have to do anything but turn up on the day
What should we wear for our wedding?
Culsen Travel recommend couples avoid marrying in traditional wedding attire in the form of dark formal wedding suits or a full bridal dress made of satin or alternative wedding dress fabrics which might be unbearable in the heat. We recommend that brides who wish to wear a formal dress stick to certain types of silk and men wear a lightweight light coloured suit in fabrics such as linen. Culsen Travel can supply details of bridal designers who specialise in bridal gowns for weddings in hot climates. One such designer is Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah Creations. For more details see his website at www.kosibah.co.uk.
What time of day should we get married?
We recommend late afternoon weddings as this will be a much cooler time of day. On most islands wedding ceremonies must be completed with the signing of the register taking place before 6pm by law, so a 5pm start is suggested. This will also ensure that your photographer can take some lovely wedding shots at sunset
Who will conduct our ceremony?
Ceremonies will generally be non-denominational, conducted by a Justice of Peace, Marriage Officer or Registrar unless you request a religious ceremony, however, we can arrange for your ceremony to be conducted by a minister or priest if preferred. If you wish to have a completely religious ceremony held in a church, most ministers will require additional information prior to your arrival on the island, including a letter from your local priest or minister confirming that you have met all the criteria to enable you to marry in a church. Culsen Travel can provide you with the necessary information required for a church wedding on request.
Where can we hold our wedding ceremony other than on the beach?
The list of options for a venue for your wedding ceremony are endless, and vary on each island. Once you are staying in a suitable villa, able to accommodate the number of guests you have invited, you will be able to hold a private wedding ceremony within the gardens/grounds of your villa. If the garden does not have its own gazebo where the ceremony can be held comfortably, it may be possible to erect a temporary canopy or gazebo which can be decorated to reflect your chosen wedding theme. For those who prefer an alternative more formal venue, many hotels on each island provide locations where a wedding can be held, even for guests not resident at the hotel, if the wedding reception is to be held at the hotel too. Some islands offer the opportunity to marry by one of their natural or historical attractions such as a waterfall, going down a river, on board a yacht or on top of a historical site overlooking views of the island. A few of Culsen Travel´s recommendations on alternative wedding locations can be found on each island´s specific wedding page.
What are my options if I want a large wedding reception?
Again, the options for venues are endless, but generally local hotels and restaurants provide the best options for catering for a large reception party. Most restaurants will close off to additional customers and guests once you have a large enough wedding group to make it worthwhile. Menus can be agreed and prepared in advance to ensure that you and your guests´ requirements are taken care of, making it more personal and ensuring it reflects the budget you have set. These venues also provide the option to have local entertainment as part of your wedding party, with choices ranging from a single musician, to a full steel band, or a local band or DJ. As the evening progresses you may prefer to have an open bar or have guests pay for their own drinks.
Can I have my reception at the villa?
Some villas may be large enough to accommodate a large wedding reception if there is sufficient space. However, this will generally require the hire of a caterer and additional crockery and cutlery in order to cater for the high number of additional guests. Additional fixtures and fittings may also need to be arranged such as lighting or power in the gardens to cater for an evening party, and any entertainment you may wish to include. Details of our suggested villas suited to weddings can be found on the individual island wedding pages.
How much will it cost?
This will depend on the type of wedding and venue selected. Many hotels have their own wedding packages for guests who are staying at the property. These wedding packages can sometimes be free if guests stay for a certain number of nights or book a particular room categories or book several rooms for the members of their party. We offer full details of wedding packages featured by all the hotels and resorts we feature on our wedding home page and on our special seasonal offers page. For couples wanting a more bespoke wedding these are completely tailor-made and costs will depend entirely on the kind of wedding you want, the venue you choose and the number of guests you have. We provide budget price guides which can provide couples with an idea of costs for the services, items and catering options they may wish to select for their wedding. You can find some examples of these on our website under tailor-made weddings options.
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