Wedding Costs On The Rise In The UK

The cost of getting married in the UK is climbing – adding yet another reason to head overseas and have the dream Cyprus wedding you’ve been hoping for.

Research conducted by Hitched.co.uk found that the average amount spent on a wedding in the UK is now £27,161, the Guardian reported.

In the breakdown of the costs, hiring the wedding venue was found to be the most expensive part of organising the big day, coming in at an average of £4,354. The next biggest expense was the honeymoon at £3,630.

If you get married overseas, you could save some money on this part by staying in your idyllic beachside location after the wedding for your first week as a married couple.

The third biggest cost was for food for the wedding guests, hitting £3,353. Again, choosing somewhere like Cyprus for your wedding could help here too, as you’ll probably have a smaller guest list if you’re tying the knot on foreign shores.

In fact, the newspaper even suggested this as an option if you’re looking for a way of reducing the cost of getting married, noting that it can be considerably cheaper to have your nuptials abroad rather than in the UK.

Of course, getting married overseas will come with its own challenges, but as long as you’re prepared for all the practicalities of having a wedding outside of the UK, and are realistic about how many guests you can invite, you’ll have a wonderful wedding day to remember.

Winter ‘Most Romantic Season’

If you and your partner have been thinking about taking your relationship to the next level but have yet to actually get engaged, you may find that you’re able to start planning your Cyprus wedding early next year.

Why, you ask? Because new research from jeweller Goldsmiths has found that winter is the most romantic of the four seasons, and the time most likely for proposals to happen.

Professional Jeweller highlighted the survey, which found that a snow-filled winter’s day was the perfect choice for someone to pop the question for 60 per cent of people. It beat summer holiday or beach proposals – although that’s not to say that if you have a wintry proposal you can’t have a sultry summer beach wedding.

What’s more, Christmas Day was selected as the best day for a proposal, which means there could be plenty more couples thinking about planning their big day after December 25th.

Executive director at Goldsmiths Craig Bolton told the news provider: “We can now say beyond doubt that winter is the best time to pop the question and if you can time this to coincide with a snowy day, then even better.”

Of course, any wedding takes a lot of planning, but if you’re hoping to have your nuptials overseas you might want to get a date in the diary as soon as possible.

Among the things you need to organise early in the planning process are your budget, your wedding venue and date, and the theme for your big day.

Consider Practicalities Of Overseas Weddings

Planning your picture-perfect Cyprus beach wedding can be a lot of fun and a very romantic way to wed the love of your life. But in the excitement about the big day itself, your dress and the party with your guests, make sure you take care of the practicalities too.

Although a Cyprus-based wedding planner will be able to assist you with the legal and practical side of your nuptials, it never hurts to be aware of what your obligations are in terms of documentation and so on.

Female First recently highlighted some of the top things you should know if you’re planning to get married abroad.

Top of the list is the legalities of tying the knot in your chosen destination. A wedding planner will be able to reassure you about these points, and will ensure that your ceremony is all above board – that’s why it’s so important to get help from an organisation with local knowledge and connections, to ensure your big day goes without a hitch.

You also need to ensure you have all the right documents to arrange a marriage overseas. The website notes that this usually involves providing copies of your birth certificates, a certificate of no impediment (showing that you are free to marry) and any divorce documentation if either of you have been married before.

This side of things might not be the most fun aspect of planning your wedding, but they are all things you need to do in advance. Other things you should start thinking about now if you’re getting married next summer include setting a budget and booking your venue in good time to ensure all your guests can make travel plans for the date you want.

Nostalgia Brings Bride To Beach For Big Day

Does the stunning Cyprus coast remind you of family holidays when you were little? If so, it might be one of the reasons why you are leaning towards what Paphos wedding planners can offer you and your groom-to-be?

You wouldn’t be the only one considering a beach wedding for nostalgic reasons. Culture Map Houston recently told the story of a bride who married her boyfriend after a whirlwind romance on a favourite stretch of shoreline because of the happy memories it conjured of her childhood.

Lila Malone, who met her husband Mitchell on a blind date, knew they would marry three months after meeting when they went on a getaway to a beach she knew very well from vacations with her parents.

They then chose that beach to tie the knot, beguiled by the romance of the shore at sunset and the importance of that part of the world due to its ties to the bride’s family.

“We went for fun and a less-is-more feel. We had these beautiful palms, sand dunes and the beach around us, so we worked with that,” said the bride.

The wedding dinner was a highlight for the happy couple, who opted for lobster to feed family and friends at a local restaurant owned by family friends, who brought back the dish especially for the Malone nuptials.

If a Cyprus wedding is on the cards because it reminds you of family holidays, then consider weaving some Cypriot traditions into your day, such as serving a ceremonial bread called kouloruia at the reception, or wearing a traditional stefana head band.

Couples Urged To Boycott Butterfly Weddings

On your special day, you want everything to be beautiful – and rightly so. However, couples planning on getting hitched are being urged by conservation experts to avoid using live butterflies in their nuptials.

A growing trend towards the use of live butterflies in wedding ceremonies has been recorded in recent months, in which brides and grooms buy boxes of butterflies for their guests to release part-way through the wedding ceremony, creating a stunning airborne display.

However, the Butterfly Conservation Society is requesting that couples avoid releasing what has been termed ‘butterfly confetti’, which presents a number of risks, including an increased likelihood of spreading disease.

According to the organisation, many butterflies bred in captivity are raised in high-density cages and, as such, are more susceptible to disease. Meanwhile, some butterflies heave specific dietary habits and will not find the food they need to survive in all destinations, especially if they are not native to the location into which they are being released.

Expressing its concerns, the organisation stated: “We feel that using butterflies as confetti may encourage a dangerous attitude to wild creatures that are boxed, transported and released into areas, whatever the suitability.”

Instead, why not add beautiful touches to your wedding in other ways? Consider other factors, such as the location and how to capitalise on its most striking features.

The beach can be the perfect wedding setting, with the gently lapping waves close – additional extras often only detract from the beauty of the location. Cyprus is an ideal place for a beautiful beach wedding – take a look at our Cyprus wedding packages here.

How To Incorporate Flowers Into Your Cyprus Wedding Outfit

If you’re planning for a beautiful Paphos wedding next year, there are a number of things you’ll be thinking about, but one is undoubtedly what you’ll be wearing when you say your vows.

There’s no escaping the fact that flower crowns have been everywhere in bridal wear this year, but one wedding florist has offered brides some suggestions of how to include fresh blooms in their outfit without opting for this overused trend.

Speaking to PopSugar Australia, Christina Stembel, who runs an ethical florist in San Francisco, said that she feels that brides are looking for the next floral trend.

According to Christina, flower jewellery and bold colours are the ideas to watch. When it comes to floral jewellery, bracelets and necklaces are growing in popularity, as well as flower tiaras rather than larger flower crowns.

When it comes to flower necklaces, she explained that chokers are one of the most requested pieces she has.

“We think they’re going to get more popular because it’s just so beautiful, especially if you have kind of a plain dress; it adds so much to it,” she stated.

If you’re going to get married abroad, flower jewellery could be a great option because you can tie it into your bouquet and it can be made locally, rather than you having to worry about packing it and taking it with you.

You’re bound to have enough luggage to take as it is for your wedding, so lightening the load is always going to be helpful.

If you’ll be getting married next summer, there are a number of things you should think about now. The Huffington Post recently offered some advice of what you need to start planning this far in advance, top of the list being finalising your budget.

Lara Beach – Perfect For Turtle Spotting!

One of the biggest benefits of booking Cyprus wedding packages is that you’re on a ready made holiday so after the wedding, you’re in the perfect place to do a spot of exploring and sightseeing. What could be better?

If you are planning a beach wedding overseas at the moment and wondering what you could do after the big day is done and dusted, make sure that you make your way to Lara Beach in the Paphos district.

The beach is in a protected area and home to some incredible wildlife so if you and your other half love nothing more than checking out local flora and fauna, this is certainly the place to be.

It’s actually one of the best places in the whole of Cyprus to spot green and loggerhead turtles, with a local conservation centre situated not far away. To see turtles arriving on the beach to lay eggs, you need to visit between May and August – and the best bit is that this beach is really secluded and not a proper tourist trap so you could have it all to yourself.

It’s a bit of a bumpy ride down to the beach, however, so you might be better off hiring some quad bikes and charging down to the shore in serious style. Or you can walk from Agios Georgios, but bear in mind that it’s about ten miles… so put your proper walking boots on!

Getting Married Next Summer? What Should You Think About Now?

If you’ve recently got engaged and have your hearts set on tying the knot next summer, there are a few things you should finalise now, before time slips away from you.

The Huffington Post suggested five things to sort out in the coming months to ensure your 2018 summer wedding is everything you want it to be.

Top of the list is your budget. The website explained that you need to know how much you can spend before you start looking at any other details. After all, you don’t want to look at options that you can’t afford only to be disappointed.

Next up is your venue and wedding date. It’s well known that venues get booked a long way in advance, so organising this in good time is essential.

If you’re looking at Paphos weddings, booking early will not only give you time to plan but also mean your guests can start searching for flights, accommodation and even booking time off work to attend your big day.

Another thing to start thinking about at this stage is the theme for your wedding – you may want to take inspiration from the venue, or even check out the top wedding trends of 2017. Personalising the big day was a big theme this year, according to Pinterest, with many couples picking unusual food and drink combos for their celebrations.

You may also want to choose your best man and maid of honour at this point in your wedding planning too. According to the Huffington Post, they can be a great help with planning and organising ahead of your nuptials and the earlier you get them involved, the better.

Top Wedding Trends Of The Year Revealed

If you’re in the midst of planning a Cyprus beach wedding, you probably have a fair idea of how your big day is going to go already. But there might be some small details you’re undecided about, so it never hurts to take a look at some of the top trends to get some inspiration.

Pinterest, which is well known for picking up the latest trends, has released its 2017 Wedding Trends Report, which looks at everything from bridal hairstyles and makeup to the food and drink offered to guests.

The good news if you’re planning a wedding overseas is that natural hairstyles are back in vogue, which means no need for lots of faffy equipment and accessories to get your hair looking just right. Natural curls and waves, adorned with the odd flower, is the way to go – perfect for a relaxed beach wedding.

According to the website, weddings are about “personalization and having fun” this year, with couples being more adventurous when they plan their big day.

This was apparent when it comes to the food and drink served, and especially in terms of pairings. Sliders with shots of beer or oysters served with sparkling wine samples were among the examples.

If you’re getting married in Cyprus, you could seek out some local dishes to give your guests a flavour of the island. According to The Culture Trip, halloumi, stuffed vine leaves, bamies (which is okra in tomato sauce) and Cypriot loukoumades are among the ten best foods on the island.

What’s The Best Time Of Year To Get Married?

If you are already planning your Cyprus beach wedding you may be wondering when the best time is to get married in Cyprus.

Here we weigh up some of the pros and cons for you.

Spring

Pros: This is the loveliest time of year in Cyprus. The weather is just right, often in the mid 20s, and the flowers are all out and may be cheaper for you to buy. This time of year is perfect for photographs.

Cons: The weather may still be a little chilly and the sea may still be too cold to swim in for some.

Summer

Pros: Everyone is on holiday, this is traditional wedding season. You are absolutely guaranteed some great weather on your wedding day.

Cons: This is the hottest season of the year, and may even prove a little too hot for some. Think about whether or not your dream wedding dress will be bearable in 35 degree heat, or how long your chocolate wedding cake will last, before you make any firm decisions on what you want to do on your day.

Autumn

Pros: The sea will have warmed up which means even the coldest fish will want to go in for a dip. The weather will be a little cooler, and the food and vegetables will be at their peak so this is the perfect time for a barbeque at the beach-style wedding.

Cons: Everyone will have gone back to work, and be feeling a little blue.

Still can’t decide? Check out FemaleFirst where they sum up summer and winter weddings.