Is there a Valentine’s Day wedding on the horizon? Are you thinking of having the nuptials in a foreign country? There are four destination wedding locations (and packages) that deserve your attention.
P&O Cruises: Get married by a ship’s captain on the open sea
This one takes a bit of finagling, but if you have your heart set on a wedding ceremony held on the open seas by a bona fide ship’s captain, this United Kingdom cruise line can help. The marriage is valid under Bermudian law, which in turn is valid under UK law, as long as the ceremony took place on the high seas. Verify that you can meet the residency requirements for the marriage to be legal prior to embarking on the cruise. The cost for this wedding plus honeymoon onboard is £5,000, which translates — at this time — into $7,727.
Carnival Cruises: Port of call weddings in Barbados, Grand Cayman, Nassau or Jamaica
Carnival Cruise operators offer access to destination wedding locations via their ships. The marriage ceremonies are performed in a port of call — not on the open seas — by an officiant local to the applicable country (not the ship’s captain). These weddings are a steal, starting at just $1,195. Please note that the ceremonies take place on land, not on deck.
Four Seasons Hotel: Valentine’s Day wedding in Cyprus
Among destination wedding locations, Cyprus’ Four Seasons Hotel offers a variety of romantic spots on its property. There is a gazebo, the Vista Terrace, a rolling lawn, or the Anglican St. George’s Chapel. For Catholic couples, the off-site Church of St. Catherine’s has agreed to hold ceremonies. Rental costs are €500, which is about $638. Add to this license fees (€282 or $360) and subsequent meal and stay costs, which vary according to the season.
Grand Hotel Ambasciatori: Destination wedding in Napoli
Sorrento is situated along the Neapolitan Coast. Guest rooms are classically European. Costs for wedding packages vary, depending on the local contacts you have for officiants and florists. Moreover, if you are working with a wedding planner, you may also save a bit of extra money.
A word on international destination wedding locations (and their legalities)
The U.S. Department of State explains that “marriages which are legally performed and valid abroad are also legally valid in the United States.” The possibly sole exception to this rule, at this time, is same-sex marriage. Complying with the legal requirements of the locales is your responsibility. Depending on the locale, there are requirements for posting banns, undergoing health exams and meeting residence requirements. It is a good idea to work with an international wedding planner — or someone who specializes in the legalities of the destination wedding locations you are considering.
As a general rule of thumb, have available:
A certified/authenticated copy of your (translated) birth certificate A certified/authenticated copy of your (translated) divorce decree, marriage annulment or prior spouse’s death certificate (if you have been married before) You valid U.S. passport An affidavit of eligibility to marry, which is available from the American consular at a cost of $55 An authenticated baptismal certificate (for religious ceremonies of certain faiths) Immigration paperwork for your new spouse (if you are marrying a foreign national)
Establishment Information
P&O Cruises (Carnival UK)
100 Harbour Parade in Southampton
SO15 1ST
Open for inquiries 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays
+0845 3 510 353
Carnival Cruises
3655 N.W. 87th Ave. in Miami, FL 33178
800-764-7419
Four Seasons Hotel (Cyprus)
P.O. Box 57222
Ag. Tychonas
Limassol 3313 Cyprus
+35725 858000
Grand Hotel Ambasciatori
Via Califano, 18 – P.O. BOX 101
80067 Sorrento (Napoli) – Italy
+39 – 081 8782025