Ana's Story - Choosing the venue

With the wedding date chosen and a provisional guest list finalised, our next step was choosing the venue.

We knew we could discard an outdoors reception. The weather in Almería is quite mild during winter, but not warm enough for spending the whole day outside.

Nevertheless, things aren't always black or white, as we say in Spain. The fact that we didn't choose to have an outdoors reception didn´t mean that we had to hide inside a building with no views. Luckily for us, there are a number of restaurants and hotels in Almería where you can enjoy the lovely coastal and mountain views from your table (inside), which is exactly what we wanted.

Without hesitating, I did some Internet searching and came up with a list of places to consider. Many of them – the nicer ones – were at least a 45 minutes drive from our church. We soon realised this wasn't worth doing as it was quite a trip and many of our guests would want to go back to their hotels at night.

Still, the venues we found in the city centre weren't appealing at all, they didn't meet our "with nice views " requirement. So we had to apply the rule of "things aren't always black or white" again and try to find somewhere in the middle.

Something that made our search even more specific was the fact that we preferred a hotel venue rather than a restaurant or a rented place with catering. Simply because it has everything we and our guests would need that day (and the day after) and it´s much cheaper!

The wedding business is amazing in all aspects. When it comes to cost, it is the best of businesses. Things that would normally be a reasonable price double for a wedding, at least in Spain and at the current times.

While Dele and I were on holiday in Almería visiting a few venues and getting some prices, my sister's boyfriend said something very funny but pragmatic at the same time, he said: "Ana, I don't understand why wedding menus are so expensive, why don't you tell the venue people that it is not a wedding, just some friends gathering together?" If you haven't chosen your wedding venue yet, you can try that.

Dele and I, though, have finally found the perfect venue for our big day. It is as expensive as all the other venues we had seen but it has all we need and I'm sure it will play a key role in making our day the best.

Thinking about getting married abroad? You’re not alone!

Submitted by Liz Grafton on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 13:35

Many newspaper pages are currently devoting headlines to statistics such as ‘More than a third of couples have booked a wedding abroad - a 15 per cent hike compared to figures for previous years.’

There is a simple, if not welcome reason for this. Statistics show that the average cost of a UK wedding has soared in recent years and is now close to hitting the £20K mark. This, together with the rising cost of living and pay freezes, means that engaged couples are looking further afield for wedding venues.

The cost savings of getting married abroad are significant; depending on your destination you can save as much as 50% in comparison to a UK based wedding. In these tough economic times, the maths is simple and the benefits of getting married abroad seem to add up too (being able to invite who you want, already being in your honeymoon destination, good weather…).

So, if like many other couples you are looking to get married abroad, don’t hesitate to get in touch with TLC UK . They have a dedicated team of experienced translators that can help you with the translation and legalisation of the documents you need for getting married abroad. They can also do the leg work for you by personally attending the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and any required embassy on your behalf!

The Translation & Legalisation Co
www.tlcuk.biz
0117-986-9578

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Ana's Story - Who do we invite to the wedding?

Choosing our wedding date wasn’t our only struggle. While Dele and I were trying to make up our minds, we also had to decide on the number of guests in order to see what we could and couldn’t afford.

Our idea of a "simple" wedding implied, amongst other things, a reduced number of guests – Good luck with that if you are Spanish! Or Nigerian! I don’t think I have yet convinced my mum, after 4 months of engagement, that I don’t want to invite family members/friends that I have never met just because "they are family, Ana!" or "they invited us to their son’s wedding 8 years ago!".

It’s not that I don’t want to spend the money (which is obviously a plus), I just want my day to be intimate: Dele, me, our close family, and our close friends.

However, what bride-to-be wants to fight with her parents over guests day in and day out? It is a special day for them too, and it is understandable that they want to invite some of their friends. For that reason, Dele and I have agreed to grow our guests’ list a little bigger, but to a certain extent, so everyone is happy.

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Destination weddings: Easier than you think with minimal planning

Submitted by Liz Grafton on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 11:03

There are some marry abroad destinations which have very short residency requirements, or in some locations none at all. For those spontaneous couples amongst you, it means you can literally step off the plane and get married should you wish! (providing you have the correct documentation with you, but don’t panic, help is at hand, more on that later…)

Destination weddings can be booked in a range of different countries from Antigua to Alaska, so there is a location to suit all tastes. Whether you want a winter wonderland wedding or a sandy shored extravaganza, you’re spoilt for choice!

Antigua has no residency requirements and you only need to have been in Alaska for one to three days prior to getting hitched. That gives you just about enough time to sample some of the local delicacies and double check that you have packed your thermals!

Just make sure you have the correct documentation with you to get married abroad. Don’t forget that TLC UK is here to help with the translation and legalisation of your documents. Let them take the stress out of getting married abroad. All you need to do, in most cases is to get in touch with them at least 3-6 months prior to your wedding and they will do the rest!

"The Home of Wedding Documents Abroad"

0117 986 9578

www.tlcuk.biz

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Ana's Story - The Wedding Date

Deciding on the wedding date wasn't an easy job. Dele and I agreed that it would be better to get married in 2013 and not 2012, as he has to find a job closer to where I live and we have to save a lot of money.

Something else we agreed upon was having the reception somewhere where you can see the sea and our guests (especially the ones coming from abroad) could appreciate what we love the most about my town: its coast and natural splendour.

Even though Almería has a mild climate all year round, we thought a wedding outdoors would be gorgeous and most enjoyable during the summer. As summer 2013 seemed too far away, I suggested the 5th of May 2013. The weather would definitely be good and it is a UK bank holiday, which makes it easier for those coming from England.

When it seemed we had decided on the date, Dele had the interesting idea of checking the calendar to see what day of the week was our birthday in 2013 (yes, we share the same birthday, February 23rd, cute uh?). He saw it was a Saturday, which is perfect for our wedding!

However, February 23rd would change our "outdoors" wedding plans and everyone in Spain seemed to be against it: "it's gonna be cold!", "you won't find a place by the sea!", "it'll be hard to find nice clothes!", they said.

Nevertheless, the more they complained and Dele and I looked at the advantages and disadvantages of both dates, the more we leaned towards February. Our birthday has always been a very special day, so why not make it more special by starting the rest of our life together on that same day.

After two months of battling against those who wanted us to marry in May and our initial plans, we have finally decided to say "Sí quiero" ("I do") on February 23rd 2013.

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Destination wedding photography - tips, do's and dont's

Submitted by gmaadmin on Thu, 03/15/2012 - 15:39

Destination wedding photography -
Styles and aesthetics, tips, do's and don'ts

Photography is the only medium with which your overseas wedding day will still be alive and unforgetable. As a result of that fact, the choice of the most suitable photographer for you is a key element. Your best memories will be recorded, so make sure you choose wisely.

Your destination wedding pictures will become precious memories and mementos for your children and grandchildren to enjoy, why not choose the best possible photographer you can? Even if you have to reach a little above your budget, your pictures are not the place to skimp.

Wedding photography is nowadays a respected photographic area, which is escorted by creativity, quality, perfectionism (and the opposite, of course), competitions, associations, organizations, etc. A wedding is probably the only event in our world that is known and applied to every culture and nation. Sometimes it is regarded as the most important fact in somebody's life.

Wedding photography has many styles and aesthetics, wedding photojournalism photography, fashion wedding photography, glamour wedding photography, traditional wedding photography, experimental wedding photography, to mention but a few.

Filtering wedding photographers

Many times a photographer has his own unique style which is a result of a mixture of the above. First, you need to define which style and asthetics is the one that you are looking for, which one suits you better and meets your expectations. Then, you need to research and filter the photographers and the quality of their photography.

The photographer's website is the mirror of his style, his aesthetics, the general quality of his work, even, to some extent, his personality. Photography is a discipline that belongs to the Art & Design area and therefore the presentation that the photographer chooses for his work not only is vital but it is part of his work. A badly designed website is most likely one that will include bad quality photography.

It is not necessary that you have to find a photographer that is based in your city, not even in your country... International or Destination wedding photographers are willing to undertake any destination wedding project anywhere in the world (you have to expect to cover all the travelling and acomodation expenses though).

The photographer's work quality is very important but equally important is his character and personality; after all, during your overseas wedding day you are going to spend more time together with your photographer than even with your friends or relatives. Read the signs, are they formal in their emails, sound professional, honest, sense of humour? In a few words...do you think you can rely on him or her?

Your Wedding Photographer can make or break your day. The photographer is going to be your colleague on that day, not your employee.

Presentation, negotiations, questions and answers

Let's say that you found the photographer/s you would prefer to photographically cover your wedding abroad. It is time for negotiations, questions and answers...

  • Does he/she provide you with high resolution images? If not, then you have to calculate the expenses for prints, reprints and enlargements. How much will he/she be charging you everytime you need something?
  • Photo Book or Digital album? It is a matter of taste. I personally find Photo Books more elegant.
  • Slideshow? Is it provided or even included in the price?
  • Prints? As long as the photographer hands in high resolution photoshop adjusted images, you don't have to worry about that.
  • Is there a second photographer included in the price and if not, what is the price? Bear in mind that the second photographer's job may be assistive but it may also provide you with even better images (and more).
  • Location studio or TTD (Trash The Dress)? Included and/or how much does it cost? If you are not familiar with those terms, location studio is the photographic session before and/or after the wedding, sometimes addressed as portraits or portraiture. Trash The Dress is the more adventurous variation.

Since we mentioned all of the above you need to clarify what you would like to get from the photographer, whether you want Photo Books, Albums, Slideshows, Prints, etc., and how many. Of course, all the above has to do with presentation and therefore the most important thing is the quality of the images themselves!

What you give is what you get

As in almost everything in life, the rule "what you give is what you get" apllies to overseas wedding photography as well. A few tips in order to lower the price follows:

  • Consider a weekday wedding overseas. Many professional wedding photographers charge less for weekday weddings.
  • Consider the "Shoot & Burn" photographic service. This is a service in which the photographer submits only photoshop adjusted high resolution images and sometimes a slideshow as well. You may not get photobooks or albums but you can always order them at a later stage or even spend time and make them yourselves using one of the many websites that offer that service at very low prices. It is better to cooperate with a high quality photographer on a "shoot & burn" aggreement than with a low quality photographer that offers everything but, at the end of the day... nothing.
  • Consider getting married abroad during "out of season" months. Many professional destination wedding photographers charge less for winter weddings.

In a few words

  • Choose wisely
  • Your wedding photographs are one of the few things from your wedding abroad that will last forever!
  • Define the wedding photography style you prefer
  • The photographer's website and blog show his/her creativity and professionalism
  • Do not limit your search within your neighbourhood photographers, consider also Destination Wedding Photographers
  • The images are far more important then the presentation
  • Make clear what sort of presentation you require (photobook, album, slideshow, etc.)
  • Let the quality be your priority and not the quantity
  • Have in mind that as in everything in life "what you give is what you get"

About Athanasios

Athanasios Papadopoulos is an award-winning Destination Wedding Photographer and Travel Photographer.
Master in Photography (London Guildhall University), member of International Photographic Associations, his images are characterized by an impeccable aestheticism and technical perfection.
His work has been featured at well known and prestigious magazines, websites, image banks, media and blogs.
Athanasios is based in Greece and he is availiable on wedding assignments worldwide.

www.thanasispapadopoulos.com

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Ana's Story - Ana meets Dele

Without going into too much detail, I will say that I met Dele, the groom, about six and a half years ago. I came to the UK from Spain to study for a year and he was doing a Master´s in the same university where I was.

We spent a wonderful year together (and even managed to get good grades in our studies!), but after that, we have been mostly apart. I had to go back to Spain to finish university and then worked in different places in England.

It is funny how you can always find a good side to things if you really want to; no matter how difficult those things are. In Dele´s case and mine, we have had (and still have) a long-distance relationship which has been really hard work, but which has made us and our love even stronger.

You may be wondering, what kind of name is "Dele" anyway? Well, it is a Nigerian kind of name. A Spanish-Nigerian couple, let the fun begin!

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Australia – a wedding destination of contrasts

Submitted by Liz Grafton on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 13:23

Yearning for a secluded spot to have your wedding? Australia may be the size of The States but its population is less than that of California, so you will be guaranteed a day just to yourselves (and your guests) if you choose Australia as your marry abroad destination. Here’s a run through of the unusual and individual places to get married:

Ayres Rock

A sunset wedding against the backdrop of one of Australia’s most famous and oldest landmarks has to be one of the most romantic ways to get married. Just be prepared for an uninvited guest or two in the form of a friendly wallaby or kangaroo keen to know what’s going on in their back garden.

The Blue Mountains

Mystery and majesty await you if you decide to get married here. Marvel at the blue hazed beauty of over 10,000 square kilometres of forests, waterfalls, canyons and cliffs. If you want to marry close to nature, this is about as close as it gets!

Sydney Opera House

What could be a more ‘best of both worlds’ wedding venue than the Sydney Opera House by boat? You get the great location, minus the crowds of Australia’s most cosmopolitan city. Meander along the Hawkesbury River taking in the city’s sights whilst celebrating with friends and family.

Great Barrier Reef

If you really want the ‘WOW’ factor, go for something completely different and get married at the Great Barrier Reef. Release the adventurer in you as you exchange vows either along the white sandy beaches, in the rainforest amidst exotic birds and waterfalls, aboard a charter boat or on your own private island.

So I hear you ask – how do I marry there?

Well it’s pretty simple really, here’s what you need to know and do before you depart:

Status

You and your other half must be aged 18 or over and be legally free to marry (single, divorced or widowed).

To prove this you will need to take your original birth certificates (and divorce or death certificates if applicable) as well as some form of photo ID. For British Citizens that’s your passport, which you should already have about your person!

You need to lodge the Notice of Intent to Marry with your civil marriage celebrant at least one month before the date of your wedding. If you are not planning on being in Australia that far in advance of your wedding, there are designated Consular and Embassy officials here in the UK who can witness the document for you, or you can ask a solicitor to do this for you.

You do not need to be an Australian citizen to get married there, nor is there a residency requirement prior to your wedding.

A word of warning

Getting married in Australia does not give you the right to permanently live there. You will still need to apply for a permanent visa and be assessed against the legal criteria for a residential visa to be granted.

Don’t forget to get in touch with TLC UK who can sort out all of your paperwork required for getting married abroad.

For all your legal documents for getting married abroad visit www.tlcuk.biz or telephone them on +44 (0) 1179 869578.

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Making sure your dream destination wedding is YOUR wedding

Here's a few words of advice from TLC UK on how to ensure your dream wedding abroad goes the way it is planned without any late and unexpected surprises.

  1. Plan ahead. If something is too scary to deal with now, it will be even more frightening a in few months when you haven’t got much time left. Don’t leave everything till the last minute! Things like contacting the wedding planner or sorting out your paperwork might need to be done well in advance.
  2. Don’t let others put pressure on you. Remember, it’s your wedding and your decisions. It’s your day, so do it your way!
  3. If something goes wrong or is missed out, don’t ignore it. It’s best to get it sorted as soon as you realise!

    Ana's Story - My wedding planning experience

    Hello, everyone! My name is Ana, I work at TLC UK, and I’m getting married!

    I have to say that a few days ago I was refusing to write about my wedding planning experience – after dealing with so many people getting married abroad on a daily basis, who wants to go back home and write about it?

    However, I’m not getting married “abroad” as you may be thinking, I am getting married at home, which is abroad, in Spain. Therefore, no overseas wedding packages involved here, but quite an interesting planning experience which has inspired me to write about and which I´ll be delighted to share with you.

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