Looking at getting married in Zante in 2020. Looking for practical help/advise

Pollycat

Gavin83 wrote: »

Surely no one would be that downright selfish to book a wedding abroad, especially with no link to the country and expect their guests to pay to attend?

Oh, I think there's lots of people who would expect guests to fork out a shed-load of money and use their holidays to attend a wedding.

Retireby40

OP.

I'll direct this to you as you are the one needs advice. A lot of people disagree with me. That's completely normal on these forums.

If you and you partner want a beach wedding go for it. Often people tell you you can't do something because they couldn't.

If you are close to your family then I'm sure they will support you. I'm not a parent nor come from a wealthy family but I know for a fact if I told my immediate family we planned to marry in Greece they would be all on for it. Why? Because it would mean I'm making a huge decision, they would be proud and they love the sun.

Your close family will go trust me. They will make the trip.

Anyone else, well whoever goes is a bonus. For those that don't go throw a party in your home town when you get back so those who can't make the trip can celebrate with you.

People on hear are talking as if overseas weddings are something strange when in fact they are becoming more popular each year.

Some people may think your selfish but as I said. It's your life, your day and your happiness.

Hopefully you get all sorted and I wish you all the best. Having had work colleagues that married abroad they said it was amazing. A small party of about 30 people the typical blue seas, beaches. It certainly beats a run down town church in the rain with 50 people you wouldn't even call friends more acquaintances.

melanzana

It is a second wedding for the OP.

So why the need for all the beaches and Zante?

Just my opinion, but if I and family got a wedding invite to anywhere abroad (especially a second go on the merry go round), I would be inclined to decline very politely.

chesky

I'm not mad about weddings anyway, so to have an excuse not to go would be great.

melanzana

chesky wrote: »

I'm not mad about weddings anyway, so to have an excuse not to go would be great.

I'm the same

If I say anymore about disliking weddings I may be banned or reported or whatever.

The wedding is for everyone who WISHES to attend. The MARRIAGE is for B+G.

I honestly don't know of anyone who says "Hey isn't this great, we've got an invite to A and Bs wedding, woo hoo" No, I don't think so,well maybe some but not very many I would think.

[Deleted User]

Retireby40 wrote: »

...

Your close family will go trust me. They will make the trip...

OP,

Please don't expect the above to be the case.

No matter how close people are to you there will be many that they cannot attend a wedding abroad. From financial, being able to book time off work during the school summer holiday and health.

If you want to get married abroad do so, but do not expect people to be able to attend.

How about a small wedding in the UK near to family and friends, then a blessing and honeymoon on Zante?

seven-day-weekend

Pollycat wrote: »

Head over to the Zante board on Tripadvisor.


Have you discussed this with your families?
You might find that costs and dates rule out the guests you would want to be there.
Speaking personally, I don't mind who gets married where but I'd decline to attend a wedding abroad regardless of how close I was to the bride or groom as I choose my holiday dates, location and accommodation based on what suits me, not others.

I'm sure someone will be along soon to point out my selfishness.

I wouldn't attend anyone's wedding abroad either, unless it was my son and even then I would be cross about the expense.

So my advice is, have whatever sort of wedding you want, but expect people not to come.

I hope you find the destination you want.

Gavin83

Retireby40 wrote: »

Your close family will go trust me. They will make the trip.

We've had a lot of threads started on this forum from close relatives (think siblings, parents, etc) of people getting married abroad, who ultimately have said they aren't going. For some it's caused family issues. So no, I don't think it's safe to automatically assume close family will go. And while I think it's selfish to have a wedding abroad, I think it would be even more selfish to get upset by this. It would entirely be the fault of the couple getting married, no one else. One caveat of getting married abroad is that you have no right to complain if people can't make it and that includes anyone.

The reason it's selfish to get married abroad is for the reasons you list. Family/close friends will often feel a sense of obligation to attend, even if it'll cause them serious problems in order to not upset anyone. Often you aren't really giving them a choice and some people can't afford it.

However I notice you still haven't answered the question. If you had a wedding abroad would you pay for all your guests expenses? If so it makes the above redundant. However I expect in 95% of cases couples marrying abroad would expect their guests to pay.

dickdasdedly

Hi
Thanks for all your replies it’s been interesting to see your views.
I’ve take on board the pros and cons of marring abroad. As someone said it’s the 2nd go on the merry go-round for both of us and a registry office wedding doesn’t sound appealing to either of us. The people that would be attending are immediate family and close personal friends who we have spoken to about this and are up for coming and to budget for that is partly why we are waiting to next yr. Our kids are grown up and though we couldn’t afford to pay for them to come we would try to help with the cost if needed.
Also I wouldn’t be annoyed if anyone I asked didn’t want to come for whatever reason. Its all down to personal choice and ours is to get married abroad. The friends that we`d ask are friends we go on holiday with every 2nd yr anyway so there isn’t a problem there as Zante is a place we’ve spoken about going to before. So we have already given some thought to the practicalities of people attending the wedding. As someone has said we would have a reception at home for the extended family and friends and people who didn’t wouldn’t or couldn’t attend. An evening reception with buffet and beer. :beer:.

All that being said what I was asking for is practical advice and things to look out for. Such as wedding insurance, didn’t know there was such a thing or companies somebody may have used and anything else that could be useful.
But thank you all for taking the time to reply.
Richard W

BarryBlue

My daughter got engaged recently but as yet no date has been set, nor has a venue been decided. As it won't be a church do, I am also hoping that they won't pick one of those money-pit venues at some pretentious venue out in the sticks either.

So I suppose a wedding abroad is a possibility. My view is that I would not automatically attend, it would all depend on the venue. (Money isn't really an issue.) I'd be fine if it was somewhere like Spain, although not Greece as it has gone down the pan in recent years. And I wouldn't even consider the USA, even though she loves it there.

I'd prefer a cruise ship, otherwise a register office followed by a celebration somewhere. I am another who doesn't like weddings and we routinely decline invitations from most other people anyway.