Getting Married – Home or Away?

By Penelope Goldstream, idaventry.com

One decision that could be a talking point for a life time?

Research suggested that the average UK wedding in 2008 cost a whopping £20,000.  Compare this to the average £6,000 cost of a wedding overseas and you may well find yourself in a predicament – to marry home or away?

Brits marrying in places such as Italy and Cyprus are becoming increasingly more popular – research indicating that enquiries this year are up on last year by 30%.   Of course to those where money is not an issue they need not worry, however to the other 95% where money is often the top of the agenda it certainly opens up a whole new debate.

The key issue involved with this decision is to understand what you and your H2B want.  Do you want to marry close to home with 200 guests or do you want to experience something a little different and perhaps more intimate?  Is now a perfect time to take a chance on the unknown and create a magical story to tell your grandchildren or is it simply an illusion that you need an exotic place to make a magical fairytale ending, if at all there is such a thing?

Marrying abroad is tempting especially with the attractive sunsets, moonlit dinners and beach strolls but you need to ensure it’s something you both want.  Will the guests you really want at your wedding be able to travel?  Equally, is staying close to home the perfect choice for you?  Do you want a really big wedding with old school friends?  Do you want to be in control of every last detail – remember marrying abroad eliminates some aspects of control.



You have to remember that your wedding is exactly that – YOURS!  Chances are that you have probably spent the last ten years saving for your big day and you shouldn’t let anybody (except your H2B) influence your decision.  I have seriously thought on a number of different occasions about marrying abroad; New York to be exact.  I’d love to get married there but for us and our situation it’s just not practical.  We have not been influenced by anybody to stay in the UK for our wedding, but the practicalities of getting family and friends to travel so far for us has been a sticking point.

There are pros and cons with most decisions in life, and this decision will not be any different. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that every decision will be plain sailing and argument free or you will certainly be setting yourself up for a fall.  Just enjoy yourself and remember to communicate with each other!