AN IDEAL SETTING FOR A WEDDING!
A MAGICAL SETTING
With its favourable weather, tranquil scenery, and mythical charm, Cyprus can be a magical setting for almost any wedding ceremony. As the island becomes increasingly popular as a perfect setting for weddings, venues across the island have begun to specialise in the growing wedding trend that is boosting tourism. Several venues, with this in mind, now offer special packages that specifically cater for a full range of different wedding products, offering not only their expertise but value for money.
CHOOSING A LOCATION
Numerous locations along the Cyprus coastline are regularly chosen for wedding ceremonies. Protaras and Ayia Napa in the east, Limassol in the south, and Paphos in the west all offer stunning landscapes and fantastic sea views. Several small boutique hotels in secluded bays are often selected for small, intimate weddings, whilst other coastal venues that include large resort hotels usually cater for larger affairs. Suburban coastal villages also offer a range of different venues that are often set against some dramatic and often rustic scenery.
DIFFERENT SCENIC SETTINGS
There are several different locations across the island that offer a whole range of different settings for some unique wedding photos. The old town of Limassol, in particular the areas near the LIMASSOL CASTLE, offers a great backdrop that includes several period buildings. Areas surrounding the LARNACA SALT LAKES, with their dramatic sunsets, are also another popular location. APHRODITES ROCK, with its connection to the goddess of love, is another setting that attracts several couples taking their wedding photos, and the TROODOS MOUNTAINS, with its numerous scenic villages and rustic settings, has begun to offer venues, which have a more rural woodland appeal.
CHOOSING A VENUE
More and more couples are choosing the island of love as their venue for their special day each year. One of the main reasons for this is the island’s versatility, with ceremonies being held on sun-kissed beaches, in scenic villages, at historic town halls, or in luxury upmarket resort hotels. Although summer hosts several of these occasions, it is very hot and can prove a little uncomfortable, so late spring or early autumn have also become popular as these times provide more favourable weather conditions.
WEATHER
The weather for coastal venues should also be considered. Scenic cliffs that may be chosen for photoshoots can be very windy. Equally, weddings during the summer may benefit from a later start time in the afternoon. A sunset ceremony will create a beautiful backdrop and avoid midday heat. Sunset ceremonies are also timed perfectly for evening receptions.
LOCAL FLORA
These settings generally provide local flora with abundant greenery along with standard Mediterranean blooms. This can often be enhanced by wreaths of olive, lavender, or bougainvillaea accents.
SELECTING A MENU
Several venues feature different menus, but it’s the Cypriot meze that is by far the most popular option. Some venues also offer fresh seafood options along with local wines. These often include the famous Cypriot dessert wine COMMANDARIA, which once graced the table of Richard the Lionheart at his wedding at the LIMASSOL CASTLE.
QUESTIONS TO ASK A WEDDING PLANNER OR A VENUE
- Establish the minimum number of guests that are needed to qualify for each package and price. This should include both the catering and the bar.
- Confirm what is included in each package and make sure that there are no extra charges.
- Verify how VAT is handled and if there are any extra service charges or gratuities.
- Establish if there are any contingencies in place for rain or extreme heat on the day.
- Make sure that the venue will offer unlimited access and no restrictions for vendors on the day.
- Establish whether there is a chance that the venue may host other functions on the same day.
Ask the venue if they offer any specific wedding insurance to cover any vendor cancellations, adverse weather conditions, or any other unforeseen event that may occur.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE SPECIAL DAY
The earlier the better is the general rule when planning a wedding. and anything and everything that may impact the special day should be thoroughly discussed before making any final decisions. Certain things, once agreed, will form a basis and the general direction that will be taken thereafter. Anything that may impact the choice of venue should also be discussed, and this should form another consideration.
The main considerations are as follows
- Wedding Themes
- Budget
- Guest List Size
- Scenic Views
- Weather
- Flight Costs
PLANNING PHASES
12 Months In Advance: After considering everything that could impact the special day, at this early stage, a date, location, and wedding venue should be selected. This will create a good, solid foundation, allowing for ample time to make further necessary arrangements. Considering things like school holidays will help determine the date. Considering the venue’s proximity to both the island’s International Airports will help determine the location, and factors such as settings for wedding photos and video, along with catering and transport, should help determine the venue. With this in mind, several venues offer accommodation and transport options, along with recommendations for photo and videography services, with special rates, as part of their wedding reception packages.
9 Months In Advance: This is the time to choose and then book a photographer, videographer, florist, cake, caterer, DJ or live band, and any transport that may be needed on the day. Most venues offer recommendations and, in some cases, also help to make these arrangements. They do this by offering several add-ons to their wedding reception packages. In any event, several local businesses will supply all the needs for most wedding receptions across the island.
6 Months In Advance: This is the time to make arrangements for the wedding dress and to take suit fittings. The local climate should be considered, and light fabrics for heat should be chosen. Several local businesses offer a hire service for wedding attire.
1 Month In Advance: This is when a final guest headcount should be taken, and then a seating plan should be devised. All timings and logistics at this stage should also be finalised and then confirmed. All or any legal documents should also be submitted at this stage.
2 Weeks In Advance: This is the time to compile welcome bags for guests. These should include instructions, local information, and any essentials.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS & PAPERWORK
Although the paperwork required is generally the same for both civil and religious weddings on the island, there are some subtle differences for each process. Extra time should be set aside for document legalisation and translations for any non-residents of Cyprus. The planning period to obtain all of the required paperwork is usually between 1 and 2 months, but some visas or consular processes can take longer. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to involve a local legal expert to handle all translations and apostilled documents. They will also coordinate with civil authorities and help file all of the required paperwork.
CHURCH REQUIREMENTS
It is also important to note that additional church requirements for religious ceremonies, may take a little longer to obtain. This is generally dependent on the chosen faith, as the Greek Orthodox Church follows a different process from the Roman Catholic Church. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to employ a local wedding planner to help navigate church approvals and all canonical requirements.
Civil and religious weddings will typically require the following documents:
- A valid form of identification for both parties.
- The birth certificates of both parties were translated into Greek or English. In some cases, these may also need to be notarised or apostilled.
- If applicable, a divorce decree or death certificate of any former spouse, translated into Greek or English. In some cases, these may also need to be notarised or apostilled.
- A Single-status certificate or certificate of no impediment or an equivalent document from any original country of residence, translated into Greek or English. In some cases, these may need to be notarised or apostilled.
- A local wedding license application filed with the district administration or municipality. this will require parental consent for any under-18s.
Check if any non-European guests require visas to visit Cyprus.
AKAMAS TOPS THE MOST POPULAR WEDDING VENUE LIST
AN IDEAL SETTING FOR A SPECIAL DAY
couples from all over the world are now choosing to hold their wedding ceremony in Cyprus. This is making the island in the sun more popular than ever as a venue for all types of wedding ceremonies. Cyprus has become a firm and popular choice with couples from all walks of life who want an ideal setting for their special day. This is further highlighted by the fact that Cyprus has become a popular choice for those not only wanting to exchange, but also to renew their vows.
A POPULAR CHOICE
With this in mind, Cyprus is now catering for several different types of weddings throughout the year. These include several small, bespoke civil weddings that are usually held between March and November. Although there are several venues available in different locations, the majority of couples are choosing the Akamas region of Paphos to provide their perfect setting.
SEVERAL VENUES
It is thought that high interest in this area is due to the beautiful beaches and abundant natural mountain scenery. The isolated shores of Ayios Georgios, Coral Bay, Akamas, Peyia and Kissonerga are also proving very popular. Couples are also choosing to hold their special day in several private villas, hotels, restaurants, and public gardens like Paliomonastiro.
ADDING TO TOURISM COFFERS
Britain, Poland and Israel top the tables of people holding their wedding ceremonies in Cyprus. It is also estimated that 15% of the income generated by tourism comes from these types of wedding ceremonies that are held across the island.
