Go Weddings:What could be more romantic than a wedding in Cyprus, birthplace of Aphrodite, writes Michael Parsons
NEARLY 4,500 Irish citizens got married abroad last year and travel industry representatives say demand is growing. The high cost of weddings in Ireland and couples' desire for sunshine are factors.
Italy, a traditional favourite, remains the most popular choice for Irish couples, with Rome, Sorrento and Lake Garda the most popular destinations.
Cyprus is popular too. As the birthplace of the goddess of love and beauty, the eastern Mediterranean island has cleverly cultivated the myth of Aphrodite. Ayia Napa, Limassol and Paphos are among its best-known resorts, and are served by charter flights from Ireland between May and October.
Niamh Hayes of Budget Travel says: "Cyprus offers a range of superb value wedding packages and offers."
"The average Irish wedding party in Cyprus consists of about 25 people, including the bride and groom," says Maria Evripides, spokesperson for the Kanika group of hotels.
Approximately 70 Irish couples tied the knot at the group's Elias Beach Hotel in Limassol in 2008. Working with the local town hall, this hotel arranges to have the town mayor perform a civil ceremony in the hotel grounds. The Elias Beach Hotel also has a chapel.
At a recent full-dress reconstruction of an Irish wedding for visiting journalists and travel-industry representatives, the mayor of Germasogeia (a suburb of Limassol) Andreas Gabrielides, who has married a number of Irish couples this year, said: "Tell people we have everything to provide you with a dream wedding."
If your dream includes walking down the "aisle" along a red-carpeted pier, against a backdrop of sapphire-blue Mediterranean sea lapping a golden sandy beach, a glowing orange sunset followed by an alfresco feast of delicious Cypriot cuisine, then look no further. They'll even provide a DJ.
The cost
Apart from the basic cost of a one or two-week package holiday, hotels that host weddings can offer the most elaborate black-tie extravaganza, or a simple barefoot beach reception.
They will arrange everything, from the services of a wedding co-ordinator, to witnesses (if required), as well as a photographer, flowers and wedding cake. Menus, and even gift mementos for guests can be tailored to the bride and groom's budget and taste.
Many of these hotels have luxury spas which offer special packages to ensure that the bride and groom are buffed and polished to perfection.
• Basic package for bride and groom: about €2,800, but shop around.
• Civil marriage ceremony (on the pier): €624.
• Reception and five-course dinner for 25 people: €1,000.
• Wedding licence: €282.
• Wedding co-ordinator: €256.
• Flowers and photo album: €250
Wedding guests may be able to avail of a discount at the hotel, and some packages include the use of a wedding car. There are some extra costs involved if a couple also wants to have a religious ceremony in a church.
Many travel agents have wedding advisors to explain the paperwork required to marry abroad.
Further information can be obtained from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation's Dublin office, 01-6629269, e-mail: cyprusinfo@eircom.net.
To book a wedding in Cyprus, see the options offered by: Budget Travel, 01-6611111, www budgettravel.ie; Sunway, 01-2311888, www.sunway.ie; Curragh Travel, 045-447575, www.curraghtravel.ie.
The paperwork
• Civil ceremoniesIn Cyprus, civil-wedding ceremonies are held on weekdays only. The ceremonies are conducted in English and all the legal paperwork is in English. Marriage certificates from Cyprus are legally valid in Ireland
Cyprus requires copies of the birth certificates of both bride and groom - neither photocopies, nor the "short" versions of the certificates are accepted - and passports. If either party is divorced or widowed, they will also need a copy of their Decree Absolute or a death certificate. Both bride and groom should also obtain a Freedom to Marry Certificate from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.
• Catholic-church weddingsCouples wishing to marry in a church in Cyprus must first have a civil ceremony. Couples should inform their local priest of their intention to marry abroad and details should reach the Catholic authorities in Cyprus at least two months before the wedding date. Bride and groom must provide copies of their baptism certificates.