The journey to forever

Over the course of three days, there were 4,000 meetings conducted between top destination wedding planners from around the world with renowned tourism boards and convention bureaus, DMCs, luxe venues, photographers, designers, florists, catering companies, light architects, luxury couture linens, production companies and many more.

The main take outs were that activities and getaways around the wedding are increasingly becoming important these days as guests seek to combine a vacation during their stay. Reliable vendors, suppliers and creative partners who provide phenomenal customer service, scrumptious cuisine and hospitality options, are all key prerequisites for a good destination wedding. All-inclusive options, flight connectivity and even weather conditions are important considerations.

Here are some destination weddings that we would love to be invited to:

WED LIKE A CELEBRITY

What better way to celebrate your love than by tying the knot while on a cruise? Celebrity Cruises provide an idyllic and dreamy setting while on board, perched high above the azure blue waters with boundless ocean views. Guests can choose from one of the 280 destinations around the world that the award-winning ships sail to.

Your wedding port can be in one of the most romantic cities in the world, Rome, packed with ample history, art and culture; or Santorini, a volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands, surrounded with fantastic beaches such as the black pebble beach, white beach and red beach.

If you’re looking for more exotic tropical backdrops, Barbados is one of the Caribbean’s most captivating islands. While Nassau, the historic and cultural heart of the Bahamas, comprises of pristine beaches, Victorian mansions, cathedrals, 18th-century fortresses, and the iconic Queen's Staircase.

The Nuptials at Sea Package with Celebrity Cruises starts from $2,995.

BLISS IN ABU DHABI

The journey to happily ever after begins at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi. Couples to be, who are looking for a personalised wedding celebration beginning to end, explore a selection of epicurean indulgences, floral adornments and wedding themes during the personal consultation with wedding specialists to curate the perfect celebration. And with a slew of new entertainment options on Yas Island, guests can also have several culturally rich experiences on the side.

The 1,311-sq-m Al Mudhaif Ballroom is ideal for grand weddings with elevated windows, handcrafted ceilings and crystal chandeliers creating a majestic atmosphere. It can comfortably accommodate more than 700 guests for seated banquets and up to 1,000 for receptions. Located on the ground floor, the ballroom has its own designated entrance and can also be accessed through the hotel lobby. A third access point via the Al Mudhaif Majlis offers VIP guests the opportunity to make a more discreet entrance. The Al Mudhaif Suite adjacent to the ballroom affords a private and tranquil respite for last minute bridal preparations.

Outdoor weddings can also be executed with a beautiful al fresco lawn location amidst the lush gardens and breath-taking views of the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. At 500 sq ft, the lawn can comfortably hold up to 300 guests for a wedding reception.

COASTAL DELIGHT

The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa is one of the few resorts in Bali – and the only one in Seminyak – to come equipped with a wedding chapel. A professional wedding team is in place to take care of all the nitty gritty, leaving more time for the bride and groom to relax and revel in the lead-up to the big day. From the catering to the décor, photography, flowers and entertainment, the dedicated team at The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa will organise all of this and more.

A romantic dinner à deux at the resort’s oceanfront, Sanje Restaurant & Lounge, makes the day even more special. The guests can feast on oysters, prawns and calamari salads, sushi and ceviche, or arrange a private dining experience in the villa or on the beach. The Banjar Function Room, a chic venue that can accommodate about 50 guests is ideal for fun-loving couples and families who can dance the night away with their loved ones.

Wedding packages range from $2,200 for the Essential package, to $6,050 for the Exclusive package, which comes with all the bells and whistles including a Balinese choir, flowers, a spa treatment, an ‘Extravaganza dinner’ and a one-night stay in an Ocean View Villa. It’ no wonder that everyone secretly hopes to get invited to a wedding in Bali.

REGAL EXPERIENCE AT LANGHAM

The Langham, London, the iconic West End hotel, has created two very special celebratory packages in honour of the recently concluded royal wedding. Opened by the Prince Regent in 1865, The Langham has had royal connections since day one, having welcomed everyone from Wallis Simpson to Princess Diana.

The Royal Season Package includes accommodation for two in a Deluxe room including breakfast, and two delightful ‘behind the scenes’ experiences, priced at £595 ($800) per room per night. There will be a gift for each Royal Season booking; two pairs of Limited Edition Langham Pink Hunter Boots.

This Ultimate Royal Season Celebration offering is available for £15,000 ($20,159) per night staying in the 236 sq m Infinity Suite, which features two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom with an infinity bath and a private butler or for £25,000 ($33,598) in The Sterling Suite –featuring a lounge with baby grand piano, dining room, media room and up to five additional bedrooms alongside the master suite. But first guests who purchase this Ultimate Royal Season Celebration can enjoy a private dinner with two additional guests, personally hosted by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr, who oversees the restaurants at The Langham, London. The Langham, London’s Limited Edition Hunter Boots are also included in this price for two guests.

BAREFOOT WEDDINGS

Located amongst the inner granitic islands of the Seychelles, North Island is a spectacular wedding venue that offers a combination of absolute privacy, effortless style, breath-taking views and bespoke service with attention to detail – everything a bride and groom could ask for.

What could be more romantic than a luxurious barefoot wedding ceremony on a private tropical atoll surrounded by loved ones as you say, “I do”! A once-in-a-lifetime destination fit for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

As one of the most exclusive destinations in the world, not many couples get the opportunity to tie the knot on North Island and the island’s approach to weddings reflects that. No two weddings are the same and North Island treats every bride and groom as the two most important people on earth; your wish is North Island’s command.

In keeping with North Island’s flexible philosophy and personalised service, they do not offer a “wedding package”, but prefer to handle each couple’s request individually and personally, thus tailor-making specific requirements. Couples can take advantage of the special stay seven/pay six offer valid until December 2019 – plus one of the wedding couple receives an additional 25 per cent off the price of their stay.

OUTRIGGER MAURITIUS

The new crystal marquee, the latest addition to Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort’s meeting, conference and event facilities, is possibly the most romantic wedding venue featured on this list. Host a gathering under this transparent rooftop marquee that operates as a classic conference facility or opens to the natural light of the sun, moon, and stars, as well as extraordinary views of Bel Ombre lagoon. It creates a flexible, air-conditioned, covered space for up to 250 guests, providing a uniquely festive atmosphere for a wide range of events including weddings, banquets, and receptions.

Sean Dee, EVP chief marketing officer, ‎Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, said: “The Middle East is a very important source market for Outrigger. For our Mauritius and Maldives properties, 2017 saw a growth of almost 200 per cent from the Middle East when compared to 2016, making it the biggest growth market for these two properties. We are looking to host hundreds of agents and operators in our properties in the Maldives and Mauritius. We have announced a beautiful crystal marquee in Mauritius, perfect for all kinds of events, specially weddings. We are also the number one wedding destination in Fiji.”

The Outrigger Expert Agent programme comes recommended for agents. As a certified expert agent with Outrigger, you are eligible for reward points redeemable for cash or gift certificates, booking bonuses, complimentary client welcome amenities, invitations to exclusive events, etc.