From experience, we know that you’ll be wondering about various aspects of your overseas wedding and we expect many of your initial questions to include the points we have highlighted here.
As each wedding we organise is treated as an individual request, please do not hesitate to ask us anything else you need to know.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Following Brexit and in line with the laws of the countries where we operate regarding taxes, due to the constant checks made by the authorities, most venues no longer accept suppliers on their premises unless they are fully licenced and registered to pay VAT.
Your wedding co-ordinator, regrettably, would not deal with any suppliers that have not been booked through Planet Weddings. This means that the reliability of these suppliers would be your responsibility.
For this reason, as a condition of booking your wedding with Planet Weddings, we request that all the wedding extras – Flowers, Photographers, Musicians, Singers etc - are booked with Planet Weddings.
Planet Weddings have handpicked their suppliers and work with the best in their field. Our team of photographers, florists, transport and entertainment are second to none. They all have years of experience and extensive knowledge of the hotels & venues as well as dealing with British brides.
Your in resort wedding co-ordinator will oversee and co-ordinate all of our suppliers, to make sure your wedding day runs perfectly and you are able to enjoy your day, relaxed and reassured that everything is in the best possible hands.
Please check our wedding extras lists where you will find the names and websites addresses of some of our suppliers – if you have any query please contact us before booking.
Yes, your wedding will be legally recongnised in the UK
Your wedding cost includes the issue of a copy of your marriage certificate translated in English. At some destinations, marriage certificates are not issued immediately after your wedding and may not be ready to take back with you before you return home, in which case we will forward the documents to you.
Important note: Following Brexit, you now need an apostille on each copy of your marriage certificate (should you require more than one copy).
In Cyprus It is obtained from the CITIZEN’S SERVICE OFFICE (ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΛΙΤΗ). The apostille stamp must have a 5 euro revenue stamp for each certificate, from the Post Office. You will need to make an appointment in order to get this apostille and details will be given to you in resort as to where the nearest Citizen Service Office is or we can arrange for this to be collected, stamped and delivered back to your hotel via a courier service at a cost of €40 or €45 (+ €5 per extra certificate). This will be paid to your wedding coordinator in resort.
The notice is governed by how long it takes to process the paperwork in UK and at your nuptial resort - as this varies between destinations, specific information on when we need to receive your documentation will be advised at the time of booking.
To give you time to send your documents to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ( FCDO) you will need:
Greece: at least 7 weeks notice prior to your wedding and your total minimum stay in resort will be 7 nights. You will need to go back to the town hall one or two days ( working days) after the wedding date,
Cyprus: at least 7 weeks notice prior to your wedding and your total minimum stay in resort will be 7 nights.
Malta & Gozo: at least 10 weeks notice prior to your wedding but documents must not be dated any earlier than 12 weeks before your wedding date. Your total stay must be a minimum of 7 nights.
Portugal: at least 7 weeks notice prior to your wedding. Your total stay must be a minimum of 7 nights.
Croatia: at least 7 weeks notice prior to your wedding. Your total stay must be a minimum of 7 nights.
Italy: at least 7 weeks notice prior to your wedding. Your total stay must be a minimum of 7 nights.
There is a certain amount of paperwork involved and full details of what you must do and what we will do on your behalf are clearly shown on the 'Legal Requirements' page.
As the name on the booking must coincide with the name shown on the passport, the bride-to-be will be booked under her maiden name for both journeys.
With the range of scheduled flights available from Planet Holidays, you are not restricted to book a standard 7 or 14 nights stay. One thing you must comply with is the minimum length of stay officially required at each nuptial destination - specific details are shown above. Whilst weddings in various resorts can be organised during a 1 week’s stay, we highly recommend you book 2 weeks to allow yourselves time to relax between the various visits to the registry office and the court.
We shall discuss this with you at the time of enquiry/booking. Your request will be forwarded overseas and will be subject to availability of your chosen venue and of the person responsible to conduct your marriage.
Unlike other companies, we will be able to confirm the date of your wedding prior to departure (for weddings in Cyprus, time can also be confirmed). Please bear in mind that last minute re-scheduling may occur locally due to unforeseen circumstances.
Civil weddings are short ceremonies performed by a registrar or a mayor. Religious weddings/blessings last approximately 30 mins and are performed by a reverend, priest or minister.
In Cyprus, all weddings are conducted in English.
In Greece, civil weddings are performed in English and in Greek.
In Portugal, Italy, Malta and Croatia, civil weddings are performed in the country’s language in which case the ceremony will be in the presence of an interpreter. Catholic Church weddings are usually in English. Prior to all religious weddings, you will have a chance to run through all aspects of the service, such as a special music request, poem, passage of the bible, etc, that you may wish to include.
Of course, and Planet Holidays can also easily take care of their holiday booking arrangements. Your guests’ travel date, length of stay and accommodation do not need to be the same as yours!
Important note:
Two witnesses are necessary for all types of weddings. Witnesses can be family or friends but they must be over 18. If you do not have any guests attending your overseas wedding, our Wedding Co-ordinators at your resort will be honoured to act as your witnesses. Please note that some resorts will charge extra for witnesses.
In some resorts in Greece your witnesses will need to go to the town hall with you when you go back to sign the register - This applies to Lindos (Rhodes) and Zante for example. If your witnesses are leaving the island before you please check with us to reconfirm when they are needed to go to the Town Hall with you.
Should you need to change your wedding date, please let us know immediately. If we are able to comply with your request, a £100 wedding amendment fee will apply.
Should you need to cancel your wedding, your non-refundable wedding deposit will apply up to 100% charges as shown below:
Period before departure Cancellation charge as a % of total invoiced cost*
70 days or more Non refundable Deposit payment
(b) *Important Note: Extra cancellation fees will also be levied by 3rd party at nuptial destinations (such as local churches, registry offices etc,) and we reserve our right to pass on to you any cancellation charges imposed by our suppliers which are in excess of the cancellation charges set out above.
(c) Amendment charges are non-refundable.
(e) If the deposit paid is more than the percentage cancellation charge applied within 70 days then the higher amount will be charged.
(f) Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.
Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
We strongly recommend that you take out a special ‘wedding insurance’.
All couples have very personal views on their wedding outfits. Our best advice to you is to consider a comfortable attire suited to the climate of your nuptial destination. Light weight, natural fabrics are highly recommended and design styles favoured for overseas weddings tend to be more casual than for traditional British weddings.
When choosing your outfit, please bear in mind your chosen wedding venue - bermuda shorts simply won’t do if you have opted for a religious ceremony! Do contact us if you feel you need further advice.
Check-out our ‘Wedding Dress Travel Case ’ suggestion - a perfect way to carry your wedding attire. Alternatively, you may pack your outfits in a hard suitcase that will be placed in the hold of the aircraft.
Usually, it will be considered part of your standard luggage allowance, although some airlines may agree (upon prior request) to be more flexible with wedding couples. We can discuss this further with you once your travel arrangements have been booked.
Most hotels offer a pressing service which may take a few days, and a charge will usually apply.
Many of the hotels we feature have excellent beauty salons and hairdressing facilities perfect for pre-nuptial preparations.
In most resorts we also have our own suppliers and where possible they will come to your room on the day of the wedding.
It is best to prebook these services but you can also discuss your requirements on arrival at your resort with your Overseas Wedding Co-ordinator.
An overseas wedding does not mean having to put aside all traditional customs and separate rooms, subject to availability, can be requested on your behalf, at a supplement.
Some venues / resorts will allow you to bring your own decorations such as favours, table plan, etc - Should you need your wedding coordinator to set these up for you, all items will have to be given to her when you have your pre wedding meeting. Please note a charge will be made by the coordinator to set your decorations up for you (Minimum €250 cash depending on how many items and how much time will be needed to set them up )
Approximately 3 weeks before your wedding date we will send you the “final letters” along with a feed-back form and a letter of consent so we can use your photos /videos in our Social Media.
The final letters will confirm the name and telephone number of your wedding coordinator in resort as well as the date and time of your meeting with her once you have arrived in resort.
They will also reconfirm all details of what has been booked for you on the day as well as list which extras have been paid for in the UK and which ones will have to be paid in resort and to whom (Cash Euros)
To make things easier for you, we havve put together a variety of packages which include the essential touches our couples usually ask us to organise. You'll also have the opportunity to add other 'extras' to make it as personalised as you wish it to be.
View our wedding packagesWe have unique relationships with a whole range of respected and excellent suppliers and all have been selected for their quality of service and their commitment to Planet Weddings. We will take care of everything from wedding flowers, wedding transport, right through to decorations and hair & beauty.
View our finishing touchesCivil ceremonies are vailable at all the destinations we feature. Religious weddings (Anglican and Catholic), religious blessings and symbolic blessings may also be arranged depending on which resort you choose.
When you're booking for a special venue, Planet Weddings spoils you for choice: Hotels, registry offices & town halls, local churches & cute little chapels, character venues including museums, wineries, taverns, castles, pousadas, awe-inspiring cliff top terraces, and of course stunning beaches for a true sand between your toes beach wedding.
Complete the form below to have one of our team contact you regarding the preparations for your special day.