Pros and cons of getting married overseas

Overseas wedding insurance is important

Over the next 12 months, an estimated 80,000 British couples will head abroad to get married rather than tie the knot in the UK.

That is according to research from Travelex, which showed a 15 per cent increase in the number of couples planning to walk down the aisle overseas compared with figures from previous years.

But what is driving so many Britons to exchange vows abroad?

Below, we explore some of the pros and cons of having your wedding abroad.

Advantages

The most obvious reason why many couples are heading abroad to get married are the potential cost savings that can be made. It is widely acknowledged that a traditional wedding in the UK is an expensive affair and depending on the location of the ceremony, significant savings can be made on the venue, catering and entertainment if you opt to go abroad.

Another point to note is that, unlike in previous years, you can take out insurance for overseas weddings, meaning you can protect your big day in the same way you could were you to tie the knot at home.

Overseas weddings also give couples the chance to have the ceremony in a stunning location. You could get married on the beach, on the top of a mountain or almost any other setting you can imagine.

Tied in with the beautiful backdrop is the weather. British weather is notoriously unreliable and many couples are adamant that they want the sun to shine on their big day. While this cannot be guaranteed, there is a better chance of having nice weather in Portugal, Spain, the Caribbean and other tropical climates.

Weddings abroad also make for a fantastic time for friends and family. As well as seeing close friends get married, they can enjoy a holiday and soak up the beauty of the surroundings.

Disadvantages

While the idea of a beach wedding in southern Spain may appeal to you, there are some downsides to tying the knot overseas.

The main problem is that it may be difficult for some people to attend, be it for financial reasons or difficulty getting time off work.

It can also be stressful from a logistical point of view. Booking venues, arranging table decorations and catering can be tricky from a distance and made even more difficult if the wedding is taking place in a non-English speaking country.

Added to this is the fact that you will be unable to meet them in person unless you fly out to your destination, which will eat into your wedding budget.

You also need to consider the issue of visas and immigration regulations. For example, some countries may require a minimum residency before they will grant you permission to get married.

Getting married abroad is not without its challenges, however, the research from Travelex suggests that many couples believe the pros outweigh the cons and intend to exchange vows in foreign limes.

Whether you get married at home or abroad, wedding insurance is something you need to give serious consideration to.

Overseas weddings may be less expensive than UK weddings but that does not mean they are cheap.

Wedding cover can protect the significant outlay you will have to make, meaning you can rest safe in the knowledge that should something insured under the policy go wrong, you have a safety net in place to protect your money.