By Nikki Bayley
If Valentine's Day was extra-special and you chose the most romantic day of
the year to get engaged, ramp up that romance with an overseas wedding. Here's
five of our favourite places to say, 'I do!'.
Best for: White Sand Wedding Bordered by the Great Barrier
Reef and 73 other stunning islands, only six of which are inhabited, Hamilton
Island is the perfect spot for a barefoot beach wedding. The Beach Club Hotel
is right on Catseye Beach, just 35 minutes by Catamaran from Airlie Beach, the
coastal hub of the Whitsundays. The hotel boasts a spectacular infinity pool
and you'll adore the VIP chauffeur buggy service!
Nothing says I love you like… Snorkelling or scuba diving in
the azure waters over the stunning Barrier Reef. Take a seaplane trip over the
most romantic natural wonder of all, Heart Reef, where coral has magically formed
into a perfect heart-shape!
Best for: All Inclusive Weddings can be pricey affairs so
put your mind and your pocket at rest with an all-inclusive deal on the island
paradise of Antigua. Learn to windsurf and sail on the calm waters or just work
on your tan relaxing on one of the two sugar-white sand beaches that surround
the hotel.
Nothing says I love you like… A free wedding for stays of ten
days or more! Say I do under a gazebo that's romantically swathed in colourful
bougainvillea. Blue Waters' 17 acres of perfectly tended tropical gardens will
create the perfect backdrop for photographs you'll cherish for a lifetime.
Best for: Butler service! Choose ultra-all-inclusive to enjoy
treats like free scuba if you’re PADI-certified and the great Sandals
‘stay at one, play at three’ deal with complimentary transfers to
the other two Sandals resorts on the island.
Nothing says I love you like… An upgrade to an exclusive bluff
suite high on the hill which benefits from stunning uninterrupted ocean views
where you can indulge in the delicious decadence of butler service and a private
plunge pool at this exotic ‘two people in love only’ resort.
Best for: Private Villas King-sized four poster beds and rainfall
showers come as standard in the 40 exclusive villas that make up this stunning
resort. Each villa is raised on stilts to give uninterrupted views of the Indian
Ocean and boasts a large terrace where you can book a candlelit dinner for two!
Nothing says I love you like… A champagne cruise, where you can sail on the gentle waves and watch the sun set to toast the start of your new life together. Book a couples massage overlooking the ocean at the luxury spa to experience the ultimate in relaxation and pampering.
Best for: Elvis weddings! For an Elvisly Yours wedding, the Imperial Palace is perfect. Celebrate Vegas kitsch with the casino's 'dealertainers' - celebrity look-alikes who'll deal you a hand of poker and then belt out a song - choose from 20 characters including Madonna, Dolly Parton and Stevie Wonder.
Nothing says I love you like… Getting married in the Little Chapel of Flowers and being serenaded by the King. The Little Chapel has hosted many a famous wedding and is known in Vegas as the chapel to go to. You can even have Elvis conduct the marriage ceremony of you like!
Nikki Bayley is a freelance travel writer. She writes regularly for the
Daily Express and Sunday Mirror. Her favourite cities are San Sebastian, Mexico
City and San Francisco.