Busy Girls Guide to 'Wedding Moons'

"Dear Busy Girls Guide. I'm getting married next year but instead of a church wedding, we'd like to go away somewhere & combine it with a holiday. We like to be a bit different - have you got any suggestions as I'm too busy to search around." Hazel, Preston

Dear Hazel,

Thank you for your letter - I've been dying to give some advice on weddings abroad as they can be really great or really unoriginal.

But I agree that combining a wedding & honeymoon in one memorable trip is lots of fun & luckily there are now many companies that can help you tie the knot in destinations across the globe.

I've put together four options for four different Busy Brides-To-Be… take your pick Hazel - hope this helps!

1. BEACH BRIDE

Location

Muri Beach, Rarotonga, The Cook Islands

What's involved?

White sand underfoot and the whispering of waves on the azure ocean as you pledge yourselves to each other on a private beach, adorned with flower ei's, serenaded by a local tribal singer & perhaps accompanied by a Polynesian warrior dance troupe.

Where do I book?

Shona's Weddings

Busy tip

You'll need to be in the Cook Islands four full days prior to your wedding, so why not stay in Shona's self-contained Muri Lagoon Villa next to the beach, designed with loving couples in mind?

2. ICE QUEEN

Location

ICEHOTEL, Jukkasjarvi, Sweden

What's involved?

The ultimate white wedding. Surrounded by the dramatic crystalline structure of the hotel's ice chapel, which is uniquely re-built each year, your wedding ceremony will be a magical experience in a winter wonderland.

Where do I book?

Discover the World

Busy tip

The Ice Hotel is re-constructed every year & is open during winter only, so your wedding would need to take place between January & April.

3. WILD WIFE-TO-BE

Location

Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara National Park, Kenya

What's involved?

Have your nuptials blessed by a priest in the middle of the untamed bushveld, or overlooking the Great Rift Valley, where the final scene of the film Out of Africa was filmed, before starting your evening celebrations with an intense African sunset.

Where do I book?

CC Africa

Busy tip

While a Christian wedding blessing is available, a legal ceremony in East Africa is not possible, so you will need to be legally married before your trip.

4. ADRENALINE ADVENTURESS

Location

Kawarau Suspension Bridge, New Zealand

What's involved?

Reciting your vows whilst strapped to your beloved, upon completion of which you both fling yourselves into the air on the wings of love... or, more accurately, on a tandem bungee jump over the mighty Kawarau River.

Where do I book?

NZ Wedding Services Ltd

Busy tip

Stay at the Remarkables Lodge a romantic luxury retreat in Queenstown which can arrange a helicopter trip to the top of the aptly named Remarkables mountain range.

Have fun Busy Bride - I wish you all the best with love from The Busy Girls Guide

Rowena x

Rowena Forbes is a travel expert & freelance writer - to contact Rowena simply send a message on the contact form below...