Planning Your Lesbian Wedding Abroad

^{Our last post looked at the legal requirements of marrying your partner abroad. So, now we’re offering some advice on what to do once you’re ready to go.  We talk a lot about marriage, but there’s absolutely no reason why these can’t be applied to couples going abroad for civil partnerships. This list isn’t exhaustive, but we’ve narrowed it down to what we believe are key considerations on the road to marrying the woman of your dreams overseas.}

^{Wedding Insurance}

^{You can’t plan for the unforeseen, but it’s precisely what every bride-to-be should do the second she starts organising her wedding. Wedding insurance might not seem necessary at first but once you’ve started booking, ordering and confirming everything then you’ll understand how emotionally and financially disabling an unforeseen problem could be.  Wedding insurance when you’re marrying abroad is even more important. The knock on effect of an unexpected cancellation, either on your part or someone else’s, would be devastating to most budgets. Having had the foresight to take out wedding insurance could be the only silver lining you have in a nightmare scenario.  Abroad, your wedding is at greater risk because you don’t have eyes on the venue or vendors.}

^{There’s often a more hands-off approach to weddings when they’re overseas (because isn’t that just the point of doing it there in the first place?) You might not know anything is amiss until you arrive and by then it could be too late. If you’re booking a package through a tour operator then make sure they’re ABTA or ATOL protected. And while we’re on the subject, there’s no excuse for not getting travel insurance either. Most companies will offer a range of options that can be tailored to the needs of you and your travelling companions. Encourage everyone in the wedding party to take out travel insurance or, better still, organise it for them yourself. Just because it’s meant to be the happiest day of your life doesn’t mean that bad things can’t or won’t happen.}

^{Wedding Flights} 

^{Travelling in a group of 10 or more? Book the flights together and most airlines will give you a discount. If you can’t see the group booking option on the website then give them a call and ask. Booking tickets together will make catering for special requirements easier to organise and confirm. I’ll be more straightforward if you need to make changes later, too. Don’t be tempted to pay for any airfare tickets unless you’re certain the guest will pay you promptly. They can always book separately at a later date because you don’t want to be paying for anyone likely to flake off.}

^{If you’re paying for anything in cash upon arrival, then check the foreign exchange rates religiously in the months and weeks before the wedding. When you pay the company they will most likely calculate the cost at the moment of transaction, and if the rate is poor, then you could end up paying more than you’d expected.}

^{Wedding Luggage}

^{Don’t put important wedding items into your checked-in bag. Sod’s law tells us that the only bag that the airline will lose that day will be the one your dress or suit is in.  A quick online search will reveal companies who specialise in making dress boxes that comply with hand luggage regulations. Usually the boxes are protected on the outside, filled with tissue paper and easy to carry.  Research a dry cleaners at your destination if you need a steam clean to eradicate any creases. If it’s been well packed however, then the dress or suit should be fine. If you’re travelling in first class, then you can ask the flight attendant to hang it in the first class wardrobe.}

^{Try to take as much make-up in your hand luggage as you can. This will save you going bare-faced if your bag is lost in the hold. Remember however, that you’ll need to comply with airport security so only take gels and liquids less than 100ml each. Spread it out amongst other guests travelling with you so that you can get more through security.}

^{Wedding Makeup}

^{If you’re marrying in a humid climate, then take oil free make-up products with an SPF. Especially important is an oil-free primer which will stop your makeup slipping in the heat. Waterproof mascara goes without saying unless you’re deliberately rocking the KISS look. For colder climates take moisturiser and cover-up blotchiness with a light foundation. Keep a small purse of make-up with the bridesmaids or bridesmen for emergency re-touching on the day.}

^{Wedding Planners} 

^{If you’ve not booked a package wedding, then consider hiring a local wedding planner because a good one will be worth his or her weight in gold. Trying to micromanage a wedding from a thousand miles away is going to give you a headache; especially if you don’t speak the language.  They know who to book, where to go and what to do. They’re a local ally, too, if things start to go wrong.}

^{Wedding Details}

^{Keep everyone updated on vaccinations, tablets and timetables by emailing your guests regularly with information. This should help to prevent any nasty surprises on the day and will make sure that everyone’s passport has at least 6 months validity left. Double and triple check that everyone has the correct visas too (if necessary).}

^{Wedding Finances}

^{Take a credit card for emergencies or have someone back home who can instantly transfer money if needed. This will save your stresses for any expenses not immediately covered by insurance especially if cards or money are stolen, lost or spent. A cash flow crisis will feel twice as serious when you’re not in the country, so make sure it doesn’t ruin the wedding.}

^{Wedding Mementos} 

^{Get someone to video the ceremony and stream it back home via skype so that those who couldn’t attend can still be a part of your day. Equally, have it uploaded to a social networking site at a later time. Once back in the country, why not throw a party so that you get to show off your new status to friends and family and then everyone can join in.}