Have you planned or are you in the middle of planning a spectacular wedding abroad? With the average Australian wedding costing up to $36,000, it’s no wonder that more and more Australians are choosing to treat their nearest and dearest to stunning foreign surroundings while also grasping at the opportunity to combine their ceremony and honeymoon all in one go. Oh and with the average wedding abroad costing $9,000, the chance to save some valuable, hard earned dollars is quite an attractive prospect also.
Irrespective of whether your wedding is on home soil or abroad in a dreamy Caribbean beach resort, organising the event takes a serious amount of planning and raises many of the same dilemmas – “what colour scheme will the bridesmaids and grooms-men share”, “will we have chair covers in the reception area”, “what type of flowers do we want” – the list goes on.
One decision that is particularly important for a wedding abroad is the decision of what to wear. The ideas of walking down the aisle on the beach and sinking four or five inches into the sand with every step would be fair to say, is every bride’s nightmare.
Here are some of our helpful hints and tips when it comes to trying to decide what attire is best for you on your magical day abroad.
- Firstly, we do not want you sinking into the sand with every step you take as previously mentioned so always think about the surface you will be walking on and chose appropriate shoes. Similar to the sand effect, if you have chosen a winter wonderland for your special day, heels may not be the best source of footing.
- If you are travelling somewhere hot, it is also worth bearing in mind the type of fabric in your wedding dress as this could have a major say in how comfortable you are throughout the proceedings. It is said that natural fibres are better in a warmer climate as they “breathe” and allow you to be more comfortable, unlike artificial fabrics. Lace, silk organza and chiffon are some of the favourite choices for weddings in tropical climates.
- A bride’s worst nightmare when travelling abroad for her wedding would be to have the dress lost or damaged by the airline she was travelling with. To avoid this from happening, always bring your dress (and suits for the men) as your carry-on or hand luggage with you and don’t let it out of your sight.
- Although the veil is one of the more traditional parts of the wedding attire, and with some women feeling the longer the veil the better, you will have to think about the conditions outdoors. Even if you are travelling to a Caribbean paradise, there may be some wind that cannot be controlled and a long veil, coupled with wind is a recipe for catastrophe.
- Lastly, this one is for the boys. If you are travelling somewhere hot, be careful in choosing your suits. Yes your $1500 shiny, three piece, pink, Hugo Boss suit may make you feel like you are the most attractive sight at the ceremony, however, things won’t look so good an hour later as you stand beside your new bride for photos, melting under the 35 degree sun. Think light, because at the end of the day, it is your day also and there is no substitute for comfort.
When it comes to arranging your wedding abroad, there are many different variables and aspects that need to be well researched; one key aspect of which is getting the right travel insurance to protect yourself from potential loss. Why not have a look at our new Go Insurance Wedding Extension that we are offering. This policy gives you peace of mind and cover for important aspects such as your Medical Expenses and Personal Property, while also providing cover for your wedding rings, wedding attire flowers and wedding cake to name a few. This policy offers you a piece of mind that should unfortunate circumstances unwelcomely arise, you will have a backup plan.
For more information on our travel insurance policies and our extra Wedding Extension, don’t hesitate to call us on 1300 819 988.