Getting Married Abroad and Party back in the UK

Hi! I'm doing the same thing (not for family reasons- I just couldn't so the big white wedding thing in England, I'd have to be on horse tranquillisers for the week!) having a nice relaxed wedding in Italy with close family and friends, and then a party in the UK about two weeks after we're back from our honeymoon. It's 18 months away but we've got a lot done already. I'd say the starting point is to sort out the actual wedding venue and get a planner if you're able! Mine has already been so helpful, I feel completely comfortable giving him instruction and letting him sort things out! We then worked on the uk party, booked a venue, and now onto the invitations!

That's what I done, we got married in Italy and took our closest family and friends. We then had an evening reception when we came home. We got more for our money as this included us all having a week's holiday together. Although still expensive it would have cost us a lot more to get married in Scotland. First thing I done was to book the wedding and hotel through a travel agent, got my documents sorted etc.... then started dress shopping, booked photographer, booked restaurant. Once that was done for going abroad we decided on a venue, numbers, date for our Scottish reception and that was it. Hope that helps x

It's in effect what we're doing. Wedding in Wales with close family and a couple of friends, then ten days latter a big knees up party for everyone back at home. It's not uncommon these days at all. it means you can wear all the gear again and relive your day to some degree. And everyone loves a fab party zx

I'm in this club too - wedding in Italy followed by a local knees up. I have a planner to help sort out the details for Italy but can't do anything til a bit later on this year so I am focusing on the UK arrangements at the moment.

If I were you, I would recruit a family member in South Africa to help coordinate things. Have you got someone you can trust to help you make arrangments?

This is what we are doing. We are getting married in July in Cyprus for family and close friends then having a big uk party when we get back 10 days later xx

I'm in the club too! Wedding in lapland uk party back home a month later. All I will say is keep to your plans! I have swayed from our ultra relaxed uk party and it started to become a full blown reception but I have pulled the reins back in thankfully!!

Snap... Wedding in Antigua then party a month after. Good plan x

Me too, wedding abroad just the two of us. 15 days to go. I am so pleased we did it this way. Wedding planner sorted everything out over phone, and then when we get there. All we have to do is show up and then spend the next week having a lovely honeymoon. Cant wait