Forget guest-list politics and seating-plan
riddles – you’re getting married, not pursuing a career in event
planning. If you choose to forgo the crowds for something more intimate,
great-aunt Marge will just have to deal with it.
Skip big-wedding stress and run away to one of these exotic, quirky
or just plain idyllic destinations for a fuss-free private wedding.
Fiji
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| Not for nothing is Fiji the wedding capital of the South Pacific.Image by Universal Images Group / Getty |
What you may have to fork out in flights to reach Fiji, you’ll recoup
in fantastic all-inclusive elopement package deals at resorts across
its 300-odd islands. As the wedding capital of the South Pacific, Fiji
spoils couples for choice with its abundance of venues, from simple
seaside setups and lush junglescapes to exclusive private island
hideaways such as Turtle Island, where scenes from
The Blue Lagoon
were filmed, Likuliku Lagoon Resort with its over-water bungalows, and
Matangi Private Island Resort, where you can opt for an all-inclusive
wedding for less than US$1000 (plus 20% tax) before retiring to your
luxury treehouse.
Andes, Peru
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| The scenery for nuptials doesn't get much more magical than Machu Picchu. Image by JTB Photo / Universal Images Group / Getty |
For spiritual seekers looking to make a symbolic commitment to one
another rather than a union bound by religion (or law, for that matter),
Peru
may be just the place. Here, couples can opt for a traditional ‘Arac
Masin’, or Andean wedding, among stunning sacred Inca sites such as the
famous ruins of Machu Picchu. Officiated by an Andean priest – who
conducts the ceremony in the native Quechua language – the simple but
deeply spiritual ritual is designed to invoke the Inca gods to make your
love last through eternity. To make it legal, however, you’ll have to
complete civil marriage proceedings in Peru, or back at home upon your
return.
Tulum, Mexico
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| Why not wed amid the ancient ruins and beautiful beaches of Tulum, Mexico? Image by Wolfgang Kaehler / LightRocket / Getty |
While it may sound more exotic to elope to Costa Rica or Nicaragua,
there is still nowhere easier to have a Latin quickie (wedding, that is)
than the equally romantic shores of Mexico.
While plenty of resorts are set up for all-inclusive wedding bashes,
smaller boutique hotels on the postcard-perfect (both with wedding
planners available to take care of the necessary documentation), lend
themselves to a more intimate ceremony. With pristine beaches, the
famous Mayan ruins of Tulum, and exquisite turquoise cenotes (sinkholes)
all within easy reach, you’ll be spoiled for photo opportunities here
too.
Ubud, Indonesia
 |
| The
tropical forests of Ubud provide an exotic backdrop for a wedding.
Image by Education Images / Universal Images Group / Getty |
Getting hitched legally in most Asian countries can be a headache for foreigners. It’s somewhat easier in
Bali,
but easier still to complete the formalities at home and come here for a
romantic traditional blessing ceremony based on Hindu-Balinese customs.
The verdant tropical surroundings of Ubud, in central Bali, offer an
intimate alternative to the island’s crowded beaches, with competitive
packages at a handful of luxurious properties. Wed in an orchid garden
backed by emerald rice paddies at the Alila Ubud, for example, then pop
down to its brand new Seminyak sister resort for your honeymoon.
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