Features of foreign weddings. Advice for couples from PEOPLETALK columnist Anna Gorodzhey, founder of the wedding agency SVADBERRY

Anna Gorodzhaya is the owner and founder of the Event Gorod group of companies and the wedding agency Svadberry, author of the book “Wedding Without Marriage”, The Fashion Vibes columnist

Organizing a wedding abroad is a unique opportunity for couples to realize their dreams and have a wedding in an unusual environment.

The Family Code of the Russian Federation allows marriage of Russian citizens outside our country. This procedure is regulated in paragraph 1 of Article 158. If there are no obstacles provided for by law, for example, marriage between close relatives or with a person with whom there are already family ties, then the ceremony is held at the diplomatic mission. The Russian Federation is on the territory of a foreign state.

However, organizing a ceremony abroad is not only exciting but also a complex process that requires careful preparation. I will give you basic advice on how to avoid common mistakes and plan a wedding that will leave pleasant memories for both you and your guests in the UAE, Europe or any other foreign location.

Choose a location

Choosing the direction in which the ceremony will be held is an important issue from which all preparations and planning of the event begin. Each country has its own requirements and difficulties, but experienced wedding planners easily cope with all the difficulties and take into account all the details of the upcoming wedding.

in 2024 Dubai It has become the world’s leading destination for the organization and execution of wedding ceremonies. The strategic location of the emirate is very important for couples who want to get married.

First of all, this concerns the increasing number of inter-ethnic and intercultural marriages. Dubai has also won praise from honeymooners for its world-class infrastructure, award-winning restaurants and service.

The country is famous for its luxurious five-star hotels, golden beaches and futuristic architecture. A wedding in Dubai can be held in the desert, on a yacht or in a skyscraper overlooking the city.

The other day I returned from Abu Dhabi, where I was invited to an exhibition on the wedding industry. I am very pleased! There are incredible venues for weddings and birthdays. We were introduced to the most extraordinary places for wedding ceremonies. Very beautiful, stylish and atmospheric. By the way, performances that allow you to convey the meaning and ideas of events in a new way are now in trend. I met new people and now I dream of working with them at Svadberry events. I want there to be more beautiful special events in our lives. That’s why I share all the new products with you.

For example, Europe It offers a wide range of wedding venues, from romantic cities (Paris, Prague) to natural locations such as the Alps or the southern coast of Spain.

Each European country has its own rules and traditions that may affect the choice of a particular wedding location in Europe. Both formal and symbolic ceremonies are popular here, giving couples the opportunity to tailor the event to their own needs.

Italy Tuscany offers countless romantic locations, including Lake Como, Venice and the Amalfi Coast. It is a country rich in history, culture and architecture, making it ideal for those looking for romance and style. You can organize a romantic candlelight dinner or organize an unforgettable marriage proposal, as we did for our newlyweds just a few months ago.

A wedding in Italy is also a gastronomic celebration. Local restaurants offer fine cuisine and wine that will be the perfect complement to any celebration.

Another popular trend is organizing a wedding. Türkiye. Istanbul, the capital of the country, is a city with a rich history and culture at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Here you can organize either an oriental-style wedding with elements of Ottoman luxury or a modern event with western influences.

For a wedding in Istanbul, you can choose historical palaces, ancient mosques or modern hotels with Bosphorus views. Weddings on terraces with panoramic city and sea views are popular.

One of our couples lives in Istanbul and was initially planning to organize a wedding with Turkish contractors. The team quickly realized that no Turkish agency would provide the service they needed, so they turned to Svadberry for the organization. We completely agreed with the couple. This feeling is inspiring, and it’s stories like this that create the best days in a couple’s life. The story of a wedding always begins with the story of the couple. We got their warm temperament. Added depth and tenderness to their feelings for each other. This is how the concept of “Between Heaven and Earth” was born, with a unique scenario that creates an intimate and soulful atmosphere for the wedding celebration.

Legal issues are not the last issue

Before you start planning a wedding abroad, you need to learn the local laws regarding marriage. Different countries may have their own requirements for documents, deadlines, and ceremonies. For example, some countries require the couple to be present several days or even weeks before the wedding, while others may allow a symbolic ceremony without legal enforcement.

If you do not have the time or desire to prepare documents, you should contact the wedding organizers who will handle these issues.

Logistics wise

Organizing a wedding in another country requires more logistical effort. This includes:

– transportation of guests and newlyweds. You need to book tickets and transfers in advance, especially if the wedding takes place in a remote or touristic location;

– guest accommodation. It is important to take care of guests’ accommodation so that they feel comfortable. Some couples will arrange accommodation at the same hotel for everyone or rent a villa or several houses near the ceremony site to make coordination and transfers easier;

– working with suppliers. Depending on the country, there may be language barriers and differences in cultural norms, requiring caution when selecting florists, photographers, decorators and other contractors.

The highest service of a wedding agency starts with the details. If you decide to entrust the organization of your wedding to professionals, pay attention to how ready the agency is to solve complex problems and interesting challenges.

One of SVADBERRY’s priorities is to take care of the newlyweds and their guests at every touch. Do you know that our agency completely takes care of all the logistics of the guests?

For example, we not only booked tickets and accommodation for the grandmother of one of our brides, but also escorted her from her home to the wedding venue. SVADBERRY concierge service has prepared visas for guests many times, even at short notice.

Upon arrival in the country where the wedding will take place, each guest is greeted by our special person and upon check-in, we prepare a detailed event plan outlining all the activities of the wedding day. It is very convenient for guests not to even think about their flights and departure times; We completely control all logistics.

Climatic and cultural features

Overseas weddings offer the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of a country’s nature or architecture, whether it is the castles of Europe, the beaches of the Caribbean or the exotic jungles of Southeast Asia. However, climate and seasonality must be taken into account. For example, weddings in the Maldives are best held during the dry season, and in many European countries summer is the peak tourist season, which can affect prices and availability.

The climate of the selected region is also important for wedding dress planning. If the ceremony is held on the beach, you should choose light fabrics such as silk or chiffon. For a cold-climate wedding, add warm accessories like capes or fur throws. Do not forget about appropriate shoes, especially if the ceremony is planned on the beach or in nature.

Many couples also choose to marry abroad to incorporate local traditions and customs into the ceremony. For example, weddings in Italy are often accompanied by lavish dinners held in vineyards or ancient villas, while weddings in Japan are accompanied by elements of a traditional ceremony involving sakura or tea. This makes the event truly unique.

However, it is worth remembering possible restrictions on dress or behavior at religious sites in the chosen location.

budget planning

An event abroad can reduce or increase costs. If a couple chooses a small and intimate format, it can be cheaper than a luxury wedding at home. However, flights, accommodation, logistics, restaurant services, etc. costs may significantly exceed the original estimate. To get the most out of your planned budget, contact only wedding agencies that have many successful and exciting projects in their portfolio. For example, throughout its history, SVADBERRY has organized many beautiful weddings abroad and in Russia, including for members of the media, and each such event has become an example of careful preparation and attention to all the wishes of the newlyweds.