Strong Australian Dollar Encourages Couples To Choose Destination Weddings

Australian brides and grooms are taking advantage of the strong Australian dollar and heading overseas to get married in exotic destinations.

The destination weddings trend seems to be spreading across the globe and more couples are choosing to say I Do on a sandy beach on a tropical island, under a waterfall, or at the top of a mountain.

Franki Hobson, the editor of Cosmopolitan Bride, explained: ''Destination weddings are something that has seen massive growth in the past few years.

''About seven years ago, I would receive about 90 to 95 per cent of the wedding submissions from brides who had their wedding within 90 minutes of their home.

''Now about 30 per cent of the submissions are about destination weddings.''

Weddings abroad used to be associated with eloping couples, but it appears that over recent years more couples would prefer destination weddings in an idyllic setting with a smaller guest list. The rise in the number of couples getting married abroad has led to an increase in the demand for travel and wedding companies that specialise in overseas weddings.

Hobson explained: ''So many companies have sprung up in the last handful of years to help couples plan an overseas wedding.

''Six years ago it was not that common to have a destination wedding, and it was overwhelming because you needed to find various venues and it seemed a lot harder,'' she said.

''Now people are getting that help and - with the strength of the Aussie dollar - people are having those bigger weddings with all the trimmings overseas.''

The Director of Wedding Destinations, Angela Woods, explained that she started up her company seven years ago to cater for the demand.

''The last 12 months have been the biggest we have ever had,'' she said. ''In the last financial year, we had a 200 per cent increase in our business.''

Hobson said that due to their popularity, the next edition of Cosmopolitan Bride will be entirely dedicated to tying the knot abroad.

Caribbean weddings are among the favourites for many brides and grooms from Europe and the United States, who are able to choose from various romantic settings, including white sandy beaches, panoramic gazebos on a pier or amidst lush tropical gardens, or aboard a luxury yacht with the stunning backdrop of a spectacular sunset against the sparkling turquoise ocean.

The Maldives, the Seychelles Sri Lanka, Hawaii, Greece and Cyprus are also top destinations where couples choose to exchange vows.

by: Susan Crown

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