Saying “I Do,” Beyond Our Shores
2016-07-01

If you are getting tired of the ‘same old, same old’ in local wedding venues, why not get a little out-of-the-box and consider having it overseas? By JESSICA LAI. 

For the Luxury Nomads

Royal Pavilion Villas by Qasar Al Sarab (United Arab Emirates). 

Set against the dramatic landscape of The Empty Quarter – the world’s largest stretch of uninterrupted sand desert – the Royal Pavilion Villas set in UAE are the very epitome of luxury. 

Offering bespoke stays, this exclusive collection of villas combines elegant sophistication with a heady dose of Arabian intrigue. Holding your wedding here will truly be an experience of a lifetime – your guests will simply not be able to get the majestic views of rolling sand dunes out of their minds. 

Dining is an equally grand affair as well. With an emphasis on fresh items and giving each and every guest a tailor-made culinary journey, you will be able to enjoy anything from the freshest Canadian lobster to Japanese Wagyu beef to simple club sandwiches.

Even after the wedding, you and your newly wedded spouse can enjoy spontaneously extended honeymoon. With unparalleled exclusivity, the resort pulls out all the stops in terms of luxurious amenities. Think ten fully self-contained royal villa options complete with swimming pools, outdoor rainforest showers, sunbathing cabanas, and more. Now, here’s to truly living it up.  

www.royal-pavilion.anantara.com

For a Fairy Tale Wedding

The Castle Hotel (Dalian, China)

Indulge in childhood dreams of being a princess and hold a fairytale wedding right in this palatial Bavarian-style castle found in – you never would have guessed it – Dalian, China. 

Celebrating Dalian’s unique blend of European, Russian, Japanese and Chinese heritage, the castle’s exterior remains true to European-inspired architecture. Tasteful stonework, wood accents, and soaring ceilings up the style cachet in an opulent yet contemporary interior. Moreover, with 1,400 square metre Grand ballrooms, 8 other functions rooms and a 4,000 square metre open-air rooftop garden, you will never find yourself short of venues. 

It helps to know that The Castle Hotel highly accessible – all the better for you and your guests to travel from afar. Being situated at a prime location on Lotus Mountain, you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the sea and even charming terraces. 

www.luxurycollection.com/castle

For The Laidback Couple

Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa (Mozambique, Africa)

Imagine an island paradise free of modern distraction and stress – a little piece of Utopia complete with boutique villas, charming gardens and soothing shoreline panoramas. That, in a nutshell, is the Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa situated in exotic Mozambique of Africa.

Naturally secluded and exclusive, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa gives you infinite possibilities for an inspired proposal, wedding, honeymoon or anniversary celebration.  Tie the knot on top of a sand dune or a deserted sand bank out at sea or cruising on a dhow in the Indian Ocean. Couples who have always yearned for a beach wedding can even choose to arrive at their ceremony on horseback. 

For the ultimate in romance, you and your guests can also dine under the stars, while you’ll be gastronomically spoilt for choice with options of six unique culinary experiences – take your pick from Golfinho Restaurant, stylish Clube Naval, or even The Beach Deck which offers sea catches grilled to perfection.

www.bazaruto.anantara.com

For the Beach Romantics

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort (The Maldives)

Be it against a stunning blue lagoon as backdrop, strolling on powdery white sands or toasting your vows into the golden sunset, the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort is the ultimate destination for a picturesque beach wedding in the lovely Maldives. 

With sensual touches like chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne served up after spa or massage sessions, rest assured that the team here knows how to do indulgence with a capital ‘I’. With option of four different wedding ceremony packages, each celebrating the beauty and joy of your love to each other, choose your romantic beach alter setups that will leave you and your lover enthralled and starry-eyed. 

Enjoy the distinctive Maldivian culture while you’re at it – hop aboard private sunset cruises on a traditional Maldivian Dhoni and nibble upon canapés, or enjoy the throbbing rhythm as Bodu Beru drummers echo the quickening heartbeats of your heady romance. A romantic candlelight dinner at Islander’s Grill will also allow you to recapture your couple time amongst the hectic wedding schedules. Videographers are on hand to capture your wedding ceremony, or even do an additional underwater shoot should you so desire. 

www.irufushi.com

For A Short Getaway

Nirwana Gardens (Bintan, Indonesia)

Now, if you want an overseas wedding destination but hesitate on the logistical headache of getting your friends and family to grace the occasion, Nirwana Gardens at Bintan might just strike the right balance. 

Set on the beautiful island of Bintan, it is a mere 45-minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Nirwana Gardens exceed expectations with its wonderfully tranquil setting replete with pristine beaches and striking blue waters. 

Spanning across 330 hectares of lush tropical land and powder-soft beaches, there are ample choices of spaces and settings to choose from for your perfect wedding, be it at the beach, by the poolside or in the luxurious and exclusive Nirwana Villa. The Villa’s courtyard is perfect for a buffet dinner spread held amidst beautiful seaviews, or to catch the sunset as you and your lover lounge together in contented bliss. 

Choose to luxuriate in indulgent wedding packages complete with relaxing treatments, string quartet accompaniments, and more at their Indra Maya Pool Villas. Alternatively, take the daredevil route with wedding packages that allow you to make your grand entrance on an elephant or even via an exhilarating flying fox. Couples can even end the day with a bang, and go all out with a spectacular show of fireworks that is sure to wow their guests. 

www.nirwanagardens.com