Information on getting married in Cyprus

Information on getting married in Cyprus

Cyprus the island of Aphrodite the Goddess of love, with its perfect Mediterranean climate, stunning coasts and amazing sandy beaches and some of the best hotels in the world with excellent facilities that will entertain you, your family and a friends hence the reason to choose Cyprus as the ideal setting for your perfect most memorable day.

You can have either a Civil or a Church Ceremony, they are both as easy as each other and are easily done on the island, both also being legally recognised everywhere. You can have your wedding ceremony at the town hall of the town you are in or in a chapel located in the town. In most hotels you will be able to find special offers for the Bride and Groom ranging from room upgrades (subject to availability) to wedding receptions and dinners which are often offered to take place on the beach surrounding the hotel.

After you have chosen Cyprus as you final Wedding destination along with deciding on your location, hotel and extra services you would require the rest is taken care by your wedding planners.

All wedding ceremonies will be conducted in English you will need to bring the fowling documents all in original format.

• Passport
• Birth Certificates for both the Bride and Groom
• If either are divorced a decree absolute
• If widowed a death certificate and the previous marriage certificate.
• If under the age of 18 a letter of consent from parents or guardian which must be stamped by a solicitor.
• If not from the UK “A freedom to marry certificate" from your country's embassy – only the original document will be accepted.
• The Bride and Groom to be must arrive at least 5 working days before the set date for your wedding as the original papers must be presented to the town hall.
  

Getting married in Cyprus - About Cyprus

You can get married in all districts of Cyprus . You can choose from Town Halls, out-door gazebos and dedicated wedding rooms in certain hotels for civil weddings. While there are church and beautiful Chapels for Anglican/Church of England & Roman Catholic Weddings.
There are many unexpected locations to see which provide beautiful & peaceful weddings off the beaten track.

The right area for you can give the right flavour to your wedding. Ayia Napa , Larnaka , Lemesos ( Limassol ), Polis , Paralimni and Paphos are the most popular areas in which to marry.

Ayia Napa is the resort for the young-wild nightlife and beautiful beaches. There are many great resort hotels, so you don't have to be under 25 to have a great wedding holiday! There is everything you need for a great wedding in Ayia Napa.

Larnaka and Lemesos (Limassol) are bigger towns offering great beaches and friendly locals. Facilities are excellent, with lots of great hotels, restaurants and entertainment's. Here you can feel the 'real' side of Cyprus life. Larnaka has a fantastic promenade but all the best hotels lie out of the city to the east towards Ayia Napa. Limassol has a lively tourist district with some fantastic hotels and has a great choice of wedding locations.

Paphos (on the west coast) is a quiet and peaceful developed fishing town in which you both can relax. Development of this resort has brought some fantastic hotels & facilities. With a beautiful harbour and great hotels, Paphos provides some great choices for a perfect wedding in Cyprus .

The Paralimni area - notably Protaras - on the east coast offers a modern developed holiday town located along some of the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus . There are some great wedding venues here for your wedding.

Polis & surrounding district on the north coast are sleepier areas in which couples can relax, sunbathe & marvel at the views.


Legalities for Getting Married in Cyprus

You may rest assured that weddings in Cyprus are perfectly legal. By Cyprus law, your hotel must be located in the same town in which your marriage will take place.

Both bride and groom must be in Cyprus for at least 5 working days before the wedding can take place. We therefore recommend booking a two week holiday so that the wedding can be easily accommodated during the second week of your stay.

Civil ceremonies usually take place in the Town Hall of your chosen resort. Arranging the wedding is a simple procedure. The couple visit the Registry Office to register their intention to marry, visit the local Court to Legalise the Declaration of Oath and then return to the Registry Office to read the oaths before a witness and reconfirm the time and date of their wedding.

It is also possible to have a church wedding in Cyprus . Anglican and Catholic churches are available in most main resorts. An interview and rehearsal with the local chaplain or priest normally precede a church wedding.

Weddings Frequently Asked Questions

• Is our wedding legal in the UK ?
Rest assured that your Cyprus wedding is completely legal and recognised by UK law.

• If we get married abroad, will any guests attend?
We have found most couples surprised and delighted by the amount of family and friends willing to travel to a wedding abroad. We can help with all kinds of travel and accommodation arrangements for you and your guests.

• Can we choose the date and time of our marriage?
All dates fill very quickly so it is advisable to book early. We ask you for three different date and time preferences and try our best to secure one of these for you. Late bookings may have to be scheduled for whatever date and time is still available. For guidance, civil ceremonies are conducted 9am-2pm Monday to Friday (except on bank holidays) and 3pm-6pm every month except July and August

• Will the ceremony be in English?
Yes. Whether you choose a civil, Anglican or Catholic service, all ceremonies are conducted in English.

• Do we need witnesses?
Yes. As in the UK , two witnesses must sign your marriage certificate. If you are not having any guests at your wedding, we can arrange for two of our advisers to be your witnesses.

• We want a vintage theme to our wedding. We know that we can have a vintage car but do photographers supply black and white or sepia wedding photographs?
Yes. All the photographers we use have the latest digital cameras, equipment and software to produce your prints to your own specifications.

• Will there be fresh flowers available in high season?
Cyprus offers a wide range of beautiful fresh flowers all year round.

• Will we able to have an iced wedding cake?
Absolutely. Sponge or fruit one to four tier round or square white or rainbow-striped. The choice is yours.

• How many guests may we have?
The number of guests at your reception is limitless as Cyprus offers venues of all types and sizes. However, the maximum number of guest's at most civil or chapel ceremonies is 50.

• What do we do about music and entertainment?
At the church or town hall you can provide your own CD if you wish to walk down the aisle to a specific song or, if not, it will be the traditional wedding march. For the reception we can arrange anything from a DJ to traditional Cypriot dancers and bouzouki.

• How do I transport my wedding dress and what do I do if it's badly creased?
It's best to check with your airline as different procedures apply. Some will want it to be boxed and put in the hold others will let you hang it in a suit carrier in the cabin. If your gown is badly creased we can arrange for you to have it steamed or pressed before the happy day.

• Do you have any helpful tips or hints?
1. Check, double check, then check again that you have all the necessary documentation and your wedding rings with you.

2. It can be very hot from June to September so it is advisable to choose a gown without too much artificial fabric or too many layers and petticoats if marrying during these months.

3. Take care in the sun during the days leading up to your wedding - tanned skin looks nice but burnt and peeling skin doesn't. If you want to look tanned on the day and you're inclined to burn, book a fake tan treatment with a reputable tan technician prior to or after arrival in Cyprus . Also bear in mind that sunstroke can be nasty, may lead to hospitalisation and may result in you missing the big day.

4. If you do sunbathe, make sure that you exercise caution and, at the very least, take care that your tan strap lines match those of your wedding gown.

5. Get advice and try out your make-up before the day - some cosmetics melt and run in the heat.

6. Don't have a stag/hen night the night before your wedding - you want to look your best, not your worst.

7. Finally, remember to relax, enjoy yourselves and don't worry about a thing - that's what we're here for!!