With much more and far more couples opting to escape the high costs and stresses of a huge and elaborate wedding, the trend of acquiring married abroad is an increasingly well-known one, with the Caribbean still topping the list as one of the most well-known destinations for an overseas wedding. Many fall in love with the concept of the tropical setting and backdrop which make for the most romantic of wedding photos, but on investigating the possibilities further, come across they are overwhelmed on where to start in trying to arrange the type of wedding they envisaged. Perhaps the only concept they have of a Caribbean wedding is going to a “Sandals” resort which provides a standard package and usually conveyor belt style of wedding, which can leave some couples feeling less than “special” on their large day.

Even so, with much more couples now wishing to combine a genuinely memorable wedding day with a holiday of a lifetime, perhaps even taking additional family and buddies with them to celebrate their massive day, finding the right location and the proper property where you can really feel distinctive on your wedding day may possibly mean searching for truly specialist advice and assistance.

This need has been recognized by Culsen Travel, an independent tour operator based in Bedfordshire. They exclusively feature the Caribbean and specialize in weddings and honeymoons. The business is owned by a couple who have had firsthand experience of marrying in the Caribbean. Five years ago they traveled to the island of Tobago along with 40 guests and enjoyed not only a fantastic wedding day but a memorable big family holiday. “Having experienced obtaining married in the Caribbean ourselves, we appreciated that it can be quite hard to find anyone who caters for this type of specialist region. Many couples would like the option of taking a big number of guests with them and perhaps having the kind of wedding they would have had here, but in a Caribbean setting, and at a fraction of the cost, but most holiday organizations do not cater for this type of wedding party”, says Director of Products & Sales & Wedding Planner, Stephanie Morson.

Culsen Travel have as a result established themselves as a travel company who can not only recommend the appropriate island for you, but also the best accommodation on the island of your choice, ranging from modest boutique hotels, to huge resorts or private villas ranging from 2-9 bedrooms with private pools or beachfront locations, typically fully staffed, and ideal for larger wedding parties who wish to stay together or even supplying a wedding venue within the much more private setting of the villa grounds. They feature 10 islands and know these islands and the properties they feature well, and are therefore able to provide firsthand data on what will suit their client’s requirements.

With regards to the wedding Culsen Travel supply 3 styles of weddings:

Hotel & Resort Weddings – the most popular sort of wedding, as most hotels supply their own wedding package with a dedicated location within the property for holding a ceremony and have their own wedding coordinator who will take care of arrangements. These weddings are most suited to couples who want a little, easy and inexpensive wedding at the hotel where they have opted to stay, as some hotels even supply a Free Wedding for couples staying for a minimum period of time or booking a particular number of rooms for their wedding party, or staying at specific times of year.

Villa Weddings – Culsen Travel specialise in featuring a range of private villas on 6 of the islands in our programme. These villas supply guests the benefits of space, comfort and privacy and are consequently the ideal location for couples looking for an alternative to a hotel resort wedding. They are typically fully staffed and located in gorgeous landscaped gardens or directly on the beach, making the ideal backdrop for a modest intimate ceremony or a huge private wedding with full reception party, and Culsen Travel have independent wedding co-ordinators on each of these islands who will look after every detail for your special day, from arranging the minister to selecting your flower arrangements and organising your catering, the cake and your guest entertainment.

Bespoke Weddings – You may possibly be searching for a wedding venue which offers an alternative Caribbean setting to a resort beach or villa grounds, if so Culsen Travel can arrange for your ceremony and private reception party to take place in a special location such at a historical plantation home, at a natural beauty spot such as within botanical gardens or the rainforest, onboard a private yacht, at a local church or even at a World Heritage site. Once again their on-island wedding planners will take care of all the details.

Culsen Travel can recommend the island, property and perfect wedding venue to suit you, and put the arrangements in location to give a far more tailor-made service to couples for their special day. They also have a selection of villas and hotels which they recommend for a Caribbean honeymoon. Check out their site on www.culsentravel.com or call Stephanie on 01582 729333. You can also visit them at the special forthcoming Wedding Fayre which will be themed around Caribbean Weddings.