Just the thought of being able to get married without the hassle of arguing over guest lists, seating arrangements and what colour table decorations to have, can be reason enough to consider getting married abroad. However, although it may banish some more traditional stresses of the big day, it can also unleash a whole host of new ones.

The International marriage has become an increasingly popular way of getting married and as such, it is possible to get married practically anywhere, doing just about anything! Whether it's bungee jumping in New Zealand, at a drive thru in Las Vegas or on the top of a mountain anywhere in the world, there will no doubt be a tour operator who can arrange your wedding day for you - whatever the requirements.

The first 'hurdle' is often the reaction of family and friends, not being able to share in your big day may upset some people, not being able to afford to join you or whether you simply want to go it alone, be prepared for not so positive reactions from certain corners. The best way to solve this common problem is to ensure that on your return, you have a huge party or blessing, so that all those who were unable to join you, (or just didn't want to sit through the wedding video!) can help to celebrate your new life together. Keep it simple though or you'll end up with the cost of 2 weddings to pay for!

Once everyone is happy, you can concentrate on the actual wedding. Planning a wedding abroad is similar in many ways to planning a holiday abroad, and as such, it is advisable to go with a company who have experience of organising them. Go into any travel agent and inform them that you want to get married abroad; they will be able to provide you with numerous brochures on the subject and some even have consultants with specialist knowledge.

You lose a certain amount of control over the details of your wedding when having it abroad. Tour operators are so used to dealing with them as they have become more popular, that they can organise everything for you as part of their wedding package (even the cake!). It is important that you put your complete trust in the company arranging it for you. Hotels that hold weddings regularly should have a dedicated wedding planner, who will be on hand in the hotel to answer any questions for you when you get to your destination.

Although for many this type of hassle free wedding sounds ideal, for others, being in control, or having more involvement in the details of their wedding day is vital and can be one of the reasons people decide against handing over control to a holiday company.

There are pros and cons to take into consideration when planning whether to get married abroad or not:

• It is a great deal cheaper than the average British wedding, as long as you don't pay for lots of people to join you…
• It is a smaller and more intimate affair, where you can invite the handful of people that you really want to share this special day with.
• You can hand the organising over to the tour operator, making it far more hassle free than a typical wedding
• You don't need to worry about the weather ruining photo opportunities, sunshine can virtually be guaranteed. (Depending where you choose to get married)
• You can get married in the morning and be in the pool a few hours later that afternoon!
• If you decide to have a blessing or a celebration when you get back, you get to celebrate your marriage twice!!

The Cons:

If you have weighed up the pros and cons and decided that a wedding abroad is for you, there are still things to consider before booking:

• Finding the best wedding package for you is essential, what exactly is included in each package/what is covered by the cost of the package?
• The legal side of the wedding is essential, most wedding packages will explain, but if you are unsure check with the tour operator. It is vital that you take the necessary documentation to be able to get married abroad, and it is also important to ensure the marriage is legal in this country when you return (just ask Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall!)
• There are other small things that the package may not mention but are still important to find out such as, how many weddings a day take place where you will be getting married; you don't want the ceremony to feel rushed and as if you are holding up the queue.
• What happens if it rains? Can you go inside and still get married or can the date be changed?
• Can you decide on certain aspects of the ceremony, i.e. readings etc?
• Is the photographer included in the price or do you have to pay them cash?
• Is the place where the ceremony is to be held on the grounds of the hotel, or do you have to arrange transport to get there?

These are all things that should be covered by the wedding package, but important to remember and check with the wedding planner if they are not mentioned.

Tips:

• Transporting the outfits. Some airlines recommend that you box the dress and put it into the hold of the plane. Alternatively other airlines will allow the dress to be carried on board in a suit carrier, possibly stored in the cabin somewhere.
• A tip for wedding dresses and creases is to hang the dress in either the bathroom, or any room that will get quite humid, as any creases will fall out naturally.
• Many hotels will be able to press any wedding outfits (if the creases are too much for the natural approach) or the wedding organiser should be able to make arrangements for this to happen if not.
• You can usually get all the extras needed to make the big day, from buttonholes and bouquets to the champagne and a steel band! Find out if they are included in the cost of the wedding package or if you have to pay extra - sometimes the extra cost can be worth it, especially to have the steel band!
• If the hotel is providing the bouquets and head dresses etc. they are likely to be quite basic; made up of local flowers. If you have specific ideas of what you want, the best advice is to get the bouquets made up in silk flowers before you go and take them with you.
• If you want hair and beauty treatments before the wedding, the majority of hotels have facilities on the premises, if not, other arrangements can be made either with nearby hotels or local beauty shops.
• If the cake is part of the package, and provided by the hotel, be prepared for it to be plain. If the cake is an important element of the day and you want something more special, then there are companies in the UK who specialise in making and providing cakes for foreign weddings. (It's all in the packing!)
• Perhaps most importantly is the legal documentation that is required to get married. Do not forget to take all the necessary documents; Passport (you will have anyway!), Adoption papers if applicable, Decree absolute if applicable, Dee poll papers if necessary and Birth certificates. The tour operator should inform you of any legal documents you need to take, but it always better to be safe than sorry, so always check first!

Ultimately the decision of whether to get married abroad or not is the same as with any type of wedding, it all comes down to personal taste. Getting married abroad will not suit all couples, and it is important to have all the information before making any decisions.

Those couples we have spoken to who have had their weddings abroad say it was just what they wanted and every bit as special as they could have imagined.