Sri Lanka Beach Wedding

I never wanted a big white wedding. The cost alone is enough to fill me with horror. But when we announced our engagement, the world went crazy! Suddenly, the guest list spiral out of control with people we had not seen in years or even in some cases to hear, but was invited because they would be upset if we don has not! Mention of a marriage to potential suppliers, service providers or sites and the cost of triple instantly. Then there were legal arguments to the day when we wanted and pleasant throughout the world at the same time, and who is not a good start to married life!

While at work one day I decided enough. In my lunch hour, I slipped into the local travel agency and asked for a booklet on marriages abroad. I always had a dream to marry abroad, on a beach. A small and intimate affair. I was handed a brochure and Kuoni for Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean. At home that evening, I presented the idea of my boyfriend. He looked through the brochures and read the packets, I had the badge is as soon as possible and said "let's go."

My parents have always been my wish to marry abroad and have been entirely favorable. We decided on Sri Lanka and the Mount Lavinia Hotel outside the capital Colombo. The wedding package was fantastic with just about everything we could want included - room upgrade, flowers, hair and makeup, photos, videos and even an elephant ride! Kuoni also offers packages if we combined our honeymoon as well, so we choose one week in the beautiful Maldives.

Unfortunately, we could not take with us the family that the budget is too tight and my father's health means that it can run remotely. Instead of my husband, best friend and his girlfriend came with us. We decided that, upon our return, we organized a big party for all our friends and family, which makes it a double celebration as it was my sister 21 years this weekend and we hosted a barbecue for his house to my parents the next day.

Even if I wanted a small intimate wedding, without noise, this does not mean that I was about to make a Pamela Anderson and marry in a white bikini! I always wanted a chic dress and new shoes! After work one evening, I visited a bridal shop which was part of a national chain. I walked and preceded to tell them that I was looking for a simple wedding dress that I get married abroad. They looked at me with an air of disgust and comtepmt and led me to a rail of dresses ugly bridesmaid. This was the end of their so-called customer service and I left. The next workshop, I realized is much more useful. The owner went to Sri Lanka and was full of tips and tricks, it was unfortunately not what I want. Disappointed with the choices available to me, I realized that my only possibility of making the dress I wanted was to do it for me. My mother was an excellent seamstress and has made the breach. My dress was a beautiful empire satin and lace creation in line with a beautiful embroidery of pearls and ribbons. I addded some embroidered satin shoes and a beautiful crown of gold, pearls and crystals.

On reading on Sri Lanka, we have learned about the trade of gold and there are in Ceylon sapphires stunning. It was decided that I had my engagement ring. While in Sri Lanka, we had a day in Kandy and the center of gold there. I got to design my own ring - a Ceylon sapphire of 1.25 carats set in 22 karat gold. He arrived at the hotel the day before the wedding!

The wedding was wonderful and memorable moments of comedy! As we said our vows train sounding its horn spent and could not hear us! We had to say again and quickly before it turns the other way! When we watched the wedding video backward at a time to balance two enormous crow was sitting in a tree. I think the intention is that they look like inseparable, but instead they looked like some kind of omen Apocalypse! This cancellation of the day was beautiful, we had the president of the suite for the night and five meals in the restaurant from the beach with fireworks after.

At home, preparing for the party are in full swing with my mother, stepmother and grandmother make table decorations and cupcakes instead of a wedding cake. On the eve of the feast of my mother and I went out and bought a batch of fresh flowers and beautiful floral arrangements. We decorated the room, a pub with a room overlooking the garden with terraces. Instead we have a wonderful buffet which included some asian style finger food that we had requested.

I recommend a destination wedding at all, no stress, no noise and having to board the plane at Heathrow to say goodbye to our guests after the party of the whole experience was magical and I had to wear my beautiful wedding dress twice!