Holiday Types - Weddings
Frequently Asked Questions
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Holiday Types - Weddings
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Do you provide a wedding service abroad?
Yes. For more information visit our weddings abroad page, or speak direct to one of our experienced wedding organisers on 0871 971 0545. You can also download our latest weddings brochure direct to your email inbox.
Will our wedding attire be included in our baggage allowance, or can it be carried free of charge on the flight?
Provided the bride is flying with Thomsonfly, her wedding dress will not classify as excess baggage. Therefore no charge will be made for carriage of the wedding dress, as it is not part of the standard baggage allowance. To take your wedding dress onboard as hand luggage, it must fit the dimensions for the overhead compartment (55CM x 40CM x 20CM), otherwise it must be packaged accordingly and checked in as hold luggage. We strongly recommend you pack it in a sturdy box or suitcase which will be placed in the hold. Airline staff will gladly help you out and we'll send you some useful telephone numbers when we post your wedding confirmation to you.
If the flight is booked with a different airline, you will need to check with that airline whether or not the dress can be carried free of charge. The groom’s suit is considered part of the baggage allowance, therefore is not carried free of charge. Please ensure that the groom’s suit does not increase the baggage allowance above the accepted amount. If you have any queries regarding this matter, you can either contact Thomsonfly on 0871 231 4869, or speak to one of our experienced wedding organisers on 0871 971 0545.
We don't want to wait - any chance we can take the plunge the day after we arrive?
Most resorts have a minimum residency period for weddings which can range from 2 to 5 days. For exact details of the required residency for your chosen resort, get in touch with our wedding specialists on 0871 971 0545.
Expect there are lots of documents to take with us - can you tell us what they are?
Our wedding experts will happily talk you through all the legal requirements, and we'll take care of the administration for you at the other end. It's worth bearing in mind that some areas have additional costs for legalisation and translation of documents but, again, we can explain this for you when you call us.
On to more exciting things - the ceremony. What kind of service will it be?
It's a civil ceremony, a bit like one in a registry office, and it's completely legal under British law. In fact, we've had it confirmed by the General Registar Office in London that you don't need to register your marriage again when you get home.
Who's going to be there?
Well, there'll be the judge or registrar, who's
sometimes accompanied by a helper. Plus
you'll need 2 to 4 witnesses. They could be
anyone from family and friends to people you
met on the beach the day before. Your
wedding planner will be there, too and any
other guests who you're bringing along.
Naturally, if you've booked a photographer or
cameraman, they'll be there as well, capturing
those heart-melting moments.
Any idea how long it'll last?
It varies, but it usually lasts around 15 to 20 minutes. After that, it's time to sign the register, toast your new marriage, and pose for your pictures.
And what happens with the wedding certificate?
In Mexico and the Dominican Republic this will be in Spanish so it'll need to be translated on your return for any change to your passport. It'll either be handed to you at the resort or sent via registered post to your home address. Don't panic if you don't receive it straight away. In some resorts it can take a little longer to get it to you, somewhere like Jamaica for example can take up to 12 months.
I'm a bit worried about taking my wedding dress overseas - can I take out extra insurance to cover it?
We can offer you a top-up that ties in with the Thomson policy arranged with AXA Insurance. This includes additional expenses cover for things such as accidental damage or loss to wedding day attire and gifts during your trip, the wedding rings and photos/video. For full details, including general conditions and exclusions, speak to our wedding specialists on 0871 971 0545.
How much will it cost?
Every hotel has a different price for their wedding or renewal of vows package that you pay as a supplement to your holiday package price. Prices may vary from season to season. Once you have decided where you would like to stay, either for your wedding, honeymoon or renewal of vows you can check the price of the holiday online at www.thomson.co.uk or call our wedding specialists on 0871 971 0545.
Do I get a say on the big day blooms?
You most certainly do. Your wedding planner will show you photos of typical bouquets at the same time as they show you the wedding venues. This normally happens within a day or two of arriving and gives you chance to talk through the flowers you've got in mind. It's worth bearing in mind, too, that our wedding package includes your bouquet and his buttonhole, but you might want to order extra flowers. Things like fresh blooms for your hair are a nice touch, or you might need extra buttonholes for guests and posies for your bridesmaids.
And what about the music - can we choose that, too?
What do you fancy? A Kenyan choir? A Jamaican calypso band? We can arrange this for you. What's more, if they know the tune they'll play your favourite songs. Of course, if you want something a little more low-key, remember to pack your own CD and we'll see to it that it gets played.
The wedding cake - what's that going to be like?
It's usually a sponge cake draped in delicious pink and white icing.
Great photographs are really important to us - can you take care of that?
Everyone wants fabulous photographs to capture those special moments forever, and a video means you can relive it all over and over again. At your pre-wedding meeting, your wedding planner will show you examples of local photographers' work and you can decide what suits you best. As for the video, again, this can be arranged when you get to resort. Professional cameramen are used but the quality may differ from UK standards. Both photos and videos are at an additional cost. Plus, we recommend you have your video tape converted when you get back so you can watch it at home without any problems.
I want to look gorgeous - can I leave my hair and make up to the experts?
Of course, these are the things that feature highly on any bride's wish list and we'll see to it you look every bit the wedding belle on your big day. Lots of our hotels have hair and beauty services, and even if they don't, we can usually arrange for the experts to come to your hotel.
What if the unthinkable happens and it rains on my wedding day?
OK so it's not ideal, but it's not the end of the world if the heavens do decide to open. If your wedding is being held in a gazebo then the wedding will usually go ahead as planned. Most other places offer a sheltered alternative so your day won’t be a wash out.
How will I make my grand entrance?
Totally up to you. Lots of hotels have a path for you to walk down, arm in arm with the person of your choice. Or the two of you might even want to arrive together. Some places offer up things like a horse and carriage.
Can our family and friends come, too?
Of course! In fact, some of our hotels offer reduced rate weddings if there are 4 or more in the wedding party. For more details, get in touch with our wedding specialists on 0871 971 0545.
OK, so we definitely want them at the wedding, but we'd like to be alone for our honeymoon. Is that possible?
No problem. You can stay at one hotel while your guests stay at another.
Our friends are staying at a hotel nearby, but ours is an All Inclusive - can they still come to the wedding?
Certainly can. Your wedding planner can arrange a day pass for your guests at an extra charge. It means they can join you for the celebrations. It's worth remembering thought that some hotels are adults-only, so if you're planning to share the moment with little ones then get us to check their policy.
We're thinking of staying in an adults-only resort but my bridesmaids are children - will that be a problem?
Possibly. Most of these resorts have a strict no children policy, which means no little ones are allowed on the property at all. It's worth asking us for details on specific hotels if you are thinking of going away with children so as not to get caught out.
It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding! Any chance we can have separate bedrooms the night before?
This is one of those 'subject to availability' situations and separate rooms may be subject to a supplement. Ask your wedding planner when you get to resort, and whilst we cannot guarantee it, we'll do all we can to make it happen.
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