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If you are getting tired of the ‘same old, same old’ in local wedding venues, why not get a little out-of-the-box and consider having it overseas? By JESSICA LAI.

With the increasing ease and affordability of air travel, international romances on the rise and the cosmopolitan sensibilities of modern couples, destination weddings are no longer just a far-off dream. For those considering an overseas wedding, we have put together a drool-worthy assortment of stunning locales all over the world to exchange your vows in.

For the Luxury Nomads

Royal Pavilion Villas by Qasar Al Sarab (United Arab Emirates)

Set against the dramatic landscape of The Empty Quarter – the world’s largest stretch of uninterrupted sand desert – the Royal Pavilion Villas set in UAE are the very epitome of luxury.

Offering bespoke stays, this exclusive collection of villas combines elegant sophistication with a heady dose of Arabian intrigue. Holding your wedding here will truly be an experience of a lifetime – your guests will simply not be able to get the majestic views of rolling sand dunes out of their minds.

Dining is an equally grand affair as well. With an emphasis on fresh items and giving each and every guest a tailor-made culinary journey, you will be able to enjoy anything from the freshest Canadian lobster to Japanese Wagyu beef to simple club sandwiches – all served up with flair by a team of highly skilled chefs.

Even after the wedding, you might find you and your newly wedded spouse enjoying a spontaneously extended honeymoon. Along with unparalleled exclusivity, the resort pulls out all the stops in terms of luxurious amenities, tempting you with choices of up to ten fully self-contained royal villa options complete with swimming pools, outdoor rainforest showers, sunbathing cabanas, and more. Now, here’s to truly living it up.

website: www.royal-pavilion.anantara.com

For a Fairy Tale Wedding

The Castle Hotel (Dalian, China)

Indulge in childhood dreams of being a princess and hold a fairytale wedding right in this palatial Bavarian-style castle found in – you never would have guessed it – Dalian, China.

Celebrating Dalian’s unique blend of European, Russian, Japanese and Chinese heritage, the castle’s exterior remains true to European-inspired architecture. Tasteful stonework, wood accents, and soaring ceilings up the style cachet in an opulent yet contemporary interior. Moreover, with 1,400 square metre Grand ballrooms, 8 other functions rooms and a 4,000 square metre open-air rooftop garden, you will never find yourself short of venues be it for an intimate solemnisation or a lavish wedding dinner.

Satisfy the pickiest of palates with three restaurants and two lounges that offer creative and authentic cuisine options, including: Zhenbao, offering fresh Chinese seafood, and Collections, an all-day dining restaurant with an international menu.

It helps to know that The Castle Hotel highly accessible – all the better for you and your guests to travel from afar. Being situated at a prime location on Lotus Mountain, you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the sea and even charming terraces. It is also the starting point for the romantic Binhai coastal route, where you and your significant other can unwind and enjoy lovely walks along.

website: www.luxurycollection.com/castle

For The Laidback Couple

Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa (Mozambique, Africa)

Imagine an island paradise free of modern distraction and stress – a little piece of Utopia complete with boutique villas, charming gardens and soothing shoreline panoramas. That, in a nutshell, is the Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa situated in exotic Mozambique of Africa.

Naturally secluded and exclusive, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa gives you infinite possibilities for an inspired proposal, wedding, honeymoon or anniversary celebration.  Couples can tie the knot on top of a sand dune or a deserted sand bank out at sea, while cruising on a dhow in the Indian Ocean, or on the deck of a gorgeous villa. Couples who have always yearned for a beach wedding can even choose to arrive at their ceremony on horseback.

For the ultimate in romance, you and your guests can also dine under the stars, while you’ll be gastronomically spoilt for choice with options of six unique culinary experiences – take your pick from Golfinho Restaurant, stylish Clube Naval, or even The Beach Deck which offers sea catches grilled to perfection.

You’ll be able to take a much-needed breather post-wedding as well. Relax from all the stresses of wedding prep with an indulgent dip in the plunge pool, or rest in understatedly luxurious villas that exude a charming balance between the rustic and contemporary. Besides resort pleasures, venture out to find an island replete with pristine bays, exotic flora and fauna, local life and a 19th century lighthouse.

website: www.bazaruto.anantara.com

For the Beach Romantics

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort (The Maldives)

Be it against a stunning blue lagoon as backdrop, strolling on powdery white sands or toasting your vows into the golden sunset, the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort is the ultimate destination for a picturesque beach wedding in the lovely Maldives.

With sensual touches like chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne served up after spa or massage sessions, rest assured that the team here knows how to do indulgence with a capital ‘I’ in your wedding packages. With option of four different wedding ceremony packages, each celebrating the beauty and joy of your love to each other, you can also choose to have romantic beach alter setups that will leave you and your lover enthralled and starry-eyed.

Enjoy the distinctive Maldivian culture while you’re at it – hop aboard private sunset cruises on a traditional Maldivian Dhoni and nibble upon canapés, or enjoy the throbbing rhythm as Bodu Beru drummers echo the quickening heartbeats of your heady romance. A romantic candlelight dinner at Islander’s Grill will also allow you to recapture your couple time amongst the hectic wedding schedules.

Don’t forget to document the wonderful memories. Videographers are on hand to capture your wedding ceremony, or even do an additional underwater shoot should you so desire.

website: www.irufushi.com

For A Short Getaway

Nirwana Gardens (Bintan, Indonesia)

Now, if you want an overseas wedding destination but hesitate on the logistical headache of getting your friends and family to grace the occasion, Nirwana Gardens at Bintan might just strike the right balance.

Set on the beautiful island of Bintan, it is but a mere 45-minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Part of the established Bintan Resorts group renowned for their warm hospitality and stellar accommodation, Nirwana Gardens exceed expectations with its wonderfully tranquil setting replete with pristine beaches and striking blue waters.

Spanning across 330 hectares of lush tropical land and powder-soft beaches, there are ample choices of spaces and settings to choose from for your perfect wedding, be it at the beach, by the poolside or in the luxurious and exclusive Nirwana Villa. The Villa’s courtyard is perfect for a buffet dinner spread held amidst beautiful seaviews, or even to catch the sunset as you and your soon-to-be spouse lounge together in contented bliss. With the resort’s variety of 345 rooms, suites and villas, you can also be sure that your wedding guests’ needs are also well-taken care of.

Choose to luxuriate in indulgent wedding packages complete with relaxing treatments, string quartet accompaniments, and more at their Indra Maya Pool Villas. Alternatively, take the daredevil route with wedding packages that allow you to make your grand entrance on an elephant or even via an exhilarating flying fox. Their team of experienced wedding planners is completely no-holds-barred when it comes to giving your big day an indelible edge. Couples can even end the day with a bang, and go all out with a spectacular show of fireworks that is sure to wow their guests.

website: www.nirwanagardens.com

The above article is contributed by Blissful Brides. To find out more about our Wedding Planner companies in Singapore or our Wedding Bands jewellers in Singapore, do visit www.blissfulbrides.sg!