10 Unique places to say “I do”

Thanks to the epic and touching wedding of Wills and Kate – getting married is the new way to express your individualism!   You’ve all heard of “Star Wars” weddings and “Big Fat Gypsy” weddings, it’s going to be harder than ever to plan a wedding that stands out from the crowd.  The average cost of weddings is now upwards of £15K and the venue is the single biggest expense of the day, so why not go all out and make the special day particularly unique.

If you’re looking for original and quirky wedding ideas, USA holidays specialist American Holidays has put together a top 10 list of unique places to say ‘I do’ around the world.

1. Under the Northern Lights
For a truly memorable marriage ceremony, consider taking your vows under the mesmerising Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Lapland, Sweden. Arrive at the ice chapel by sleigh and reindeer or if you are in a hurry, snow mobile! Then settle in for your first night as newlyweds in Lapland’s magical ICEHOTEL.
2. In a Tropical Rainforest
Make the union with your partner in the natural surroundings of the tropical forests of Cairns, Australia. Smell the freshness of the wet tropics and watch the rainforest butterflies dance over the giant palm leaves as you say your vows in this serene and mystical setting. Many tour companies, such as Australian Dream Wedding (+61 414 44 5959), can help organise your ideal jungle wedding down under and Austravel provide reasonably priced flights to Australia

3. Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas is the crazy wedding capital of the world and if you come here to get married, you don’t have to have a traditional ceremony. You can be married by Elvis in a drive-through chapel, or even in the nude! Tacky or quirky, whatever your opinion, the wedding pictures are sure to be memorable. For ideas on how to celebrate your nuptials in Vegas, travel sites like vegas.com will have links to a variety of unique and exciting venues.

4. The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
What can be more special and romantic than a fairy-tale wedding at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida? Enjoy a grand affair at the magical Cinderella’s Castle or an intimate gathering with a handful of close friends in the Enchanted Garden. Disney wedding packages from Jetsave start at just £479. For more information visit: http://www.americanholidays.com/gb_en/
5. Underwater wedding
Why not take the plunge and experience your whole wedding under water! You can now do everything under the waves from the ring exchange, the vows and the signing of the marriage certificates (on water proof paper). Caribbean Sweet Weddings (+52 987 117 94 13) in the Maldives can organise an underwater exchange over the stunning coral of the Conzumel Reefs – the second largest reef in the world.

6. Old Trafford – The Theatre of Dreams
For those of you who are die hard Manchester United football fans The Old Trafford football stadium could become your ‘Theatre of Dreams’ for a day. Gaze up at the 76,000 seats all around you and imagine the adrenaline the players feel as then walk onto the pitch on a match day. Prices range from £50 to £80 per person, including a three or four course meal, master of ceremonies and a champagne reception.

7. Hot Air Balloon
Take to the skies in a beautiful floating lantern and experience the breath-taking views of the British Isles as you and your sweetheart become man and wife. Companies such as Balloons Over Britain (0845 071 6389) can organise a whole wedding package for you to take to the skies.

8. Underground Caves
If your partner makes your bed-rock then consider a Flintstone themed wedding in the chambers of a cave! With two large waterfalls which cascade 40 feet into a magnificent underground lake and thousands of translucent straw stalactites descending from the chamber ceilings, The Dome of St Paul’s in Wales makes it onto our top 10 quirky wedding destinations. For more information contact: National Showcaves Centre for Wales (01639 730 049)

 
9. The London Eye

Say ‘EYE do’ on London’s big wheel. Exchange your vows at the top of the London Eye, 135 metres above The Thames surrounded by friends, family and breath-taking scenery. On your descent, sign the register whilst the corks are popped in celebration. Prices start from £2,700 for the happy couple and 19 guests to complete two rotations of the wheel, taking approximately one hour.
10. The In-flight Wedding
In 2009 the budget airline Easyjet announced its intention to hold mid-air marriage ceremonies. So if you haven’t joined the mile high club yet, keep an eye open for the first offering of in-flight weddings – you may just get lucky airborne!