Today Cuba is one of the favorite places of Russian tourists. The island is also popular among honeymooners. Along with a comfortable climate and azure warm sea, Liberty Island also attracts with nostalgia for socialism. To this day, Cuba is a socialist republic, and the Communist Party occupies a leading position in the local parliament. This is a good reason to organize a wedding ceremony in Cuba.
The rich culture of the state, the flavor of the local population, island romance with a developed infrastructure create ideal conditions for those wishing to legitimize their relations abroad.
Organization
On the island you can officially register a marriage and even get married or hold a symbolic ceremony. An official wedding in Cuba will require a full package of documents: you need to prepare passports translated into Spanish and notarized, birth and divorce certificates, and certificates of marital status. Don't forget about your passports. After 3-4 months you will receive a document confirming the marriage. It will need to be certified and translated into Russian. In order not to miss anything and complete the paperwork correctly, it is better to resort to the services of a competent agency.
To get married in Cuba, you need to present a certificate of state marriage registration. The wedding takes place in an Orthodox church located in Havana. Don’t forget about the accompanying attributes: icons, rings, wedding candles, towels. The church will tell you more about how to prepare for the sacrament.
Attention! For those who do not want to bother with documentation, a symbolic wedding ceremony is suitable.
Where to celebrate the holiday
This wonderful Caribbean island is perfect for organizing a wedding and honeymoon. In any corner of it you will find a place that you will like. But here are a few locations that are popular among newlywed tourists.
Old Havana
A wedding ceremony in the historical center of Havana, the capital of Cuba, will be original and filled with the atmosphere of history. Since its construction (16th century), practically nothing has changed there. You will immerse yourself in the colonial era, wander along the narrow cobbled streets, admire ancient houses and historical monuments. There are about 1000 attractions here, so the photo session will be varied and interesting. Visit the Capitol, the Presidential Palace, and the iconic Malecon.
City of Varadero
Located on the Hicacos Peninsula. The resort has a 20-kilometer sandy beach. Beaches washed by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, numerous hotels and restaurants - here you will deeply breathe in the air of Liberty Island, enjoy each other and a wonderful holiday. If you are planning a wedding in Cuba at a hotel, you can organize an official or symbolic wedding ceremony on the beach, in the garden or in a specially equipped gazebo. Visit Ambrosio Cave, famous for its rock paintings, walk through the Varaikakos protected area, touch a 500-year-old cactus - and your marriage will be just as long-lasting.
Weather
The best weather on the island occurs from November to April. Sunny and quite comfortable 28°C.
We went on our honeymoon in August. This is the hottest time in Cuba. Indeed, during the day the air warmed up to 36°C on average, and the water to 27°C. But the heat by the sea was practically not felt. And the rain showers in the evenings, which the tour operators frightened us with, on the contrary, brought freshness. And they lasted a maximum of twenty minutes. Then the sun came out again. According to statistics, out of 365 days a year in Cuba, 300 are sunny.
After the gray skies of Moscow in winter and summer, this alone fully met our needs for a “honeymoon.”
Cuban Islands
Pay attention to the small islands located off the coast of Cuba.
Cayo Guillermo
Much of this islet is uninhabited and wild. Here you will enjoy privacy, the sound of the surf, and the singing of tropical birds. Transparent sea, beautiful coast, pink flamingos... It’s not for nothing that Ernest Hemingway himself, a great writer and regular visitor to Cuba, loved these places.
Cayo Santa Maria
A miniature island washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are enough hotels here that operate on an all-inclusive basis. And a few years ago, the village “Zvezdnaya” was opened to tourists, where you can have a lot of fun, enjoy local cuisine, visit spas, massages and bowling.
A walk along a superb wild beach at sunset, accompanied by a light Atlantic breeze, will add romance to your honeymoon. By catamaran or yacht you can reach the islands surrounding Cayo Santa Maria. A luxurious photo session and the flavor of Cuban nature are guaranteed to you.
Cayo Largo
Located almost in the very heart of the Cuban archipelago. In the south of the island there is a vast 27-kilometer long white sand beach. The island is popular among scuba diving enthusiasts. Here, newlyweds can enjoy a catamaran cruise, have fun with deep-sea fishing, and visit Iguana Island.
Cute reptiles allow themselves to be photographed and even fed and petted. Lush tropical vegetation, mango thickets, fantastic beaches - a real paradise awaits newlyweds on this island.
Cayo Coco
Pelicans, flamingos and the white ibis (after which this Atlantic island is named) live here. A suitable place for a secluded holiday and organizing a wedding on a wild beach, in harmony with nature untouched by man. Romantics can rent a house here, on stilts rising above the sea. This island is a godsend for lovers of ecotourism and an ideal beach holiday. All local hotels offer massage services. There is also a wellness center where you can choose a procedure for the soul and body, as well as visit the sea water pool.
Symbolic version of marriage registration
If you decide to organize a symbolic wedding ceremony in Cuba, then use traditional decor. An arch decorated with flowers and fabric, a registration table, and a path of flower petals. The tables are covered with white tablecloths and decorated with floral arrangements and candles. Add a bright accent to your design - scarlet, blue, yellow, purple, shades of green.
Treat your guests (if there are any) to popular Cuban cocktails (Mojito, Daiquiri, Cuba Libre, Lights of Havana, Tipsy Cuban), and exotic local fruits.
On a note! Cuba is a country of Roma. Let this strong drink and cocktails based on it be present on your table.
Choosing a place
Countries that are popular among those wishing to organize a symbolic wedding abroad can be roughly divided into groups:
- European (France, Italy, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Greece). Here, lovers can enjoy a celebration in the interiors of ancient castles, palaces, and in luxurious, well-kept royal gardens.
- “Sea” countries and islands (Cuba, Bali, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Australia, India). Ceremonies in these heavenly places are held outdoors, on the seashore, in bungalows, and exotic local locations.
- USA. Particularly popular here are ceremonies in the wedding capital of the world - Las Vegas (in churches, chapels and the most unusual and beautiful places in the city).
Here are a few common countries and places where newlyweds go for an unforgettable wedding experience.
Outfits for the bride and groom
Cuba is rich in colorful traditions. And a wedding ceremony in Cuba is associated with bright colors and carnival. For local brides, dresses are made from silk or satin and decorated with numerous ruffles, frills and flounces. This outfit includes several fluffy skirts and looks very extravagant.
However, if the wedding is held on the beach, then the images of the newlyweds are much simpler. The bride buys a linen or cotton dress of a simple cut, and the main decoration of the image is a headdress or a bright brooch. The groom dresses up in a bright shirt with pockets in the style of Latin American countries.
How much you want to comply with local traditions is up to you. But remember that you are on Liberty Island, so allow yourself to relax and feel comfortable. For the dress, choose a lightweight material. Decorate it with a bright accent (a belt, a floral wreath or a beautiful flower hairpin), or you can wear a long, airy veil. If your wedding is taking place on the beach, kick off your shoes and feel the warmth of the white sand.
Attention! Let the bouquet be simple and concise. Use native flowers such as roses or calla lilies.
The groom can wear light trousers and a shirt (a bright one will do). A light hat would be a suitable accessory. And for a photo session, use sunglasses.
Real Cuba
The second stage of my husband and I’s trip was to independently explore the real Cuba. Our choice fell on this island not so much because of the paradise nature, as in the advertisement about the notorious bar with coconut shavings inside. We were also attracted by the romance of the Islands of Liberty, the history of the struggle of small Cuba against the imperialism of its big American neighbor and the associated revolutionary names of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro.
We noticed the first signs that the sun and the smiles of local residents are not the main characteristics of Cuba in our fabulous hotel. One evening, a local animator - a wonderful salsa dancer Carlos - asked my husband to give him a couple of his T-shirts. According to him, finding good quality clothes in Cuba is impossible and/or not according to the standard. In addition, the hotel employees who became friends with us kept asking us to order coffee or something stronger for them at the bar, which was free for us.
During our journey, these little things were magnified a hundredfold.
Our path lay in four cities - Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Viñales and, of course, Havana.
Traditions and scripts
Temperamental, hot Cubans prefer bright fun, and weddings are no exception. An official wedding in Cuba is a good reason to dress smartly and luxuriously. Long tuples are not popular. The newlyweds and guests move through the streets, dancing and accepting congratulations from passers-by.
Immediately after the wedding ceremony, it is customary to wrap the newlyweds in a black veil. It is believed that then the family will be protected from the evil eye and will be strong and happy.
The newlyweds perform a wedding dance, during which the invitees shower them with banknotes. And then the bride dances with everyone who invites her. After the dance, the guest gives the main character of the holiday money. These rituals are carried out to ensure that the family always lives in abundance.
Cubans love wild feasts. Lots of dishes, snacks, fruits and vegetables, cocktails and rum. The fun continues all night until dawn and is accompanied by fiery Cuban dancing - everyone dances salsa in Cuba.
After getting married, take a ride through the winding streets of Cuba in a Soviet or American retro car and arrange a photo session. And at sunset, confess your feelings to each other again over a romantic dinner with local delicacies on the seashore.
Let your evening be accompanied by live music performed by Cuban musicians. Treat yourself to relaxing on the beach, spa treatments, enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of Liberty Island and the color of Cuban nature.
If you are celebrating a holiday accompanied by guests, then invite local dancers and fill the evening with sparkling Cuban dances. Let the artists conduct a master class for the guests. Or dress up in bright Cuban outfits and go to a bar or tavern after the ceremony.
You can organize a cocktail party right on the beach or at the hotel by the pool. Perhaps you will decide to attend a real Cuban carnival?
Money
But like everything these days, even romance costs money. Therefore, a few words about how much a trip to the island of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara will cost the newlyweds.
It is worth noting that there are actually two Cubas. The first is tourist. It consists of wonderful all-inclusive hotels with smiling and helpful staff, clear seas and sipping mojitos on sun loungers. The second Cuba is more earthly, real. These are dilapidated houses without air conditioning, dirt and the poor, who for the most part see you as a wallet with legs and try with all their might to extract at least a couple of pesos from you.
With such a contrast, it is not surprising that there are two official currencies in the country. For locals, this is the Cuban Peso (CUP). For tourists - convertible Cuban peso (CUC). So-called “cookies” are used everywhere there are tourists: in museums, cafes, stores with a large assortment. You will rarely need CUP - on city buses, vegetable markets or in small shops for locals.
At the moment, 1 CUC is equal to almost 46.8 rubles. It is recommended to travel to Cuba with euros. Rubles are not exchanged everywhere. But US dollars are generally prohibited for circulation here, and most banks charge a commission of up to 20% when exchanging them.
Two different Cubes cost different money. Therefore, it is preferable to talk about spending on romance - resort in Varadero and revolutionary socialist in other regions of the island - separately.
How to stay on budget
The cost of a wedding ceremony in Cuba will depend on whether it is official or symbolic, on the location and time of the ceremony, the availability of additional services, and the presence of guests.
When calculating your budget, consider the following expenses:
- preparation of documents for concluding an official marriage (if the wedding is symbolic, this item is excluded);
- flights;
- accommodation;
- transfer to and from the wedding venue;
- organizing a wedding in Cuba;
- decorating the place of celebration;
- services of witnesses (if required), coordinator;
- bride's bouquet and groom's boutonniere;
- hairstyle, manicure, makeup, other procedures (if required);
- organization of a wedding banquet/dinner for two;
- photo and video shooting;
- additional services (host, musical accompaniment, dancers, etc.).
The price for a Cuban wedding ranges from 3 thousand dollars and above, depending on the wishes of the bride and groom.
Thailand: with your soul - to the east!
Either modern trends, or self-deserved attention, constantly attract many tourists to Asia for weddings, albeit unofficial ones.
Thailand is considered one of the most attractive countries. A culture unlike any other, exotic coastlines, and friendly people additionally attract wedding tourists.
The symbolic wedding is celebrated here. It is almost impossible to arrange an official one here. But without legal documentation - please.
You can think about everything yourself:
1. Must have sufficient command of spoken English.
2. You should book hotels and plane tickets in advance to avoid getting into trouble with dates. On the day of the planned wedding, flying in and getting ready in a hurry is not an important activity. It’s better to think through everything a couple of months before the expected event.
3. Find a professional photographer, cameraman and ceremony host. This can be done among Russian-speaking comrades, information about whom it is advisable to collect in advance.
4. Particular attention should be paid to the floral decoration of the celebration site. The altar must be decorated with fresh flowers.
5. Although a little more expensive, the organization of the long-awaited holiday with the help of agencies will be more confident and carefree for the heroes of the occasion.
The advantages here are the following: you can choose a suitable wedding scenario and negotiate a discount of up to 10%, which will not be superfluous.
A wedding in Thailand is always:
- necklaces-garlands of large fragrant flowers;
- Thai folk customs;
- lit candles to scare away evil spirits;
- a love potion made from aphrodisiacal pineapple.
For each location of the ceremony, the cost may vary:
- So, a wedding with the blessing of the monks will cost 1200-1500 USD. Dinner will cost another 500-600 dollars;
- Phuket, Samui, Koh Chang can be united in marriage (at dawn or during an extraordinary sunset) from 2100 USD;
- Pattaya Island will hospitably welcome young people for 1650 units of American currency. Exchange of rings on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand will be a little cheaper - 1600.
Newlyweds will be interested in:
1. Almost all hotels in Thailand prepare wedding celebrations, so you can contact them that way.
2. You should definitely visit the Tiger Monastery, where these well-groomed and healthy wild cats live next to other exotic representatives of the fauna. The monks look after them.
By the way, a wedding with the blessing of Thai monks costs much less than other options - only from 1200-1500 dollars.
3. Beautiful photos are taken against the backdrop of a dilapidated but valuable architectural monument - Ayutthaya.
4. Every Thai tries to appease God with everyday fresh flowers, which is why the country is unusually colorful and picturesque.
Summary
Cuba will delight you not only with its extraordinary landscapes and excellent weather, but also with the hospitality of the local people. Russian tourists are treated here with special warmth. Hospitable Cubans will congratulate you right on the streets - have no doubt that a wedding in such an atmosphere will definitely become the foundation for a long and happy life together. On this island you will find entertainment to suit your taste: water sports, educational excursions, fun nightlife filled with local flavor, the perfect beach holiday. Sunny Cuba is happy to welcome you at any time of the year!
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France: Cupid at the Eiffel Tower
Representatives of the fair sex have been dreaming about France as a romantic country for a wedding weekend since their youth.
This country has long been associated with culinary delights, a refined perception of beauty and love in general.
If the financial issue is not a concern, then you can cultivate several ideas for independently organizing an unforgettable wedding:
Royal chic. If you rent one of the castles and hold a (symbolic) wedding ceremony and then a banquet there, it will be amazing.
Getting married somewhere in a neat, pretty area of the suburbs will breathe new feelings into your life together. The most revered by Orthodox wedding couples is Sainte-Genevieve de Bois and the cathedral of the popular saint in Rus' - Alexander Nevsky.
Organizing an event at Disneyland can give you a cheerful drive and the feeling that the newlyweds have become heroes of Disney cartoons.
Let there be ice cream instead of cake, and fun competitions will be replaced by first-class attractions. This will definitely not be forgotten.
The peak of romance is a wedding that takes place on the deck of a small ship sailing along the Seine.
Versailles will outshine all expectations if you order the palace for the period of painting.
But a well-thought-out organization by people who have been doing their business for many years and with excellent recommendations will still be the best option for young people.
For example, a set of proposed wedding services in Versailles will cost about 3,000 euros.
This includes:
- wedding accessories, such as a pillow for rings, beautiful glasses, helium balloons;
- decorated bouquet for the bride;
- rental of a prestigious car - limousine;
- may include a restaurant (excluding alcoholic beverages);
- picnic for spouses;
- several-hour photographer service;
- the appropriately named “Temple of Lovers” gazebo can also be rented, which is included in the above fee.
A wedding with sightseeing, such as the Luxembourg Gardens or the foot of the famous tower, can cost from 1,950 euros.
The French “highlights” of wedding celebrations include the release of not only doves, but also butterflies. The young ones can be showered with bay leaves, and along the way, bright ribbons encountered (specially stretched) must be cut by the young ones.
But despite the availability of any wedding options in France, the atmosphere that always reigns in the country of love and sensuality remains invariably beautiful.
