Increasing numbers of Brits are choosing to tie the knot overseas, according to wedding website Confetti.co.uk.

The lower cost of smaller weddings overseas was said to be a major factor in people choosing to move their weddings abroad, as the travel costs often lead to smaller wedding parties and the bride and groom can save money by combining the wedding and honeymoon costs. The editor of Confetti.co.uk, Belinda Hanks, said that a range of surveys indicated that as many as 26 per cent of UK couples were choosing to hold their weddings abroad, compared to figures nearer 20 per cent in the 1990s.

“The financial benefits of marrying abroad are widely known,” commented Ms Hanks. “Brides tell us that they can save money simply because it makes for a smaller wedding party and combines the cost of a honeymoon in one, which makes perfect sense,” she added.

The site also found that the top destination choice for UK couples for their weddings was the Caribbean, followed by Mauritius and Australia. Beach weddings at Caribbean island destinations such as Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados and Jamaica provide couples with the idyllic surroundings of white sand and blue seas, with a relaxed and welcoming environment provided by the local people.

New Zealand came in as the fourth most popular choice for an overseas wedding offering a wide variety of secluded and scenic spots, as well as the chance to take part in a few honeymoon adventures such as white water rafting or bungee jumping. For wine lovers the country’s world-renowned Marlborough region offers a huge variety of tours and winemaking days out.

Image by Fevi Yu