An Island Wedding, Anyone?

There are a number of countries that grant citizens of India a Visa-on-arrival or Visa-free entry. And a number of them are Island Nations. Plan an exotic wedding on an Island!

Indian citizens now find it convenient to travel overseas. An important requirement for international travel is the Visa. With technological developments, e-visa facilities mean that one does not have to spend hours providing the information, nor waiting for interviews. The information is provided online and all documents are processed online as well. E-Visa facilities for Indian passport holders are available for a visit to these 35 countries:

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Cambodia, Colombia, Cote D'Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guinea Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan Republic, Lesotho, Moldova, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia

But you can also travel to these 56 countries without the need for a Visa or get your visa on arrival:

Countries that allow Visa free travel for Indian Citizens Barbados, Bhutan, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Hong Kong SAR, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue Island, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, Senegal, Serbia, and Trinidad & Tobago

Countries that give a visa on arrival to Indian Citizens Angola, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon Union Republic, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guinea Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Qatar, Republic of Marshall Islands, Reunion Island, Rwanda, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tajikistan, and Tanzania

 

If you are planning a wedding in the near future, think of one on a small island nation; it could be fun, beautiful and won’t pinch your pocket. Here are five destinations for you

Land of Reggae - Jamaica

From a range of jagged mountains to lush rainforests and miles of sand on countless beaches, Jamaica is a great place for a destination wedding. 

Soak up the sun and love at one of the many resorts on this island. Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa, Iberostar Grand Rose Hall, and Bluefields Bay villas are highly recommended wedding venues. But you can also find great wedding planners who can make arrangements to your liking. 

Other than your wedding, enjoy a range of activities and spots to visit while in Jamaica. From playing golf to getting their toes wet in the sea; from drinking the famous Jamaican rum to easy brunches at lazy roadside restaurants; from reggae filled dancing to plush bars and restaurants, there is plenty to do here.

 

But it’s also a tourist destination so avoid being there when the tourists throng the beaches. Jamaica is also prone to hurricane in a few months of the year. The best months for your wedding are October to December.

Luxurious Mauritius

A tropical island paradise, Mauritius counts among the world’s top luxury destinations. It has a range of natural and man-made attractions, tropical climate, warm sea waters, attractive beaches, a multi-ethnic and a multi-cultural population.

Popular Wedding destinations include Chateau de Labourdonnais with its magnificient architecture and a romantic garden; Villas Caroline with one of best beaches in Mauritius; and Bigarade at Vallee des 23 Coulers, a remote location on the edge of a nature park.

For the adventurous couple there are plenty to do. See how you match up on the golf course, in a range of water sports, or just spend time together bicycling around the towns and country side. You could see how well you gel with your knowledge of the colonial history of Mauritius, visiting the many heritage locations, then spending time over the multi-cultural cuisines available at some of the luxurious hotels. 

Beautiful Samoa

While there are romantic natural settings dotted all around the islands like secluded beaches and gardens, dramatic clifftops, and cascading waterfalls, Samoa’s huge range of luxury resorts can offer incredible facilities, food, and waterfront venues. 

You could plan your own wedding at Samoa but you may be better off finding a good wedding planner locally to help you with the various arrangements.

And since Samoa is a small Polynesian Island, you can get married and explore the entire island at the same time. Go snorkelling to swim with the brightly coloured tropical fish in the area or, if you are lucky, swim with turtles for a once in a lifetime experience. Visit the Sale’aula Lava Fields and then visit the Virgin’s grave which has an interesting story attached to it. And for the fans, there is the house of Robert Louis Stevenson which is now a must visit museum.

Arrange a Fiafia Night as part of the wedding arrangements. This includes indigenous dances and a fire dance too. And best of all, sip and enjoy the many tropical cocktails.

Romantic Seychelles

In Seychelles, the beaches entice with fine, white sand. Granite rocks surround the coast and cliffs rise steeply from the shimmering turquoise waters. Exotic vegetation proliferates in the hinterland. This tropical island nation is known to have the most romantic spots in the world. They say love is drawn to the charming Seychelles islands. With temperatures that don’t exceed 32 degrees Fahrenheit through the year, Seychelles is a perfect perennial wedding destination.

Visit the UNESCO World heritage site at Praslin National Park among other national parks. Spend time roaming the city of Victoria for some shopping or site seeing. Le Jardin du Roi is still steeped in the aromas of vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and a variety of other spices. You can enjoy the scents and scenery as you wander the gardens and learn about Seychelles' spice trade.

The Sega, Moutya, Kamtole, Sokwe and Tinge are local dances in Seychelles. Learn the steps and enjoy dancing at the local night clubs or arrange a fun-filled dance party as part of the wedding celebrations.

 

Ho! Ho! Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago has a diverse population made up of people from African, European, Indian, and Chinese descent. This has produced a culture with spicy food, diverse beliefs, colourful festivals, and funky music. This also means that planning a wedding on these islands is not a difficult task

A range of resorts and beaches offer perfect venues or an Indian wedding on these islands. Anchorage, Caster’s Cove, Coblentz Gardens, Drew Manor and House of Angostura are interesting names for wedding venues. Arrangements for the wedding can be easily made, given the large population of Indian and those of Indian origin in Trinidad & Tobago.

Palm-fringed beaches, misty rainforests, breath-taking tropical jungles, soaring mountain ranges, enthralling colonial cities, and luxurious hotel resorts are some of the sites this island nation has to offer the traveller. Port of Spain has some interesting architectural sites to visit. And then there is the Nylon Pool near the Pigeon Point Beach, fabled for its aphrodisiac powers. Savour your shark fritters while taking in the magnificent views at Maracas Bay. And if its just the two of you find seclusion for your romance at Englishman’s Bay. Then enjoy the foot-tapping beats of the live bands at the bars of Port of Spain in the evenings.

Spoilt for choice

There’s a lot of fun and frolic to include in your wedding plan at these island destinations. Search some more and pick what suits you best. You will be spoilt for choice.