Lankan popular ‘I do’ destination in UK

Sri Lankan is among the top weddings destinations in the UK which also includes Mauritius, the Caribbean and Italy, an exclusive Luxury Travel, reader survey revealed.

Thailand, the Seychelles, South Africa, Greece and Mexico were also popular. “Weather is a crucial factor - guaranteed sunshine overseas is a big attraction for brides-to-be and the increasing focus on luxury hotel properties in many of the favoured wedding destinations makes the possibility of a dream wedding come to life,” Luxury Travel, editor Alyson Cook said.

More than 40,000 couples a year are following celebrity trends by taking their nuptials overseas, regardless of the recent economic downturn. “Celebrities are leading the way, with A-listers such as Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster recently marrying in the European wedding hotspot Italy,” said Cook. “Second marriages - amid older couples who have already spent on the big white wedding and whose children may have flown the nest - are increasingly spending their disposable income on expensive overseas weddings that can double as a party for friends.

” Second marriages accounted for up to 80 per cent of bookings for some agents, and adventure-based honeymoons showed the biggest increase with many couples putting hot-air-balloon rides, safaris and water sports high on the itinerary.

“Adventure travel is increasing across the luxury travel market, with upmarket operators such as Abercrombie & Kent launching new divisions focused on extreme adventure to satisfy client demand,” said Cook.

Weird and wonderful wedding and honeymoon requests Luxury Travel readers have received include:

To release 20 white doves into sky in Sri Lanka. Have you ever seen a white dove in Sri Lanka?.

Las Vegas wedding at Valley of Fire.

To leave the wedding via hot air balloon just as the sun was setting.

The same couple also wanted an audience with Pope John Paul II. 1,000 butterflies being released as the bride and groom say I do.

Paris Lido Dancers to perform after dinner.

“We want to add a couple more people to our honeymoon booking - my children from my first marriage - and please send the invoice to my ex-husband.”

An igloo to be built in Canada, to fish in a hole in the ice.

A private jet on stand by for a month as the couple travelled all over Latin America.

Courtesy Luxury Travel