With many people making their first step towards marriage with a lockdown engagement, the next stage is to look for a wedding venue. While some couples have always dreamt of getting married in a particular place, if that isn't you, then perhaps elopement could be. Elopement has become a popular way to tie the knot as it offers the opportunity to get married and have a holiday all in one, with just an intimate number of guests. It is also a cost effective option especially if guests are willing to make a contribution towards their travel. There are many exciting elopement services provided by resorts and hotels for couples wishing to get away for their special day. So we have put together some suggestions to get engaged, elope and honeymoon for an unforgettable experience as a couple.
EXPERIENCE ENGAGEMENT
1. Monkey Island Estate
Bray-on Thames, Berkshire
Monkey Island Estate have transformed their shepherd’s hut into a summer hideaway for guests to celebrate a special occasion in style. The summer shepherd’s hideaway experience is the perfect way to celebrate an engagement by the River Thames within the estate’s beautiful 7-acre grounds. There are many gourmet treats on offer as part of experience. Served by the wonderful Monkey Island staff, guests can enjoy some Harrow & Hope sparkling wine, a picnic hamper filled with sandwiches, salads and meat-filled delights, as well as cakes and afternoon tea treats. The experience lasts 3 hours and for guests who wish to extend their stay, they can visit the bar for a cocktail or dine at the Monkey Brasserie for some classic British food before checking into to one of the hotel’s luxury rooms.
And before checking out, guests can visit the unique floating spa. What is so unique about the spa you might ask? Well the treatment rooms are located inside the estate's beautiful river barge, moored on the banks of its very own slice of the River Thames.
Minimum spend is £600 for up to 6 people. Nightly rates in the hotel start at £175 for double occupancy or £405 for the bed & spa package. To book, contact YTL UK at reservations@ytlhotels.co.uk or call 0207 657 8200
2. The glasshouse
Edinburgh, Scotland
If a lavish proposal abroad isn’t on the cards, perhaps a distinguished proposal at the Glasshouse in Edinburgh is. Voted Edinburgh’s most romantic hotel in 2018, this five-star luxury hotel housed in a history church building is bursting with charm. Just a stone’s throw away from Calton Hill and the Royal Mile the area surrounding the hotel is steeped in history - perfect for the culture conscious couple. Now fully reburbished, the quintessentially Scottish hotel benefits from a rooftop garden which spans 2-acres boasting far reaching views of the city skyline. From the rooftop, guests can enjoy a romantic picnic for two, followed by whiskey tasting in the snug whilst the experienced team reveal the tales between each dram. After a nightcap or two, retiring to the bedroom will feel like a welcome treat as many of the rooms have private balconies to take in the views of the city at night. When guests wake up they’ll be struck by the views from the floor to ceiling windows present in almost every room.
As part of the romantic package offered by the hotel, guests will receive a bottle of champagne on arrival, a romantic turn-down service, some gorgeous toiletries, a champagne breakfast in bed and a late check-out until 1pm.
The Glasshouse hotel is also a licensed wedding venue and YLT Hotels are offering newlywed couples a free honeymoon to one of their resorts in Asia for weddings in house with a spend of over £35k.
theglasshousehotel.co.uk
Nightly rates at The Glasshouse start from £200 per room. The Romance Package starts from £270 per room per night based on two guests for a one-night stay. The Suite Romance Package start from £700 per room per night based on two guests for a one-night stay. To book, contact YTL UK Reservations Centre at reservations@ytlhotels.co.uk or call 0207 657 8200
EXPLORE THE GLASSHOUSE
EXPERIENCE ELOPEMENT
3. THE Magnolia Hotel
Quinta do Lago, Portugal
The beautiful Magnolia Hotel is located on the sunny Algarve coastline of Portugal in the Quinta do Lago Resort. The Magnolia hotel's laid back California vibes are inspired by the iconic hotels of 1950s Palm Springs. There are plenty of nods to this retro era but with all the modern amenities you would expect of a four star hotel.
The hotel offers vibrant boutique bedrooms and cottages, a restaurant, swimming pool with palm trees and a tennis court with further access to the facilities of the wider resort. Located in the Quinta do Lago resort, hotel guests have access to many outdoor activities including a golf course, a lake with sailing & other watersports, the bike shed, sports courts and endless trails to walk & run. If you are a nature lover, Quinta do Lago is host to over 300 species of birds as it is a stopover on migratory routes. You can even take a tour with a Marine Biologist
So it's great news that the hotel have launched an amazing elopement package this summer. The hotel is introducing ‘elopement’-style weddings to ensure that couples can tie the knot in a private ceremony of just ‘us two’. Alongside this, the hotel is also introducing more intimate wedding packages, which have been specially tailored to smaller ceremonies. The Magnolia Hotel is inclusive to all couples looking to ‘get hitched’ in the beautiful Algarve.
What couples can expect from a wedding at The Magnolia Hotel is ~
A private outdoor ceremony with a celebrant
Welcome drinks & canapés
A 3-course or buffet wedding day dinner Portuguese menu
After dinner drinks
Couple's cottage accommodation with champagne
A romantic dinner for two
Transfers to and from the airport
A full wedding brochure is available at themagnoliahotelqdl.com
The Magnolia Hotel offers the Elopement package from 453 EUR / £390 per person, including a private outdoor ceremony, a romantic dinner, two nights accommodation with room service breakfast and VIP room amenities, along with transfers to and from Faro airport. Visit www.themagnoliahotelqdl.com or contact weddings@quintadolago.com for more information. The Magnolia Hotel offers the Small Intimate Package from 400EUR/£345 for the ceremony. Accommodation and food & beverage rates are dependent on the number of guests. Visit www.themagnoliahotelqdl.com or contact weddings@quintadolago.com for more information.
4. WINDJAMMER LANDING VILLA BEACH RESoRT
St Lucia
Windjammer Landing is a stunning villa beach resort located on a lush 60 acre hillside in St.Lucia. Positioned around a beautiful bay, the resort is home to 6 pools, a selection of restaurants and bars, a spa, fitness centre and more. The hotel can accommodate guests in waterfront villas, hillside rooms and beachfront suites overlooking the Caribbean sea. Could this be the perfect paradise to tie the knot as a couple?
Perhaps it could be as Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort are now offering couples the opportunity to marry and spend their honeymoon in an all in one package they are calling "Just us two". Through this personalised package, couples can fulfil their desires of a private and romantic ceremony in the Caribbean and walk down the white sandy beach into the sunset to start the honeymoon of their dreams the very next day.
Alongside the breath-taking backdrop of the Caribbean island, newlyweds can also enjoy a five-night all-inclusive stay, a 'Kissing Map' honeymoon tour, a tropical beach ceremony with a floral bouquet and boutonniere, and a three-course candlelit dinner. Following the numerous wedding cancellations and postponements, this package alleviates all wedding stresses, offering couples the chance to say 'I do' in a picture-perfect setting – with a tropical honeymoon included too.
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort offers the 'Just the Two of Us' Package from $3,500 / £3,015 for two people, including a private outdoor ceremony, a romantic three-course, five nights all-of inclusive accommodation in a one-bedroom Oceanview Villa and VIP room amenities, along with 'Head to Toe' spa treatments and late departure. Visit www.windjammer-landing.com // www.windjammer-landing.com/weddings/packages or contact weddings@windjammer-landing.com for more information.
EXPERIENCE HONEYMOON
5. Ikos Dassia
Corfu Island
The Ikos Dassia is a stunning all-inclusive resort located on Corfu Island in beautiful Dassia Bay. Overlooking the Ionian Sea, guests can relax from their sun loungers on 600m of sandy beach or by the resort’s stunning pool. Guests can take advantage of the unlimited waiter service and be brought drinks poolside throughout the day. If guests do feel they would like to venture out of the resort, Corfu is home to many beautiful beaches and coves all surrounded by stunning mountain scenery which can be explored by bike or MINI which the resort offer guests for free during one day of their stay. Dining out is also an option and there are some delicious Corfiot meals on offer in local tavernas as part of a stay at Ikos Dassia. Or dine at one of their 6 restaurants in resort and choose dishes from menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs.
For honeymooners, we can recommend the use of the spa which was a sauna, steam room and heated pool offering treatments by French beauty brand Anne Semonin. A day trip in the hotel’s very own MINI to explore the secret beaches Corfu or walk through the Venetian streets of Corfu town is high on the list. The resort is brimming with outdoor activities as part of the all-inclusive package. There are yoga and pilates classes as well as sunset cruises and private yacht tours for some alone time on the water. Guests staying in Deluxe Collection rooms can have a romantic private dinner on the beach as well as daytime access to the exclusive private beach and pool.
Room rates start from €225 per room per night for a standard double room on an all-inclusive basis and €390 per room per night for a one bedroom suite in the Deluxe Collection on an all-inclusive basis
6. HILLSIDE BEACH CLUB
Turkey
The Hillside Beach Club is a luxury, contemporary hideaway nestled in privately owned Kalemya Bay. Just below a fringe of pine trees sits this beautiful resort overlooking the Mediterranean on the Turkish coast. The resort's focus is on the outdoors due to its peaceful location so there are many secluded spots to sunbathe by the water or perch beneath the canopy away from the heat of the day.
The scenery is the real showstopper here but the resort also endeavours to capture guests attention with their culinary offerings too. Spread across 6 bars and 3 restaurants, there are plenty of food and drink options to suit all foodies. For the active couple, there are activities on offer such as yoga, waterspouts, beach volleyball and tennis. The resort can organise excursions into nature and cultural expeditions to local towns available those that are not adrenaline junkies. And, in true honeymoon style, couples can head out on a private boat tour, check-in to the Sanda Spa for some treatments or get dressed up for a private dinner under the stars. Hillside Beach Club is the ultimate spot to relax and unwind after tying the knot.
Nightly rates at Hillside Beach Club start from £192 for two people sharing a standard room
EXPLORE THE HILLSIDE BEACH CLUB
7. Hilton Molino Stucky VENICE
Venice
If Venice is one of the romantic cities in the world, then the Hilton Molino Stucky is one of the most romantic hotels in Venice. I mean just look at that rooftop! Standing tall amongst the streets of Guidecca island, the hotel boasts front line canal views and a private water taxi to shuttle guests to the city's main banks.
To maximise the romance during a trip to Venice, the hotel has plenty of ways to celebrate amore - Italian style. A day at the hotel can include a private water taxi tour of the Grand Canal followed by a pamper session at the Aforea spa. In the evening, a trip up to the hotel's Skyline bar is a must to soak up the views of the highest bar in Venice. This and all the extra special touches that come with a honeymoon package is what you can expect at the Hilton Molino Stucky, but we will leave some of these a surprise.
Nightly rates begin at €180 per night based on double occupancy with breakfast included. Romantic packages start at €300 per night. Molino Suites start from €500 Euro per night
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