Every bride wishes to get married in spectacular surroundings and with equally spectacular weather. As the British summertime grows ever more unreliable, many brides are opting for smaller weddings in sunnier climates to realise the ‘fairy tale’ they have been dreaming of all their lives. It’s simply a case of finding a perfect venue that will take care of everything, leaving you free to enjoy not only your wedding but a holiday too!
Image courtesy of Vasilias
Only a short flight away, with picture-perfect scenery and beautiful weather, Cyprus is becoming an increasingly popular wedding destination for British brides and grooms. In the heart of rural Cyprus, surrounded by olive groves and orchards and with breathtaking views of the sea, there are many perfect venues for those looking for a romantic and intimate wedding abroad.
Wedding Locations in Cyprus
There are various locations for your wedding depending on the type of ceremony you wish to have. You can choose to have a civil wedding ceremony, or an Anglican or Catholic service. There are stunning churches dotted all over the countryside, but there are also other options:
Geroskipou: Geroskipou is possibly the most romantic of settings where you can tie the knot – after all legend has it that Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty, chose this place as her sacred gardens. The ceremony will be conducted by the Mayor and you will exchange your vows and rings in a room in the Geroskipou Town Hall.
Paphos Town Hall: Civil ceremonies can also be held at the Town Hall in Paphos. Built in 1955 in neoclassical style, the Town Hall is located in the heart of Ktima, the older area of Paphos and is very close to all the reception venues in the town. If you venture a little further out of town there are some exquisite reception venues nestled in the countryside. The Town Hall has two ceremony rooms accommodating parties from 25 – 80, so is suitable for weddings of all sizes. The gardens offer beautiful photo opportunities.
St Pauls Pillar or the Ayia Kyriaki Church in Paphos offer another option. Set on an ancient site dating back to the Roman period, this location offers both immense historical significance and a beautiful setting for either Anglican or Catholic weddings.
Catholic or Anglican Weddings in Cyprus
It is worth noting that for Catholic weddings you need a special licence, and you must be married first in a civil ceremony at the town hall. For Anglican weddings you need only a civil ceremony to take place beforehand. To arrange your wedding you will need the information listed by the Paphos municipality, and you will also need to bring your baptism certificate (this is requested by the church). Also required is the address of your local church and the name of the priest. Upon arrival, you will make your application at the Town Hall and pay the license fee.
Please note that a civil ceremony must precede a Catholic ceremony. The Town Hall will then issue your form B for the church. An appointment will be arranged for you to meet with the church co-ordinator and the priest to whom you will present the form. This meeting is to finalise the details for the ceremony. You will pay the church fees directly to them.
For all weddings you must be resident in Cyprus for at least three working days before your wedding day. This excludes the day of your arrival/weekends and local public holidays.
The Anglican Church of Paphos
For those considering getting married in the Anglican Church of Paphos, the following information may be helpful:
1. For the fees for weddings, blessings and reaffirmation of vows please contact Helen Smith.
2. Please note that, for weddings, you will be required to obtain a special license from the Paphos Town Hall. This can be done a few days after your arrival in Cyprus, and you will need your passports and an affidavit each confirming that you are free to marry. If either of you has been divorced then the Town Hall will need to see the original decree absolute papers; if a widow/widower, they will also need to see the death certificate of the deceased.
3. It is preferable for at least one of you to have been baptised into the Christian faith. We also require a photocopy of both your birth certificates and Baptism certificates, if you have them. The Chaplain would wish to commend you to your home Church vicar or minister back in the UK, so please bring his/her name and address with you. It is also very important to have a photocopy of your witnesses’ full names (including middle names) and passport numbers at interview. This information has to go on your Marriage Certificate so it must be absolutely correct.
For further information and bookings please contact the Parish Administrator, Helen Smith: [email protected]
Civil Ceremonies in Cyprus
Your civil ceremony can be held at Paphos Town Hall or Geroskipou.
1. Minimum residency period prior to marriage:
You will need to apply for a special marriage license from the municipality where you are to be married. The minimum residency period for this type of license is three working days (this excludes the day of your arrival/weekends and public holidays)
2. Documents required:
You and your partner will each need:
Valid original 10-year UK passport which expires more than six months after the date of your return to the UK.
Original birth certificate showing your parents’ names.
Original Baptism/Christening certificate (for church weddings only).
Original affidavit made less than 6 months before the date on which you return to the UK.
This must state the following information:
Your full name, exactly as it is stated on your passport or deed poll proof of name change if you have changed your name.
Your full address.
A statement that you are a citizen of the United Kingdom.
A statement that you reside at the address you have given.
Your current occupation.
A statement that you are currently single and free to marry.
Your parents’ full names, addresses and occupations.
Your place of birth as stated on your birth certificate.
Your date of birth as stated on your birth certificate.
Your passport number.
Lastly you must include the following statement: “I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835.”
Your details as given in the affidavit must exactly match those on your birth certificate.
If you have been divorced, your original decree absolute. This must bear the stamp of the court that issued it.
If you have been widowed the original death certificate of your partner along with your original marriage certificate.
If you have changed your name then your original deed poll proof of name change will be required. Please note that if you have been divorced and have reverted to using your maiden name then this counts as a change of name, and proof of that change will be required.
If you are adopted then please bring your original adoption certificate with you.
Please bring the above documents with you when you travel.
Image courtesy of Vasilias
Before You Travel
Please note that two witnesses to the marriage will be required under Cypriot law. Please inform us twelve weeks before the date of travel if you need us to arrange this for you.
Municipality of Paphos
Civil Marriage Office
P.O. Box 60052 – 8100 Pafos, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 26 822 353
Fax: +357 26 822 364
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.pafos.org.cy
After the legal Registration of your marriage, you may wish to hold a Celebration of Marriage ceremony, which venues such as Vasilias can arrange. With your personal choices of promises, vows and readings you can really make your special day everything you have always dreamed of, unique and specific to you as a couple.
Getting married in Cyprus means not only can you have a fairy tale wedding set against a breath-taking backdrop, but you can also ride off into the sunset together at the end of the day and enjoy a holiday on the Island of dreams and tranquillity.
Vasilias is one of the best wedding venues in Cyprus, offering a comprehensive service for your worry-free wedding abroad.
We have lots of great weddings abroad advice on Confetti!
