How Does ionianweddings.co.uk Work?

Ionianweddings.co.uk operates through a well-defined, client-centric process designed to simplify the complexities of planning a wedding overseas. Their model combines expert UK-based planning with dedicated on-the-ground support in your chosen destination, ensuring a seamless experience from initial enquiry to the wedding day itself.

The Initial Inquiry and Consultation Phase

The journey typically begins with a prospective couple reaching out to Ionian Weddings, either via phone or through their website’s contact channels.

• Contact & Vision Sharing: Couples contact the UK office, usually through the provided phone number (+44 20 3780 8820), or by submitting an online enquiry. They share their initial wedding vision, including preferred destinations, guest count, budget, and desired style.
• Assignment of UK Planner: A dedicated wedding planner from the UK team is assigned to the couple. This planner becomes their main point of contact and guide throughout the entire process.
• Destination & Venue Exploration: The UK planner, leveraging their extensive knowledge (having visited all venues), provides expert advice and recommendations on suitable destinations and specific venues that align with the couple’s vision and legal requirements for marrying abroad.
• Package Discussion & Quotation: Based on the couple’s preferences, the planner discusses “Ideas & prices” for various packages, providing detailed, bespoke quotations that outline inclusions and costs. This is where essentials like legal paperwork and coordinator services are integrated.
• Booking Confirmation: Once the couple is satisfied with the proposal, they confirm their booking, securing their chosen date and venue. Payments are made securely, likely under the protection of their ABTA membership.

Pre-Wedding Planning and Legal Formalities

After booking, the detailed planning begins, with a strong focus on legal and administrative requirements to ensure the marriage is valid.

• Detailed Planning Timeline: The UK planner establishes a clear timeline for various planning milestones, from document submission to vendor selection.
• Legal Paperwork Guidance: The planner provides precise instructions on all necessary legal documents required by both the UK and the destination country. This includes birth certificates, passports, divorce decrees (if applicable), and any other specific local requirements. They assist with ensuring documents are correctly obtained, translated, and certified.
• Vendor Selection & Customisation: Working with the couple, the UK planner helps select local suppliers for elements like photography, floristry, catering, and entertainment. They can offer personal recommendations based on their experience and relationships.
• Logistical Arrangements: This phase includes discussing guest accommodation options, transportation, and any pre-wedding events or activities.
• Regular Updates & Communication: The UK planner maintains consistent communication, providing updates, answering questions, and addressing any concerns that arise during the planning period, ensuring the couple feels supported.

On-Site Coordination and Wedding Day Execution

As the wedding date approaches and the couple travels to their destination, the seamless transition to local support kicks in.

• Transition to Local Coordinator: A few days or weeks before the wedding, the couple is introduced to their dedicated local wedding coordinator in the destination country. This person becomes their on-the-ground point of contact.
• Pre-Wedding Meetings: The local coordinator arranges meetings with key local suppliers (e.g., photographer, florist, venue manager) to confirm final details and ensure everything is aligned with the couple’s wishes. This often includes site visits.
• Legal Formalities Finalisation: The local coordinator assists with the final steps of legal paperwork, such as submitting documents to the local civil registry or attending pre-marriage interviews if required. They handle the bureaucracy, especially with their fluency in local languages like Greek and Italian.
• Wedding Day Management: On the actual wedding day, the local coordinator is present to oversee all aspects of the event. This includes managing vendor arrivals, setting up the venue, coordinating the ceremony flow, troubleshooting any issues, and ensuring guests are comfortable.
• Post-Wedding Support: After the wedding, they may assist with obtaining the official marriage certificate and any necessary apostilles or legalisations to ensure it’s recognised back in the UK. Their support extends “beyond” the wedding day.