10 romantic places to say your vows

Perhaps the most stunning of all Greek islands, Santorini is a typical Mediterranean haven with views to die for. Fall in love all over again, as cornflower-blue skies blending into the azure Aegean Sea and secluded beaches create the perfect setting for the most important day of your life. White-washed buildings rise in tiers along the gentle slopes, their tops coloured in myriad nautical and pastel shades, and when the sun sets, the entire island glows a soft crimson. Santorini has lost none of its ancient charm, so take a walk around to explore it at the leisurely pace it is known for. Nothing is rushed here, and you can truly enjoy the ceremony and after-party without stressing over the nitty-gritty.

Located high up in the Himalayas, The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa offers spectacular views over the valley and a posh experience.

A big, fat Indian wedding in an extravagant setting like a Rajasthani fort and Bollywood-style entertainment – such images spring to mind when you think of tying the knot in India. But if you lean towards elegance and ethereal beauty, head to the ski resort of Gulmarg in Kashmir. Cradled in the lap of the snow-capped Himalayas, it’s the perfect place for a memorable ceremony. A spectacle to behold – which remains forever undisputed – Gulmarg’s verdant landscapes in summer and dazzling white splendour in winter make it ideal for weddings all year-round. You just can’t escape its enchantment!

Perched at a height of 8,825ft in the Pir Panjal range is The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, an 85-key five-star property. It’s Gulmarg’s first luxury resort, and deservedly so – the views across the valley are breathtaking, and its world-class Khyber Spa by L’Occitane is among India’s best. Here, all wedding packages are customised to individual specifications, and you can make the most of the resort’s landscaped gardens, and over 10,000 sq ft of banquet space.

Return airfares from Dubai to Srinagar on Jet Airways start from Dh1,866. Gulmarg is about two hours away by road. Visit www.khyberhotels.com.

The Alpine scenery at Zell am See appears like a painting come alive with its rolling meadows, snow-capped mountains and striking views.

Return airfares from Dubai to Salzburg on Turkish Airlines start from Dh2,443. Zell am See is 80km away from Salzburg by road. For more information, visit www.romantik-hotel.at.

Verana, in the sleepy beach town of Yelapa on the Mexican coast, combines natural beauty and luxury with ease, and is romantic to boot.

This North American country is all fiery passion and tropical beauty – just right for the two of you to escape to for a private, cosy ceremony. Make a beeline for the coast, off the Bahía de Banderas, to the sleepy beach town of Yelapa. A little secluded in comparison to Mexico’s more commonly visited resorts, it rests by a small cove where fishermen sail for fresh catch and forest-covered hills rise into the clouds. Yelapa is the stuff dreams are made of – salsa in the air, strong cultural motifs in every corner, and laid-back in its approach to life – and will mark a unique beginning to the adventurous journey we call marriage.

Return airfares from Dubai to Puerto Vallarta start from Dh8,660 on British Airways. Take a taxi to Boca de Tomatlan, about 20 minutes away by road, and then a boat to Yelapa. For more information, visit verana.com.

The Banyan Tree Lang Co is très chic and romantic, perfect for a destination wedding.

The Banyan Tree Lang Co is an idyllic resort, hugged by the mountains on one side, and the sea on the other. It’s bright, airy and very tropical, and perfect for wedding celebrations that can last well into the night.

The property offer three different types of destination wedding packages, with inclusions such as stay for two nights with breakfast, unlimited spa treatments, flowers and decorations, beverages, a tantalising menu as well as discounted rates on photography, videography, make-up and styling, and also recreational activities. A dedicated romance concierge will work round the clock to make your day and stay truly memorable.

Situated on the shores of the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa makes for a unique destination to say I do.

The stark landscape of Jordan is dramatic in beauty, but the Jordan Valley offers some respite, with date palms dotting fertile lands, and a gentle river flowing into the Dead Sea. It’s a calm and serene place where the young and old from the world over come to heal. That quietude is just as perfect for an intimate wedding, with the sand-coloured hills rising around the sea providing a fascinating backdrop. Float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea – one of the world’s greatest natural wonders – enjoy relaxing spa treatments consisting of its minerals, and you’ll be glowing on your Big Day.

If you want an open-air wedding and reception against the panorama of a setting sun, book yourself into the Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa. The outdoor two-tier terrace is ideal for both intimate gatherings as well as large receptions. The property’s talented wedding planners will manage it all, combining luxury and practicality with practised finesse. This includes setting a budget, deciding on a menu, arranging table settings and finding florists, photographers, a band and other entertainment for your wedding. Add to that spa treatments and plush accommodation, and it’s more of a holiday with a once-in-a-lifetime twist.

Go French all the way for your special day, and wed in Bastide St Mathieu, an 18th-century manor in the heart of the French Riviera.

A deluxe 18th-century, Provençal-style manor in the heart of Cote d’Azur, Bastide St Mathieu is a charming venue for a quintessentially French wedding. Set amid gorgeous landscaped gardens flush in the dazzling Mediterranean sunshine, it can be rented in its entirety for three days starting from €15,000 (June to August). The manor can accommodate up to 18 people in its lavish rooms, and 150 guests in its premises during a wedding. Catering, decorations, entertainment and more cost extra.

Return airfares from Dubai to Nice on Air France start from Dh2,326. Bastide St Mathieu is a 30-minute drive away. For more information, visit www.bastide-stmathieu.com.

Getting married in the heart of the African wilderness is an adventure in itself, as you discover new rituals and cultures.

The dramatic beauty of Masai Mara, an iconic game reserve, is ideal for a wedding celebration in the wild. Add to that generous doses of luxury and posh amenities, and you have an experience of a lifetime waiting for you. Cheli & Peacock is known for its swish safaris that combine the best of both worlds – wilderness and urbanity. Needless to say, a wedding will be a well-appointed affair. Planning services start from $1,140, which includes all the paperwork and fees. The location charge of $2,160 at Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp in Masai Mara provides meals, decorations, music facilities, cake and beverages for up to six people. A larger gathering can be accommodated at an extra cost.

Return airfares from Sharjah to Nairobi on Air Arabia start from Dh1,044. The Masai Mara National Reserve is a six-hour drive away. Write to info@chelipeacock.co.ke for details.

The Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort goes beyond guest specifications to make weddings extra special.

The tiny island nation in the subcontinent is just a hop, skip and jump away from Dubai, so if you want to wed on a whirlwind, this is your place. Sri Lanka’s spectacular scenery and virgin beaches make for a fabulous tropical setting if the sun and sand are what you and your partner prefer. Tangalle in the extreme south boasts picture-perfect views and a mild, coastal climate – ideal for a breezy wedding as the Indian Ocean swallows the flaming orb of the setting sun. Did Cupid just strike your heart?

Set on a rocky outcrop jutting into the ocean, the Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is a charming hideaway, far from prying eyes. Surrounded by a coconut plantation, it will blow your mind with its natural setting and views over the foaming sea. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets are common here, and you can dial up the romance by signing up for a beach wedding. Every ceremony is tailor-made to suit guests’ needs, but there are special add-ons such as breakfast in bed, couple’s spa treatments and dinner under the stars that are bound to make your wedding delightful.

Return airfares from Dubai to Colombo on Srilankan Airlines start from Dh1,228. Tangalle is a three and a half hour drive from the capital. For more information, visit tangalle.anantara.com.

Straddling the Arabian Gulf and the striking Hajar Mountains, the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah resort is just right for an elaborate wedding and parties.

Just a leisurely drive down the UAE, this Arab nation is a natural wonder, with stark mountains rising from the Arabian Gulf, fjords, lush hill stations and beautiful deserts. But this panorama of geographical marvels is just the beginning; Muscat, Oman’s capital, is an intriguing port city, luminous in the shadow of the Hajar Mountains when dusk falls. A wedding here means you’re at home away from home – the warmth of the Omani people, coupled with the stunning topography and a culture that has developed as a blend of the east and west ensure that your special day remains a celebration of love, life and relationships you’ll always cherish.

Return airfares from Dubai to Muscat on Oman Air start from Dh664. Call +968 2477 6245 or email events.slmu@shangri-la.com for more information and bookings.