Destination weddings in the old world Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

Frankfurt and London based Galeriafotografia, has been photographing all across the region since 2000. Led by its American born and raised founder, Derek Bembry, Galeriafotografia is uniquely poised to provide you with exquisite photography and unrelenting service in achieving your destination wedding dream in Europe and elsewhere.

We asked Derek to give us a few of his thoughts about destination weddings in EMEA:

Q: Derek, romantic dreams aside, is it realistic for brides to haul all of their guests across the ocean in search of the perfect destination wedding? What about those nasty legal requirements that we have heard about in some countries?

A: Absolutely it's realistic. There are wonderful package deals that most good wedding coordinators can arrange via travel agents and most of the top quality resorts love to host Americans and their guests. Later on I will tell you some of my favorite places that I know are terrific.

Regarding legal requirements, without getting into country specifics because it varies from country to country, there are some standard documents that most require:

• Proof of marital status (in other words you can't already be married),
• Proof of ID, usually birth certificates and passports,
• Proof of a divorce with a court stamp
• Proof of being widowed with a death, certificate of the previous spouse and previous marriage certificate
• Any name changes (e.g., formerly married woman reverting to maiden name) with legal document, signed and stamped by the court.

Q: What about the language difficulties especially in, excuse me for this...France?

A: Americans coming to EMEA will be greeted by a stunning surprise; English is sweeping across the continent as a unifying language. Whether you are in Bratislava Slovakia or Dubai you'll find English is spoken quite a lot. However, it still helps to have your coordinator work with local vendors who speak the language. At Galeriafotografia our location staff includes fluent speakers in German, French, English, Italian and Arabic.

Q: Can you give us a short list of your favorite places for a bride to come to EMEA and why?

A: Of course

1. Venice Italy – Without a doubt my favorite place because it combines some of the most incredible places to photograph with romance and style. The best time of the year is May and June. For those wishing to stretch their dollar a bit further September and October is ideal because it's after the summer holiday season and many rates are lower though venues can be tough to find. There is no pre-wedding residency required but you are advised to make sure you're there at least three days in advance.
2. Dubai – The new jet set capital of the region is Dubai. If you're looking for a place to have your every whim catered to, look no further than Dubai. You'll feel special from the moment you depart your aircraft and enter what is arguably the world's finest airport, Dubai International. One of my personal favorite venues is the Jumeirah Hotel. As their press page notes, "it's a destination in its own right". The staff at the Jumeirah led by Fatima Dali is second to none. For the ultimate pampering experience I would suggest that you contact Alexandra Thai. For your guests, the shopping in Dubai is par excellence. The best time of the year is in the winter December – March when the weather of course is a bit cooler.
3. Prague – When the curtain fell in the old Soviet Empire the "Paris of the East" emerged with its graceful architecture, friendly residents, affordable rates and "can do"attitude of its citizenry. For many years now Prague has been a popular destination spot for Europeans looking to escape their own country and find a peaceful, romantic place to marry. Prices have increased a bit since it entered the European Union but its still remains popular with European brides. Avoid the months of April and May as it can be quite rainy during this time. Like most European venues the rates drop significantly in September but you'll have fight British brides for the best venues and times if you're not early with your planning.
4. Lago di Como – Or Lake of Como or better yet the new home of George Clooney. This region will always remain one of my personal favorites. About 45 minutes from busy Milan it may as well be a world away. Lake Como possesses a magical combination of tranquil waters, pristine mountain views, and ancient 400 year old buildings that turns a golden hue in the warm afternoon sun. There are many locations for beautiful weddings but I would specifically point out three, Como, Belugas, and Varenna.

 

5. Dresden – There are many great locations to have weddings in Germany with its majestic castles and graceful romantic rivers, but very few can rival Dresden for having it all. Flattened by allied bombs in the final days of WWII, it has made a remarkable comeback. Sparked by the rebuilding of its fabulous Frauenkirche in the center of the city there is a renaissance underway in Dresden that is capturing the attention of brides worldwide. They are attracted by its many castles lining the famed Elbe River many of which can be booked for a minimal fee, and the relative inexpensive prices of other services. Before booking your guests into a major hotel talk with a local wedding coordinator to see if there are flats available. Many of Dresden's best properties have been renovated and are being rented on a daily basis. The prices are quite reasonable for brides on a budget.
6. South Africa – Ask any wedding coordinator in England and they will tell you one of the hottest markets in the world for destination weddings is suddenly South Africa. And why not, it's a beautiful country with large country estates perfect for weddings. Because it's below the equator their summer is the Americans winter and the off season for travel
7. Iceland – Iceland you say!!! Freezing you say! Well if you are an outdoor couple in search of undisturbed virgin beauty then Iceland is your place, and they do have summer. There are many companies who specialize in providing couple with a unique wedding experience in an out of the way location that would be truly fantastic. June is the perfect month as its warm and with little rain. A tip for the rustic or adventurous couple, contact Miriam Dalsdein at www.Thule-tours.com for a unique experience in Iceland.

Q: One final question Derek, What tips do you have for couples in search of a photographer for their destination wedding?

A: Well of course the best tip is to find someone that matches your style and the services you expect. In Europe with the exception of perhaps the UK most photographers stick to a conservative style with hourly rates. Its probably one of the main reasons a couple will opt for bringing a photographer along with them from the states.

Galeriafotografia specializes in providing couples with the style and services they have come to know so well in America. But we're also special in that we are based here. We know the cultures and the people, we speak several languages and you can save the travel costs of your photographer from the states.