Portfolio - Special Edition Switzerland

12 Special Edition Switzerland Destination Wedding LICENSE TO WED Swiss law makes it easy for couples to obtain a civil marriage license recognised as legally binding in their homeland. However, while formal preparations can begin six months before your desired wedding date, do note that the paperwork will require a minimum of three months to be processed after the ceremony. Switzerland Tourism can help facilitate these arrangements; simply get in touch at weddings@ switzerland. com. EXCEPTIONAL HOSPITALITY Planning for a wedding can be stressful, but Switzerland’s world- class hospitality will make the process a whole lot easier — and ensure that your guests are well taken care of. “Right from the moment we started the planning process for our wedding, we were treated to the exceptional standard of Swiss hospitality. Liaising with the hotel representatives was smooth and efficient, and really eased a lot of the anxiety that comes with planning a wedding in a foreign land,” says Wan Long. You can also enlist the help of a professional wedding planner to organise your big day, right down to the smallest details. Find the right planner for you at myswitzerland. com/weddings for more details. MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES Whether you have a massive wedding extravaganza or a smaller ceremony in mind, Switzerland has something to suit your needs. For an exceptionally lavish wedding bash, you can rent an entire hotel; this also guarantees your nuptials a high degree of exclusivity and privacy. There are numerous properties with varying capacities available for hire, including the 164-room Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, the 97-room Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, and the eight-room Ultima Geneva, to name a few. Alternatively, for a ceremony quite like no other, you can charter a train or saloon coach – how about saying “I do” on the historic Red Arrow Churchill or the modern Le Salon de Luxe while zipping through the scenic Swiss countryside? When the party’s over, Switzerland has plenty to keep your guests entertained, whatever their interests. For instance, foodies can try their hand at making cheese or take a tour of a chocolate factory, while active types can head to the hills for some skiing or snowboarding. There are traditional activities such as flag throwing and yodelling on offer for a dose of Swiss culture. If you’re looking for something more intimate, consider an elopement-style wedding instead. Such weddings are growing in popularity as they are much easier to plan and execute, especially amid these uncertain times. All you’ll need is a celebrant and – if you’d like to document the ceremony for friends and family – a professional photographer or videographer. Then, treat yourself and your other half to a memorable stay at a romantic hotel such as the Iglu-Dorf in Gstaad, which features cosy igloos complete with lambskin-lined sleeping bags and unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains. It’s a great way to round off your special day. Check out more wedding inspirations at @myswitzerlandweddings on Instagram.