Wedding Travel Guide: Say "I-do" in 2022: The ultimate guide to Hen and Stag Dos, Weddings and the top Honeymoon destinations

Wedding Travel Guide: From lockdown dating to creative proposals, it has been an extraordinary year of finding love in a pandemic. For many, lockdown has been a bonding experience and couples have been able to spend more time than ever to get to know each other.

We have handpicked a collection of hotels and top holiday destinations, from tying the knot on one of Guernsey’s stunning beaches to taking a baby-moon in Menorca, as well as unforgettable Hen and Stag-dos.

HEN-DO / STAG-DOs

Host a private disco with the girls at Cook's Club Hersonissos

Located in the centre of Hersonissos, Cook’s Club Hersonissos is a calm oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the town but just two streets away from the beach. The 140 stripped-back rooms have a minimalist and contemporary design and there are also apartments and studios for groups of up to six people - great for Hen-Do parties.

Guests can host their own private disco with karaoke, light shows and own choice of music. Surrounding the pool are large sunbeds where guests can relax while DJs play relaxed beach tunes. The Captain Cook Bar features an array of the latest aperitifs and cocktails, which comes alive as the sun goes down with the in-house DJs setting the scene for a night out.

A one-night stay at Cook's Club Hersonissos in a Large Masionette is from £385 per night, for six adults.

Get the boys together for an epic stag-do at Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel

Located in the heart of Playa d'en Bossa, the iconic Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel has revolutionised the daytime party concept in Ibiza since its launch as a beach bar over 10 years ago. Not only one of the most glamorous places on the White Isle to stay, the hotel is also Ibiza’s most famous open air club, with a celebrated poolside stage that has developed a reputation for hosting the world’s biggest artists such as David Guetta and Calvin Harris.

Its selection of luxurious rooms and suites cater to all styles from the Ay Carumba Suite which features a Maxibar to The I’m on Top of the World Suite for the ultimate VIP experience in one of the largest suites in Ibiza. Perfect for music-lovers and wannabe DJs, The Pioneer DJ suite has a complete sound system, including mixer, amp and subwoofer – the room is fully soundproof too.

All rooms have complimentary admission to events – and all events finish at midnight, ensuring plenty of time to have a restful night’s sleep in preparation for the following day’s party.

A one-night stay at Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel in the ‘Anything can happen suite’ in May 2022 is priced from £277 per night including breakfast. (www.palladiumhotelgroup.com)

WEDDINGS

Tie the knot in the Guernsey

With new wedding laws now allowing couples to get married anywhere on The Islands of Guernsey, there are plenty of stunning backdrops to tie the knot for couples looking for a destination wedding in the British Isles. With miles of picturesque cliff paths, golden sandy beaches and venues with panoramic views out to sea, weddings in Guernsey feel like a whole world away without travelling too far from home.

The Islands offer everything from grand heritage sites, luxurious hotels, stunning beaches, pristine gardens and terraces overlooking the stunning cliffs and coast.

Venues such as Castle Cornet can be hired for ceremonies and receptions and the Islands of Sark and Herm can also host weddings – with Sark Henge offering spectacular views towards France and La Coupee making couples feel like they’re on top of the world.

For more information visit: www.visitguernsey.com/holidays/weddings/

Sunset from Cobo Bay Guernsey Wedding Travel Guide Spectacular sunset at Cobo Bay - Imagine the wedding photos!

Say I-do on the White Isle

For a truly iconic wedding, look no further than the stunning island of Ibiza. Situated in a more secluded part of the island, BLESS Hotel Ibiza is a top choice for a romantic destination wedding or honeymoon by the sea.

Amongst the spectacular island backdrop, the venue can hold 210 guests across three large function rooms and has a range of vital amenities on site from an in-house florist to next generation sound systems. Guests staying overnight will enjoy a beautifully decorated room with ocean or pool views. Picturesque and panoramic pools are heated and located with proximity to the beach or the property. The restaurants are not only gorgeous, but the food is the highest quality. Gastronomic delights await guests created by the catering of Chef Martin Berasategui, awarded 12 Michelin stars over his career. BLESS Hotel Ibiza offer bespoke wedding packages all year round with a dedicated event planner on hand to ensure the big day runs smoothly.

Prices for BLESS Hotel Ibiza start from £325 per room per night, including breakfast.

For more information on BLESS Collection Hotels, please visit BLESSCOLLECTIONHOTELS.COM

WEDDING GIFT

Give the gift of wellness inspired by ancient traditions

Inspired by the ancient traditions of thermal bathing of Ancient Greek, Roman, and Ottoman civilizations, AIRE offers a journey through a selection of thermal baths to experience at visitors’ own pace, all with a different, but specially-selected, temperature. An urban sanctuary in the heart of central London, it is the ideal wedding gift – a place for couples to unwind after months (and maybe years) of planning their big day. With indulgent couple's treatments on offer, this is the perfect gift for newlyweds.

Available as gift boxes, the packages begin with the AIRE Ancient Bath Experience and can be customised to add an additional treatment. Packages are available to buy now and visit at a later stage, perfect for those who wish to visit for a special date and celebration, or for those who are slowly easing themselves back into normality. Find out more at: https://beaire.com/en/aire-ancient-baths-london

HONEYMOONS / MINI-MOONS / BABYMOONS

Honeymoon in paradise on Mexico’s exclusive Riviera

With more than 330 days of uninterrupted sun each year, Riviera Nayarit has some of the best weather in the world. This balmy climate, together with lush vegetation, white-sand beaches, and laid-back vibe makes it the perfect setting for the beginning of a love story.

Appealing to indulgent travellers, Riviera Nayarit is one of the most sought-after luxury resort destinations in Mexico. With complimentary margaritas at check-in, butler service, private beaches, award-winning restaurants that serve food around the clock, world-class spa treatments, and flawless ocean views, there are a range of luxurious honeymoon properties that pride themselves on their bespoke services. Honeymooners can enjoy the beautiful, secluded beaches abound in Riviera Nayarit with the most breath-taking being the Hidden Beach in the Marietas Islands. The beach lies within a crater so visitors will have to take a plunge and swim through a passage that will eventually lead them to the private shore.

The Iberostar Selection Playa Mita offers a private terrace and garden, as well as access to a shared pool and various leisure facilities including golf course and a spa. Riviera Nayarit (https://www.rivieranayarit.scom.mx/) is currently offering seven nights departing in May 2022 for £1243 per person, inclusive of flights with United Airlines (from London Heathrow) and transfers.

Discover the Cotswolds on a Great British Mini-moon

The charming and romantic towns of the South Cotswolds offer a quieter alternative to the traditional Cotswolds excursion and is great for those looking to get off-the-beaten track. Couples can hit the road from a location of their choice in the South Cotswolds, with an expert local guide, handpicked by ToursByLocals, who will be their personal driver during the trip. The tour will route through Lacock, Castle Combe, Malmesbury and Tetbury as well as some of the less touristy towns and villages, which also happen to be some of the region’s most beautiful. The tour is fully customisable; visit the historic Elizabethan manor of Chavenage House or the simply bask in the tranquillity of Westonbirt Arboretum. At every stop, the guide will provide fascinating insight into the area and then guests are free to explore each village with their significant other to romanticize their lives and create ever-lasting memories in an idyllic setting.

ToursByLocals enriches the travel experience with 4,600+ expert local guides leading tours in 194 countries. The Castle Combe, Lacock and the South Cotswolds from Bath – Full Day Private Tour is priced at £450 for up to three guests.

Enjoy a Blissful Babymoon in Menorca

A few months before drawing into a crazy but wonderful world of nappies, night feeds and new-born cuddles is a perfect time to get away with a partner for a relaxing babymoon to enjoy those last idyllic alone moments.

Thanks to mild temperatures all year round and being located only a short flight away from the UK, the Balearic Island of Menorca is a perfect choice for a lazy, yet romantic, pre-baby Mediterranean escape. This calm and serene destination is home to impressive biodiversity, gentle walking routes and, of course, picture-perfect views of the Mediterranean coastline, ideal for sunset watching with a loved one. For those with pregnancy cravings kicking into full gear, Menorca’s local gastronomy offers an array of exquisite delicacies, ranging from world-renowned cheeses (notably Mahón), cured meats (including sobressada) and pastries.

For a luxurious getaway in a rural setting, stay at Torralbenc Hotel. Sitting between the cities of Mahón and Ciudadela, this property consists of several white-washed farm buildings surrounded by vineyards and boasts impressive coastal views. The hotel offers a luxury range of facilities and excursions including a wellness area, outdoor pool, restaurant, and anything mums-to-be may need to relax before their bundle of joy arrives.

Three-night stay at Torralbenc Hotel is priced from £470 per couple (based on April 2022 check-in). For more information on Menorca, please visit www.menorca.es.