Why Cyprus is the perfect wedding and honeymoon destination

Of course, church weddings can also be arranged, explains Dr Maria Socratous, tourist officer at the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, who joined the group during their time on the island.

“If your clients prefer a religious ceremony, they must apply for a marriage licence at a municipal office before making arrangements for the ceremony at the venue of their choice,” she says.

“There are no limitations for European citizens. Just have clients arrive two days before the wedding to arrange the paperwork or for a wedding planner to do it for them. However, I’m not sure if this will change after Brexit.”

Civil ceremonies are popular too, she adds, with most towns and cities offering venues for non-religious weddings. However, it’s Cyprus’s quirkier locations that have been proving a hit with couples.

“There is a trend for clients to choose non-conventional places for their wedding such as wineries, taverns and village squares,” Socratous enthuses.

Despite preferring Cyprus’s more traditional locations, Porter admits that the Vasilikon Winery in Paphos would appeal to clients looking for a venue that is a little quirkier.

“We had an amazing time there. It would suit a couple looking for a unique wedding. I loved the facilities, especially the veranda with its amazing views. The only thing missing for me was the ocean.”

For a more intimate option, the group spent an afternoon at Our House – a small hillside property outside the village of Vavla.

“The hotel is run by a lovely couple that do all of the cooking themselves,” says Porter. “I really liked the intimacy of the place – the maximum capacity for a wedding party is about 20 guests. The wedding space, in the property’s courtyard, was beautiful too.”

Spaces such as Yiannis Tavern in Kathikas are a huge part of Cypriot culture and are often booked out as wedding venues too, she adds, advising: “Yiannis can hold up to 50 guests. It is quite popular, so I would recommend booking it as early as possible.”

Honeymoon activities

“We offer year-round activities for honeymooners too,” explains Socratous. “For hiking and biking, spring is ideal; for touring the wineries, I would recommend October to December; and for beach activities, May to September is best.”

Taylor cites the island’s diving hotspots, which are a huge draw for visitors, as an ideal activity for more adventurous newlyweds. She recommends agents check out the Edro III shipwreck in Glyki Nero bay.

“You can actually get married in front of the wreck and go diving in the nearby sea caves, although it’s best to check if clients have the appropriate diving qualifications first,” she says.

For Isherwood, the accepting nature of the Cypriots and the ease of getting married on the island is a huge bonus for clients planning to tie the knot.

“Most hotels accommodate same-sex couples as well the municipalities too. Cyprus is affordable and documentation is easy to obtain. However, if clients are looking for a summer wedding, I suggest booking at least a year in advance. I would also check with the hotels, as it may take more time to adapt to more complicated requirements.”

For Porter, the expertise of the hotel’s wedding planners and teams at the municipalities is where Cyprus excels.

“Don’t think that booking a wedding in Cyprus will be stressful – it’s not. The team at each of the hotels have such great local connections and are able to put everything together for you.”