Choosing the location for your big day is a BIG decision. It will set the tone for the celebration and impact the memories of your day on every wedding anniversary thereafter. Getting married in a favourite holiday destination is more and more popular these days - very often, it makes for a cheaper wedding, apart from affording a reasonable guarantee of brilliant weather and an exotic background for your wedding photos, of course!

According to a survey carried out by Mintel, the average cost of an overseas wedding amounts to £6,585, a whopping £14,000 cheaper than getting married at home in the UK. And Malta ranks as the second cheapest destination for an overseas wedding!

We do weddings in a big way in Malta. And I mean seriously big. Our excuse: it’s a small island, everyone knows everyone else and we don’t like to leave anyone out for fear of causing offence. Which means that weddings with over 500 guests are pretty much the norm. Which also means that we’re experts at pulling off memorable celebrations. And there’s no shortage of wedding planners and myriad related service providers available on the island to help you plan the day of your dreams.

For Diana and Mario Cacciottolo, getting married in Malta was a “no-brainer” and not just because Mario is half-Maltese. They said 'I do' on a gloriously sunny and hot September afternoon last year at the grand old Villa Bologna in Attard, and yours truly was there to deliver one of the wedding readings and shed a few tears of joy. Their celebration brought together relatives and friends from as far afield as England, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, California and even Australia.

“I’ve always liked the idea of getting married abroad,” admits Diana. “Being from Northern Ireland, where the weather isn’t exactly predictable, the idea of marrying outdoors in a warm climate always appealed. However, I’m one of seven children so I’d need a big excuse to drag my huge family to a wedding in another country. Luckily for me, I fell in love with a man who grew up in Malta, which meant that we had a connection to the country. And now, Mario and I live here.”

Financially, Malta turned out to be better value for money for Mario and Diana. A London venue they had set their heart on would have cost £10,000 just to hire the space, but the entire wedding in Malta cost them £14,000. “And we didn’t feel like we were cutting costs,” points out Diana. “We were also able to claim the VAT back.”

Of course, guests had to fork out for flights and accommodation to attend the wedding, although most people made a holiday out of it and the couple enjoyed precious quality time with their family and friends.

Diana finds it difficult to choose what was the best bit about getting married in Malta, admitting “we really loved everything about getting married here.” From a practical point of view, she singles out the fact that everyone speaks English, which made organising the wedding from a distance simple. 

“Perhaps the best bit was the fact that Malta has such stunning venues like Villa Bologna in Attard, where we married. It is such a magical place. Our guests were completely wowed as soon as they walked through those beautiful blue doors into the gorgeous 18th century baroque garden,” continues Diana. 

And there’s no shortage of venues to choose from. Some of the more popular wedding locations include the saluting battery at Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, stately homes such as Palazzo Parisio, Castello Zamitello for pure fairytale romance, or seaside clubs such as Amazonia or Cafe del Mar. And of course, there’s always the beach at sunset, possibly the most romantic setting of all (as long as the Wedding Registrar has approved the location beforehand and you have obtained the necessary permits.) 

So what’s the trickiest part about organising a wedding overseas? “We were luckier than most couples because Mario knew Malta, so that made the process much easier for us,” concedes Diana. “The paperwork was obviously more than we would have had to deal with were we to marry in the UK, but we found it fairly straightforward. Although I did have the most organised fiancé in the world who sorted most of it out for me! Probably the hardest part was organising an accommodation base for our families and friends. In the end we hired villas in the Santa Maria Estate in Mellieha which were brilliant.”

Now that she’s been there, done that and got the ring, what would be her advice be to couples thinking of getting married in Malta? “Do your research,” comes the quick reply. “There is a brilliant Facebook group called 'I’m getting married in Malta' which couples should absolutely join to get tips from other brides and grooms. Then set up a few appointments and go to Malta. Don’t do it all from home. We went for a week, and in that time we booked the venue, the band, the make-up artist, the caterer, drinks supplier, florist and bought our weddings rings.” Diana also pointed out that many suppliers had better Facebook pages than websites, and were really responsive.

And if you’re counting the pennies, there are a few more tricks to keep the budget under control. As Maltese couples prefer getting married on the weekends, opt for a weekday wedding instead. It will not only be cheaper, but you’re more likely to find the venue of your dreams available. Moreover, flights to Malta tend to be cheapest on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

There is no minimum residency period required before getting married in Malta. Wedding ceremonies are conducted in English, and the marriage certificate is issued in English. Marriages performed in Malta are internationally recognised and legally binding. Same sex civil unions are legal in Malta. For further information about the full documentation required check with the Marriage Registry at Identity Malta.