Villa Mosaica Weddings – The Economics of Getting Married

Villa Mosaica have the best Cyprus wedding packages available for those who are on a budget. Getting married at one of our luxury villas means you have the ceremony, reception, accommodation and honeymoon combined. It’s the most economical option, allowing you to spread your wedding budget further…and have more to spend on your dress.

When you get married abroad you automatically solve a lot of problems. There’s no need to feel obliged to hold a large wedding and invite distant relatives, work colleagues and friends you haven’t seen for years. You can have a small, intimate celebration with family and close friends with absolutely no pressure or guilt. This will seriously keep the cost down.

Guests who book villa accommodation and all their wedding services with us, get the use of Villa Mosaica or Aretousa free. Venue hire is one of the most costly elements of a wedding so this is a massive saving. Book with us and venue costs for your Cyprus wedding will be zero. You can also use the villa for your hen and stag night…cocktails round the pool will cost a lot less than a night-out in Limassol.

Your ceremony, the reception and after-party will all take place within the villas grounds so there’s no limo to pay for. Plus, you’re actually staying there, so no-one will require taxis at the end of the evening.

All our wedding packages include the services of a wedding co-ordinator, in resort. This is a luxury you probably wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. All the arrangements will be taken care of; you just need to turn-up and enjoy the day.

Compared to the UK, the rest of Europe and USA prices, you’ll save a small fortune on catering for your guests. You can have a relaxed buffet style or BBQ meal, around the villa’s pool for a fraction of the cost of a more formal set-up. Our caterers will prepare for you delicious local cuisine, champagne, wines and soft drinks. Our Villa staff will set all plates, glasses, cutlery ready on the tables and will then set the meal, in a buffet style, and depart.
The same staff will return later to clear away and leave to let you continue with your celebration.

Our Cyprus wedding villas are set in beautiful surroundings, with lush tropical gardens, sea and mountain views with easy access to shopping, restaurants and entertainment. You and your guests will celebrate pool-side, by the gazebo in complete privacy and seclusion. The villas are spacious, with elegant décor, four-poster beds and en-suite bathrooms. The large Villa Mosaica also has a sauna and Jacuzzi. Despite the fact you’ll be spending less, you’ll get a more spectacular wedding.

Cyprus Wedding costs versus UK Wedding expenses

Getting married in Cyprus has many advantages – warm weather, exotic venues, romance and excitement. However, the number one reason people choose to tie the knot in Cyprus is cost.

In 2011, You & Your Wedding Magazine surveyed 1500 brides-to-be and found that the average cost of a UK wedding was £19,779 [€23,461.00 Euro].
This figure includes everything from the engagement party to the wedding rings. The most expensive items are wedding food, the honeymoon and hiring a venue – here’s a breakdown of some of the elements:
Food £3,075 [€3650.00 Euro]
Honeymoon £2,935 [€3,483.00 Euro]
Venue Hire £2,448 [€2905.00 Euro]
Drink £1,205 [€1430.00 Euro]
Entertainment £654 [€776.00 Euro]
Cars/transport £388 [€460.00 Euro]
First night at a hotel £180 [€214.00 Euro]

Research by Mintel in 2011 revealed that 1 in 5 British couples get married abroad. In 2010 266,000 weddings took place in the UK and 57,000 ceremonies took place abroad – that’s 18%. They stated that cost was the main factor responsible for the 27% increase in weddings abroad. The average spend on a wedding aboard is £6,585 [€7814.00 Euro] – a third of the cost of a wedding in the UK.

Planning and stress is another reason not to get married in England. The average number of guests at a UK wedding is 96. Many couples resent having to spend so much money catering for relatives they haven’t seen since they were 6. A wedding abroad allows you to opt for a small, intimate occasion without offending anyone. This means lower costs and much less hassle.

Choosing Europe means it’s accessible enough for your nearest and dearest to attend. At the same time, travelling 3000 miles will be out the remit of those relatives, friends and acquaintances that you aren’t that close to.

A wedding in Cyprus is considerably cheaper than the UK, the rest of Europe and the USA. Here’s what you can get for €4,510 [This is our Offer to You] when you hire a wedding villa with us. The offer includes the following:

7 Nights’ accommodation at a luxury villa for 16 guests [The Wedding Couple with 14 Guests]
Use of the villa as a venue for the wedding ceremony and reception
Reception meal, for 16 guests [The Wedding Couple with 14 Guests], served at the Villa
Complete Wedding Planning Service
Wedding Flowers
Wedding Photography
2-Tier Wedding Cake

When you book your villa accommodation and wedding services with us – we give you the use of the villa as a ceremony or a reception venue for FREE. That’s an immediate saving of £2,448 [€2904.00 Euro] (the average cost of venue hire in the UK). Plus, you’re already on honeymoon.
Contact us now to book your dream wedding in the sun. ]]> http://www.villa-mosaica.com/wedding-costs-in-cyprus/feed/ 0 http://www.villa-mosaica.com/reasons-to-get-married-in-cyprus/ http://www.villa-mosaica.com/reasons-to-get-married-in-cyprus/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:34:47 +0000 A. Stylianou http://www.villa-mosaica.com/rent-cyprus-villas/?p=8351

A Wedding in Cyprus: It Is not Just The Romance

Here are some of the reasons why you may wish to consider a wedding in Cyprus.

1. It’s the Island of Love and the birthplace of Aphrodite – what could be more romantic?

2. It has over 330 days of sunshine a year so there’s no need to worry about the weather spoiling your special day.

3. It’s cheaper. On average couples spend around £25,000 getting married in the UK, including reception, honeymoon etc. You can save lots of money doing it abroad.

4. You can have a winter wedding without worrying about freezing temperatures.

5. You’ll be able to enjoy an outdoor event, where it’s still warm late into the evening.

6. Get married on the beach, barefoot in the sand, looking out at the Mediterranean Sea.

7. Have your reception on a private yacht.

8. Get married at a luxury villa in Cyprus and invite the whole family for the trip of a lifetime.

9. You get to celebrate your wedding for a whole week/fortnight instead of just one day.

10. Your family get an amazing experience too.

11. You can combine your wedding and honeymoon and save yourself the trouble of arranging both.

12. Have an idyllic honeymoon on an island that’s beauty has been celebrated throughout the ages.

13. Hold your hen/stag celebrations in the vibrant city of Limassol, renowned for its nightlife.

14. Have an intimate celebration –invite your nearest and dearest without worrying what your other relatives will think.

15. Have a casual, no fuss wedding and be free from all the hassle of seating plans, table settings and in-fighting.

16. You’ll have your very own wedding planner in Cyprus, dedicated to arranging your big day.

17. All documentation and the ceremony will be in English.

18. You can get an express wedding license which means there are no requirements regarding how long you need to be in the country for.

19. You can introduce some local traditions and customs.

20. The photographs will be better – Cyprus has spectacular scenery. Beautiful blue sea, Mediterranean sunsets, exotic gardens will provide a fabulous backdrop.

21. You can have another party when you get home, for friends and relatives who couldn’t make it and show off your wedding pictures and video.

22. It’s something different – do something extraordinary rather than copying all the other weddings you’ve been to.

23. You’ll have the perfect excuse to visit Cyprus every year – your wedding anniversary.

If you can think of any more, we’d love to hear from you.

Have you been to a Greek Orthodox wedding?

A wedding is a joyous affair that does more than just join two people in matrimony. A great wedding will also bring together the couple’s friends and family to celebrate under the aura of tradition and culture. And few people do tradition (or weddings) like the Greeks.
If you’ve been invited to a Greek Orthodox wedding, you’ll want to brush up a bit on the customs involved, so you don’t feel completely lost during the ceremony.

For many people, the closest they’ve come to attending a Greek wedding has been watching a certain big fat Hollywood blockbuster. But a true Greek Orthodox wedding is an unforgettable and fascinating experience. The ceremony itself is a solemn and beautiful affair. Unlike other cultures, the guests at a Greek Orthodox wedding traditionally do not enter the church before the entire wedding party has arrived. (Incidentally, you need to be part of the Greek Orthodox church to be a member of the party, including bridesmaids, groomsmen, and maid of honor)

You also don’t need to worry about which side of the church to sit on. A Greek wedding isn’t divided into the “groom’s side” and “brides side.” Just seat yourself wherever you’re comfortable, and enjoy the services.

A traditional Greek Orthodox wedding is actually broken up into two ceremonies. The first, knows as the betrothal, takes place wither at the doorway to the church or at an altar set up just for this purpose. Here, the groom will hand over the bride’s bouquet, which he has been holding on to. There is also an exchange of rings, which the priest will bless. From there, the couple and their bridal party will make their way to the front of the church for the second part of the ceremony, known as the sacrament.

At the altar at the front of the church, there will most likely be two large pillar candles set up. This light, which remains lit for the duration of the ceremony, represents Jesus, who the couple asks to light the path to married life. The priest will also join the couple’s hands, to represent their unity. The bride and groom will hold on to each other for the remainder of the ceremony.

Following a series of formal prayers and rituals (many of which are repeated three times to represent the Holy Trinity) the ceremony reaches its zenith with the crowning. Known as the Stefana, this is the most easily recognized part of a Greek wedding. Two beautifully adorned crowns [Stefana] are placed atop the couple’s heads, joined together with a white ribbon. The Stefana symbolize the fact that the wedding-couple are now being crowned to be together for ever.

Next, the couple will take their first steps as man and wife – three times around the altar.
As a guest, you will most likely be handed a small bag full of confetti or brightly colored rice during the ceremony. Shower it upon the retreating couple during their recessional.
Many first time guests to a Greek wedding are surprised at the mood shift from ceremony to reception. As soon as the services are over, the atmosphere will change from austere to jubilant. Your best bet as an invitee is to go with the flow and enjoy the party.

You can expect a feast-like dinner that includes many Greek specialties like Tzatziki (yogurt dip with Cucmbers), succulent lamb, rice, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), Spanikopita (pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese) and plenty of Ouzo (fortified wine flavored with star anise). Show your host your appreciation by eating your fill.
When the music starts, join in the traditional dances and don’t be surprised if a plate or two gets smashed on the floor – it’s all for good luck!

Wedding in Cyprus? – Which Date?

Here’s a guide to help you choose your wedding date, along with the extra considerations to keep in mind because you’re getting married in Cyprus.

Season

This is often the first decision to make – Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter? If you know what kind of wedding you’d like, it will probably be an easy choice. If not, picture your wedding day – is it a hot summers evening or a crisp winter morning? What colours are you considering and what seasons do they associate with?

Weather

A Cyprus wedding means there’s no need to worry about the rain spoiling your special day or being too cold in your dress. Although, the extreme heat may be enough to put you off holding your wedding in the peak Summer months. The most popular time of year to get married is slightly off-season in April/May or September/October. The resorts are quieter and the flights are considerably cheaper.

Travel

It’s likely that travel arrangements will very much influence your date choice. Short list the airlines that offer flights to Cyprus then check out their timetables to see what days they fly. Note down a list of possible travel dates and narrow it down with your family. Don’t try to book online. Call the airlines and get a sales assistant to help. Tell them your requirements and let them get back to you with potential flights and costs.

Superstition

The lucky triple 7’s (07/07/2007) was one of the most popular wedding dates ever. If you’re superstitious you may have heard that to marry on a Wednesday is best of all. Or, be wary of getting married in May in case you rue the day, as the saying goes.

Significance

Perhaps a certain date holds some significance to you – your parent’s birthday or anniversary. The anniversary of when you first met, got engaged, said ‘I love you.’ Or, you could choose to get married on Valentine’s Day, Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve.

Time in resort

When it comes to confirming the ceremony date, consider what you’ll want to do before and after the wedding. Make sure you allow enough time for hen/stag celebrations, or a little rest and relaxation before the big day. You don’t want to feel rushed. Many people get married 4 or 5 days into their trip. Our Wedding Planners have a wealth of experience and will be glad to assist you.

Remember to book as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment. Planning your wedding will be much easier this way – giving you plenty of time to make travel arrangements and lots of notice for guests.

Wedding-Honeymoon Combined on the Island of Love

The beauty about getting married in Cyprus is that you’re already on honeymoon. Wake-up the day after the wedding as Mr and Mrs, without having to face a day of travelling before you can start enjoying your newly-wed status.
Planning your dream honeymoon can be just as stressful as arranging the wedding itself. You can save yourself all this hassle by getting married abroad so you’re already in resort. No effort, no fuss, just celebration and enjoyment.
Contact our experienced wedding planners today to get started.

Many couples have to settle for a honeymoon a few days, or even weeks after the wedding because they can’t get the travel dates they want. The elation from the wedding day has worn off by this stage – so it’s not nearly as romantic. Whereas a wedding in Cyprus is extra special as you’re already in a romantic holiday destination…on the Island of Love.

Cyprus has lots to offer honeymooners from romantic walks on the beach to hiking in the Troodos Mountains. All year round sunshine, beautiful coastlines, fascinating historic cities and lively nightspots will ensure you have an unforgettable honeymoon.

The Villa Mosaica Honeymoon Experience

Wedding celebrations at our villas can go on for several days. There’s the pre-wedding dinner, guest arrivals, hen and stag nights. After the wedding, you can enjoy some quality time with your family too.

Many couples feel rushed and resent being whisked away on honeymoon when they’re still spinning from the wedding itself. It can actually be nice to spend a few days sharing this special time with your loved ones.

Villa Weddings

A villa wedding gives you the added flexibility to hold a post-wedding breakfast, a thank you dinner for your parents, or a barbeque night with dancing under the stars. There’s a whole host of activities you can enjoy together – mosaic making classes, wine tasting, or even just lazing round your private swimming pool. This is great if you have children.

Our villas are large enough to enable you to hold the Wedding Ceremony as well as the Wedding Reception at the villa, while you can still enjoy ample privacy, so you get the best of everything. Plus, we include a bottle of champagne and flowers for newlyweds on the night of the wedding.

If you’d prefer a romantic getaway, we can arrange that you spend the remainder of your time in Cyprus at a luxury villa for two. The rest of the family and guests can fly back at leisure, while you enjoy your honeymoon and, of course, the Cypriot sun.

Mosaic Art Lessons in the comfort of your villa

Villa Mosaica Holidays is aptly named after the décor at our 3 large, luxury villas in Cyprus. Villas Mosaica, Aretousa and Amorosa are decorated with original mosaic artwork, created by local artist Photini Stylianou.
Photini is a mosaic and stained glass artist and works with hand-cut glazed tiles, metallic blended and iridescent glass, mirror, stone, marble gems, pebbles and sea shells.
You can view a collection of her work at The Mosaic Art Gallery.
Born in Arsos, Limassol she has been inspired by the specular mosaic art found at Roman archaeological sites, Byzantine churches and monasteries around the island.

Cyprus Mosaics

Cyprus is in fact World renowned for its Roman mosaics. A visit to the Kato Pafos Archaeological Park, near Paphos harbour is not to be missed. Here you’ll see 5 Roman villas from the 3rd to the 5th century AD, all named after their well-preserved mosaic décor. The House of:

Dionysos

– contains detailed depictions of the Greek God of wine and fertility.

Theseus

– mosaics include scenes of Theseus killing the Minotaur and the birth of Achilles

Aion

– contains 5 marvellous mythological scenes including Leda and the Swan

Orpheus

– named after Orpheus and his Lyre

Four Seasons

– a representation of spring, summer, autumn, winter.

Mosaic art also flourished in Cyprus in the Byzantine period from 330 – 1191. Eastern influences were introduced and special glass tiles called smalti, manufactured in northern Italy. These were sometimes backed with reflective silver or gold leaf so they reflect the light in different ways. While the Roman’s used mosaics to decorate their floors, Byzantines began to cover walls and ceilings.

Getting Technical

It is thought that the word Mosaic originates from French and is based on the Latin musaeum, ‘decoration with small square stones’. However, the Latin words are said to have derived from an ancient Greek phrase meaning ‘place holy to the Muses.’ Art that was dedicated to the Muses.
Tessera or tesserae (Latin for stones or dice) is the correct name for the mosaic tiles or pieces. The word Andamento is used to describe the flow of Tesserae.
‘Opus,’ the Latin word for work is used to describe how the tesserae are cut and where they are placed. For example, Opus palladianum is the Latin name for what we’d know today as ‘crazy paving,’ irregularly shaped tiles, laid out in an uneven way.

Mosaic Art Lessons

During your stay in Cyprus, we offer a unique opportunity to find out more about this ancient art. You can enjoy private mosaic classes from the comfort of your villa in Cyprus by esteemed artist Photini Stylianou. Classes are available for different group sizes, at different levels and cover various methods.
Find out more about our mosaic classes

Planning for Your Cyprus Wedding, Before Leaving Home ..

If you’re in the UK, planning a wedding in a foreign country may seem a little daunting. Organising a wedding in your own country can be stressful enough, without the added complexities of getting married abroad. The legalities and paperwork, the food and flowers, the travel arrangements – all this before you can even think about finding the perfect dress.

The services of a local wedding planner will be invaluable to you. This is included in our wedding package prices.

Your wedding coordinator’s job is to:

- Take care of all the paperwork
- Book the venue, Registrar, wedding cars, wedding photographer
- Arrange the catering
- Order the flowers, cake, champagne
- Organise the venue decorations
- Liaise with you throughout the process
- Be there on the day to ensure everything runs like clockwork

Villa Mosaica aims to make your Cyprus wedding easy. We believe that planning is all part of the fun. It is the job of our Cyprus wedding planners to make your experience a happy, stress-free one. From an initial chat about your ideas for the big day, to ensuring all your requirements are catered for.

What you need to do

We recommend that you speak to our wedding planners first who’ll answer all your questions about, venues, dates and special requests.

If you choose to get married at one of our Cyprus Wedding Villas, for a real private wedding, planning is even easier. This is because you have your wedding and reception venue rolled into one, as well as luxury accommodation for you and your guests. The honeymoon’s taken care of too.

Essentially, all you need to do is take care of the logistics. Who will travel to Cyprus? What dates are convenient? What flights are available? Can you get a group discount? Book your flight tickets and obtain wedding insurance.

Once you know where, how, when and who – it’s onto the fun part. Choosing a colour scheme, picking your outfits, booking beauty treatments, deciding what to do for your hen night. You’ll have a dedicated wedding planner in Cyprus, who will arrange everything on your behalf.

You may need to get in touch with the airline about transporting the wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses and the suits for the groom and groomsmen. The best thing to do is carry your outfits on as hand luggage. So, you’ll need to get the size and weight allowance from the airline. This way, you’ve got complete peace of mind. Everything that’s none essential can be packed into your suitcase to go in the hold of the plane.

4 Winter Wedding Themes

Many couples look to the seasons for inspiration when deciding on a wedding theme and colour scheme. If you’re getting married abroad, you might find choices are a little trickier, but not if you decide to wed in Cyprus. A winter wedding in Cyprus does not mean ice, snow and cold weather. It has a sub-tropical climate, with temperatures reaching into the 20’s all year round. Therefore, traditional themes like Winter-Wonderland are perhaps inappropriate.

Here are 4 winter wedding ideas that are perfect for your special day in Cyprus.

November – Beautiful Berry

A delicious winter berry palette of burgundy, cranberry, pomegranate and plum, mixed with cream. This is a great alternative to a classic Autumnal theme – bright and fun, with seasonal undertones that work perfectly for a wedding abroad. Vibrant, soft berries will give you an entire theme for invitations, decorations, table settings, desserts and drinks. Choose deep, warm shades that wouldn’t really work in Spring or Summer. Grey, Charcoal and Fig are great complementary colours.

December – Festive Christmas

ason. If you’re getting married in December you could go for a traditional Xmas theme of red, gold, green. Poinsettias make stunning centrepieces, or how about miniature Christmas trees decorated with tiny ornaments? You can use wreaths, tinsel, Christmas lights, bells, baubles, ribbons, mistletoe. When it comes to your menu, you can enjoy turkey with some exotic stuffing and Cypriot honey, almond and walnut pastries.

January – Simply Natural

Take inspiration from nature in January with a green and ivory palette. It’s elegant, romantic and fresh. Plus, you can have lots of fun with garlands, pine cones, ivy, twigs. Take a walk through the Cedar Valley in the Troodos Mountains when you arrive in Cyprus for inspiration (or to forage for materials). To add warmth and a hint of glamour; use rich gold accents – a touch of ribbon detail, a dusting of gold glitter. Or incorporate a deep red for a pop of colour.

February – Metallics

February is one of the coldest months of the year in Cyprus; you can reflect this with a shimmering, metallic colour scheme. First decide whether you suit cold or warm colours best. If your colouring and skin tone suit cool hues – choose silver and white, with metallic dark blue or frosty purple. If warm shades are your thing – choose gold and ivory, with metallic peach, bronze or brown. Ask your guests to coordinate by wearing something either cool or warm – this way your photos will look great.

Cyprus Villa Wedding Story