SARAH WILLIAMS @ HAYS TRAVEL
Abta L9519
Freephone: 0800 086 2698 / 01772 393061 / 07834 853478 - Email sarah.williams@hays-travel.co.uk
** PLEASE NOTE, THIS WEBSITE HAS BEEN CREATED BY SARAH FOR YOUR INFORMATION **
Who is Sarah?
Sarah has worked in travel since 2003, and has a vast knowledge of everything travel!
With a background in the wedding and honeymoon market, Sarah is able to use her wide range of suppliers to find you the best possible deal for your magical time away together! From long to short haul, Cruise to UK based, all enquiries can be catered for! On this page you will find specific pages for Maldives a very highly sought-after destination for this type of trip, and also a page on Orlando for the big kids out there!
Finally, we do have our Wedding Abroad section covering Greece & Cyprus. Feel free to browse!
I have also added more on this page about options for your magical day, both long and short haul, and also sustainable weddings.
Translation is available
With our partner Sarah Cutts Translation.
Sarah primarily translates all your documents needed from Spanish and French into English, providing certified translations of your marriage certificates.
For translations of your English birth certificates etc into Spanish, French (or even Greek!) to enable them to get married abroad, she is happy to recommend a service for you.
All I want for you on your big day is happy memories and this is something that I can make happen, by liaising with our translators, and the tour operator we use for your magical day, with their in-house wedding planners. Ask me for more details today.
Click the LEARN MORE tab above to go straight to Sarah's website, and don't forget to mention HAYS TRAVEL when you call!
All the info you need to know!
Sarah works with a large host of suppliers including:
- Sandals - Did you know you can get a FREE wedding!! Ask me for more details today.
- Cyplon Holidays - Covering Greece and Cyprus
- Olympic Holidays - Covering Greece and Cyprus
- TUI Weddings - Worldwide including Mexico and Dominican Republic
- All these suppliers work with me and Hays to help you plan and book your WEDDING.
For Honeymoon we do have all the above, as well as at least 25 other suppliers on our database, covering worldwide destinations, as well as all major cruise lines too.
How does it all work?
Sarah will firstly have a phone consultation with you, or she is happy to do this via Zoom or even face to face at your home, to go through some options with you, and discuss what exactly you are looking for.
After this, she will then liaise with our many suppliers to come up with some options for your wedding/honeymoon based on your criteria. Please note this can take a few days as some of the suppliers may need to come back to her with quotes.
Once all quotes are in, Sarah will then email you with the details and give you a quick call. After 48 hours, she will dairy a call to speak to you to see what you think, and if anything needs changing.
At this point, it's all about getting what YOU want. So, we are happy to change the quote as many times as needed until it fits with your criteria. When and only when, you are happy with the full package provided and costing will we discuss booking.
For the booking stage, normally we will take a low deposit (this does vary on supplier used), and then can arrange monthly Direct Debit or simply pay manually as and when you can. You will receive the date of the balance due, which normally is around 6-12 weeks prior to departure. Payment can be made with Sarah directly over the phone with credit/debit card, or via BACS.
Do you offer a gift registry?
We find a lot of brides and grooms, may already have a lot of items, as they already live together, and would rather that guests contribute to their wedding/honeymoon cost. At the time of booking, you will be given a reference number and friends / family are welcome to call Sarah quoting this to make a payment of the holiday. Due to data protection, Sarah is unable to divulge details of what has been booked.
Once a month you will receive a report which shows payments made on your booking, so you know who has done what.
** IMPORTANT NOTE, THERE IS NO CHARGE TO YOU FROM SARAH OR HAYS FOR ANY PART OF THIS SERVICE **
Green Weddings
Recent travel trends have consistently shown that for many couples planning their perfect destination wedding, sustainability is high on the list of considerations. With an increasing number of operators, destinations and resorts responding to those trends, here are some tips for those looking to make their weddings as sustainable as possible.
Fly guests short-haul
Virgin Atlantic and Etihad are just two of the airlines committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, using more-sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo family, A350-900, and Boeing 787-8 and 787-9.
On the popular Greek island of Santorini, for example, the carbon-negative hotel Carpe Diem and The Dunes wedding venue run on 100% certified renewable wind and solar energy, just one of a plethora of sustainability incentives.
Embrace the glamour of rail
“The time difference between many short-haul flights and rail journeys can be surprising,” the new Orient Express La Dolce Vita, booking for journeys in 2024, offers a luxury start to a wedding in dream destinations such as Tuscany, where the elegant eco farmhouse Borgo Pignano’s strong commitment to sustainable tourism is reflected in its 2020 Green Globe Certification.
Check sustainability credentials
Remi Giromella, head of sustainability at The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia, advises honeymooners to “make sure resorts are implementing a genuine conservation and regenerative programme or initiative.”
She adds: “Being part of EarthCheck or B Corp (or being recognised by other environmental certification bodies) is a good way to measure their real impact on the environment and community.” Its own The Datai Pledge has been awarded a range of conservation and sustainability accreditations since its launch in 2019.
Support local communities
Sustainable travel is as much about local engagement as it is the wider environment. “Whether it’s a holiday or a wedding, if you’re looking for a sustainable experience, when you get there, be there,” urges Stone. “Really engage with the destination and the people. And stay longer.”
Eleanor Karhu, ecology and sustainability manager at Blue Safari, which includes the Alphonse Island Resort in the Seychelles Outer Islands, adds: “The theme of your wedding should reflect where you want to have it.” The resort’s own commitment to sustainability is echoed in a wedding package that uses only flowers and vegetation sourced on the island.
Choose plant-based options
Many resorts are addressing the issues of food waste and miles by using more local produce, donation programmes and composting leftovers.
In the Maldives, Lux South Ari Atoll’s Keen on Green concept sees every restaurant at the resort, which holds a Green Globe certificate, offer a variety of plant-based dishes from locally sourced ingredients. It’s just one of the many sustainable initiatives that helped it win the Best Ecofriendly Resort 2022 in the South Asian Travel Awards.
“Sustainable travel is a constant evolution, and eco-certification is still a minefield,” says Stone. For clients who find the complexities bewildering, she identifies three broad areas to focus on when planning and researching: “Have a lighter footprint, reinvest in nature, and make sure that wherever you have your wedding, there is community involvement, awareness and connection.”
Sustainable weddings
The Dunes, Carpe Diem, Santorini, Greece
With 10 suites set around an infinity pool overlooking the Aegean Sea, the carbon-negative Carpe Diem is a perfect option for short-haul destination weddings.
Book it: A two-night minimum stay in the Alba Suite starts at £1,072, based on two sharing on a B&B basis. Venue hire for weddings, for a seven-and-a-half‑hour ceremony and reception for up to 50 guests, costs £3,828.
carpediemsantorini.com/weddings
Borgo Pignano, Tuscany, Italy
Set in a picturesque 750-acre organic estate, this beautiful Tuscan resort offers a range of accommodation, including an 18th-century villa featuring frescoes and antique furnishings.
Book it: Three nights’ B&B in the Artist’s Studio maisonette costs from £1,669 per person, including flights from Gatwick on May 27. Wedding prices vary.
elegantresorts.co.uk
The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia
A natural setting of sea, mangroves and ancient virgin rainforest set against the backdrop of Mount Machincang, along with a pledge to create a sustainable environment for the future, are just two reasons to consider a wedding here.
Book it: Red Savannah offers a seven-night private journey in Malaysia from £2,887 per person. The price includes seven nights’ B&B in a Deluxe Canopy Room, return flights from Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur, and private airport transfers. Based on travel in June and two sharing. Wedding prices vary.
redsavannah.com
Andaz Mayakoba, Mexico
The 214 rooms are filled with bright, local motifs in a resort that’s been awarded the country’s highest-level certification in environmental performance for Sustainable and Responsible Tourism Development. The weddings and operations team are certified by Playa Pride, a local non-profit organisation that supports the LGBTQ+ community.
Book it: Elegant Resorts offers seven nights’ B&B in a King Room at £1,969 per person, based on two adults sharing, travelling on September 5. Includes return BA flights from Gatwick, private transfers and UK Lounge passes. It can be combined with a wedding package from £7,370.
elegantresorts.co.uk
Alphonse Island, the Seychelles
Located 250 miles southwest of Mahé, Alphonse Island offers a range of laid-back weddings that reflect its commitment to sustainability.
Book it: Prices start at £7,285 per person for seven nights’ full-board based on two people sharing a Beach Bungalow, including internal flights and economy flights from London with Etihad Airways. Valid for stays until December 31. Wedding packages start at £5,576.
lussotravel.com/hotels/alphonse-island
Lux South Ari Atoll, the Maldives
A zero-waste wedding funding the education of a child at a local care home is just one reason to consider a planet-friendly wedding at this resort.
Book it: Rooms start at £268 per night on a B&B basis in June, based on two sharing, excluding seaplane transfers. The Boho wedding package starts at £3,073.
luxresorts.com
PICTURES: Anthony Grote; Miguel Juarez
Long-haul vs short-haul honeymoons: Beach, active and culture
For many newlyweds, the prospect of a dream honeymoon can be as exciting as actually tying the knot. And according to Stacey Owens, one of Kuoni’s honeymoons experts, the cost-of-living crisis has had little impact on honeymoon bookings so far.
“People are still willing to spend on honeymoons,” she says. “It’s an emotive purchase and they have their mind set on this, as a milestone in their lives. I’ve spoken to couples who are willing to cut the cost of their weddings rather than sacrifice their honeymoon.”
Despite this, Owens acknowledges that the pandemic has changed some travellers’ circumstances, which means they might have less time or cash.
It’s an emotive purchase and they have their mind set on this, as a milestone in their lives
While long-haul destinations such as the Maldives and southeast Asia remain popular, she says there has been a shift towards people shortening their stays to ensure they can still experience the honeymoon they want.
Mark Garrett, head of sales at Audley Travel, agrees that shorter honeymoons have grown in popularity, with people also looking at destinations closer to home, including Greece and Italy. “It’s all about understanding the time and money investment from the client, alongside what their interests are,” he says.
Whether that’s a dream three-week trip exploring the natural wonders of North America or a chilled-out stay in the Med, there are plenty of options out there for honeymooners.
Beach
Long-haul: The Maldives
With operators reporting that multi-centre trips are a popular option for honeymooners, Audley Travel offers a package that combines a stop-off in sunny Dubai with a stay on Velassaru Island.
The latter features traditional Maldivian thatched villas and an infinity pool overlooking a lagoon. Snorkelling equipment can be hired for exploring the house reef, which is filled with angelfish and grey mullet, while romantic excursions such as night swimming and sunset cruises can be booked on arrival.
Book it: A 12-day Maldives & Dubai honeymoon package from Audley Travel costs from £3,450 in March 2024, including bed-and-breakfast accommodation, flights, transfers and excursions in Dubai.
audleytravel.com
Short-haul: Santorini, Greece
Santorini remains one of Kuoni’s top sellers for honeymooners looking for luxury and relaxation in Europe, offering captivating sunsets over the Aegean from its red and black volcanic beaches.
Guests staying at Auberge Resorts Collection’s Grace Santorini, where every room has a sunset view, can enjoy a champagne breakfast before a dip in the infinity pool overlooking Skaros Rock and afternoons spent chilling on double loungers.
Book it: A seven-night stay at Grace Santorini with Kuoni starts at £3,448, including flights, accommodation and champagne breakfast, departing on October 12.
kuoni.co.uk
Active
Long-haul: Western Canada
Karen Farrar, North America Travel Service’s product and marketing manager, describes the west of Canada as a “golden ticket” for bookings over the past six months, with flights and accommodation often selling out.
Banff National Park, home of Lake Louise – one of the most photographed lakes in the world, with its turquoise waters surrounded by striking peaks – offers almost 1,000 miles of hiking trails to explore. Newlyweds can also take a stroll through the old-growth forests around Whistler or book a ziplining or horse-riding excursion.
Book it: North America Travel Service’s 13-night Western Parks Explorer package starts at £3,595 in September, including flights, accommodation and car hire.
northamericatravelservice.co.uk
Short-haul: Amalfi Coast, Italy
Charming towns filled with cafes and boutique shops, combined with dramatic cliffs and sweeping vistas . . . the Amalfi Coast is an ideal place for newlyweds who enjoy challenging, yet rewarding, hikes.
The Path of the Gods trail takes in views of the picturesque cliffside town of Positano and the Sorrento Peninsula, while there’s also the chance to walk to the crater at nearby Mount Vesuvius.
Book it: Exodus Travels’ eight-day self-guided Paths of the Amalfi Coast trip costs from £1,369, including flights, accommodation and most meals, departing on September 2.
exodus.co.uk
Culture
Long-haul: Vietnam
A thriving foodie scene – think authentic pho and bánh mì – bustling metropolises sitting alongside traditional towns and a history that dates back to ancient dynasties, Vietnam is a hotbed of culture.
InsideAsia has built an adventurous itinerary “designed for honeymooners”, offering lakeside tai chi classes with locals in Hanoi, a basket-weaving masterclass in Hoi An, a visit to the former imperial citadel in Hue and a meal made with local produce on the banks of the Ben Tre River in the Mekong Delta. There’s also a cruise to the secluded coves and mountainous islands of Lan Ha Bay.
Book it: InsideAsia’s 13-night Vietnam Rejuvenation package costs from £4,518 for departures in September, including bed-and-breakfast accommodation, internal transport and cultural experiences.
insideasiatours.com
Short-haul: Valletta, Malta
If gold can bring a marriage good luck, look no further than the gilded St John’s Co-Cathedral, while the Upper Barrakka Gardens, which offers gorgeous views of the Grand Harbour, is the best place in Valletta to capture Insta-worthy romantic snaps.
For an extra-special Maltese meal, head to Michelin-starred Noni, which has regularly changing set and tasting menus based on seasonal local ingredients.
Book it: Mercury Holidays offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at The Phoenicia Malta from £1,022, including flights, based on an October 31 departure.
mercuryholidays.co.uk
Dos and Don’ts
Do . . . emphasise flexibility
If your circumstances have changed since you got engaged, think about alternatives that will still provide a dream honeymoon. This could be different room categories if your budget is stretched, or boutique hotel offerings in Europe that offer a similar romantic experience to a long-haul destination but closer to home.
Don’t . . . book last-minute
Pent-up demand for travel after the pandemic still means hotels and on-ground experiences book up quickly. Now, more than ever, it’s important to plan ahead. If you are keen to secure a specific experience – anything from a private cruise to a sunrise hot-air balloon ride – book it early to avoid missing out.
PICTURES: Shutterstock/picoshots, tanialerro.art, Nguyen Quang Ngoc Tonkin, fokke baarssen, Dudarev Mikhail
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