A Wedding in Northern Cyprus

What could be more romantic that getting married in the land of Aphrodite’s birth? What could be more thrilling that marrying the one you love under the stunning summer sunshine in Northern Cyprus surrounded by friends and family and with the exotic backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea or the dramatic Kyrenia mountain range?

If you’re dreaming of a wedding in Northern Cyprus and want to know how to arrange it, what to expect, how to make your special day perfect and all about the international legalities of getting married in North Cyprus here is our guide to North Cyprus weddings.

First things first marriages in Northern Cyprus are legal and accepted as legitimate worldwide which means that if you herald from anywhere from the UK and Ireland to Russia or Israel or even Canada or America you can legally wed in North Cyprus.

The law in Cyprus is based on English law which makes the whole marriage process that much simpler to understand and it means that wedding services and marriage documents are all in English. Legal requirements that have to be fulfilled for a wedding in Northern Cyprus to take place include the bride and groom having to stay in TRNC for at least 6 days before their wedding and they have to bring their birth certificates, decree absolute (if previously married and subsequently divorced) as well as their passports with them to North Cyprus.

There are many hotels on the island now offering wedding packages and wedding co-ordinators are on hand to help plan everything from the wedding breakfast, accommodation, special music and features of the ceremony etc., hotels can be used as a venue for a wedding or a blessing and pretty St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in the heart of Kyrenia overlooking the fortress and harbour can also be used for the wedding ceremony (telephone +90 392 815 4329). There is also a Catholic church in Kyrenia (telephone +90 392 815 2285) and for those wishing to get married in Gazimagusa the Nestorian Church of George of the Foreigner may be available (telephone +90 392 815 4329).

There are a number of specialist wedding outfitters available in Northern Cyprus including Mally’s Boutique (telephone +90 392 815 4366 or +90 542 853 9499) and Mehmet Ismail Couture (telephone +90 533 866 7078) and there are tailors available on the main streets in Kyrenia who offer tailor made garments for men and women at very reasonable prices, available often within 48 hours.

Gold and jewellery are far more reasonably priced in North Cyprus than in many other countries - especially since tax free shopping in North Cyprus became a reality – this means that it’s possible to buy the bride’s jewellery and wedding rings on the island or to even have custom jewellery designed and created for the wedding.

Flowers can be arranged through a number of florists such as Kamelya in Girne (telephone +90 392 815 1519), cakes can be ordered a couple of days in advance from any bakery, for example the Milano Patisserie in Girne has an excellent selection available and will take custom orders (telephone +90 392 815 5318) and All Occasions in Karaoglanoglu offer party planning and wedding coordination services.

Venues for the wedding breakfast and reception range from the stunning Bellapais Abbey to the likes of Escape Beach, Jasmine Court Hotel, the Rocks Hotel or the Colony. Those who would like a beach front reception or ceremony can choose from resorts such as Acapulco, Mare Monte or Salamis Bay.

For up to date lists of phone numbers and wedding service providers try the North Cyprus Yellow Pages website or The Buzz Book.