Wedding abroad: Vietnam
Features editor Lily Canter writes about her perfect day in paradise.
We have never been a traditional couple. I proposed to my husband whilst we sat in dressing gowns on the sofa during a romantic holiday in Devon. And no it wasn't a leap year. I didn't get on one knee either, but at least I had an engagement ring prepared. Coincidentally Mark was due to propose to me the very same week but ever the control freak, I beat him to it.
This story is a perfect example of how in tune we are as a couple, after just eight years together. By the time we reach retirement, telepathy will probably be our main form of communication.
That is not to say that we don't have our striking differences, myself a 29-year-old journalist and Mark a 35-year-old cabinet maker. Whilst I muse over local politics and the importance of grammar, Mark is talking routers, biscuiting and veneering.
But for whatever reason we have always clicked, ever since our chance meeting in a Sheffield nightclub.
Therefore deciding how to get married was an easy choice. We both wanted it to be completely private, hassle free with sunshine on tap. No relatives interfering, no gushing readings, no fuss. From the very beginning we decided to elope abroad, on our own with no friends or relatives.
We both agreed that our wedding was about us and no-one else. Some people may think that this was a selfish approach to take but in our minds we were making a personal declaration of love and commitment to each other, not to our parents, second cousins and work colleagues.
We also felt that being alone was the most romantic thing in the world.
The search was then on for a location and after months of deliberation we decided on Vietnam. Mark was fascinated with the Vietnam War and I was keen to go to south east Asia for the spiritual culture and lush landscapes.
Wanting to cram in as much as possible, whilst also finding time to get married and relax on the beach, we arranged a three week holiday in September, leaving our cats and home in The Mounts, Northampton in the hands of friends.
Our holiday included flying into Ho Chi Minh City (formally Saigon) in the south and travelling up the country via plane and trains, to fly out of Hanoi in the north.
Along the way we stopped off at many towns and cities, took in the sights, trasped around war museums, hiked in the mountains and were pampered at spas.
Unlike most of the other travellers we met, we were not slumming it, choosing to stay in four and five star hotels, costing about a quarter of the price of top accommodation in the UK.
At the end of our first week we broke up our busy schedule of travelling around, with a five day stay at the luxurious Six Senses Spa in Ninh Van Bay.Having found it on the internet and booked everything with ease online, we were excited (if not a little apprehensive) about arriving at our wedding destination. But we were not to be disappointed.
I have never experienced perfection - it just doesn't register in my psyche. But for the first time in my life I was speechless as the resort far exceeded my already high expectations.
Nestled into a breathtaking peninsula, the resort is only accessible by boat and completely cut off from the rest of the world. It has a long silver stretch of sandy beach, warm coral waters filled with colourful sea creatures and a team of attentive but unintrusive staff.
The environmentally-friendly wooden villas are hidden by wild green foliage and transport around the resort was by bicycle or quaint electric golf buggy.
Even with more than 50 villas the place always felt practically empty as guests hid away in their own perfect mini-hotels, each with a pool, lounge and luxurious bedrooms. Meanwhile food from the restaurant was available 24 hours a day, at the same price, brought to your door in any weather.
Each guest was also given their own butler who could run errands, book excursions, arrange spa treatments and was generally there to meet all your demands any time of day or night.
With unstoppable smiles on our faces we immediately embraced our refreshing pool on our arrival, taking in the stunning views across the crystal clear blue bay. The resort has a variety of villas on the beach, right on the waters edge and upon the hillside, which is the most private option and the one we took.
Snorkelling, trips to waterfalls, fishing excursions, secluded beaches and exclusive barbecues on the beach are all available, but the villas themselves are so amazing that you really have very little reason to go outside your own bamboo enclosure.
Thinking things couldn't possibly get any better, the resort upped its game from amazing to overwhelming, when it came to our wedding day. A little hungover from cocktails on the beach the night before, we were relived our wedding was not scheduled until 3.30pm. Whilst Mark spent the morning snorkelling I pampered my face, hands and feet at the villa, before our butler Thai collected me in the golf buggy and whisked me and my dress over to the wedding chapel.
This was situated up 150 steps giving it complete exclusivity but also panoramic views of the sea. Showered with flowers and champagne on my arrival, I got ready in the dressing room with a smug grin on my face.
The wedding planning then took me across to the wood-framed chapel which was adorned with a florist-shop full of heart shaped white bouquets and hundreds of red rose petals on the glass floor.
Having both decided to spend the ceremony barefooted the cool glass floor was a welcoming feeling against the glorious searing sunshine.
Below the glass was a layer of pebbles covered by a stream of water which flowed into a waterfall beyond the chapel altar.
The ceremony itself was simple but sensual, with the master of ceremonies alluding to the six senses (touch, taste, sight, sound, smell and 'beyond') and as if on cue a waft of sea breeze came through the chapel doors as we were asked to close our eyes and feel the sea air.
We also recited our own personal handwritten vows, which were a surprise to one another and will always remain within those chapel walls.
The next few hours were a whirlwind of surprises as we were first presented with a giant, tiered cream wedding cake, served more champagne and then driven to the beach in the golf buggie now covered with flowers and a trail of drinks cans behind it.
We were then left alone on a raised sea-facing bed during a sunset boat cruise to sip cocktails and nibble canapes. Once again the views were idealic.
On returning to our villa we were met with an array of colour and flickering lights as flowers, petals and candles had been showered throughout the bathroom, bedroom, sun deck and pool. A symbolic heart had been also laid out in red petals on top of the bed. But it didn't end there.
Next came more champagne and our own private seafood barbecue set up next to the pool. There was a vast display of fresh food, cooked up in front of us by our own chef and served by our own waiter.
And the food was literally endless - fruits, vegetables, crab, clams, lobster, shrimp, tuna, calamari and seabass, all served up as individual courses.
Stomachs full and hearts fuller, we were left to enjoy our wedding night alone, under the stars.
The rest of the honeymoon was a whirlwind of beautiful scenery, warm hospitality and amazing food. We were kindly hosted by the Victoria Hotels & Resorts chain in Hoi An and Sapa along the way, who strive to provide the best accommodation and spa treatments in town.
At Hoi An they are situated on a magnificent stretch of soft white sandy beach, which is delicately ploughed by a ox and wooden cart each morning. The bedrooms have a French colonial, Japanese or Vietnam style, tastefully decked out with wooden furnishings to a high specification.
Meanwhile at the somewhat dilapidated mountain town of Sapa, the Victoria is well known as the finest hotel, with striking views, plush decor and an exquisite restaurant. It even has its own Oriental-Express style train carriage (taking visitors both ways between Hanoi and Sapa) which is for hotel guests only and is well worth the extra money.
Vietnam was definitely the perfect choice to mark our new life together as we were able to travel in style but without the expense, and be spoilt rotten by genuinely warm people. Fortunately the country is not yet overburdened with tourists either making it the perfect, private destination.
On our return to cold, soggy England we had just one formality to get out the way, a swift 10 minute visit to Northampton registry office to legalise our marriage followed by a massive party with friends and family.
Luckily our favourite Vietnamese restaurant Dang's in Wellingborough Road was able to provide a hugely popular authentic buffet, meaning we could at least share one little piece of Vietnam with the 100 people we left behind.
CONTACTS
Six Senses Spa
Prices: Villas from 420 to 1,440 a night, excluding meals and taxes
Discount packages also available including some meals and spa treatments
Wedding packing from around 2,000 per couple, excluding room and taxes
Website: www.sixsenses.com/Six-Senses-Hideaway-Ninh-Van-Bay/
Victoria Hotels & Resorts (Hoi An and Sapa)
Prices: 90 to 170 per room, per night including breakfast (but excluding 15 per cent service charge tax and VAT)
Website: www.victoriahotels-asia.com
Dang's Vietnamese Cuisine
Telephone: 01604 607060
Website: www.dangs.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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