Mark and Claire Tudor

Why did you choose a destination wedding?
I’m English and Mark is Australian, and we were looking for a destination that was about half way for both families, and affordable for both currencies. We wanted a small and intimate wedding without all the stress of micro organising.

Why this island?
We looked at all the overseas options and worked towards a budget that our guests could afford. We consulted with Matt Wood from Honeymoon Worldwide Holidays, who also gave us advice from his professional and personal experiences. We chose The Pimalai Resort and Spa, Koh Lanta becouse it looked personal and private with all the five-star qualities.

How did your friends and family react?
They were pleasantly surprised. We also organised a reception in both countries aferwards, for all those who couldn’t attend.

How long did it take to plan?
We utilised the experience of Honeymoon Worldwide Holidays, and they organised everything for us. We did start to plan one year prior to ensure all our guests could make it. Frank De Lestapis, General Manager of the Pimalai Resort, took an extra interest in our wedding as he was also our celebrant. On arrival we had a meeting with the specific resort staff involved to finalise our big day. If we had questions throughout our stay, they went above and beyond to accommodate our every need.

How many guests and where did they stay?
We had a total of 15 guests. All guests were chauffeured to the island by a luxury cruiser boat - a definite highlight. They opted to stay at the resort as the prices were reasonable and there was a wide range of accommodation.

Anything you would have done differently?
We had the perfect wedding - zero stress, best resort, the staff catered to our every need, so I believe the answer is no, we would not have changed a thing.

Your wedding highlight?
The best moment was being in such a luxurious location, getting married barefoot on the sand with the sun setting in the background, and having all our family and friends around us to celebrate. Thank you Pimalai.

Any advice for couples planning a similar wedding?
Research your location, to ensure it is the right place for you. We had our honeymoon in the same location as the wedding to reduce costs and further travel. Use a reputable company like Honeymoon Worldwide Holidays, they organise, advise, plan, and take the stress away, so all you have to do is turn up and enjoy your holiday, your wedding and your honeymoon.