As wedding couples search for the perfect venue to host the most special day of their lives, the pull of Cyprus proves hard to resist - Vasilias Weddings at the green heart of Cyprus - by Forbes MiddleEast Alexander Sophoclis Pieri

1. 74 FORBES MIDDLE EAST JUNE - JULY 2013
An Evening to Remember
As wedding couples search for the perfect venue to host the most special day of
their lives, the pull of Cyprus proves hard to resist.
By Alexander Sophoclis Pieri
O
n a sunny spring afternoon
on the island of Cyprus, I
waited, along with 40 other
guests in a stone courtyard
amidst olive trees and grape vines, in
quiet anticipation for the bride to ar-
rive. Though a Cypriot national myself,
on this occasion I was guest in my home
country—a wedding guest of my closest
friends. As loved ones and well-wishers
gathered expectantly, Marianne and
Olivier Gheysen, both UAE residents,
prepared to join the ranks of hundreds
of non-Cypriot couples who choose the
island as the ideal destination to cul-
minate their union. Popular across the
Middle East and Europe for its marriage
tourism industry, boosted by easy legali-
ties and speedy procedures, the island
nation is the ideal spot to tie the knot.
Both the ceremony and reception
were held at the Vasilias Nikoklis Inn,
a nearly century-old site located on the
west bank of the Dhairizos River. It once
served as an ancient hospitable refuge to
weary travelers. A 15-minute drive from
the coastal city of Paphos, the inn today
FORBES MIDDLE EAST
LIFE
MARRIAGE TOURISM
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2. JUNE - JULY 2013 FORBES MIDDLE EAST 75
is a popular venue for wedding parties
and regular guests hoping for a slice of
traditional Cypriot life, as well as nature
lovers who come to explore the nearby
valley that stretches up to the Troodos
Mountains and down to the sea.
As the usher announced the ar-
rival of the bride, idle chatter ceased
and heads turned to watch as Marianne
passed through the stone archway into
the courtyard. Robed in a vibrant rouge
floor-length dress, the elegant bride
made her way to the altar to stand by
her man. Immediately the ceremony be-
gan, the couple first adorning each other
with loving praise and then proclaiming
their vows for all to witness. The cere-
mony was presided over by a member of
Paphos’ municipality. A testament to the
simplicity of legal proceedings on the
island, the two were married before the
first tear could touch the floor.
Following a number of group photos
taken in the courtyard, the party moved
to the outer terrace on the west side of
the inn, overlooking the summer pool
and a tent set up for the dancing and live
music still to come. All seated at a long
dining table, the guests gathered to pay
homage to the newlyweds, raising their
glasses in salute.
Though it was already late April, the
chill of winter still lingered as night fell.
The biting cold would have proved di-
sastrous were it not for the foresight of
our hosts, who had two outdoor heat-
ers at the ready. But even as the guests
needed to warm themselves, so did the
heaters; thankfully, just as our hosts had
a Plan A, so too did they have a Plan B.
Entering stage right, a pair of dancers
burst onto the scene, pulling and grab-
bing anyone they could on their path to
the dance floor. Garbed all in black save
for a red sash tied around their waists,
the two men began clapping their hands
in tempo with their intro song, coaxing
the rest of the party onto the dance floor.
Leading by example, the duo kicked
off their routine with a demonstration
of traditional folk dances known as the
Antikristos, or ‘face-to-face’. Facing each
other, the pair took turns to dance with
each changing song. The first was a slow
number, the dancer using a ‘dragging’
style to sweep his foot across the floor,
punctuated with a tap of his shoe at the
end of each move. Increasing the tempo,
the dance that followed was fast-paced
with high kicks and foot tapping akin in
style to the Irish river dance.
In a grand finale effort, the duo
brought the entire party together to per-
form one of the most recognizable danc-
es from across the world—the Sirtaki.
Made famous by the 1964 film Zorba the
Greek and typically performed along-
side the Zorbas song, we joined hands
in a circle trying to follow the trained
steps of our dancing guides. Though
the tempo began slow and manageable,
the endeavor became more precarious,
transforming into a fast and messy af-
fair, with people falling out of rhythm
and out of place. It was an unforgettable
experience.
As our dancing instructors bowed
out for the evening and the party retired
to the dining table, I managed to track
down the bride, who was nursing her
feet in a quiet corner after a long day.
While glad of her decision to choose my
country as the venue for her wedding, I
had to ask why.
“I think the first reason why we
picked Cyprus was because the legisla-
tion changed in the UAE which meant
we could no longer get a civil wedding,”
commented the new Mrs. Gheysen.
Cyprus’ less stringent regulations and
legislations on marriage make the
Mediterranean island an attractive al-
ternative. “Not only is it easier but it is
also an EU country,” added Olivier, who
joined us briefly. “The marriage is also
recognized worldwide, especially in the
EU with both of us having EU pass-
ports,” he remarked.
The happy couple went on to ex-
plain that the island’s proximity to
mainland Europe along with the lure of
fairer weather made it more accessible to
friends and family.
But taking the decision to wed on
the idyllic island is as important to the
national economy as it is to brides and
grooms to be. Before the revelries of my
friend’s special day commenced, I spoke
with Antigone Kapodistria, a tour-
ism officer with the Cyprus Tourism
Organization (CTO), who pointed out
the importance of wedding tourism to
the island. “According to the munici-
pality data retrieved in 2012, the num-
ber of ceremonies (civil and religious,
concerning non-residents of Cyprus)
reached 8,500 which represents of about
14% [of total weddings] compared to
2011 results,” commented Kapodistria.
Key factors making Cyprus an at-
tractive choice are the country’s quick
and cheap legal proceedings. In most
cases, couples will simply have to meet
with the local municipality for an in-
terview. Once approved, the ceremony
is fast—15 minutes on average—with
an affordable price tag of no more than
€300 ($390).
In terms of demographics, the CTO
found that UK visitors make up the bulk
of the market, constituting 50%. A small
percentage also comes from Lebanon
and Russia, each with 7%. The CTO
estimates each wedding has an average
of 25 guests in attendance. As a result
the number of wedding tourists in 2012
reached 212,500 visitors, making up
8.5% of total tourist arrivals in Cyprus.
The industry of marriage tourism is
varied, offering numerous venues and
options for couples. While most who
visit the country to get married typically
opt for a seaside ceremony with breath-
taking views, it really comes down to a
matter of preference. Offering themed
and traditional options, alongside other
quirky alternatives (sailing in from the
The CTO estimates that
with an average of 25
guests per wedding,
Cyprus reached 212,500
visitors, or 8.5% of total
tourist arrivals in 2012

3. 76 FORBES MIDDLE EAST JUNE - JULY 2013
sea, parachuting in)—anything goes on
the island.
A popular destination as it may be,
but planning one of the most important
days of your life from a distance is not
without its challenges. Speaking from
experience, newlywed Marianne of-
fers some words of advice to prospec-
tive couples. Warning not to rely purely
on information found on the Internet,
Mrs. Gheysen asserts that a pre-visit will
avoid mishaps and nasty surprises: “If
a recommendation is possible, I would
say that would be great. If you are able to
visit the country yourself, that would be
tenfold better.”
After sharing her insights and rest-
ing her feet the new bride was called
to join her husband for the first dance,
before the wedding party descended on
the stage to join in the celebrations once
again.
At the stroke of midnight, the party
ended. As guests retreated to their hotels
in Paphos, I was one of the lucky few
that had accommodation for the night
in one of eight rooms on the first floor at
the inn, with access to a shared terrace. I
had hardly crawled under the sheets be-
fore I was out cold.
Awakening to a dull headache late the
next morning, I fumbled out my room
to a breathtaking view of the sunlit val-
ley. After taking in the morning dew,
I made my way downstairs to collect a
freshly brewed cup of Cypriot coffee.
Enjoying my elixir in the courtyard, I was
joined by an elderly couple as they pre-
pared for an adventure. They were off on
a bird-watching expedition, hoping for a
glimpse of the Black Francolin bird, a spe-
cies common in the area because of the
abundance of fresh water. Dismissing my
repeated apologies for the prior night’s
boisterous merrymaking, the compan-
ions had long grown accustomed to the
inn’s reputation through multiple visits
over the years.
As the birdwatchers left me by my
lonesome, I began to laugh, recalling
the events of the previous day. Soon the
elation would wear off and I would have
to begin the dull task of packing, but
for that moment I reveled in the experi-
ence of an evening well spent. The joy
of a fantastical celebration in my home-
land coupled with the privilege of being
a part of my best friend’s wedding—a
cherished memory that will stay with
me for eternity.
FORBES MIDDLE EAST
LIFE—MARRIAGE TOURISM
If a recommendation
is possible, I would say
that would be great. If
you are able to visit the
country yourself, that
would be tenfold better
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