Monday, August 25, 2014

Around the world in 66 weddings: British couple have now had traditional marriage ceremonies across the globe - but they're yet to legally tie the knot

A British couple have said 'I do' 66 times in a bid to find the perfect wedding location.

Hopeless romantics Alex Pelling and Lisa Gant, from Manchester, have spent the last three years travelling the globe and have been married 66 times along the way.
The couple have had a traditional wedding ceremony in every destination they have visited on their journey - but are yet to legally tie the knot.


The Mancunian lovebirds at their most recent ceremony in Pakistan, where they're currently based
The Mancunian lovebirds at their most recent ceremony in Pakistan, where they're currently based
Lisa, 32, and Alex, 34, had been friends for eight years when they began dating in 2008.

In 2011, after four years living together, Alex and Lisa made the brave decision to uproot their lives and follow their dream to relocate in Australia, beginning their location hunt.

Just one day after they said I do for the first time in a traditional ceremony in their hometown of Didsbury, they started their search for the very best place Down Under.
 

The couple rented out their house and sold their possessions to get funding for their trip. Lisa quit her job as a retail manager for Marks and Spencer while Alex sold his car body repair business.

On their way to Australia, the couple decided to travel the world and their idea slowly transformed into finding the best place in the world to wed, by trying each one out, embracing the local marriage cultures and traditions as much as possible in every location.

Their aim was to find the most exceptional and unique wedding locations possible, blogging about their experiences so others could better chose where to tie the knot themselves.

During their third wedding in Michigan in 2011, near the beginning of their search
During their third wedding in Michigan in 2011, near the beginning of their search

Shortly after this first ceremony in Didsbury, the pair quit their jobs for a trip around the world
Shortly after this first ceremony in Didsbury, the pair quit their jobs for a trip around the world


A vintage-style English wedding that was held in Didsbury just before the couple started their journey - they flew to Canada the very next day
A vintage-style English wedding that was held in Didsbury just before the couple started their journey - they flew to Canada the very next day
Alex said: 'Lisa and I are crazy romantics - we had looked at getting married in the UK but found that most things on offer were very conventional and we really are not.
'So we thought about looking for unusual places to get married in each country as we travelled around.
'We thought we would share our experiences via a blog for those out-of-the-box thinkers like ourselves that didn't fancy the usual wedding.
The couple getting hitched on an Air Tahiti flight on their incredible journey
The couple getting hitched on an Air Tahiti flight on their incredible journey

Hilton Waikaloa Village in Hawaii during one of their weddings - but they're yet to legally marry
Hilton Waikaloa Village in Hawaii during one of their weddings - but they're yet to legally marry

Taking part in a traditional Peruvian wedding on their 21st Big Day in Peru in June 2012
Taking part in a traditional Peruvian wedding on their 21st Big Day in Peru in June 2012

'Then, a bottle of wine or two later, we decided it would be a good idea to have a ceremony everywhere we went so we could experience them all first hand.
'Our friends and family thought we were crazy, but once we explained the idea they loved it - as long as we didn't get legally married by accident.
'The point of our journey is to experience the way other cultures celebrate marriage. It is one ritual that the whole world has in common - unity.'
Guatemala, where hopeless romantics Alex Pelling and Lisa Gant, from Manchester, got 'married'
Guatemala, where hopeless romantics Alex Pelling and Lisa Gant, from Manchester, got 'married'

The couple after their traditional Guatemalan wedding which took place on the terrace of a hotel with stunning views of the three volcanoes. The Xaman lit a fire of cigars, rose petals and candles and made offerings to the Gods and held the ceremony in Mayan
The couple after their traditional Guatemalan wedding which took place on the terrace of a hotel with stunning views of the three volcanoes. The Xaman lit a fire of cigars, rose petals and candles and made offerings to the Gods and held the ceremony in Mayan

The beautiful Villa de Leyva was the location for this traditional Colombian farmer style wedding. Lisa arrived at on a donkey and they had a sheep as a guest 'as it is tradition'
The beautiful Villa de Leyva was the location for this traditional Colombian farmer style wedding. Lisa arrived at on a donkey and they had a sheep as a guest 'as it is tradition'

After a traditional Mayan service in Quintana Roo, Mexico, the couple had an underwater photography session
After a traditional Mayan service in Quintana Roo, Mexico, the couple had an underwater photography session

A map of Alex and Lisa's extrodinary journey around the globe
A map of Alex and Lisa's extrodinary journey around the globe

Their blog has had millions of views, and their Facebook page has more than 47,000 followers, as they experience the wonderful variety of cultures and traditions around the world. 
Introducing themselves on their blog the couple say: 'We are Lisa and Alex, a couple in love, who, on failing to find the answer to the all important question; ‘Where can we get married’, decided to have a wedding ceremony in every country we visit in search of the perfect place to tie the knot!

‘On an adventure of a lifetime, we are going to drive (and ship) around the globe in our 27-year-old camper van Peggy exchanging vows in the most unusual and unique wedding locations we can find.
‘Not wanting to drag a "White wedding" around the World, we decided to try our hardest to embrace the culture and local traditions of each place we visit.

‘We want to experience the difference in every ceremony and find out what it is that makes the bringing of two people together, such a worldwide tradition, and of course let YOU know!’
A million-dollar yacht, a chapel and, you guessed it...a wedding! Lisa and Alex's Bora Bora nuptials

A million-dollar yacht, a canoe chapel and, you guessed it... a wedding! Lisa and Alex's Bora Bora nuptials
A million-dollar yacht, a canoe chapel and, you guessed it... a wedding! Lisa and Alex's Bora Bora nuptials

This wedding was held at Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world) in Ecuador, where artist Cristobal Ortega held the ceremony. The highlight, say the couple, was being blessed with smoke by the entire congregation
This wedding was held at Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world) in Ecuador, where artist Cristobal Ortega held the ceremony. The highlight, say the couple, was being blessed with smoke by the entire congregation

A Texan ranch wedding held in a stunning location Las Brisas Farm. The entire wedding was made completely from reclaimed materials and covered in fairy lights. The couple clambered on hay bales and Alex even lassoed his bride!
A Texan ranch wedding held in a stunning location Las Brisas Farm. The entire wedding was made completely from reclaimed materials and covered in fairy lights. The couple clambered on hay bales and Alex even lassoed his bride!
Truly Traditional Tahitian Tying of the Knot!

A truly traditional Tahitian tying of the knot! The wedding took place in a Tiki village on the island of Moorea
A truly traditional Tahitian tying of the knot! The wedding took place in a Tiki village on the island of Moorea


The wedding in Utila, Honduras, took place at a magical wonderland all created by one man. Glass marbles, coloured stones and pottery, even cutlery adorns every surface making the place sparkle in the amazing sunlight
The wedding in Utila, Honduras, took place at a magical wonderland all created by one man. Glass marbles, coloured stones and pottery, even cutlery adorns every surface making the place sparkle in the amazing sunlight

A wedding in Portugal which included a tour of Lisbon by tram, motorbike and sidecar. The wedding was held on the highest point in Lisbon overlooking the stunning city
A wedding in Portugal which included a tour of Lisbon by tram, motorbike and sidecar. The wedding was held on the highest point in Lisbon overlooking the stunning city

The couple have experienced a vast range of unorthodox ceremonies in more than 30 countries, including a vampire wedding in LA.
They have also enjoyed their 'big day' in destinations most people can only dream about, such as Las Vegas, New York, Hawaii, Marrakech and Bora Bora.
They've tied the knot in an ancient Pagan ritual in Lithuania, and even had a topless Embera tribe wedding in Embera, Panama where they were painted with traditional tribal tattoo designs and beads.
Their experiences have been supported by local experts including shamans, Zulu chiefs in South Africa, pastors, vicars, rabbis and even a Voodoo priestess.
And even got married 30,000 feet above ground on board a flight to Tahiti.
Lisa donned a bikini for some of the topless ceremony

The couple's topless Embera tribe wedding in Embera, Panam,a saw them adorned with ink and traditional beads
The couple's topless Embera tribe wedding in Embera, Panam,a saw them adorned with ink and traditional beads

The incredible ceremony at the 'Centre of the World' in Quito, Ecuador
The incredible ceremony at the 'Centre of the World' in Quito, Ecuador
Lisa throws her bouquet after the couple's Ecuadorian nuptials
Lisa throws her bouquet after the couple's Ecuadorian nuptials


The wedding in the Toledo Villages of Belize was conducted with the help of the TEA Belize, a volunteer organisation who helps the local villagers see some of the benefits and profits of eco-tourism
The wedding in the Toledo Villages of Belize was conducted with the help of the TEA Belize, a volunteer organisation who helps the local villagers see some of the benefits and profits of eco-tourism

After the wedding Seattle, which took place in the Pike Place Market. Alex and Lisa are the second couple to marry at the market
After the wedding Seattle, which took place in the Pike Place Market. Alex and Lisa are the second couple to marry at the market

At the Chappelle St Agnes Vineyard in Quebec. 'We stumbled upon the amazing European-inspired vineyard, complete with chapel and heart shaped lake, while on a wine tour'
At the Chappelle St Agnes Vineyard in Quebec. 'We stumbled upon the amazing European-inspired vineyard, complete with chapel and heart shaped lake, while on a wine tour'

Lisa said: 'We are together 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and live in a 6 feet by 16 feet space in the camper van.
'And we take it turns to make each other breakfast in bed every day.
'If there is anything that can make a couple sure that they are meant to be together it is surviving this trip without a single argument.
'But we still get nervous before every single ceremony.'
Lisa and Alex's pagan wedding in Lithuania
Lisa and Alex's pagan wedding in Lithuania

Their Turkish wedding was in two parts: first, the couple took part in a A henna ceremony before marrying on a boat against a backdrop of ancient tombs
Their Turkish wedding was in two parts: first, the couple took part in a A henna ceremony before marrying on a boat against a backdrop of ancient tombs
The El Salvador wedding took place at sunset on the beach
The El Salvador wedding took place at sunset on the beach


Wedding on horseback! The couple married in Banff, Alberta, Canada at  Warner's stables. It was Lisa's first ever time on a horse and Alex wore a cowboy outfit on their big day
Wedding on horseback! The couple married in Banff, Alberta, Canada at Warner's stables. It was Lisa's first ever time on a horse and Alex wore a cowboy outfit on their big day

The wedding in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica was held in crashed plane with a mysterious history overlooking the coast of the beautiful country
The wedding in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica was held in crashed plane with a mysterious history overlooking the coast of the beautiful country

After their wedding in Chile. The couple wore typical huasa and huaso for the wedding in the small fishing village Horcon. People gathered around to wish them well after the small intimate ceremony
After their wedding in Chile. The couple wore typical huasa and huaso for the wedding in the small fishing village Horcon. People gathered around to wish them well after the small intimate ceremony

Each wedding, along with its preparation is captured by a photographer, who also shares their experience on the couple's website.

Their first wedding was a traditional English ceremony in Manchester, attended by 40 of their closest friends.

Lisa chose a stunning cream Charlotte Balbier gown, which she has worn at 14 of her subsequent weddings (including one underwater!), and carried a bouquet of peonies, sweet Williams, lavender, mint and vintage English rosebuds for her dream ceremony.

‘I felt like a very spoilt princess!’ Lisa says on her blog. ‘About 30-40 of our family and friends sat there to see our first wedding!'
And the loved-up pair have no plans to stop until they find their dream spot.
Pictured in Ireland last April on their 41st wedding, a Celtic ceremony on the beach of Doonbeg Lodge
Pictured in Ireland last April on their 41st wedding, a Celtic ceremony on the beach of Doonbeg Lodge

0 comments:

Post a Comment