Getting Married In Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
overview
From the lush vibrancy of hill country, to the rippling stretches of blue at the surfer’s paradise of Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka is a gentle and beautiful assault on all the senses. The sights, sounds and smells define this feisty island nation as one in a million – the perfect location for getting married in the most unforgettable way.
the lowdown
Perhaps it’s the position at the very tip of India, or maybe it’s the stunning spas, palm-fringed beaches or lush, historic tea plantations but Sri Lanka has a real reputation for the exotic. Getting married in Sri Lanka is suited to luxury lovers, adventurers and style seekers. It’s also a haven for conservationists, as the Elephant Transit Home supported by Born Free is located here.
The island’s many luxe hotels are primed for a destination wedding in Sri Lanka, whether you choose the beach, the jungle, a cliff or a lake as your backdrop. A traditional Sri Lankan wedding is often a combination of a Western party, some Buddhist tradition and Sinhala ceremony that has been passed down through the generations. So, getting married in Sri Lanka can be anything you want it to be, from an elegant champagne reception with a Buddhist blessing to a raucous party on a boutique scale.
A traditional Poruva ceremony ends with the lighting of a brass lamp to represent the burning of endless love, something that many visiting couples have also chosen to incorporate into their own day. Like the broader culture in Sri Lanka, weddings are expected to be colourful and fun, and hospitality is deeply ingrained in attitudes here. Singing and dancing, bright tropical flower arrangements and guests in a rainbow of coloured outfits underline the celebratory nature of the day. And then there’s the food –curry lovers will be in heaven. Green jackfruit or sour fish curry is a must, as well as the traditional celebratory kiribath(rice and coconut milk).
Glorious sights, warm hospitality and a sense of the exotic put Sri Lanka in pole position as a wedding destination. The “Teardrop of India” holds a mystique that few places can match.
insider note...
Sri Lanka is a centre of Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old system of healing,incorporated here into treatments at some of the world’s most incredible spas. Whether you’re preparing for your wedding, or relaxing afterwards, we’d highly recommend indulging in these wellness boosting treatments. Get seriously pampered, integrate some yoga and help regain some of the inner balance that the busy modern world tends to leach out of us all.
Flight Duration
10hrs 30
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee
Language Spoken
Sinhalese and Tamil are the official languages of Sri Lanka. Regular tourist traffic over the years means English speakers will be fine.
Vaccinations
Standard Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Poliomyelitis are recommended with Hepatitis B, Japanese B Encephalitis, Rabies and Tuberculosis if you plan to venture inland from the beach (in which case you’ll also need Malaria protection).
Transportation
Bikes are a great way to explore Sri Lanka but you’ll also find that buses cover 80% of the nation’s 90,000km of roads. Metered taxis are only common in Colombo – outside of the city most hotels can organise transport for guests at a reasonable cost.
Public Holidays
The main bank holidays in Sri Lanka are Tamil Thai Pongal Day (15th January), Christmas and Easter, as well as several Special Bank Holidays (e.g. 5th February and 20th April)
Good Time to Go
Generally, the best time in the West/South coasts, as well as the Cultural Triangle is between December and April, while on the East coast the climate is at it's finest from May through to October.
