Bermuda Sun - January 24, 2003

Last year, Carla and Josh McGavern decided it was time to get married.  Not wanting to spend all the money required for a traditional Bermuda wedding and with the intention of keeping it simple, they went to Italy instead.

The McGaverns are just one couple in a movement of people seeking to celebrate their nuptials in a more private setting, right where their honeymoon is going to be. Countless people come to Bermuda each year on what many hotels call "Weddingmoons", and now Bermudians are seeking to go elsewhere in the world for their own weddings.  "We always wanted to do something overseas," said Carla of their reason for going to Italy to be married.  Also, they saw it as a way to save money and reduce the family hassles that often go along with planning a big, traditional wedding.

The most amazing thing about the McGavern's wedding was that it was entirely arranged via email and the internet.

They found a company (www.italian-weddings.com) that offered to arrange weddings in Italy.  The company provided independent references and was featured in In Style Magazine two years ago.  After filling out an on-line questionnarie about their preferences, the company provided Carla and Josh with a list of 15 to 20 places in Italy.

"They did everything" Carla said.  "We said to them we wanted Positano.  We wanted this day."  And the agency arranged it all.  "We had the basic package - the photographer, the flowers - everything we need for the ceremony."

A couple of weeks before it was time to go, they received an itinerary, which mentioned every detail, down to what time the flowers would arrive, the time the hairstylist would arrive, and so on.  A translator, who also served as the coordinator, was also hands on to keep the day going on schedule.

When it  was time to fly, Carla, Josh, Carla's parents, brother and sister-in-law flew from Bermuda to Rome.  There, they met up with Josh's mother and they travelled together to Positano.

Accompanied by their immediate family, Carla and Josh enjoyed a simple civil ceremony, outdoors, complete with music by a classical guitarist and mandolin player. "I wanted to be a relaxed bride," Carla said.  "I was able to do that.  The coordinator did everything. I just had to show up!"

"I've no  complaints.  I wouldn't change a thing, it was perfect".