'Most married' couple seeks best romantic destination

As the divorce debate heats up, one couple is on a mission to become the "most married" in the world... but to their one and only partner! Fiona Galea Debono trails the honeymoon testers, winners of the Ultimate Job in the World, on a world tour to choose the most romantic wedding destination.

Denise and Mark Duffield-Thomas yesterday renewed their marriage vows in the scorching heat of a five-star hotel terrace. They repeated the words passionately, even though it was the 34th time they have said them since they wed in August.

Five minutes later, the couple was at it again in another "incredible", sea-facing setting of the Radisson Blu Resort in St Julians and would do so another two times in the day.

They plan to "smash" the Guinness World Record, which stands at 83, exchanging their vows around the world over a six-month period.

But Mr and Mrs Duffield-Thomas are showing no signs of boredom... That would be unacceptable, considering they landed the Ultimate Job in the World, having won a competition by Irish travel company Runaway Bride and Groom, which has turned them into the Honeymoon Testers and means they embarked on a six-month, worldwide honeymoon shortly after their own to Bali and Australia.

The enthusiastic newlyweds were among the first to apply, beating 30,000 contestants from around the world after rising to the intense challenges they were set when they submitted their application in March.

They boil it down to their conviction that they were "perfect for the job". The organisers were looking for a "normal couple", not celebrities, professional journalists and videographers. "We are good all-rounders, having some experience in various areas, including internet marketing, and we were so enthusiastic about winning."

When they did, they had 10 days to drop everything, pack their bags, re-home their cat and rent their London apartment.

But for him it was a case of going from one dream job to another. "I'm a major football fan and worked for the Manchester United marketing and sponsorship team... They have given me six months off."

Now, his job entails travelling to exotic locations with his wife to try and test the most romantic wedding and honeymoon destinations. They are being wined and dined and have a salary of €20,000 for the duration of the job in the unlikely eventuality that they require any extras.

Sipping champagne, romantic walks on the beach and long sunset dinners are compulsory as is the need to write a daily blog, upload videos, photographs and reviews to promote the countries they visit.

The Honeymoon Testers have been in Malta for a week and they say it outshines the destinations they have already visited, including New York, Mauritius, Zanzibar, London, Ireland and Kenya, primarily because of the many options on offer.

"In the other destinations, the choice is one: the beach. But Malta offers so many amazing churches, exclusive villas, value for money and a short travel distance. For these reasons, it is an important market for Irish couples. Plus, they have no three-month residency requirement before getting married in Church as is the case in some other countries.

"The weather is the best by a long stretch and the sea looks better every day. We haven't even started exploring the boat options," they said.

The couple met seven years ago when Denise, now 30, spent her last university year in London... never to return home. She is four years older than Mark.

Although they started married life with a bang, they do not fear the end of the adventure and the return to ordinary life, having already tasted it together in their "poor student" days.

"Sometimes, we have to pinch ourselves; we are so grateful. We want to be sure we never look at this as a chore. In fact, we hope to continue in a similar role after."

They are thinking of organising a competition to find the Best Town in the World to Live In and, from what they have seen so far, Malta has crossed their minds.

Despite the fun, however, they admit there is a downside to such a lavish lifestyle. For health-conscious Denise, it is the constant eating of irresistible four-course meals they are served wherever they go.

"I love the Maltese food and its amazing bread and wine. In the UK, we would be eating salads the whole time. If we are not careful, we could have a hangover every morning and wind up fat!"

Although it is not really a downside for Mark, he is aware of the impact on their relationship of working and being together 24/7. "It is not ideal for a couple and facing deadlines could cause stress. But it is also a good learning opportunity," he said.

The Guinness World Record is just another idea to retain their readers' interest and avoid only igniting their jealousy with their blogs. After a slow start, they are now on a roll, with hotels in Malta helping out with the organisation of the ceremonies.

Apart from over 80 marriage renewals, it seems the couple does everything more than once. They even got married twice: a very English affair, Mark being Irish, and on the beach Down Under, Denise being Australian.

Denise also rotates six wedding dresses for the ceremonies, depending on whether they are formal, or on the beach, with one being "convertible" and from which she has already created 15 different looks.

At times, they have opted for the shorter version of the ceremony as was the case due to yesterday's weather. But the romance remains, enhanced by the variety and surprise element of the settings.

An intimate ceremony with a Masai tribe in Kenya tops their list, which also includes a lighthouse in Ireland, the London Eye, the Empire State Building and the back of a taxi in New York.

Their next destination is a mystery but their progress can be followed on www.thehoneymoontesters.com.