Destination Weddings Caribbean Tips
Read these 13 Destination Weddings Caribbean Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Destination Weddings tips and hundreds of other topics.
Destination Weddings in Aruba
One of the most popular destination wedding spots today is Aruba. If you're planning a wedding in Aruba, here are some immediate steps to take:
1. Plan for the legality of your wedding. Legal weddings in Aruba must take place in the Civil Town Hall (in Orenjastad). Witnesses are required for an Aruba wedding.
2. Since legally you must be married in the Town Hall, many different resorts and hotels in Aruba offer packages that include religious ceremonies and receptions. Some resorts to check out are the Divi Aruba Resort (which is all-inclusive and allows you to add a honeymoon package with such specialties as spa treatments) and the La Cabana Aruba, which offers wedding and honeymoon packages.
Destination Weddings – Cruise to the Caribbean
A cruise to the Caribbean can be a great choice for people who want to get married at sea. A cruise wedding is an all-inclusive way for your entire wedding party to have a vacation and witness your nuptials. Whether you choose a three-night cruise or a seven-night extravaganza, there are a few things you should know. If you'd rather not take everyone on your cruise with you, you have the option of getting married at a Caribbean destination or port instead of on the boat. That way, guests can meet you there. Additionally, most cruise lines do not provide officiants for your ceremony. Only the Grand Princess offers a package that includes a marriage on board in their chapel by the captain. Other lines also have chapels, but require that you get married at port. Choosing to get married on a cruise to the Caribbean is definitely a unique way to get hitched.
Destination Weddings in Jamaica
Jamaica has been a popular vacation destination for many years, and it's a great choice for your destination wedding. Legally, weddings in Jamaica require notarized copies of your birth certificate, photo ID, any applicable divorce papers or death certificates, and any papers regarding prior name changes. You must also be in Jamaica for at least two business days before your ceremony for finalization of paperwork. A great all-inclusive choice for your Jamaica wedding is the Sandals chain of resorts. Located in Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, these resorts offer all-inclusive benefits for your honeymoon and your wedding guests, as well as a free wedding package (a fee is charged for the legal documents and other required legal processes).
Destination Weddings in the Caribbean
Getting married in the Caribbean has become extremely popular over recent years. The number of resorts, particularly all-inclusive resorts, that offer wedding packages has grown, and many of the Caribbean islands (such as Aruba) have relaxed their marriage laws. Most Caribbean islands offer exotic settings and places perfect for both wedding ceremonies and honeymoons, and many guests will be thrilled to attend a wedding on a tropical isle.
Destination Weddings – Legal Advice for the Caribbean
Choosing to get married in the Caribbean? Here is some general legal advice regarding marriages in this part of the world. While some islands, such as Barbados and the Cayman Islands, have very relaxed policies regarding residency requirements and legal documents, other islands including Aruba and the Bahamas do require that you be present on the island before the ceremony. Some islands have laws regarding blood tests while others do not require them, so it's important to do your research beforehand. You'll also need to find out whether your chosen location requires documents to be translated into another language, such as Spanish, for them to be used legally.
Destination Weddings in the Bahamas
The islands of the Bahamas are known for their exotic beauty and unique culture. These attributes can definitely carry over to your wedding and give you many lasting memories. Planning a Bahamas wedding starts with a residency requirement of one day; you can't get married in the Bahamas on the same day you arrive. Legally, you must also provide photo ID, sign a declaration with the US Consul at the American Embassy, and provide documentation of when you arrived in the Bahamas. The Bahamas actually has its own state-run complimentary Weddings and Honeymoon Unit of the Ministry of Tourism, which can help you to plan your wedding here, and many resorts also provide help with planning.
Destination Weddings in the Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands offer spectacular island atmosphere as well as convenience for your destination wedding. Getting married here no longer requires a 72-hour waiting period; instead, there are very few legal formalities. You must fill out the application with specifics such as the bride and groom's name and permanent address, temporary address (hotel in the Cayman Islands), and you also need certified copies of your birth certificate and ID, along with your official Cayman Islands international embarkation/disembarkation card.
Additionally, you'll need to meet with a Marriage Officer to finish the application – but no blood tests or other items are required. While on the Islands, you can choose to get married in such diverse locations as quaint chapels or the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park.
Destination Weddings in the US Virgin Islands
The US Virgin Islands can be a perfect choice for couples wishing to get married without the hassle of leaving the United States. While the Virgin Islands of St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix are a world away from the US mainland, their status as a territory of the US means that you don't need a passport to travel here, and the legal requirements of marriage are few. No blood tests are required, and there is only an eight day waiting period to issue your license (this waiting period commences from when your application is received in the mail). Both religious and civil ceremonies are performed on all three islands. For those wishing to get married on St. Thomas or St. Croix. Antilles Resorts on both islands offer excellent honeymoon and wedding packages.
All Inclusive Destination Wedding Accommodations – Caribbean
All inclusive resorts offer the best value and easiest planning of any destination wedding. This is especially true with the wide range of resorts in the Caribbean. Here, the Sandals chain can make accommodations and weddings easy, with one price that even includes a wedding (restrictions apply)! Sandals and Beaches resorts are located resorts are located in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia, and the Bahamas, and there's a resort that can fit any couple's needs. Also available for weddings and honeymoons are the SuperClubs all-inclusive resorts, which include the Breezes and Hedonism brands. Some of the Breezes resorts do allow children and infants, making them a great choice for an all inclusive wedding with little ones as guests, and a free wedding is included with a seven night stay.
Destination Weddings in Barbados
The name of the island of Barbados brings to mind tropical weather and exotic scenery. It should also bring to mind a great place to get married, because it's definitely one of the Caribbean's destination wedding hotspots. There is no residency requirement in Barbados, and no blood tests are required. The official language here is English, so there are also no translations needed. All you need is your passport, birth certificate (certified copy) and the airline tickets that you used to travel to Barbados (divorce decrees and death certificates may be required where applicable). Choosing a place to get married on Barbados can depend on your idea of the perfect wedding.
More Destination Weddings in the Caribbean
Of course, destination weddings in the Caribbean are not limited to certain islands. You can plan fabulous weddings on the coasts of Costa Rica, Mexico and on islands such as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Many of the resort chains, such as Sandals, Couples, Breezes and even Club Med offer wedding packages in many of the islands and other destinations within the Caribbean. These all-inclusive resorts offer not only packages, but also the services of wedding consultants and other amenities. The other bonus to using one of these all-inclusive chains is the fact that everything can be booked at once - from travel to accommodations to the wedding itself, which saves time, hassle and money for you and your guests.
Destination Weddings in Bermuda
Getting married in Bermuda is relatively easy. You must send notification of your intent to marry to the Bermuda newspapers – called the “Notice of Intended Marriage”- at least 15 days before you want to get your marriage license. This notification is sent to the Registrar General along with payment of the fees, and they will send the notice to the papers. The license is issued when you get to Bermuda, and ID is required but blood tests are not. Weddings can either be performed at the Registry's marriage room, or religiously in any location by a minister. A great location for your ceremony and reception is the Surf Side Beach Club; this secluded resort offers beautiful oceanfront views for that beach wedding, and a restaurant and al fresco dining that can be used for your reception. Of course, there are many more locations to get married in Bermuda, such as the Palm Grove Gardens, public beaches and even Fort St Catherine.
Destination Weddings in the Caribbean
Getting married in the Caribbean has become extremely popular over recent years. The number of resorts, particularly all-inclusive resorts, that offer wedding packages has grown, and many of the Caribbean islands (such as Aruba) have relaxed their marriage laws. Most Caribbean islands offer exotic settings and places perfect for both wedding ceremonies and honeymoons, and many guests will be thrilled to attend a wedding on a tropical isle.
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| Carma Spence-Pothitt |
