Weddings in the Caribbean
Some people like to celebrate their wedding in a traditional way at their countries, followed by a honeymoon abroad. But there are also some couples, more each time, wanting to combine both and bringing their family and friends with them. A Caribbean island is perfect for these couples. If this is your case, you better choose a hotel with wedding experts, or contact, through your travel agency, some of the organizations dedicated to this business. 

Take note of the following:

Laws may change from one island to another (contact the local tourist office for more information), but usually it’s necessary that the bride and the groom are over 18 years old, and they had spent at least 3 days in the island before the wedding. Some hotels prefer the groom and the bride staying in the hotel at least one week before the wedding.

You will need valid passports, birth certificates and any divorce or death certificates if necessary. You will need at least half day to apply for the papers needed for the ceremony (these proceedings can only be done during the local administration schedules, so, make sure there is not any national holiday in those days). In the British islands, documents not in English will have to be translated by a juror.

Weddings can be civil or religious. In the last case, it might be necessary that your priest gets in contact with the island’s priest; this is how it happens in catholic weddings.

These weddings are absolutely legal. The groom and the bride can choose the music for the ceremony. Usually, the hotel will iron the wedding suites before the wedding (don’t forget how hot the islands are when you choose your suits). Some airlines have a special service to carry these suits, in boxes or wrapped up and hanging on hooks.

It is possible to take pictures or film the wedding, but the quality is perhaps not the same as in American or European pictures and films apart from the usual hotel bill, you will have to pay some extra for the wedding ceremony. Prices change considering the hotel’s class and additional services, going from a commemorative T-shirt to a sunset cruise.