Wedding
If you're thinking of having your destination wedding in the Caribbean, you can't go wrong with any of the islands. With a sunny atmosphere, gorgeous backdrops and sand underneath your toes, what's not to love?
WHY:
This idyllic island not only has a whopping 365 beautiful beaches, but it’s also steeped in nautical history. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Antigua was home to a huge British naval base and its harbor is still a popular yachting destination for the international jet-set. If you want to host your nuptials at a high-end all-inclusive resort, look no further — many of the world’s swankiest are here.
When to go :
The high season runs from mid-December through April. After April, rates go down as much as 40 percent, but some places do close between August and October. The humidity and rainfall are low year-round, and hurricane season runs from June through November
Best spot to get married
Jumby Bay
Situated on a private three-hundred-acre island two miles off the coast of Antigua, this elegant resort focuses on enhancing its lush natural surroundings and on fostering serene seclusion. Say your vows on one of the three sandy beaches or take the opportunity to reserve the entire resort for your celebration.
Jolly Beach Resort
Antigua’s largest resort is a great way to stretch your dollar, offering all-inclusive stays on the beach. Huge pools and a wide range of activities keep guests busy day and night. The more guests you bring, the more the resort throws in for free.
WHY:
This collection of 700 islands has something for every taste—enjoy complete privacy by renting your own island, or host hundreds of your favorite people at a megaresort. Nassau and Paradise Island are two of the most visited and activity-packed destinations, while more remote areas such as Harbor Island and the Exumas tend to feel more laid-back. And since the Bahamas are just a 35-minute plane trip from Florida, it’s an easy journey for guests.
When to go :
The high season lasts from mid-December to mid-April, while summers are sleepier. Although hurricanes are infrequent, they can occur, so it’s best to avoid the area June through November.
Best spot to get married
Coral Sands Hotel
This gorgeous boutique oceanfront hotel located on Harbour Island in the Bahamas (50 miles east of Nassau) has the type of charm where the staff knows your name, desert island-style privacy to make you feel completely at peace, and a subtly luxurious vibe that’s apparent from the elegant, airy rooms to the world-class amenities.
Pelican Bay at Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island
A beautiful boutique setting on Grand Bahama Island, this resort can accommodate wedding parties with up to 80 guests. Host your ceremony on the beach and head to the Ferry House nearby for your reception dinner.
WHY:
Jamaica offers much more than just beaches and palm trees—it’s steeped in world-class culture: reggae, Rastafarianism, and indigenous spice. And glamorous globetrotters call it home (Ian Fleming wrote the first James Bond book, Casino Royale, from his seaside abode here). The site of many all-inclusive resorts, Jamaica can be one of the most affordable of the Caribbean islands, but it has super-posh options too, including private villas that come with their own chefs, housekeeping staffs, and security.
When to go :
Avoid March, aka spring break season, as well as the hurricane season, June through November.
Best spot to get married
Half Moon
Rent out one or two of the royal villas (with up to seven bedrooms each) or put guests up in the many rooms and suites with ocean views at this Montego Bay beachfront resort. Couples can choose from beautiful beach, gazebo, or terrace settings for their ceremony location.
Strawberry Hill
Nestled in the lush Blue Mountains overlooking the bustling capital city of Kingston, this tranquil spot with jaw-dropping views is a destination for spa lovers and their guests alike (it’s the only full-service Aveda Concept Spa in the Caribbean). Highlights include an amazing infinity pool, superb New Jamaican cuisine, and romantic four-poster mahogany wood beds.
WHY:
Tiny Anguilla, just 16 miles long and three miles wide, is one of the most exclusive spots in the Caribbean, and it is peppered with upscale resorts, four-star restaurants, unspoiled scenery, and pristine white beaches (no cruise ships, high-rises, or casinos allowed). You won’t get a direct flight from the States (you’ll have to take a boat from St. Martin), but you and your guests will consider the destination well worth the extra travel time. As a bonus, native Anguillans are known for their hospitality, and the island is virtually crime-free.
When to go :
While you should be aware of hurricane season, which runs from June through November, temperatures are perfectly pleasant (highs in the low 80s and lows in the low 70s) year-round.
Best spot to get married
Cap Juluca
With 18 stark white, Moorish-style villas set against the bright blue sea, this resort looks like no other in the Caribbean. Its long list of celebrity guests guarantees it doesn’t feel like anything else either. Choose from intimate villa ceremonies or beautiful vow exchanges right on the beach.
Carimar Beach Club
These seaside villas are each outfitted with outdoor grills and fully-equipped kitchens, making Carimar an excellent choice for couples inviting guests on a variety of budgets. The resort can accommodate weddings of all types, from casual lawn lunches to formal beach ceremonies.
WHY:
Puerto Rico’s got all the assets of the other Caribbean islands—gorgeous beaches, friendly locals, plush resorts—plus one big one that sets it apart: It’s a US territory. That means you and your guests will have few if any of the hassles associated with travel abroad: no passports are required, you won’t need to go through customs, phone service is excellent, and most people speak English.
When to go :
As with the rest of the region, beware of hurricane season, which lasts from June through November.
Best spot to get married
Horned Dorset Primavera
This Spanish-style property, perfect for small weddings, sits on a stone retaining wall over the ocean on Puerto Rico’s secluded west coast. Choose from open-air dining options or the more formal second-floor dining room. Duplex suites have private plunge pools.
El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa
For beautiful oceanside ceremonies with all the benefits of a big hotel wedding, El Conquistador, with its on-property Golden Door Spa, makes a great location choice. Choose from outdoor settings such as the trellises and Mirador Terrace, or grand indoor spaces like the Magnolia or Grand Caribbean Ballroom.
WHY:
Along with Puerto Rico, The US Virgin Islands may be one of the most hassle-free places to have a Caribbean destination wedding. There are lots of direct flights to St. Thomas (and St. John is a short ferry ride away), airfare is usually competitive, the US dollar is the official currency, and you should have great cell phone service. St. Thomas can sometimes feel a bit crowded, since it’s a main stop on the itineraries of many cruise lines, and it’s quite developed for the Caribbean. But it’s nonetheless brimming over with natural beauty. St. John, while a bit harder to reach, is more rugged, unspoiled, and higher-end, with fewer big resorts.
When to go :
Tourist season is at a high from mid-December through mid-April. Highs are in the mid-80s and lows are in the 70s year-round, though hurricane seasons runs from June through November.
Best spot to get married
Caneel Bay, St. John
Although this luxurious property includes seven beaches, don’t limit your festivities to the water’s edge when there are so many diverse settings to choose from. Plan an intimate rehearsal dinner in the romantic, candlelit Sugar Mill Ruins and then host a postwedding brunch on the grassy knoll at Turtle Bay Point.
Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa, St. Thomas
Carved into the mountainside and overlooking the beach, this all-inclusive resort has a good range of activities for guests of all ages and interests. A kids’ program and on-site child care keeps little ones busy and supervised, while the Journeys Spa and Ocean Club Gaming Center (casino) attends to their parents.
WHY:
Less developed and more upscale than much of the Caribbean, this collection of 40 islands, eight of which are inhabited, has an intimate feel. Many of the islands are surrounded by a natural reef, making the turquoise waters just offshore clean, calm, and full of sea life. The islands are also relatively easy to reach, since you can fly direct from a number of US cities to Providenciales, the main island.
When to go :
The climate is sunny and dry, with highs between 80 and 84 degrees from November to May. However, during the summer and early fall, daytime highs range from 85 to 90 degrees, sometimes reaching the mid-90s in late summer. Hurricane season also runs from June through November.
Best spot to get married
Grace Bay Club
Small and elegant, this resort has adopted a Spanish architectural style with all suites leading out to oceanview terraces. The suites and penthouses have four-star amenities, including full kitchens, Egyptian cotton linens, and flat-screen TVs. New villas on the property welcome children, and the resort has developed a comprehensive kids’ program.
The Palms
This chic property on Grace Bay beach features a spectacular infinity pool, a first-class restaurant, and one of the most serious spas in the Caribbean. Host your ceremony right on the beach (one of the most jaw-dropping stretches of white sand and azure water you’ve ever seen) or in the beautiful private function room above the resort lobby