THE BAHAMAS: 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.
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.
Need a great hotel for your big dayOne & Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island. This seaside resort's Versailles-inspired terraced garden is a unique ceremony location that accommodates up to 120 guests. Villas perched above the beach feature private infinity pools, and villa guests are offered iPods for use during their stay. Most rooms on the property have sweeping views of the ocean.
GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS : If you're looking for fun and something a little different, Grand Cayman has plenty to offer. The East End is laid-back and timeless; the west side is where the action is. Here you'll find one of the Caribbean's finest strands: Seven Mile Beach, lined with hotels catering to beach brides and with ballrooms for those who don't want sand in their shoes. Hotels here are top-notch, with a mix of established brands (thinkWestin and The Ritz-Carlton), plus a great array of private condo-style resorts like The Reef and Caribbean Club. The vendors, from florists to photographers to caterers, are some of the best in the region. Create indelible memories with a group snorkel trip to Stingray City.
ST. BARTS: Anyone who laments the demise of the so-called beautiful people hasn't been to St. Barts in high season recently. Fashionistas and their ilk adopted the French isle as their Caribbean St-Tropez long ago, and they keep coming back for more of its fine beaches, beautiful buildings and superb food — all of which add up to an ambience that says the great life. That life is lived in elaborate villas and small hotels with swank names like Eden Rock and Le Toiny, at trendy watering holes, and in the boutiques and byways of Gustavia, the picturesque capital. A long residency requirement for official weddings precludes legally getting married in St. Barts, but there's no shortage of stunning settings for a ceremonial vow exchange in the Caribbean's capital of chic.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: The D.R. is huge and varied, but for the purposes of an affordable Caribbean wedding, most plane rides lead to Punta Cana and Cap Cana, on the east coast. There you'll find endless stretches of palm-lined beaches that host an array of all-inclusive resorts, each virtually a destination itself, thanks to multiple pools, bars, restaurants, entertainment venues and sports facilities. Different brands cater to every style and budget, sometimes within the same property; for instance, at the sweepingParadisus Palma Real, guests can either stay in the main hotel or upgrade to the Reserve next door, with luxe extras like private concierge service and Reserve-only restaurants. Best of all, these well-run complexes offer an array of wedding packages, planners and other onsite vendors to help you easily pull the whole thing off.
JAMAICA: Jamaica is a great spot to have a non-traditional wedding. The locals are up for just about anything (within reason!). If you're going to have a Jamaica wedding, take advantage of the Jamaican experience.
Whether it is a ceremony or an elaborate one, you will love the exotic settings that envision your perfect wedding. The ambiance is a blend of the splendor in natural and romantic surroundings which satisfies you with a true Jamaican experience. Start your lifetime memories in the ultimate location where Jamaica provide wedding renewals, receptions, cruise ship beach side, wedding packages and exclusive wedding planning services in a personal, beautiful setting that redefines what you both together.
SAINT LUCIA: This Windward Island’s volcanic profile has been rising higher and higher in recent years, thanks to a deluge of new boutique hotels with a massive wow factor. Leading the way was Jade Mountain, a spectacular wing of the venerable Anse Chastanet, and neighboring Ladera, which just built an outdoor venue specifically for weddings. The southern Soufriere area is quieter and less developed. For more in the way of restaurants, nightlife and accommodations suitable for bigger parties, stay up north, where chic check-ins include three Sandals resorts and Cap Maison, seen on the finale of The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love. Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s prettiest destinations, rent a car and make the most of it.
Destination weddings take considerable planning and research, and the best properties & accommodations often book far in advance of the wedding date. The earlier you begin planning your wedding, the greater the likelihood you will be able to book the perfect property for you and your guests.