Barbados is the island that’s furthest to the east out of all the Caribbean islands.
The average temperature is 82 degrees all year round with a nice breeze! Barbados is one of the most developed islands in the Caribbean and a popular tourist destination.
Many couples dream of a wedding at the beach in Barbados!
Why Get Married In Barbados?
Barbados has a unique and one-of-a-kind culture because of its English, African and West Indian roots. Since the island is so developed and their official language is English, it’s very easy for people from the U.S. to plan a wedding here!
What to Know:
- Barbados is mostly a flat coral island that has beautiful beaches. They also have caves and underground lakes, which provides some of the purest drinking water in the world.
- Coral reefs surround the coast of Barbados, making it a great location for snorkeling and scuba diving!
- The currency of the island is the Barbados Dollar, however, the U.S. Dollar is widely accepted around the island and so are major credit cards. You and your guests will still want to have some of the local currency just to be safe.
- Hurricane season is from June – October and sometimes extends into November. The rest of the year is considered dry season. Locals have a popular saying, “June too soon, October all over!”
What is Barbados Known for?
Barbados is known for their white sandy beaches and their very friendly people. They are also known for their rum!
If you’re planning a wedding at the beach in Barbados, it’s nice to incorporate what the island is known for as part of your theme. One example of how to do this is to have “rum punch” for your signature drink.
What is the Best Time to Get Married in Barbados?
For the most part, Barbados has nice weather all year round. If you’re planning a wedding at the beach in Barbados, you may want to have it during dry season so there’s less chance of rain. However, rain is always unpredictable! Dry season is from December – May.
Most brides and grooms will want to avoid hurricane season, which is June – October/November in Barbados. However, hurricane season will be less crowded and flights, hotels and wedding vendors may be cheaper.
If you’re hoping for a lot of guests to be able to afford the trip, you may want to risk having your wedding during these months. Barbados usually lucks out and isn’t affected by many hurricanes due to its location on the hurricane belt.
One of the best months to get married in Barbados is May. May is part of dry season, however it’s the very end of peak tourist time and it’s before hurricane season. There is a very small chance of rain! You might also get more affordable rates during this time.
What are the Marriage Requirements in Barbados?
Barbados is a beautiful place for a destination wedding and conveniently, there aren’t many marriage requirements. You don’t need to be a resident for a certain amount of days and there is no waiting period.
In order to be issued a marriage license, you and your fiance must apply in person at the office of the Ministry of Human Affairs. You will both need your birth certificates and return plane tickets. Fees for the marriage license will be around $115.
You can choose to have a civil marriage ceremony in the court or outside the court, which is a little more expensive. Proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse (if applicable) and a letter from the officiant performing the ceremony is also required. For the complete list of marriage requirements click here.
What to do next? Read more about planning a destination wedding here