The island of Curacao is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela.
The country includes the main island, which is where the capital Willemstad is located, and also the small uninhabited island of Klein Curacao.
Curacao is the largest and most populated island of the ABC Islands, which also includes Aruba and Bonaire.
Curacao is a constituent country of the Netherlands, so their official language is Dutch. Curacao is a beautiful location for a destination wedding!
Why Get Married In Curacao?
Curacao is a great choice for a beach wedding because it has a lot to offer. You’ll find gorgeous beaches and cute towns! The island also experiences a warm and sunny climate all year round. The average temperature is in the mid 80s with a nice breeze.
What to Know:
- Although Curacao is mostly dry, it does experience a rainy season from October – February. However, showers are usually at night and for only a short time period.
- The island is located outside of the Atlantic hurricane belt, which means if you’re visiting from June – November you shouldn’t have to worry about any storms ruining your wedding at the beach in Curacao!
- The currency of Curacao is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (or florin), however, most places on the island accepts the U.S. Dollar and credit cards. Make sure you and your wedding guests do have some of the local currency just in case!
What is it Known for?
Curacao is a Caribbean island known for its beautiful beaches, great scuba diving and Dutch culture! The island is said to have an “underwater paradise” where you will find plenty of tropical fish, coral reefs and sponge formations. Beach weddings in Curacao are very romantic and fun for guests!
What is the Best Time to get Married in Curacao?
As with the majority of the Caribbean, peak tourist season is during the fall and winter months because travelers want to get away from the cold weather back home. However, in Curacao peak tourist time is actually during their rainy season. To get the best weather and also avoid the crowds, get married in the summer!
Since high season is in the winter months that’s also when you’re going to see the more expensive flights and resorts. Getting married in the summer you’ll save money on these things and so will your guests! You also don’t have to avoid hurricane season like suggested on most islands because Curacao is outside of the hurricane belt.
Curacao has amazing weather all year round, so there really isn’t a bad time to visit or have a beach wedding. If you have the budget and don’t mind the crowds, you may decide to choose a wedding date in the winter. Just plan in advance so you and your guests have time to save up for the trip!
What are the Marriage Requirements in Curacao?
If you’ve always dreamed of a Curacao wedding on the beach, you’ll want to make sure to do all of your research on their marriage laws and requirements before you begin your planning. You want to be prepared to avoid any last minute speed bumps!
If you’re hiring a wedding planner in Curacao then they will definitely be helpful when it comes to this process. However, if you’re doing it on your own then you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need. The first step is to send a written marriage petition to the town hall.
Documents you’ll need to obtain your Curacao marriage license are both of your birth certificates, proof of marital status, photocopy of passports and an international declaration of unmarried status by the civil registration of where you’re from and an apostille.
These documents can’t be more than 6 months old by the time of the wedding. You’ll want to have everything at least 2 months before your wedding and get approval from the civil registration. You will need to be in Curacao at least 3 days before your wedding to confirm everything and obtain your license.
You’ll also need a witness and if they’re from your hometown, they need to apply for temporary residence. Another option is to arrange for a local witness. For the complete list of marriage requirements in Curacao click here.
What to do next? Read more about planning a destination wedding here.