The British Virgin Islands is located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. It’s a British overseas territory where they speak English and use the U.S. Dollar as their currency. The islands consist of four main islands and more than 50 other smaller islands and cayes.
Why Get Married In The British Virgin Islands?
The Virgin Islands is a beautiful destination for a beach wedding! The four main islands are Tortola, which is where the capital is, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. They all have different attractions and unique scenery to offer!
The weather in the British Virgin Islands is tropical and there is little variation throughout the year. This means it’s a great location to visit during both summer and winter! Temperatures average in the 80s.
What to Know:
- Tortola is full of white sandy beaches and the Northern coast has some of the best ones on the entire island. If you’re interested in having a romantic beach wedding, this may be the island for you!
- Unlike the other British Virgin Islands, Anegada is very flat. It’s formed from coral and limestone rather than by volcanoes. It’s known for Horseshoe Reef, which is the largest barrier coral reef in the Caribbean.
- Virgin Gorda is known for its luxury resorts and villas as well as yacht clubs. If you have a large budget for your beach wedding, you may be interested in having it on this island.
- Jost Van Dyke is the smallest of the four main islands. It’s only accessible by private boats, ferries or water taxis from Tortola. The island has some very popular bars. If you’re looking for a secluded beach wedding with a fun nightlife, this island would be a great option.
What is it Known For?
The British Virgin Islands is known for its beautiful beaches and tropical climate. Activities include sailing, fishing, scuba diving, shopping, sightseeing and more. The rugged terrain is unique, since most of the islands were formed by volcanoes. It’s nice to have multiple islands to visit and explore all in one place!
What is the Best Time to get Married in the British Virgin Islands?
Like most tropical islands in the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands have dry season and wet season. They also experience high season and low season when it comes to tourists as well as hurricane season. When planning your beach wedding in the British Virgin Islands, you’ll want to be aware of all these different seasons.
If you’re only considering temperature, you could choose any month to get married in the British Virgin Islands because they experience warm weather all year round. However, the most rain is usually during the summer and fall. Many hotels even close during the months of August – October. If it does rain, it’s usually only for a short period of time.
Hurricane season is June – November. Dry season and peak tourist season is during the winter and spring. If you choose to have your beach wedding during dry season it’ll be more expensive, but you also have a better chance of beautiful weather.
Even though flights and resorts will be pricier, it’s recommended to plan your destination wedding during dry season in the British Virgin Islands. Your guests will love getting away from the cold back home for a hot and sunny vacation. You also won’t have to stress over potential hurricanes and rain.
During wet season the nightlife won’t be as exciting either since there aren’t many travelers visiting the island during this time. Additionally, it may be difficult to find a hotel that’s open!
What are the Marriage Requirements in the British Virgin Islands?
Once you arrive to the British Virgin Islands you can apply for your marriage license at the Registrar-General’s Office in Tortola, or you can apply for one online here. The license takes one business day to be processed. It is then valid for 3 months!
To receive your British Virgin Islands marriage license you’ll need a postage stamp for a Special License and you will need to be a resident for at least one day. Documents you need include your passports and proof of marital status. You’ll also need two witnesses.
Once you have applied for your marriage license and paid all necessary fees, you should set up a time and date for the ceremony to be held. You can choose to get married at the Registrar-General’s Office, outside of the office (on any of the adjoining islands), or in a church. Fees depend on the location of the ceremony. For the complete list of marriage requirements click here.
What to do next? Read more about planning a destination wedding here.