Saying your vows on a beach is one of the most popular types of destination wedding. The sunset ceremony, outdoor reception dinners, exotic foods, and gorgeous ocean views all make for a great wedding location. Plus, your guests will love the warm getaway, water sports, beaches, and the sunrise. In fact, many a destination wedding turns into a family vacation for guests.
Listed below are some of the popular locations to have a beach wedding:
Bermuda
Bermuda is one of the most popular locations for a destination wedding. Couples have a lot of options when it comes to wedding locations, hotels, and activities for guests.
Along with some great sunsets, this island has great beaches (Horseshoe bay beach), snorkeling, golf, and beautiful resorts.
Due to its popularity, this island paradise is also much cheaper to get to than many of the other islands. Take a look at some of the great options here when planning a destination wedding.
Turks And Caicos
Secluded beautiful beaches, exotic animals, dozens of protected parks and some great outdoor activities make the Turks and Caicos a very popular destination for weddings.
Your guests can golf, fish, parasail, scuba dive, hike or just plain old relax under the sun. Some great locations for weddings are The Tuscany, the Aquamarine Beach houses, Seven Stars resort, and the West Bay Club.
For all inclusive destination wedding deals, look at Beaches, Club Med and Veranda.
Bahamas
The Bahamas are unique in the sense that they make for a great vacation for couples, singles, and families alike. The breathtaking scenery and great weather serve as great backdrops for a destination wedding.
The diverse activities (Golf, snorkeling, boating) and attractions (Thunderball Grotto, Gold Rock Beach, Marine Habitat at Atlantis) will keep guests busy throughout the vacation without having to think “What else is there to do here”.
From secluded resorts on the outer islands (Shannas Cove) to the larger ones (Club Med, Sandals), there is something for everyone here.
Jamaica
Jamaica is where the whole all inclusive movement started. The island is laced with resorts that can professionally handle a destination wedding of any size.
The advantage of the all inclusive resort is that you and your guests don’t have to worry about opening your wallet at every turn. Plus, all inclusive resorts offer enough in house activities, restaurants, and shopping that guests won’t feel the need to go outside.
Destination weddings are easy to plan in Jamaica and there are dozens of choices. Most include a ceremony location, reception venue, officiant, floral bouquet, cake, reception food and drink, photographer, and the marriage certificate.
Popular hotels and resorts for destination weddings are Catcha falling star, Iberostar Grand Rose, Nirvana on the Beach, Goldeneye resort, and Sandals.
Antigua
Antigua has over 300 beaches and can be a very busy place during high season. Getting here can be expensive from the US but its well worth it.
The pink sand beaches of Half moon bay, Shirley Heights, catamaran ride on the KoKoMoCat are just a few of the fun activities that make this a great place for wedding guests.
Some popular resorts here are Jumby Bay, Galley Bay, and Curtain Bluff resorts. Wedding locations include Royal Antiguan, Veranda Resort and spa and the Sandals resort.
Both the Veranda resort and the Galley bay resort have a “free wedding” offer if you book a certain number of nights there.
St. Thomas And St. John
The island of St. Thomas has a lot of direct flights making it easier to get to for you and your wedding guests.
The island of St. John is a short ferry ride away and has more of the rugged and unspoiled feel to it. Wedding guests will have tons of things to do including sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating and golf.
And if that’s not enough, they can conclude the night at any of the lively clubs that are sprinkled all over this 32 square mile island. Popular all inclusive wedding locations include Bolongo Bay, Frenchmans Reef, and the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort.
Other romantic hotels are the Ritz Carlton, the Antilles Point Pleasant, and the Secret Harbor resort. Wedding packages are offered by most every hotel.
Puerto Rico
What is unique about Puerto Rico is that it is a US territory. Your wedding guests will not have the hassle of going through customs or needing a passport (a big plus).
However, this convenience also makes Puerto Rico a very crowded place during high season. If you are looking at planning a wedding here, consider one of the months right before or after the high season.
While in Puerto Rico, wedding guests will have numerous activities and attractions to keep them busy. Snorkeling, scuba diving, ziplining adventure and surfing are some of the more popular things to do.
Romantic hotels popular with couples are Hotel El Convento, Bahia Salinas Beach Resort & Spa and the Horned Dorset Primavera. Destination wedding packages are available at many hotels and resorts including the San Juan Marriott, Verdanza Hotel, and the El Conquistador Resort which can host over a 1000 guests.
Barbados
Want to try a rich black cake made with Rum and dried fruits? Well, you’ll get your chance in Barbados.
This southernmost island in the Caribbean has lots of picturesque churches, plantation estates, and beaches that serve as incredible locations for a wedding ceremony.
Guests can spend their time watching polo matches, cricket, or eating the local delicacy (Bajan aka “Flying fish”).
Other great places to see are Harrison’s cave, and flower forest. Popular resorts for destination weddings are the Almond Beach club, Cobblers cove Crane Beach Hotel, and the Fairmont hotel. For an intimate wedding, try Little Arches, a private wedding garden that can accommodate up to 40 guests.
If you want to wed barefoot on the beach at sunrise, then any of the islands above will fit the bill. Both you and your guests will have a tremendous amount of activities to choose from so no one is going to go home unhappy. The hardest part about planning a destination wedding on a island is choosing the island itself.