Top 9 Best Destination Wedding Spots in the Caribbean
Getting married is thrilling enough, but getting married on a Caribbean beach beneath a beautiful sunset while wearing no shoes and experiencing the warm ocean ... read more...water and damp sand between your toes is even more so. That's what a destination wedding is all about, and it's becoming increasingly popular among couples planning their wedding. If you're one of the couples thinking about spending your wedding day in the Caribbean, then this list will be quite exciting for you. Let's take a look at the most popular Caribbean wedding destinations.
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This lovely island is not only home to 365 stunning beaches, but it's also rich in maritime history. Antigua was home to a large British naval station in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and its port is now a favorite sailing destination for the worldwide jet-set. Look no further if you want to hold your wedding at a high-end all-inclusive resort; several of the worlds most opulent are located here.
From mid-December until mid-April, the peak season is in full swing. Rates drop by as much as 40% after April, while some establishments close between August and October. Hurricane season spans from June to November, although humidity and rainfall are minimal all year.
At historic English Harbor, history aficionados may visit Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Hiking to the Megaliths of Greencastle Hill, with strange six-hundred-foot-high rock structures, claimed to have been erected by early occupants for better worshipping of the sun and moon, is a good way to get some exercise. The unconstrained might enjoy Hawksbill's clothing-optional beach. Even if you're staying at an all-inclusive, try to go off the resort for a few meals. At the Home Restaurant in Gambles Terrace, sample some classic West Indian meals.
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This collection of 700 islands has something to offer everyone—rent your own island for full seclusion, or invite hundreds of your closest friends at a megaresort. Nassau and Paradise Island are two of the most popular and action-packed locations, while more distant spots like Harbor Island and the Exumas are more relaxed. The Bahamas are only a 35-minute flight from Florida, so it's a quick vacation for visitors.
Summers are quieter than the high season, which runs from mid-December through mid-April. Although hurricanes are uncommon, they do happen, therefore it's better to stay away from the area from June to November. Scuba dive around Andros Island (home to the world's third-biggest barrier reef), promenade the white-sand beaches, see the ancient mansions of Nassau, and sip Goombay Smashes while eating conch fritters
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Despite its distance from the Caribbean, Bermuda shares many of the Caribbean's beachy, gorgeous characteristics. Consider Bermuda if you want a Caribbean vacation wedding but also want something traditional and sophisticated. The island has no casinos and only a few fast-food restaurants, yet it is known for its quiet pink-sand beaches and traditional British heritage. The fact that it just takes a few hours to travel there from the East Coast, and that tickets are sometimes cheaper than those to Caribbean locations, is probably its most compelling selling point.
From May till the beginning of September, Because Bermuda is just 850 miles from the coast of North Carolina, its weather is more like that of the coastal US than that of the Caribbean islands to the south. In the summer, the average temperature is approximately 85 degrees, while in the winter, it is only around 70 degrees. Although storms are uncommon, they do happen, so pay attention to any warnings from June to November.
Spend your days golfing on one of the island's eight courses (this is a links-dream), lovers visiting the botanical garden, or scuba diving among the reefs and shipwrecks. Rent a scooter to go about the island's renowned pastel-hued cottages (it's a lot of fun, but it's also a practical requirement because tourists aren't permitted to rent automobiles).
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Jamaica is known for more than its beaches and palm trees; it is also known for its world-class culture, which includes reggae, Rastafarianism, and unique spices. It's also where elegant globetrotters call home. Jamaica, home to several all-inclusive resorts, is one of the cheapest Caribbean islands, but it also offers some of the most opulent accommodations, including private villas with their own cooks, housekeeping staff, and security.
Avoid the months of March and April, which are known as spring break, as well as the months of June through November, which are known as hurricane season. Enjoy jerk chicken, plantain chips, ackee and saltfish breakfast, or a drink of Jamaican rum during a live reggae concert.
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This is the island for nature enthusiasts. Nevis dubbed the "Queen of the Caribees", has a prestigious reputation and is home to some of the Caribbean's best-preserved beaches, jungles, and reefs. The weather on Nevis is consistently between 72 and 87 degrees all year. However, be mindful of hurricane season, which runs from June to November.
Explore the jungle and listen to the sounds of exotic wildlife, or climb to the summit of Nevis Peak (3,232 feet). Equestrian enthusiasts will love a ride through the scenic beaches, trails, and mountain slopes (horseback riding is quite popular here). Take a stroll on the beach with a scientist to learn about sea turtle breeding, or go on a night beach-walking trip with naturalists to see and study the distant stars.
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Anguilla, which is only 16 miles long and three miles broad, is one of the Caribbean's most exclusive destinations, with expensive resorts, four-star restaurants, unspoiled landscape, and pure white beaches (no cruise ships, high-rises, or casinos allowed). You won't be able to fly directly from the United States (you'll have to take a boat from St. Martin), but the location will be well worth the extra travel time for you and your visitors. In addition, Anguillans are recognized for their friendliness, and the island is almost crime-free.
Swimming, snorkeling, and appreciating the opportunity to wear shoes as little as possible should all be on any Anguillan itinerary. Guests who prefer not to spend their time on the beach may appreciate visiting the island's archaeological and cultural monuments, such as the Heritage Collection Museum in East End, and going on a guided bird-watching excursion. The island is noted for its superb food (some of the best in the Caribbean) served at beach shacks and fine dining establishments such as Blanchard's, the island's most famous restaurant. Send friends to Elio's for first-rate nightlife, a tiny but trendy Valley bar with a range of high-end sipping rums and over 200 cigar brands.
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Puerto Rico has all of the benefits of the other Caribbean islands—beautiful beaches, friendly inhabitants, and opulent resorts—plus one major advantage: It is a part of the United States. That means you and your guests will have few, if any, of the inconveniences that come with traveling abroad: no passports are necessary, customs is not required, phone coverage is superb, and the majority of people understand English.
Puerto Rico combines classic beach enjoyment with distinct cultural and historic attractions (your non-beach-going guests will appreciate the options). Consider recommending the following ideal day: Begin by enjoying some of the country's famed locally grown coffee, then go to a beach excursion before finishing the day with some touring through the alleys of Old San Juan, which retain much of their colonial appearance. Although there are many American-style restaurants, travelers should sample one of the numerous eateries serving Criolla cuisine, which is a mix of Taino, Spanish, and African influences. Tostones (fried green plantains) are a popular dish in Mexico.
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The US Virgin Islands, along with Puerto Rico, maybe one of the most hassle-free locations for a Caribbean destination wedding. There are several direct flights to St. Thomas (and St. John is only a short boat ride away), airfare is typically reasonable, the US dollar is the official currency, and mobile phone reception should be excellent. Because it's a major stop on many cruise lines' itineraries and is relatively developed for the Caribbean, St. Thomas might seem a little congested at times. Nonetheless, it is filled with natural beauty. While St. John is a little more difficult to get there, it is more rough, unspoiled, and higher-end, with fewer large resorts.
Visit Charlotte Amalie, the capital city of St. Thomas, to view historical attractions including For Christian, which was established in 1672, as well as duty-free shopping. St. John is recognized for its numerous and easily accessible snorkeling locations, including Trunk Bay, which includes underwater signs identifying the species, as well as its national parks, which may be visited through one of the many hiking paths or by renting a vehicle and driving through them.
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This cluster of 40 islands, eight of which are inhabited, offers a more personal vibe than much of the Caribbean since it is less developed and more affluent. The blue seas immediately offshore are clean, peaceful, and abundant in sea life since many of the islands are bordered by a natural reef. The islands are also very accessible, with direct flights to Providenciales, the major island, from a number of US cities.
From November through May, the weather is bright and dry, with highs of 80 to 84 degrees. Daytime highs in the summer and early fall vary from 85 to 90 degrees, with late summer temperatures occasionally reaching the mid-90s. From June through November, the hurricane season is in full swing.
Scuba diving and snorkeling are excellent options since Turks and Caicos offers some of the greatest underwater scenery in the world. For history aficionados, historic Cockburn Town on Grand Turk is also worth a visit—some think it's where Columbus originally landed in 1492. Other popular activities include whale and bird viewing, as well as sunsets across Grace Bay.