Destination Jamaica: Tips For Planning A Wedding In Paradise
Destination weddings are on the rise, and for good reason: they generally cost a fraction of what a wedding at home does (go figure), and they tend to cause far fewer planning headaches (plus they double as a vacation for all involved). Therefore, many altar-bound couples are choosing to jet off to paradise to say, "I do" in tropical style. One of the most popular destinations of choice? Jamaica. With its famed, diverse surroundings, easy and affordable legal requirements, and those legendary red sunsets, Jamaica is the idyllic natural backdrop for fun and romance.
If you're planning or considering a wedding in Jamaica, be sure to read our essential tips, including the whos, hows, whens, whys and wheres, for a blissful, stress-free wedding!
HOW
Many couples choose Jamaica not only for its beauty but also for its simple legal requirements. You can tie the knot just 24 hours after arriving on the island, providing you've already applied for your marriage license beforehand. To do so, call the Ministry of National Security at 876-906-4908. Or, if you're working with a wedding coordinator, she'll most likely take care of this for you (many hotels will make all the arrangements for you). A license costs just $75-$80, and no blood tests are required.
You will need proof of citizenship (a certified birth certificate including your father's name), proof of divorce if applicable, parent's written consent if you're under 18, and a certified copy of death certificate if you're a widow or widower.
WHO
Non-denominational officiants can perform your ceremony at the location of your choice and provide a witness if needed. They charge anywhere from $50-$250.
One of the best things you can do is to hire a local wedding coordinator. Many of the resorts and hotels have their own wedding coordinators who know the ins and outs of Jamaican weddings like the backs of their sun-kissed hands. After all, thousands of couples say, "I do" in Jamaica every year - a coordinator will find all your vendors and take care of the dirty work. If you opt to go it alone, be sure to be very diligent and expect some hiccups and high phone bills along the way. It can be done of course, but having a local contact to help guide you through everything can make it a smooth and painless process.
All-inclusive resorts have nearly everything you'll need on site, with some even offering free wedding packages to guests who stay a certain number of days at their facility. It doesn't get much easier than that.
WHERE
From all-inclusive resorts to clandestine elopements in untrodden areas, Jamaica serves up a bevy of fantastic options for making your commitment official. Many couples opt for the ease of an all-inclusive resort, while others prefer more intimate cozy inns, and others luxurious villas. Say your I dos at Lover's Leap near the South Coast's edge, in a secret garden in Ocho Rios, on a cliffside in Negril, at an old church in Kingston, or at an elegant estate in Montego Bay. The possibilities are as endless as the ocean. Just be sure to personalize your special day and make sure all your guests feel comfortable and welcome.
WHEN
Since Jamaica is blessed with an enviable tropical climate where seasons are virtually non-existent, anytime is a good time to go as far as weather is concerned. Daytime temperatures along the cost range from 80-86 degrees Fahrenheit, while temperatures up in the Blue Mountains hover around 68, so be sure to dress accordingly. Linen suits are great for grooms and groomsmen, and lightweight silk dresses for brides are beautiful and functional. But that doesn't mean a bikini and sarong aren't fair play -- anything goes in Jamaica!
If you'll be staying along the east coast or in the Blue Mountains, there's a slight rainy season May through June and October through November, though rainfall is normally short-lived. However, we recommend always having a backup plan, no matter where you decide to do the deed, be it white tent or a hotel ballroom.
Tourist season is at its peak from mid-December to mid-April, and as such, hotel prices are more expensive. If you visit from May-November you can save as much as 40%, which is fabulous for budget-conscious couples.
WHY
Again, destination weddings in Jamaica are extremely affordable, easy, and innately magical. With a ton of locations to choose from, including mountains, underground caves, and coral and white-sand beaches, it's hard to top a wedding here. Plus, you have the added bonus of honeymooning on the island as well. Whether at a couples-only resort or a private villa, Jamaica has romance down to a tee. Enjoy candlelit dinners on the beach, take bike rides along mountain trails, or float down a quiet river on a bamboo raft made for two, then dance the night away at a local reggae club. Adventurous couples will revel in water activities like scuba diving, parasailing and cliff diving, while sporty couples take advantage of hiking and surfing. Relaxing spa treatments and romantic rainforest canopy walks are just a few more activities beloved by honeymooners as well as wedding guests.
A FEW LAST TIPS FOR BLISS
You are not responsible for paying for your guests' travel and accommodations, but it is common etiquette to pay for your bridesmaids' and groomsmen's accommodations -- something to keep in mind when you're deciding if you should have two or eight bridesmaids. And while you aren't expected to pay for your guests' airfare and accommodations, be aware that while you're saving money by having a destination wedding, your guests have to pay a considerable sum to come to your wedding in paradise. Therefore, it's a very thoughtful touch if you welcome them accordingly -- try a gift basket filled with local snacks, sunscreen, and a disposable camera, or plan a fun outing or lunch for all of your guests before the wedding.
