With its white-sand beaches, turquoise water and warm weather, it’s easy to see why couples flock to the Caribbean for destination weddings. The Caribbean islands offer a range of wedding experiences, whether you’re looking for an upscale affair or a casual beach party.
Here are the top five wedding destinations in the Caribbean to help inspire your big day.
The Bahamas
With 700 islands for couples to choose from, the Bahamas can cater to weddings of any style or size. If you’re planning a large wedding and need a resort that can accommodate, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island are the wedding veterans you’re looking for. If the thought of a grand-scale wedding makes you cringe, destinations like Harbor Island or the Exumas in the Out Islands offer the same beautiful beaches but with a laid-back, low-key atmosphere. If you really want nothing but intimacy, you can even rent your own island for the big day.
Bermuda
If a pink-sand beach against a sparkling blue-green sea sounds like the perfect backdrop for your wedding, Bermuda is calling your name. You’ll find a number of resorts on the island with private beaches for your ceremony. Steeped in British history, Bermuda is also perfect for those looking for an elegant experience. After all, the entire island pauses in the afternoon for high tea. After the wedding, your guests can enjoy snorkeling or golfing on the island.
Barbados
British tradition and pink-sand beaches are also highlights of Barbados, but where Bermuda’s weather is similar to that of the East Coast, Barbados boasts relatively warm weather year round. Resorts on the Platinum Coast are a favorite among high profile celebs looking to tie the knot.
Cayman Islands
It can be tricky to find quality vendors for a destination wedding, but not in the Cayman Islands. Home to some of the Caribbean’s top planners and vendors, the Cayman Islands offer plenty of support for your big day. You can host a more upscale event on Grand Cayman, where the breathtaking stretch of Seven Mile Beach can make anyone swoon. For a more intimate affair, you can fly your wedding party to Cayman Brac or Little Cayman. No matter which island you choose, don’t miss a chance to take the wedding party under the sea for a snorkeling tour.
Antigua
Antigua is home to phenomenal beaches and weather year round, making it one of the Caribbean’s top islands for a destination wedding. At a whopping 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, the island provides an intimate setting for your big day. You can say “I do” in a garden gazebo or along the pristine shores. Many of the island’s resorts offer wedding packages that include a ceremony in a private bay or stretch of beach.
(Main image: F H Mira used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
