Confused about planning an Antigua wedding? We’ve got you covered.
Antigua is part of three islands famous for its vibrant food scene, unique historic sites, and diverse cultural scene with British and African influences. However, what draws most travelers to Antigua are over 300 beaches that have red shells in the sand grains.
That gives the island’s beaches a stunning pink hue. The beautiful beaches, amazing cuisine, and plenty of scenery make Antigua an excellent place for your destination wedding.
Our detailed guide covers everything you need to know when planning your Antigua wedding, including the best resorts and legal requirements you need to meet.
About Destination Weddings in Antigua
Why Get Married in Antigua
There are plenty of reasons to consider getting married in Antigua. Here are a few.
Unlimited Choices of Beaches
Antigua claims to have over 300 beaches, so there’s a lot to explore once you’re here. Popular options like the Long Bay beach are ideal for snorkeling. Half Moon Bay for windsurfing and Dickenson Bay for family activities. Johnson’s Point beach is an excellent option if you’re looking for a private beach to host your big day.
Combining the pristine beaches with the lush vegetation makes Antigua a fantastic destination to formalize your marriage.
Stunning Venues
Antigua has lots of stunning locations and resorts where you can get married. You can opt to get married by the beach, tropical garden, luxury yacht, and anywhere else on this beautiful island.
Few Requirements to Get Married
Getting married in Antigua is legally simple, and marriage is legal anywhere in the world. To get married, you’ll need witnesses and a few items ( highlighted under legal requirements).
Great Weather Year Round
Antigua is a sunny island with warm weather throughout the year. That means you don’t have to worry about planning your Antigua wedding on a specific day or month.
While you may notice some rains from July to November, that usually clears up in the afternoon.
Plenty of Attractions
A destination wedding is more than just getting married on a private beach. You want your guests to experience everything the island offers, and Antigua has you covered.
The island has multiple heritage sites, like Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. Stop by Shirley Heights for a beautiful sunset, or stop by Mount Obama, the highest point of Antigua.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Antigua
The average cost of a destination wedding in Antigua is $1500 for a budget wedding. Having a luxury wedding can go an average of $5,000.
The Best Antigua Wedding Venues and Antigua Wedding Packages
There are plenty of resorts to choose from when having an Antigua wedding. Some of the best Antigua wedding venues and wedding packages include:
1. Sandals Grande Antigua
A pristine beach, lush gardens, a seaside gazebo, and a cool pool area define Sandals Grande Antigua. The adult-only, all-inclusive resort is a kind of Caribbean resort with plenty of features and activities, perfect for your destination wedding.
Depending on your budget and vacation style, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the various room categories. You and your guests can explore scuba diving and other non-motorized water sports, enjoy premium liquor at the bar, or get entertained by the poolside.
Visit the Red Lane Spa for pampering or play board games or tennis on land.
Sandals Grande Antigua is only 20 minutes from the Antigua International Airport. Its proximity to Dickenson Bay allows you to enjoy the white sand and blue waters.
All destination wedding packages at Sandals Grande Antigua include:
- Symbolic wedding
- Music
- Sparkling wine for six guests
- Couples spa treatment
- Couple’s Special honeymoon dinner
- Preparation of marriage documents
- Turndown service and mimosa breakfast
- Honeymoon photo of the couple
2. Royalton Antigua
Are you looking for a resort where you can customize your destination wedding? You should check out Royalton Antigua. The venue has different wedding packages with custom add-ons. There are custom bridal suites where you, the bride, and your girls can get ready as you wait for the ceremony.
There’s an option for a luxury wedding that includes ten guests, an elegant wedding with up to 20 guests, and an exclusive wedding with up to 30 guests. You can opt to get married at the beach, beach gazebo, or ballroom.
Sample some delicious food at the fine-dining restaurants, and spend your days in luxurious and modern design rooms. Swim at the infinity plunge pool, or get a relaxing treatment at The Royal Spa.
Royalton Antigua also offers a free honeymoon package for couples married for the last six months.
All packages include:
- Ceremony location
- Symbolic ceremony
- Sound system
- Bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere
- Onsite coordinator and personal wedding planner
- Getting ready refreshments
- Sparkling wine roast
- 1-tier wedding cake
3. Cocobay Resort
You should check out Cocobay Resort if you’re looking for an exclusive resort with several places to hold a wedding ceremony.
The resort provides a tranquil setting whether you’re looking to get married at the private terrace overlooking Azure Bay or by the stunning beach. You don’t have to worry about wedding preparations, decor, or catering, as they provide a wedding coordinator who ensures you have a memorable stay.
Get to stay at one of the cottages, enjoy watersports in the afternoon, or dine at one of the select restaurants.
Cocobay Resort provides an all-inclusive standard wedding package that includes
- Choice of a wedding location
- Bridal bouquet
- Traditional wedding cake
- Champagne bottle
- Extras
You can choose to also customize your package depending on your budget. Additional services like a wellness spa, photography, videography, decoration, and catering are optional and you can choose to include them.
4. Hermitage Bay
Hermitage Bay should be on your Antigua wedding destination list, featuring instagrammable sunsets, miles of white sandy beaches, and world-class amenities.
Hermitage Bay offers a secluded space with uninterrupted sea views and tropical gardens, making it perfect for a romantic destination wedding. Spend time with your loved ones at one of the 25 luxury cottages, take a dip at the private plunge pool, or sample different cuisines at the five-star restaurants.
A Hermitage Bay wedding package includes the following:
- Assistance in obtaining a marriage license
- Ceremony and registrar fees
- Marriage officer to perform the ceremony
- Bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere
- Wedding ceremony at a choice location
- Caribbean wedding cake
- Bottle of French Champagne
- Romantic private dinner on the wedding night
- Champagne wedding breakfast
5. Galley Bay Resort & Spa
Galley Bay Resort & Spa is one of the best hotel wedding venues in Antigua. Getting to the resort from the VC Bird International Airport takes 30 minutes.
The adults-only hotel provides stunning beachfront accommodation. Its charming cottages and suites boast island-style luxury. You can choose from three ceremony locations, the lush gardens, the beachfront gazebo, or by the beach.
A Stay at the Gauguin Suite, the deluxe beachfront room, gets you a classic wedding for free.
Galley Bay Resort also has several restaurants serving Caribbean gourmet meals and some offering a selection of fine pastries and coffees.
Their classic wedding package includes
- A decorated wedding ceremony and reception site
- Services of a wedding coordinator
- Bouquet for the bride and boutonniere for the groom
- A bottle of sparkling wine
- Wedding cake
- All hotel taxes and gratuities
Antigua Destination Wedding Legal Requirements
Understanding the legal requirements is essential before flying into Antigua. Here’s everything you need to know about how to marry in Antigua legally.
Legal Weddings Vs. Symbolic Weddings
Planning a civil ceremony in a foreign country can be daunting, given all the legal requirements you may need to meet. You can opt to get married in the U.S. legally and have a symbolic wedding in Antigua to minimize all the legalities.
You can also have a legal wedding in Antigua, provided you meet the legal requirements and have proper documents. More on the legal documents and costs are below.
Required legal Documents & Cost
To get married in Antigua, you need to have a few documents like:
- Valid passport to prove your citizenship
- Original divorce decree if divorced
- Original marriage/death certificate if a widow or widower
You’ll also need the presence of two or more witnesses for your marriage to be solemnized.
Both parties must be over 15 and have authorization from parents/guardians to get married if under 18. All documents should be in your legal name and have the issuing offices certify them to be original.
You need to pay a $40 registration fee at the courthouse. Additionally, you’ll need to apply for a special marriage license that costs $150. You also need to account for the marriage officer’s fee, which is $50.
You must obtain a special license by visiting the Ministry of Justice in downtown St. John with valid passports. Once you complete the application for the license, you’ll need to pay the necessary costs.
After complying with the legal requirements and exchanging your vows before a marriage officer, the ceremony becomes legal and binding. You can get married immediately after getting the special license. However, the ceremony must take place between 6 am-8 pm.
Legal Marriage Timeline
Antigua has no residency requirement before a wedding ceremony for a special license.
All you need to get a special license is to pay the required fees and attend a short interview with the marriage coordinator at the ministry. After that, you can exchange vows in less than 24 hours. Your ceremony needs to take place between 6a.m to 8 pm local time.
Antigua Destination Wedding Planning Tips
Planning a wedding in Antigua and wondering how to get there or what the weather is like? Here’s everything you need to know.
How to Get There
Antigua is in the heart of the Caribbean, 500 miles from Trinidad and Tobago and 1,000 miles from Jamaica, making it accessible by plane, cruise ship, or yacht.
The island has a national airline, and you can also find direct flights that operate from and to Antigua from the U.S.
U.S. Airways flies directly to Antigua from Charlotte every Saturday, while Delta Airlines has direct flights from JFK and ATL every Saturday. You can also use American Airlines to fly from John.F.Kennedy or Miami International Airport to Antigua daily.
Flights from JFK to Antigua take approximately 6 hours and 54 minutes, with a one-hour layover. From Atlanta, it will take you 7 hours and 59 minutes.
Every Sunday, Thursday, and Tuesday, you can get direct flights to Antigua via JetBlue from JFK airport.
Traveling to Antigua is another way to get to this beautiful island. Cruises like Windstar, Club Med, and Black Watch travel to this Caribbean island.
Antigua Weather
Whether you base your travel date depending on the weather, like to participate in different events, or want to chill and take in all the island’s warmth, Understanding the weather patterns is crucial.
Antigua is a tropical island means it’s mostly hot all year round. Although sunshine never misses on this island, it does get wet during certain months of the year.
Rains start in June and end in December. Occasionally, you might experience a tropical storm during this period. Nevertheless, the chances of it raining throughout are slim.
The best thing about traveling during this season is that you enjoy discounted rates on luxury accommodation as it’s considered a low season. There are fewer crowds on the beach, and you enjoy the staff’s attention more as they have ample time to cater to your requests.
From July to August, the island hosts the Carnival, which attracts some tourists. At the end of August, tourism dips.
The dry season starts from December through to May. December and January tend to have moderate warmth with cool breezes. Additionally, the gardens are more green and lush during this period.
It’s the best time to travel to Antigua if you want more warmth. The chances of rain during this season are slim. However, you can expect more crowds in the dry season.
May and June fall under the shoulder season, which is not low or high. Nonetheless, Antigua experiences large crowds during this period as the island hosts the Antigua Sailing Week.
Budgeting Tips
A destination wedding in Antigua costs about $3,000 on average for a standard package. Premium packages can be more than $5,000.
Here are tips to consider if you’re planning a destination wedding and wondering how to save a few bucks.
Opt to Wed During the Low Season
Most people avoid visiting Antigua during the low season due to the rains. However, some months rarely rain, making it a perfect time to visit the island. Many venues provide discounted rates on their all-inclusive packages during the low season and shoulder season.
Take advantage and travel to Antigua during this season to enjoy cheaper rates.
Furthermore, most all-inclusive resorts have a wedding package that includes the ceremony, photo session, and cake, which allows you to cut costs rather than hire different vendors.
Consider a Shorter Guest List
Keep it small when planning a destination wedding on a budget. Invite people very close to you who you’d want to attend.
Having a small wedding allows you to budget accordingly and enjoy an intimate ceremony and save some coins.
Additionally, instead of booking hotel rooms for each guest, you can opt for vacation homes that can accommodate a lot of people at a go.
Plan and Book Early
Planning and booking everything in advance can help you get the best deals at discounted rates. Most resorts have early-bird discounts for destination weddings, allowing you to save some bucks that you can spend while there. Remember also to book your air tickets in advance to enjoy low fares.
Go For an All-Inclusive Package
Antigua has plenty of resorts that offer all-inclusive packages. These packages handle almost all wedding details like a symbolic ceremony, photography, flowers, decor, music, and accommodation.
Opting for an all-inclusive package eliminates the need to look for different vendors and saves you a lot of money. You can then use the money to get your wedding gown and groom’s outfit.
Best Time of the Year to Get Married in Antigua
The best time of the year to get married in Antigua would be between December and January. The weather during this period is excellent, with clear blue skies and the sun shining throughout the day. The chances of it raining are very slim.
Moreover, December also comes with Christmas celebrations, and combining your wedding with standard holidays allows you to save costs and make memories with your loved ones.
The dry season attracts many tourists, so you must book your flights and accommodation months in advance. You’ll also notice big crowds around beaches and historical attractions.
However, if you’d rather deal with fewer crowds and don’t mind the rain, you’re better off planning your wedding from October to May. It starts raining from lunchtime until four in the evening before the sun comes out to play. You can organize your schedule around this season.
