Barbados is a romantic haven famous for its gorgeous beaches, delicious cuisine, rich culture, and world-class rum. You’ll love having a destination wedding on this beautiful island, thanks to the various activities to explore.
If you’re thinking of planning a Barbados wedding and have no clue where to start, you can relax.
Our detailed guide explores everything you need, including some of the best Barbados resorts and packages. We also give you tips on how to get to Barbados and the ideal time to travel.
Table of Contents
Best Venues for Your Barbados Destination Wedding
About Destination Weddings in Barbados
Legal Requirements for Weddings in Barbados
Barbados Destination Wedding Planning Tips
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 20 minutes
Number of Rooms: 552
Weddings Per Day: 5
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: Yes
LGBTQ Friendly: No
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Located in the heart of the St. Lawrence Gap on the southern coast of Barbados, the Royal Barbados is a luxurious all-inclusive resort. Known for stunning design and amenities, it’s an excellent destination for couples, families, and groups of friends.
For those looking to get married in a beautiful tropical location, Royal Barbados offers wedding packages tailored to suit individual preferences. The resort’s wedding team provides personalized service to ensure that every couple has a dream wedding.
The resort features luxurious accommodations, including spacious suites with private balconies or patios and stunning ocean views. The resort also offers several unique room categories, including swim-up suites and suites with butler service.
Sandals Royal Barbados is known for its exceptional dining options. It has 18 world-class restaurants that offer a range of cuisines, from classic Italian cuisine to traditional Caribbean dishes. The resort also features several bars and lounges, including a rooftop bar, where guests can enjoy unlimited premium drinks.
The resort offers a variety of activities and amenities. It has swimming pools, a full-service spa, and access to a range of water sports and land activities. Guests can also enjoy nightly entertainment, including live music and shows.
Average Room Price: $100 to $400
Drive Time to Airport: 20 minutes
Number of Rooms: 224
Weddings Per Day: 2
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: No
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Accra Beach Hotel is a magnificent destination in the vibrant city of Bridgetown, Barbados. Known for its incredible natural beauty, warm hospitality, and impeccable service, Accra Beach Hotel has become famous for couples seeking an unforgettable destination wedding experience.
It’s an excellent option for couples searching for a family-friendly resort accommodating everyone, including kids. Couples can marry on the beach or in the banquet room. Every day, the medium-sized resort organizes two weddings.
From stylishly designated rooms to spacious suites with ocean views, the hotel ensures comfort and elegance for everyone. The luxury suites contain jacuzzi pools, and you may also treat yourself at the spa.
From the initial consultation to the final moments of the reception, their professionals provide personalized guidance and support throughout the planning process. Their wedding planners may also arrange outings for you and your wedding party.
You’ll have many things to choose from while staying at this resort: two outdoor pools, a fitness center, a spa, a kids club, and a welcome area with free WiFi. Their suites provide breathtaking views of the island, pool, and ocean. Moreover, the hotel’s proximity to the lively city of Bridgetown means that guests can easily explore local markets, historic sites, and vibrant nightlife.
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 20 minutes
Number of Rooms: 280
Weddings Per Day: 2
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: Yes
LGBTQ Friendly: No
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Sandals Barbados is a stunning resort that offers an exceptional experience for couples looking to celebrate their wedding day. Located on the pristine Dover Beach in St. Lawrence, Barbados, the resort provides a beautiful backdrop for a destination wedding.
The resort’s team of wedding planners will go above and beyond to ensure that your wedding is a truly unforgettable experience. The team will work closely with you to select the ideal venue for your ceremony and reception, and take care of all the details, including decorations, catering, and entertainment, to ensure that your wedding is flawless.
Like the other tropical Sandals hotels, Sandals Barbados boasts a range of dining options, with expert chefs creating delicious menus featuring local and international flavors.
So, whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, Sandals Barbados is the perfect destination for your wedding. With its exceptional service, breathtaking location, and personalized approach to wedding planning, Sandals Barbados is an amazing choice for your dream wedding.
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 30 minutes
Number of Rooms: 88
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: Yes
LGBTQ Friendly: No
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Crystal Cove in Barbados provides the perfect balance of leisure and action. The all-inclusive resort, nestled in the most tranquil spot on the West Coast, is a beautiful alternative for couples searching for a family-friendly site for a Barbados wedding.
With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and stunning tropical landscapes, Crystal Cove is a true paradise for couples seeking a romantic and unforgettable wedding experience. You can say your vows on a beach with gorgeous vistas, white sands, and a soothing breeze or in a garden with abundant flora.
The resort’s beautiful event spaces provide the ideal ambiance for a romantic and memorable celebration with your loved ones. Also, Crystal Cove offers luxurious accommodations for you and your guests, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The resort boasts elegant suites and villas with stunning ocean views and modern amenities.
Additionally, each room has a balcony or patio, is roomy, and has a modern style. The next day, you may see the island and learn more about Barbados after the wedding. Bridgetown is 15 minutes away, while Grantley Adams International Airport is 30 minutes away.
All amenities, including two restaurants, three bars, a spa, and a fitness center, will be appreciated by guests. The lagoon-like complex, cave bar, and kids club entertain children.
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 10 minutes
Number of Rooms: 130
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: No
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Ocean Two Beach Club & Spa is located on Barbados’ south coast. It’s an excellent choice for couples searching for a romantic and private atmosphere for their wedding. O2 Beach Club & Spa provides a stunning backdrop in a picturesque beachfront setting for your special day.
You may exchange your vows on the Sky terrace with breathtaking Caribbean Sea views or on the seashore with the pleasant wind. The resort offers customizable wedding packages, letting you include all of the features you choose for an unforgettable Barbados wedding.
The seaside 4-star resort offers nicely appointed apartments and hotel rooms. It provides various accommodation options catering to different preferences and budgets. From spacious suites to private villas, each accommodation is beautifully appointed, combining modern comforts with elegant design.
A 24-hour gym, Whirlpool baths, three pools, and complimentary non-motorized water activities are also available at the resort. Guests at the hotel also receive one round of golf for free throughout their stay. You may dine at one of the six restaurants, drink at one of the seven bars, or visit the rooftop terrace for stunning views of Oistins Bay.
Furthermore, O2 Beach Club & Spa is conveniently located near local attractions and landmarks, providing ample opportunities for exploration and adventure.
About Destination Weddings in Barbados
Some of the reasons you should consider having a Barbados wedding are:
Perfect Island For Sophistication and Romance
The island’s year-round sunshine, turquoise waters, and stunning beaches provide the ultimate romantic setting for your big day. Its natural beauty, tranquil music, calming breeze, and tropical gardens make this Caribbean island a romantic and sophisticated escape.
You can get married on the beaches, in a church, elegant garden, and more. The choices are endless.
Simple Requirements
Unlike some islands that require you to meet several legal requirements before getting married, Barbados only needs couples to apply for a marriage license in person. This requires a few documents, but the process is quick and straightforward.
You Can Have Both Your Wedding and Honeymoon in One Place
When planning a Barbados wedding, you don’t need to worry about your honeymoon destination. The island has some of the world’s dreamy honeymoon destinations to explore. After the ceremony, you and your spouse can continue your stay in Barbados and enjoy some alone time.
A few resorts also offer all-inclusive wedding packages that allow you to have both the ceremony and honeymoon, further cutting down the cost of finding another honeymoon location.
Affordable Destination
The average cost of a modern wedding is between $25,000-$30,000 in the U.S. With a Barbados wedding; you can spend less than $10,000 for a three-day stay.
Some hotels and resorts also have affordable wedding packages that include the ceremony, reception, decor, catering, and more.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Barbados
On average, a destination wedding in Barbados costs $7,000. You can expect to spend at least $10,000, including flights, accommodation, and the ceremony.
Legal Requirements for Weddings in Barbados
Barbados is one of the few Caribbean islands with simple legal requirements. Here’s everything you need to know about the legal requirements and costs.
Legal Weddings VS. Symbolic Weddings
A symbolic Barbados wedding is an excellent option if you’d rather not deal with all the legal requirements for a civil ceremony. You can choose to get married in your home country and opt for a symbolic ceremony to reduce legal challenges.
A symbolic wedding also means you don’t have to find a licensed venue. You can exchange your vows anywhere. You won’t have to get a licensed officiant, as any loved one or wedding celebrant can perform the ceremony. It’s a stress-free option when planning a destination wedding.
It’s impossible to invite all family and friends to a destination wedding. Planning a civil ceremony at home allows you to invite people who cannot travel.
Nonetheless, if you’d rather avoid the extra costs of two separate ceremonies, you can opt to have a legal ceremony in Barbados. With this option, you must follow Barbados’ legal wedding requirements and get an officiant. Furthermore, legal destination weddings are more expensive as they involve many paperwork processing and translation services.
Required Legal Documents & Cost
Getting married in Barbados is a simple process as the island has no minimum length of stay or required waiting period. The main process involves applying for a marriage license at the Ministry of Home Affairs between 8;30 a.m-3:30 pm from Monday to Friday.
Some of the documents you’ll need are:
- Valid birth certificates and passports
- Return tickets
- Original decree absolute if either party was divorced or a certified copy of the Final Judgment.
- Certified copy of the marriage certificate and death certificate if either party was previously married and widowed
- Documents should be sent to the bishop of Bridgetown for a Roman Catholic ceremony.
Note that documents that are not in English must have a certified translation. You must also arrange with the marriage officer to perform the ceremony before applying for the license. That’s because you’ll need to present the letter at the time of application.
Some of the costs to note for non-citizens of Barbados are:
- $10 for the issue of a marriage certification
- $37.50 for the issue of a certificate publication of banns
- $100+ $12.50 stamp for the issue of a marriage license
- $50 for the solemnization of a civil marriage
- $25 for the issue of a medical certificate
- $50 for special requests to receive a marriage license on holidays, weekends, or in a different location than the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Civil marriage ceremonies also have separate fees. There’s a $175 magistrate fee for ceremonies held out of court and $125 for ceremonies held in the court.
Legal Marriage Timeline
Barbados doesn’t have a minimum stay or waiting period for you to get married.
Nevertheless, you must schedule your ceremony with a local marriage officiant or magistrate. You’ll also need to know when to visit the Ministry of Home Affairs office for the marriage license.
Barbados Destination Wedding Planning Tips
With all the information above, it’s time to plan your Barbados wedding. Read on as we give you tips on how to get there, what weather to expect depending on the month you travel, and more.
How to Get There
Getting to Barbados is easy, with several direct flights. Barbados has an international airport, Grantley Adams International Airport, also referred to as Bridgetown Airport.
There are four ways to fly to Barbados from the United States. You can fly from Boston to Barbados for 7 hours and 2 minutes, from Houston for 11 hours and 3 minutes, or from New York for 7 hours and 46 minutes. It’s also possible to fly from Dallas to Barbados for 11 hours and 21 minutes.
JetBlue flies from New York and Boston to Barbados. Direct weekly JetBlue flights from Boston to Barbados complement the other daily flights from New York. United Airlines flies from Washington, DC, and New York. You can get American Airlines in Charlotte and Miami.
Delta Airlines also has two weekly flights from New York and Atlanta airports.
Barbados Weather
Barbados generally has warm weather all year round, north of the equator. The island has a moderate tropical climate with temperatures ranging between 27-30 degrees Celsius or 80-86 degrees Fahrenheit
Note that Barbados has two seasons-dry and wet seasons. The dry season starts from December to May, which is also the high season for tourism. It’s sunny throughout the day and cooler at night.
The wet season starts from June through to November. September and October are the months that receive the most rain. You may notice bursts of showers mostly overnight and early in the morning. Rain is followed by sunny skies, allowing you to enjoy the warm Barbados weather.
Budgeting Tips
Although Barbados is a reasonably-priced destination, you may find that costs tend to accumulate, especially if you’re planning a civil ceremony. Here are a few budgeting tips to help you save a few dollars and still have an amazing Barbados destination wedding.
Keep Your Guest List Short
You’ll incur extra costs when you invite many people to your wedding. Avoid inviting distant friends/family out of obligation. Ensure your guest list has close friends and family. That will help you save costs and have a more intimate ceremony.
Create DIY Invites or opt for E-Invites
The average cost of wedding invitations is $5,000 for 100 invites. Unfortunately, these costs can be high if you’re on a budget and wish to maximize your budget on the wedding venue and other essential items.
You can opt for DIY invites or send e-invites to cut costs.
Chose an All-Inclusive Wedding Package
Most resorts and hotels in Barbados offer a standard all-inclusive wedding package that includes the ceremony, choice of ceremony location, reception, cake, food, decor, and a wedding planner.
Such packages eliminate the need to hire separate vendors, reducing costs and allowing you to enjoy your destination wedding with friends and family.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Barbados
The best time of year to get married in Barbados is from December to April. It’s the island’s dry season, and you can expect endless sunshine and clear blue skies. January is the peak month when you can expect crowds of people around the island. May to August are summer months, where you can expect humid weather and scorching sun.
If you don’t mind crowds and are comfortable paying a premium for accommodation, you should visit during this season.
However, if you’d rather avoid the crowds and enjoy relaxed vibes in Barbados, you can schedule your wedding from June to November. September and November are the wet months, with a short shower in the afternoon before the weather clears up later.
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