St. Thomas is popular for its sun-drenched skies and powdery sands. The natural beauty of this island comes with the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a major U.S. city, which is why many couples plan on getting a St. Thomas wedding.
It houses Charlotte Amalie, the capital city of the Virgin Islands. It’s a picturesque harbor and is among the most visited Caribbean ports. Many tourists come here for its spectacular nightlife, exquisite dining, and duty-free shopping experiences.
While it has a reputation for being the shopping hub of the Caribbean area, it is also a major destination for weddings.
About Destination Weddings in St. Thomas
Why Get Married in St. Thomas
When your heart desires a beach wedding that has everything – tropical beaches, private villas in front of the ocean, and intimate wedding venues, there are many options around the world. But if you are a U.S. citizen who wants to travel without a passport, the Virgin Islands are an amazing option.
St. Thomas is probably the most beautiful of all U.S. Virgin Islands. With palm trees swaying above and the warm waters sweeping your feet, read your vows on an empty beach that is occupied by just you and your guests.
With a St. Thomas wedding, memories become more memorable and all photos become Instagram-worthy.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in St. Thomas
An elopement-style St. Thomas wedding will cost you $600 which will cover the marriage license application and a licensed wedding officiant. This cost will not cover professional photography. However, the officiant can take mobile phone photos of you two.
For $2000, you can add a bouquet, a boutonniere, and a private beach. Add $500 more and you can have up to 20 guests at the beach. This cost doesn’t include a reception.
You can add guests, the costs of reception, dinner, cocktails, and accommodation, and it will cost you accordingly. Keep in mind that different resorts come with different price tags.
The Best St. Thomas Wedding Venues & Packages
Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove
Enjoy your wedding celebrations at a resort that has a beautiful beachfront and all modern amenities.
Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove offers you a memorable St. Thomas wedding that covers all the natural aspects of this beautiful island. It offers spacious villas that have separate dining and living areas, master suites, and big balconies where you can relax and enjoy the sunset.
The hotel offers a gorgeous infinity pool that provides beautiful ocean views. It also has a waterslide so you can have the perfect vacation while you prepare for the wedding.
The hotel is just a few minutes from Coral World Ocean Park and Haagensen House Museum. The dedicated staff of the hotel will make sure your wedding goes exactly as planned. You can just sit back and relax while they take care of everything.
Their wedding packages are customizable so you can make changes according to your tastes and preferences. They have a banquet hall, a conference room, and a reception area. And of course, if you prefer a beach wedding (as do most couples), you can tie the knot island-style with sand between your toes.
With Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove, you can have the wedding you’ve always wanted.
The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef
With stunning backdrops of tropical blue waves, immerse yourself in a dreamy St. Thomas wedding experience at this world-class resort. Draw your wedding inspiration from the diversity and abundance of the natural elements that surround this uniquely amazing venue.
Revel in the immaculate views from your private balcony as you live the best moments during your stay in this luxurious and comfortable resort. Book an accommodation with a private plunge pool and enjoy your intimate moments with your loved one.
There’s an outdoor gazebo that will add a distinctive charm to your special day. And if you’re looking for something exquisite in your wedding menu, take a look at their craft drinks and scrumptious seafood options prepared at LightHouse, their in-house restaurant.
This venue has a total of 32990 square feet of event space, which is large enough for a big wedding. There are 20 event rooms and you can select the right one depending on your number of guests.
The dedicated wedding catering staff of the resort will help you with rehearsal brunches, dinners, and others.
Continue your workout regimen with Frenchman’s Reef Fitness center that’s fully equipped with modern fitness apparatus. For a relaxed time, head to their Heavenly Spa which offers several rejuvenating health treatments with a holistic appeal.
The Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas
Experience true island elegance at Ritz-Carlton in St. Thomas. This resort is family-friendly and offers exciting activities to adventure-seeking couples who visit for their St. Thomas wedding.
This resort has a captivating natural beauty with its uninterrupted views of the turquoise waters of the Great bay. And of course, there are stunning venues for events and celebrations of all sizes.
When it’s time to celebrate the wedding of your dreams, The Ritz Carlton can help you with catering and event planning specialists. Experience true aquamarine colors in a romantic setting as you enjoy the natural beauty of the island with elegantly decorated wedding venues.
Immerse yourself in the perfect experience of relaxation in the holistic spa of the resort. Calm your senses and relax your body as you prepare for your big day.
For the ultimate experience in luxury, try their three-bedroom presidential suite that can accommodate a small wedding where guests get their private space.
The tailored catering and event planning services of this place act like icing on the cake. Find the perfect setting among beaches and gardens and read your vows here. No matter what kind of wedding you’re looking for, you can make it a reality on this island resort.
Point Pleasant Resort
Behold the beauty of extraordinary ocean views and indulge in the best foods at Point Pleasant Resort. With three pools and two restaurants, this resort offers enough in-house entertainment so your guests don’t even have to go outside.
Have the best St. Thomas wedding and an unforgettable vacation experience at this 15-acre beautifully managed hillside preserve. Overlooking the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea, Water Bay, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, this place is just a couple of minutes away from Coral World and Coki Beach.
The resort has several 2-bedroom, 1-bedroom, and studio villas with separate patios. Enjoy a frozen fruity cocktail while basking in the glory of the warm sun, right in front of the ocean.
There are two in-house restaurants so you can have a light lunch at the Sun and Sea Bar and Grille and a continental dinner at Ocean 180.
They offer airport transportation so when you book your wedding here, inform them about your arrival date and they’ll arrange the pickup for you.
They have a wedding planning team that will take care of all your needs. Make sure you inform them about the type of ceremony you’re looking for and the number of guests in the reception.
Villa Norbu
Villa Norbu is famous for its intimate St. Thomas wedding services. It’s a secluded venue in Peterborg Peninsula and offers panoramic ocean views with rocky cliffs. It’s just five minutes from Magens Bay and offers a tranquil atmosphere.
Experience a blend of Caribbean and European flavors in their dishes as you select from a range of cuisines for your menu. The chefs in their kitchen prepare dishes only from locally sourced and fresh ingredients.
Right from the food to the tableware, you’ll observe true luxury and finesse. Villa Norbu is a privately owned space and offers the perfect place for destination weddings.
While it’s an excellent wedding venue, they don’t have nightly accommodation, so you can arrange the accommodation at any of the neighboring places and visit here for the ceremony.
This venue is like a dream for wedding photography. Apart from the dramatic sea views and rocky cliffs, there are also tropical gardens with date palms, coconut palms, lemon trees, and other beautiful trees with unique fragrances.
The place is designed using tropical hardwoods and native stones. Its natural look offers a rustic and intimate experience to the guests. There are three venues that can be tailored to your requirements.
St. Thomas Wedding Legal Requirements
Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings
Getting married in St. Thomas is just like getting married anywhere else in the U.S.
With a legal or civil wedding, you’ll sign the marriage documents here instead of in your hometown. If you want to get married in your home town but hold the ceremony here, it’s called a symbolic wedding.
The ceremony and events will be the same. The difference between a legal and symbolic wedding is the place where the marriage is registered.
If you register it back in your hometown, you’ll have a symbolic wedding and if you do it here, it will be a civil wedding.
Required Legal Documents & Cost
To have a St. Thomas wedding, you’ll need to fill out a marriage license form. You’ll need these details to fill out the form:
- Names of bride and groom
- Dates of birth of bride and groom
- Social security numbers
- Nationalities
- Names of parents of bride and groom
- Death certificates or divorce certificates of previous partners (if applicable)
The application form will cost $100. The license will cost $100. And the ceremony conducted by the judge will cost $400. The total legal costs will be $600. Make sure you fill out the form before you arrive at the destination.
Legal Marriage Timeline
There are some steps you need to follow for your St. Thomas wedding.
Download the marriage application form from the official website of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. Fill out the form and post it back to the Superior Court.
Wait for about 8 days while the court authorizes your application. Fill out the form accordingly so your application can be authorized before you arrive here.
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you don’t need a passport to visit St. Thomas. If you’re not from the U.S., you’ll need to show your passports and visas at the time of the civil wedding.
St. Thomas Wedding Planning Tips
How to Get There
By air
Cyril E. King Airport is the main airport of St. Thomas. There are many daily flights connecting to major cities in the U.S.
If you’re in Puerto Rico, you can reach St. Thomas in just 30 minutes. It takes about 2.5 hours from Florida. And if you’re coming from San Francisco, you’ll reach here in 10 hours.
The major airline carriers are United Airlines, US Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines.
By sea
St. Thomas is a famous destination for cruise ships. If you don’t want to visit by cruise, you can take a charter yacht. For traveling between islands, you can take a ferry.
St. Thomas Weather
St. Thomas stays warm throughout the year. It has a tropical climate and winters are slightly cool while summers are largely warm.
Winters last from December to March and temperatures can go as low as 23oC. The island stays in a summer-like season and the warmest months are July and August when temperatures go up to 33oC.
Rain showers hit the place from May to December and it stays largely dry from January to April. You’ll experience the maximum rainfall from September to November.
The ocean waters stay warm throughout so it’s always a good time to swim in the seas.
Budgeting Tips
Save money on your St. Thomas wedding with these budgeting tips:
- Get married in the off-season. Most resorts and hotels lower their prices during the rainy season and you can benefit from that.
- If you plan your wedding in the rainy season, it’s best to get married indoors instead of on the beach, unless it’s an especially sunny day.
- Get married in rustic surroundings and wear casual wedding attire instead of an expensive and formal one.
- Try cutting back on the guest list. You can even plan an elopement and save a lot of money.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in St. Thomas
The island stays pleasant all through the year. However, if you want a beach wedding, it’s best to avoid the rainy season. The possibility of hurricanes is always more during the rains so it’s best to get married in the dry season.
September and November are the months with a greater possibility of hurricanes so it’s best to avoid them. Winters can be a good time for a St. Thomas wedding if tourists don’t bother you.
Want to explore other wedding destinations? Check out our guides on Panama weddings, Costa Rica weddings, and Belize weddings.
