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.
Celebrate your wedding in a resort with a magnificent beachfront and all contemporary conveniences. Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove is a beautiful and luxurious resort in St. Thomas, in the United States Virgin Islands. Its stunning location and world-class amenities make it the perfect place for couples to exchange vows and celebrate their wedding day.
It provides a beautiful St. Thomas wedding that incorporates all of the natural characteristics of this lovely island. It has enormous villas with separate dining and living spaces, master suites, and large balconies to relax and watch the sunset.
The hotel has a stunning infinity pool with spectacular ocean views. It also features a waterslide, so you may have a relaxing holiday while preparing for the wedding.
The hotel is close to Coral World Ocean Park and the Haagensen House Museum. The hotel’s committed team will ensure your wedding goes as planned. You may sit back and relax while they handle everything.
Their customizable wedding packages allow you to tailor them to your interests and preferences. A banquet hall, a conference room, and a reception space are available. Of course, if you like a beach wedding (as many couples do), you may exchange vows with sand between your toes. With Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove, you can have the wedding of your dreams.
Imagine a magical St. Thomas wedding experience at this world-class resort, with breathtaking backgrounds of tropical blue seas. Draw inspiration for your wedding from this unique site’s variety and quantity of natural features. Situated on a lush hillside overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, this resort provides an idyllic backdrop for couples looking to exchange their vows in paradise.
Enjoy the fantastic views from your private balcony while living the most significant moments of your stay in this beautiful, comfortable resort. Book a private plunge pool room and spend quality time with your loved one.
There is a gazebo outside that will provide a unique touch to your big day. And if you’re looking for something special for your wedding meal, check out their creative cocktails and delicious seafood selections served at LightHouse, their in-house restaurant.
This facility offers 32990 square feet of event space for a huge wedding. There are several event rooms to choose from, depending on the number of people. The resort’s specialist wedding food crew will assist you with rehearsal brunches, dinners, and other events.
Continue your training routine at Frenchman’s Reef Fitness, fully equipped with current fitness equipment. For a relaxing experience, visit their Heavenly Spa, which provides various revitalizing health treatments with a holistic appeal.
The Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas offers authentic island elegance. This family-friendly resort provides thrilling activities for adventure-seeking couples visiting St. Thomas for their wedding. With its unbroken views of the blue seas of the Great Bay, this resort offers stunning natural beauty. There are also beautiful sites for parties and festivities of various sizes.
When it comes time to celebrate your dream wedding, The Ritz Carlton can assist you with food and event planning expertise. Experience pure aquamarine colors in a romantic environment while admiring the island’s natural beauty and nicely designed wedding locations.
Indulge yourself in the ultimate relaxing experience at the resort’s holistic spa. As you plan for your big day, relax your senses and ease your body.
The resort features luxurious accommodations, including spacious suites and villas with private balconies or terraces overlooking the sea. Choose their three-bedroom presidential suite, which can host a modest wedding and provides guests with their private area.
This location’s customized catering and event planning services are the frosting on the cake. Find the ideal location amid beaches and gardens to exchange your vows. This island resort can make your dream wedding a reality, no matter what type of wedding you choose.
At Point Pleasant Resort, marvel at the grandeur of breathtaking ocean vistas while indulging in the finest cuisine. With three pools and two restaurants, this resort provides enough in-house entertainment that visitors won’t need to leave the property.
At this 15-acre, beautifully kept hillside area, you may have the best St. Thomas wedding and a memorable holiday experience. This location is just a few minutes away from Coral World and Coki Beach and overlooks the gorgeous seas of the Caribbean Sea, Water Bay, and the US and British Virgin Islands.
There are various 2-bedroom, 1-bedroom, and studio villas with individual patios. Enjoy a frozen fruity beverage in front of the ocean while soaking in the splendor of the warm sun. You can grab a light lunch at the Sun and Sea Bar and Grille and a continental supper at Ocean 180, both on-site eateries.
They provide airport transportation, so when you reserve your wedding here, let them know your arrival date, and they’ll organize a pickup. They have a wedding planning staff that will handle all of your requirements. Tell them what kind of ceremony you want and how many people will attend the reception.
Villa Norbu is well-known for its modest wedding services on St. Thomas. It is a quiet venue on the Peterborg Peninsula with breathtaking ocean views and steep rocks. It’s about five minutes from Magens Bay and has a peaceful ambiance.
Enjoy a fusion of Caribbean and European tastes in their meals as you choose from various cuisines for your menu. Their chefs produce meals using only locally sourced and fresh ingredients. You’ll notice natural richness and delicacy in everything from the food to the cutlery.
While it is a great wedding site, they do not provide overnight accommodations, so you may organize your lodging somewhere and come here for the ceremony.
This location is ideal for wedding pictures. Aside from the magnificent sea vistas and cliffs, there are tropical gardens with date palms, coconut palms, lemon trees, and other fragrant species. The structure is made of tropical hardwoods and native stones. Its natural appearance provides guests with a rustic and personal experience. There are three locations that you can customize to meet your needs.
St. Thomas is a beautiful island with many attractions to explore. The island boasts gorgeous beaches, coral reefs, and historical landmarks, making it a perfect place for a pre or post-wedding adventure.
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.
Legal Requirements for Weddings in St. Thomas
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 Destination 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.
Summer is a contributor at WeddingGoals.com and is here to help you plan the perfect wedding. She's been in the business for over 10 years and has planned hundreds of weddings. Her goal is to make your wedding planning process as fun and stress-free as possible. She'll help you with everything from finding the perfect venue to picking out your wedding dress. So whether you're a bride-to-be or a groom-to-be, she's got you covered with fantastic advice and guidance.
