Top Destination Wedding (The Caribbean)

Top Destination Wedding Locations

The Caribbean

The Caribbean region with is rich and diverse cultural appeal is a large area which borders North America to the North East, South America to the South, and Central America to the West. With abundance of waters from the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Atlantic Ocean. The Caribbean consist of 13 main countries and many territories. The 13 main countries are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago. The The Caribbean offers warm tropical weather, sandy beaches and plenty of sunshine. The wedding venue possibilities are many,

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small country in Central South America, Bordering the Pacific Ocean and to the north is Nicaragua and to the south is Panama. With it’s lush tropical greenery, abundant wildlife and beautiful beaches. The possibilities are endless.

The Bahamas

Located just 110 miles from Miami Florida, the Bahamas, officially The Commonwealth of the Bahamas makes a lovely tropical wedding destination. The Bahamas has over 700 islands, many uninhabitable. With 15 main island to choose from the Bahamas has endless sand and sun possibilities/

Puerto Rico

Known as the Commonwealth Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico is filled with rich history and culture along with the fact that it is a group of island in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico has an abundance of beautiful sunsets, sand and gorgeous beaches. One convenience is that US Citizens do not need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico.

Aruba

Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, and off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is an independent country within the Netherlands, the main language spoken are Dutch and Papiamento as well as English and Spanish. Aruba is one small island with approx. 75 sq miles or 193 sq km and an abundance of while sandy beaches.

Dominican Republic

Located in the North Central Caribbean, the island makes up 2/3 of the island Hispaniola, which is the second largest island in the Caribbean (Cuba being the first) With miles of beautiful beaches and Caribbean culture, the Dominican Republic is another lovely Tropical Wedding destination

St. Lucia

With a rich history and beautiful landscape St. Lucia is picturesque for a Tropical Wedding venue. With volcanic origins the island offers dense tropical forest as well as mountain terrain, and lovely gorgeous sandy beaches and bays. Known for its twin peaks Gros Piton and Petite Piton.

Turks and Caicos’

Located north of the Caribbean sea, just 736 miles from Miami (1.5 hour plane ride), Turks and Caicos offers a beautiful Destination Wedding location. Consisting of 8 main islands and many uninhabitable islands, the main islands are Providenciales, Grand Turk, North Caicos and Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Salt Cay, Parrott Cay, Pine Cay, Ambergris Cay. With rich history and culture Turks and Caicos also offers beautiful climate and endless sand and beaches.

Jamaica

90 miles south of Cuba is the third largest island in the Caribbean (1. Cuba 2. Hispaniola) with 10,990 sq km, Jamaica is rich in culture and history. With Jamaican cuisine, traditions and culture, along with some of the most beautiful beaches and landscaping. Jamaica has so much to offer.

US Virgin Islands

Another spot where if you are a US citizen you do not need a passport. The US Virgin Islands, The islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John are a popular tourist location with a variety of venues. Between the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, and tot he east of Puerto Rico. This area covers approximately 246 sq km. There is so much to do and see and your guests will have a fabulous time.

Barbados

All the way to the East of the Caribbean and north of South America sits the beautiful island nation of Barbados, A small island with 439 sq km. This island features picturesque flora and fauna, beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and an abundance of culinary cuisine, your guests will love Barbados. You can also spend time swimming with turtles.

Timing

The best time to plan a destination wedding in the Caribbean is usually January and February, However please keep in mind your guests list. You should consider important factors and details such as when Hurricane season, (July to Nov). Also to keep in mind who you are inviting? Whether or not your guests will be able to take time to travel during those months, and ease of travel, (if they have to change several flight to get there, and spend all day in airport. They may opt not to make it.

Guest List and Attendance

While it is impossible to determine exact guest attendance for your destination wedding 1 or 2 years in advance, there are equations to help determine and make an educated guess on the size of your guest list, this is important when booking your venues, caterer, and hotels, etc. While the general rule of thumb for a NON destination wedding is to assume that 10% of your guest list will not attend, That number is much lover for destination weddings, it would be safe to assume this number to be much lower, approx. 30 – 40% of your guest list.

On average destination wedding cost approx. 10-15% more than hometown wedding, however it could also cost less if you plan on a very small and intimate destination wedding rather than a larger home town wedding.

It is important to keep your guest list in mind when planning your wedding, consider how much your guest and wedding party will have to spend on transportation, hotel and lodging, as well as incidentals such as eating our at restaurants, and outings. Which is why so many couples when choosing a destination wedding keep their guest lists to their closest friends and family, and invite a small number of guest.