Dreamy beaches, endless sunshine, Caribbean vibes, Jamaica is a haven for destination weddings. Having just returned from a whistle-stop tour of the island, Online Personal Travel Adviser Kirsty talks us through why Jamaica is the perfect wedding destination. With everything involved in making your big day perfect.
Weddings in Jamaica
Jamaica is an ideal destination to consider getting married as there are options to suit every couple and every price range. When I was there visiting, I can only describe it as the epitome of what a Caribbean wedding would look like. Or the image you get when someone says, Caribbean wedding. White sand beaches, turquoise waters, you get the idea.
You don’t even need to have been in Jamaica long before you can even get married. Visitors to Jamaica can get married 24 hours after arriving, providing prior application has been made for a marriage license to the Ministry of Justice. However, some resorts do advise or may require 48 hours.
Costs of Getting Married in Jamaica
Getting married abroad is generally much cheaper than in the UK and you are pretty much guaranteed better weather as well. What’s great about a destination wedding is that most hotels and resorts offer a complimentary basic wedding package when you book a certain amount of nights, or a particular room type at their resort. So it can be your holiday, wedding and a honeymoon all in one!
For example, the ‘Just the Two of You’ wedding package at the Jewel Grande Montego Bay is complimentary when the wedding couple stays 7 nights or more in a qualifying room category (One-Bedroom Ocean Front Suite or higher) and a wedding ceremony on this package is available between Monday – Wednesday between 9am and 1pm.
Your Dream Day
Below is what the package includes with them. It is generally a similar offering across the other resorts in Jamaica offering wedding packages, just the terms and inclusions may differ slightly.
- Symbolic marriage ceremony & certificate, performed by a non-denominational officiant
- Bridal bouquet
- Groom Boutonniere
- Wedding location
- Sparkling wine toast after the ceremony
- Wedding cake after the ceremony
- Room decoration with petals and complimentary wine
- Late checkout up to 30pm (subject to availability)
- Pre-planning and onsite bridal registry and wedding website
- Access to online wedding planning tool
Even the basic complimentary packages, like the one above, are completely customizable, meaning you can add on extras to suit you and tailor towards the kind of wedding you envision. Usually any extras are chargeable on top of the basic package. However, some resorts, like the Moon Palace Jamaica, for example, give you credit towards wedding extras. Again, for simply booking rooms for your friends and family who may be coming along.
Where to Tie the Knot
In terms of resorts available you have a wide range to pick from. Your lowest price, lead-in options would be the Jewel Runaway Bay or RIU Reggae. Mid-range price range options would be the Hilton Rose Hall or Jewel Grande. Then your high-range options would be Zoetry Montego Bay, Sandals and Couples resorts, to name but a few.
Within each resort you then have two or three and sometimes more wedding locations that you can pick from. These range from a beachfront location where you can feel the sand in your toes as you walk down the aisle, to beautiful verandas and gazebos with stunning views out over the Caribbean Sea or the outstanding over-water chapel at the Sandals Montego Bay.
You then also have different locations available for a cocktail reception or evening reception to change things up. Again, many resorts offer indoor venues in case the weather takes a turn. These can seat large numbers of guests, along with private lawn areas.
Exploring Jamaica
Aside from getting married within the hotel grounds or a beachfront location where you would be staying. Jamaica has other fantastic stand-alone wedding venues that offer a destination wedding in a beautiful historic location, such as Rose Hall Great House.
Jamaica is a fantastic all-round destination and it is certainly one to consider especially for what it has to offer when it comes to weddings and the wedding teams at each resort I was luckily enough to visit whilst I was out there are very passionate about what they can offer to help a couples wedding vision come alive.
Ready to take the next step on your Jamaica journey? Get in touch with one of our personal travel advisors to get started. Click here to find out about Caribbean weddings. Or, click the button below to take a look at our jaw-dropping Jamaican locations.
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