There are weddings, and then there are truly spectacular nuptials. Although getting married in the Caribbean is reliably awesome, creativity that goes beyond a sunset ceremony on the beach comes with pretty great odds that you’ll never forget your anniversary. We’ve selected some extraordinary Caribbean wedding venues for you to consider, when you’re ready to tie the knot.
Natural High in Jamaica
Head up, up, and away to Mystic Mountain where the high-octane ‘I Do at 700 Feet’ takes the cake as the most creative wedding in Ocho Rios. Catnip for adrenaline junkies, this sky high setting has couples soar through the treetops reciting their vows, as they take in the awesome vistas of the seaside rainforest. Packages include a champagne toast and island bites like jerk chicken and pumpkin pilaf. | rainforestadventure.com
At the Good Hope Estate, weddings are “irie, mon” on the lawn overlooking the Queen of Spain Valley and Cockpit Mountains. As a wedding gift for his bride Elizabeth, Colonel Thomas Williams built the elegant estate in 1755. For more traditional nuptials, Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort and Spa is new on the northwest coast, and chockablock with wedding locales, from the Grand Ballroom to the outdoor lawns and intimate gazebos. Perks know no bounds with white linens, seaside dinners and late check-out available. For couples who like to eat local, ask the wedding planners for the Jamaican Matrimony Fruit Salad made with star apples, sweet milk, nutmeg, and almonds. | visitjamaica.com
Take the Plunge in Saint Lucia
Couples who are certified divers are making a splash at Jade Mountain, and its sister resort Anse Chastanet. The formal ceremony takes place at the water’s edge, and then to make it uber-cool, vows are repeated underwater using slates and sign language. For those who prefer to say their vows above sea level, the twin resorts offer packages that include a sunset cruise, spa treatments, and embroidered linens for the wedding night. For a more intimate ‘happy-ever-after,’ suites come with expansive views of the Piton peaks, infinity pools surrounded by flickering candles and Jacuzzis with mood lighting. | ansechastanet.com | jademountain.com
Tie the Knot in Anguilla
For a small island, Anguilla packs a big punch with the romance crowd for Caribbean wedding venues. Island-chic Quintessence is a grand, tropical mansion, lavishly decorated with Haitian art and a life-sized chess board. All-suite with sweeping views, the property hosts majestic weddings in the yoga pavilion and fragrant gardens. | qhotelanguilla.com
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, The Reef by CuisinArt is one-stop wedding shopping. It’s got honeymoon suites that guarantee sweet dreams, boho beachy ceremonies on Merrywing Bay, receptions at The Yacht Club, and poolside massages that warm up cold feet. “All the ‘bells and whistles’ newlyweds desire are right here at our five-star resort,” said Stephane Zaharia, general manager. | thereefbycuisinart.com
Lovely as party gifts, Anguilla’s Jammin’ is the catchy name for jams in a splash of flavors like Kool Kiwi and Passion Fruity. Made in the islands first aquaponics garden, the jams are deliciously artsy with tags on the jars customized with the names of the bride and groom. | anguillasjammin.com
Nuptials in Nevis
Across the channel from St. Kitts, the green island is the go-to for Caribbean wedding venues on the beach, at elegant resorts, or at a rum shop on a country road. “Nevis is one of the most romantic places on the planet,” said Hon. Premier Mark Brantley. “Romance goes hand in glove with the slow-paced, easy living authenticity that is our hallmark, and we are delighted to welcome couples, whether to get married, renew their vows, enjoy their honeymoon, or simply fall in love all over again.”
Leading the pack of sunny swank, couples staying at the Four Seasons Resort, Nevis, tie the knot on Pinney’s Beach on the golf course, and at Cottle Church, the first church in the Caribbean where blacks and whites were allowed to worship together. | FourSeasons.com/Nevis
Marrying rustic with romance, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club’s history reads like a love story. It was the home of Fanny Nisbet who married British Navy Captain Horatio Nelson in 1787, after he visited the plantation. Weddings are Instagram-worthy on the great lawn, and to celebrate the occasion, a coconut palm is planted in honor of the newlyweds. “Our staff is intrinsically hospitable, which means what better place to start the first chapter of married life than here, where we understand romance,” said Tim Thuell, general manager. Couples booking a seven-day stay receive a gratis wedding ceremony. | nisbetplantation.com
With just a passport or birth certificate needed to seal the deal, getting married is a breeze. “Nevis and romance are a perfect fit,” said Greg Phillip, CEO, Nevis Tourism Authority. “The combination of our natural beauty and warm energy makes it easy to see why our reputation as one of the most romantic islands is well-deserved.” | nevisisland.com
Amour in Antigua
With the hashtag #LoveAntiguaBarbuda, Antigua is on a romance roll. “We are the only country in the Caribbean with no residency requirements needed to get married,” said Colin James, CEO, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “Our population is 90,000 people and we perform 1,200 weddings a year which is the highest per capita rate in the world, and something we’re quite proud of.” | visitantiguabarbuda.com
On the south coast, Curtain Bluff is not only the oldest of the Caribbean wedding venues on the island, it is also one of the most popular for weddings. “We host 12 weddings a month with the Bluff House, the most requested for a sunset ceremony,” wedding coordinator Wendy Eardley said with a smile. With an A-list guestbook that includes rock royalty like Sir Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel and Eric Clapton, the all-inclusive boasts the ritziest spa on the island, (we recommend Champagne and Caviar facials for the bride and groom), and one of the largest wine cellars in the Caribbean. “I suggest Cupcake Chardonnay for the reception, and to toast the newlyweds, a sip of Louis Roederer Cristal is divine,” said George Williams, sommelier for more than three decades. A gratis June wedding is included when a junior suite is booked for seven nights. | curtainbluff.com
