Bahama Weddings
Just off the coast of Florida lies a small string of islands that sprinkle the Caribbean Sea. Some have large, majestic luxury resorts, while others have sleepy little beach towns with cottage inns. One even has a lost city. These are Islands of the Bahamas. From Paraside Island to The Exumas, the Bahamas offer wedding couples a little something for everyone.
Why the Bahamas are the perfect place for your destination wedding
It’s hard to list all the reasons why the Bahamas are a perfect destination wedding location, because each island is so different. If you want luxury resorts, exciting nightlife, and world-class restaurants, then Nassau and Paradise Island are for you. You can go sailing during the day, eat a 5-star meal, and then try your luck at the casino. Nassau and Paradise Island are connected by bridges and cater to the international tourist. Due to their popularity, they host hundreds of destination weddings each year and an industry has spang up to help couples plan their dream wedding. Grand Bahama Island offers a similar experience, with a little less glitz. But, with several major resorts, you can still find plenty of entertainment and warm beaches to keep you wanting to stay forever. Considering the numerous 1-hour flights from Miami to Nassau and Grand Bahama Island that run each day, your guests will be packing their bags as soon as they see the Save the Date!
Not looking for all the hustle and bustle of a large resort for your intimate wedding? Then, perhaps one of the outer Bahama Islands is for you. There are over 15 smaller islands that can only be reached by boat, making them quiet and intimate. These islands provide secluded beaches for a seaside ceremony and little noise but the water lapping the sand. This makes the Out Islands the perfect location for a small, romantic wedding. Most wedding planners and hotels on these islands also offer wedding planning services so you won’t feel like you need skimp on any detail.
Why you might want to pass on the Bahamas for your destination wedding
The Bahamas have been a tourist haven in the Caribbean for decades. The larger islands are easy to access from air and from cruise ship. While you can definitely find your own personal haven in the crowds of tourists, at times it can feel a bit commercial. So, you’ll want to do research before you settle on the exact location for your wedding. The Out Islands are great for secluded weddings, but that’s because they tend to be more difficult to access. For large weddings, the outer islands might be a bit impractical from a travel perspective. Also, their charm lies in their laid back vibe. So, the party animals in your group might be a bit disappointed. Also, keep in mind the risk of hurricanes in the summer and fall.
Still dreaming of a Bahamas wedding? Here’s some information to help you plan:
Map of the Bahamas:
View Larger Map
Quick facts:
Country Population: Approximately 250,000
Capital: Nassau on New Providence Island
Size: 100,000 square miles
Language: English
Religion: Christianity
Official Currency: Bahamian dollar (equivalent to the U.S. dollar)
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC-6) – observes Daylight Savings Time
Transportation:
The airport you choose will depend on which island you are visiting. Nassau (NAS) Airport serves both the Nassau resort area and Paradise Island. It’s also a central point to then visit many of the Out Islands. If you are visiting Grand Bahama Island, you will want to fly into Freeport (FPO), instead. Both Nassau and Freeport have numerous non-stop flights from Miami and select other American cities. Once on the islands, few people rent cars. The larger islands have plenty of taxis and public buses. The outer islands tend to have little road infrastructure, and no rental car agencies.
Marriage requirements:
The Bahamas are well-accustomed to American citizens marrying on its beaches, so the marriage process is fairly simple. You and your fiancé will be required to spend 24 hours in the Bahamas prior to submitting a marriage application form. The application form costs around $100, and there are no blood tests required.
For the most up-to-date information, visit: http://www.bahamas.gov.bs and search for “marriage”
When’s the best time to get married in Bahamas?
The Bahamas experience over 315 days of sun each year, making them wonderful for outdoor weddings. The rainy months are from May-October, which is also the high time for hurricanes to occur. Although rare, you might want to consider back-up plans. The Bahamas have a similar climate to southern Florida, with a high in the low 80’s F in the summer months (Jun- Sep) , a high in the low 70’s in the winter months (Dec-Feb).
Websites with additional information:
Bahamas’ official tourism website: http://www.bahamas.com/ |
