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Jamaica Weddings
Of all the islands in the Caribbean, nothing evokes feelings of fun and free-spiritedness like Jamaica. From its white sand beaches, to its lush tropical forests, Jamaica is one of the most popular American tourist destinations in the Caribbean. It’s no wonder then that thousands of couples choose to make Jamaica their destination wedding location each year.
Why Jamaica is the perfect place for your destination wedding?
If you are dreaming of a sunny beach wedding close to home with lots of activities for your friends and family, but you don’t want to spend your life savings on a wedding, Jamaica is for you. Jamaica boasts miles of gorgeous beaches and friendly “rasta” people to greet you. It’s the only place where you can climb a waterfall (in Ocho Rios), ride a zipline through a forest (http://www.zipline-tours.com/), and visit Bob Marley’s birthplace (Nine Mile tour)! As for resorts, there are a number of all-inclusive resorts, many with wedding packages and planners on site, which makes planning a wedding easier and within your budget. If you are imagining your wedding a bit more upscale and private, there are also numerous wedding villas that you can rent for the week. These usually can accommodate between 6-12 live-in guests, and offer some of the best villa deals in the Caribbean, without compromising on style. So, grab your sweetheart, pack your “Just Married” flip flops, and make Jamaica the start of your new lives together!
Why you might want to pass on Jamaica for your destination wedding?
If you are dreaming of secluded beaches, sheer mountain cliffs jetting out of the ocean, or a September wedding with your dog as ringbearer, Jamaica is probably not for you. Jamaica tends to be a poorer Caribbean nation, and therefore a lot of locals and vendors selling goods populate the beaches. In front of resorts, this usually is not a problem, but there aren’t wide expanses of secluded beaches like you might find on more remote islands like St. John. Also, middle part of the country is very mountainous and lush, but it’s more of a rolling hills feel, rather than the peaks of St. Lucia or Kauai. Finally, because Jamaica is not part of the U.S., all visitors are required to have a valid passport (including Grandma) and I’d be a bit nervous about bringing Fluffy through customs. Oh, and hurricane season occurs every summer, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.
The Top Reasons for Choosing Jamaica as your Ultimate Destination Wedding Location
Map of the Caribbean Islands & Jamaica:
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Quick facts:
Island Population: 2,666,000
Capital: Kingston: 575,000
Size: 4,244 square miles
Language: English
Religion: Protestant, Roman Catholic, other spiritual beliefs
Official Currency: Jamaican dollar (but most gladly accept U.S. dollars)
Average temperature: 75 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees in the summer
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (note, they do not adjust for daylight savings in the summer, so in the summer they are on central time)
Transportation:
Montego Bay (the major international airport) is a short 1 hour 40 minute flight from Miami, and there are numerous flights throughout the day and week. So, you and your guests will have flexibility in choosing transportation needs. Also, flights from Miami tend to be fairly inexpensive, since Air Jamaica is owned by the Jamaican government so it can keep prices competitive.
Marriage requirements:
Wanna quickie? Good news. Visitors can be married just 24 hours after arriving in Jamaica if they’ve applied for a marriage license in advance. And, you won’t have to take a blood test (Phew). Licenses will run you about $60 US, and can take about one month via mail, from what we’ve heard. To apply, call the Ministry of National Security & Justice at 1-876-906-4923, Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm, Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
For the most up-to-date information, visit: http://www.visitjamaica.com
When’s the best time to get married in Jamaica?
Jamaica has an average temperature of 80 degrees F, with the warmest months in the summer. The island’s western region is the driest year round, and a popular wedding location. But, hurricane season runs from early spring to late fall. So, it’s a bit of a risk to get married in the summer months, but with some trip insurance and a backup plan, it can be done. But, if you’d rather play it safe and are committed to the Caribbean, check our Aruba which is farther south and rarely gets hit by hurricanes.
Websites with additional information:
Jamaica’s official tourism website: http://www.visitjamaica.com/ |
