Confused about planning an Antigua wedding? We’ve got you covered.
Antigua is part of three islands famous for its vibrant food scene, unique historic sites, and diverse cultural scene with British and African influences. However, what draws most travelers to Antigua are over 300 beaches that have red shells in the sand grains.
That gives the island’s beaches a stunning pink hue. The beautiful beaches, amazing cuisine, and plenty of scenery make Antigua an excellent place for your destination wedding.
Our detailed guide covers everything you need to know when planning your Antigua wedding, including the best resorts and legal requirements you need to meet.
Table of Contents
Best Venues for Your Antigua Destination Wedding
About Destination Weddings in Antigua
Legal Requirements for Weddings in Antigua
Antigua Destination Wedding Planning Tips
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 20 minutes
Number of Rooms: 373
Weddings Per Day: 5
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: Yes
LGBTQ Friendly: No
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Sandals Grande Antigua is a highly sought-after destination for couples looking to get married in a beautiful tropical location. The resort offers a variety of wedding packages, which are tailored to suit individual preferences and budgets.
One of the most popular packages is the “Beautiful Beginnings” package. This includes a personal wedding planner, a bridal bouquet, a groom’s boutonniere, a reception table with a white linen tablecloth and centerpieces, and a two-tiered wedding cake. The package also includes a bottle of sparkling wine, a romantic turndown service, and a honeymoon breakfast in bed.
For those looking for a more customized experience, Sandals Grande Antigua offers a variety of add-ons to the basic wedding packages, including photography and videography services, spa treatments, and entertainment options.
The resort also offers a range of wedding locations, including beachfront ceremonies, garden weddings, and chapel weddings. Couples can choose from a range of stunning locations, each with its unique ambiance and views.
One of the best things about Sandals Grande Antigua is the resort’s all-inclusive amenities. Couples and their guests can enjoy unlimited food and drinks. Also access a range of activities and entertainment options.
Average Room Price: $100 to $400
Drive Time to Airport: 30 minutes
Number of Rooms: 228
Weddings Per Day: 2
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: No
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Are you looking for a resort where you can customize your destination wedding? You should check out Royalton Antigua. This stunning property is the perfect destination for couples looking to tie the knot in a romantic and unforgettable setting.
The venue has different wedding packages with custom add-ons. You can opt to get married at the beach, beach gazebo, or ballroom. There are custom bridal suites where you, the bride, and your girls can get ready as you wait for the ceremony.
The resort’s breathtaking natural surroundings also make it a perfect choice for a wedding. Surrounded by pristine white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, the property provides a stunning backdrop for a wedding ceremony and photos.
Royalton Antigua offers a range of luxurious amenities and activities that will keep guests entertained throughout their stay. From gourmet dining and premium drinks to water sports and spa treatments, the resort provides a full-service experience that will leave guests feeling pampered and relaxed. Sample some delicious food at the fine-dining restaurants, and spend your days in luxurious and modern design rooms. Swim at the infinity plunge pool, or get a relaxing treatment at The Royal Spa.
Royalton Antigua also offers a free honeymoon package for couples married for the last six months. Overall, Royalton Antigua is a perfect destination wedding location that combines natural beauty, luxury, and convenience.
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 45 minutes
Number of Rooms: 65
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: Yes
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
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You should check out Cocobay Resort if you’re looking for an exclusive resort with several places to hold a wedding ceremony. It is a charming and intimate boutique resort located on the stunning west coast of Antigua. This idyllic property provides a breathtaking setting for couples looking to tie the knot in a romantic and intimate atmosphere.
The resort provides a tranquil setting whether you want to get married at the private terrace overlooking Azure Bay or by the stunning beach. Another advantage of choosing Cocobay Resort for a wedding is its intimacy and privacy. The resort only has 65 cottages, meaning that wedding guests can enjoy exclusive use of the property for the event. This creates a sense of intimacy and exclusivity that is perfect for a romantic wedding celebration.
Set amidst lush tropical gardens and overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, the property provides a picturesque backdrop for a wedding ceremony and photos. The resort features rustic architecture, pastel-colored cottages, and charming decor that create an inviting ambiance.
Guests can stay at one of the cottages or enjoy watersports in the afternoon. Also, dine at one of their signature restaurants that offer delicious Caribbean cuisine and exotic cocktails. From snorkeling to spa treatments, the resort provides a full-service experience that will leave guests feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
Average Room Price: $1000+
Drive Time to Airport: 20 minutes
Number of Rooms: 30
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: Yes
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
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Hermitage Bay should be your Antigua wedding location choice. With its instagrammable sunsets and miles of white sandy shores, it also offers world-class services. It is a magnificent all-inclusive resort on Antigua’s west coast, among the Caribbean’s most gorgeous islands.
This breathtaking location is an excellent option for couples seeking a private, intimate wedding venue. It blends exquisite scenery, elegance, and solitude. The resort’s rustic architecture, beautiful design, and modern conveniences create an exclusive and private ambiance ideal for a dreamy wedding event.
Hermitage Bay provides a private setting with unobstructed ocean views and tropical plants. Enjoy moments with your loved ones in one of the 30 deluxe cottages, swim in the exclusive plunge pool, or dine at one of the five-star restaurants.
The resort offers a variety of customizable wedding deals to meet the interests and tastes of each couple. The expert wedding coordinators will work directly with couples to design a distinctive and personalized wedding celebration. You can choose from modest ceremonies on the beach to elaborate banquets on the resort’s terrace.
As a whole, Hermitage Bay is an ideal wedding venue since it blends natural beauty, exclusivity, and elegance. Couples can be confident that their big day will be memorable and stress-free, owing to the resort’s superb service and wedding preparation experience.
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 20 minutes
Number of Rooms: 98
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: Yes
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
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Galley Bay Resort & Spa is one of the best hotel wedding venues in Antigua. Getting to the resort from the VC Bird International Airport takes 20 minutes. It is a luxurious, all-inclusive resort located on the west coast of Antigua. It boasts a secluded and romantic setting for couples looking to escape and relax in paradise.
The resort offers a range of luxurious accommodations, including spacious beachfront suites, that cater to every traveler’s needs and preferences. The resort’s rooms are elegantly furnished and equipped with modern amenities, creating a comfortable and relaxing environment for guests. A Stay at the Gauguin Suite, the deluxe beachfront room, gets you a classic wedding for free.
The resort’s beautiful natural surroundings also make it a perfect choice for a vacation. Nestled between a tranquil lagoon and a pristine white-sand beach, the property provides a breathtaking backdrop for guests to unwind and rejuvenate. The resort’s lush tropical gardens, exotic wildlife, and sparkling turquoise waters create a sense of tranquility and serenity that is ideal for a romantic getaway.
Galley Bay Resort also has several restaurants serving Caribbean gourmet meals and some offering a selection of fine pastries and coffees. The resort’s exceptional service and attention to detail are also noteworthy. The resort’s staff is friendly, attentive, and always available to assist guests with any request or need.
About Destination Weddings in Antigua
Why Get Married in Antigua
There are plenty of reasons to consider getting married in Antigua. Here are a few.
Unlimited Choices of Beaches
Antigua claims to have over 300 beaches, so there’s a lot to explore once you’re here. Popular options like the Long Bay beach are ideal for snorkeling. Half Moon Bay for windsurfing and Dickenson Bay for family activities. Johnson’s Point beach is an excellent option if you’re looking for a private beach to host your big day.
Combining the pristine beaches with the lush vegetation makes Antigua a fantastic destination to formalize your marriage.
Stunning Venues
Antigua has lots of stunning locations and resorts where you can get married. You can opt to get married by the beach, tropical garden, luxury yacht, and anywhere else on this beautiful island.
Few Requirements to Get Married
Getting married in Antigua is legally simple, and marriage is legal anywhere in the world. To get married, you’ll need witnesses and a few items ( highlighted under legal requirements).
Great Weather Year Round
Antigua is a sunny island with warm weather throughout the year. That means you don’t have to worry about planning your Antigua wedding on a specific day or month.
While you may notice some rains from July to November, that usually clears up in the afternoon.
Plenty of Attractions
A destination wedding is more than just getting married on a private beach. You want your guests to experience everything the island offers, and Antigua has you covered.
The island has multiple heritage sites, like Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. Stop by Shirley Heights for a beautiful sunset, or stop by Mount Obama, the highest point of Antigua.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Antigua
The average cost of a destination wedding in Antigua is $1500 for a budget wedding. Having a luxury wedding can go an average of $5,000.
Legal Requirements for Weddings in Antigua
Understanding the legal requirements is essential before flying into Antigua. Here’s everything you need to know about how to marry in Antigua legally.
Legal Weddings Vs. Symbolic Weddings
Planning a civil ceremony in a foreign country can be daunting, given all the legal requirements you may need to meet. You can opt to get married in the U.S. legally and have a symbolic wedding in Antigua to minimize all the legalities.
You can also have a legal wedding in Antigua, provided you meet the legal requirements and have proper documents. More on the legal documents and costs are below.
Required legal Documents & Cost
To get married in Antigua, you need to have a few documents like:
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- Valid passport to prove your citizenship
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- Original divorce decree if divorced
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- Original marriage/death certificate if a widow or widower
You’ll also need the presence of two or more witnesses for your marriage to be solemnized.
Both parties must be over 15 and have authorization from parents/guardians to get married if under 18. All documents should be in your legal name and have the issuing offices certify them to be original.
You need to pay a $40 registration fee at the courthouse. Additionally, you’ll need to apply for a special marriage license that costs $150. You also need to account for the marriage officer’s fee, which is $50.
You must obtain a special license by visiting the Ministry of Justice in downtown St. John with valid passports. Once you complete the application for the license, you’ll need to pay the necessary costs.
After complying with the legal requirements and exchanging your vows before a marriage officer, the ceremony becomes legal and binding. You can get married immediately after getting the special license. However, the ceremony must take place between 6 am-8 pm.
Legal Marriage Timeline
Antigua has no residency requirement before a wedding ceremony for a special license.
All you need to get a special license is to pay the required fees and attend a short interview with the marriage coordinator at the ministry. After that, you can exchange vows in less than 24 hours. Your ceremony needs to take place between 6a.m to 8 pm local time.
Antigua Destination Wedding Planning Tips
Planning a wedding in Antigua and wondering how to get there or what the weather is like? Here’s everything you need to know.
How to Get There
Antigua is in the heart of the Caribbean, 500 miles from Trinidad and Tobago and 1,000 miles from Jamaica, making it accessible by plane, cruise ship, or yacht.
The island has a national airline, and you can also find direct flights that operate from and to Antigua from the U.S.
U.S. Airways flies directly to Antigua from Charlotte every Saturday, while Delta Airlines has direct flights from JFK and ATL every Saturday. You can also use American Airlines to fly from John.F.Kennedy or Miami International Airport to Antigua daily.
Flights from JFK to Antigua take approximately 6 hours and 54 minutes, with a one-hour layover. From Atlanta, it will take you 7 hours and 59 minutes.
Every Sunday, Thursday, and Tuesday, you can get direct flights to Antigua via JetBlue from JFK airport.
Traveling to Antigua is another way to get to this beautiful island. Cruises like Windstar, Club Med, and Black Watch travel to this Caribbean island.
Antigua Weather
Whether you base your travel date depending on the weather, like to participate in different events, or want to chill and take in all the island’s warmth, Understanding the weather patterns is crucial.
Antigua is a tropical island means it’s mostly hot all year round. Although sunshine never misses on this island, it does get wet during certain months of the year.
Rains start in June and end in December. Occasionally, you might experience a tropical storm during this period. Nevertheless, the chances of it raining throughout are slim.
The best thing about traveling during this season is that you enjoy discounted rates on luxury accommodation as it’s considered a low season. There are fewer crowds on the beach, and you enjoy the staff’s attention more as they have ample time to cater to your requests.
From July to August, the island hosts the Carnival, which attracts some tourists. At the end of August, tourism dips.
The dry season starts from December through to May. December and January tend to have moderate warmth with cool breezes. Additionally, the gardens are more green and lush during this period.
It’s the best time to travel to Antigua if you want more warmth. The chances of rain during this season are slim. However, you can expect more crowds in the dry season.
May and June fall under the shoulder season, which is not low or high. Nonetheless, Antigua experiences large crowds during this period as the island hosts the Antigua Sailing Week.
Budgeting Tips
A destination wedding in Antigua costs about $3,000 on average for a standard package. Premium packages can be more than $5,000.
Here are tips to consider if you’re planning a destination wedding and wondering how to save a few bucks.
Opt to Wed During the Low Season
Most people avoid visiting Antigua during the low season due to the rains. However, some months rarely rain, making it a perfect time to visit the island. Many venues provide discounted rates on their all-inclusive packages during the low season and shoulder season.
Take advantage and travel to Antigua during this season to enjoy cheaper rates.
Furthermore, most all-inclusive resorts have a wedding package that includes the ceremony, photo session, and cake, which allows you to cut costs rather than hire different vendors.
Consider a Shorter Guest List
Keep it small when planning a destination wedding on a budget. Invite people very close to you who you’d want to attend.
Having a small wedding allows you to budget accordingly and enjoy an intimate ceremony and save some coins.
Additionally, instead of booking hotel rooms for each guest, you can opt for vacation homes that can accommodate a lot of people at a go.
Plan and Book Early
Planning and booking everything in advance can help you get the best deals at discounted rates. Most resorts have early-bird discounts for destination weddings, allowing you to save some bucks that you can spend while there. Remember also to book your air tickets in advance to enjoy low fares.
Go For an All-Inclusive Package
Antigua has plenty of resorts that offer all-inclusive packages. These packages handle almost all wedding details like a symbolic ceremony, photography, flowers, decor, music, and accommodation.
Opting for an all-inclusive package eliminates the need to look for different vendors and saves you a lot of money. You can then use the money to get your wedding gown and groom’s outfit.
Best Time of the Year to Get Married in Antigua
The best time of the year to get married in Antigua would be between December and January. The weather during this period is excellent, with clear blue skies and the sun shining throughout the day. The chances of it raining are very slim.
Moreover, December also comes with Christmas celebrations, and combining your wedding with standard holidays allows you to save costs and make memories with your loved ones.
The dry season attracts many tourists, so you must book your flights and accommodation months in advance. You’ll also notice big crowds around beaches and historical attractions.
However, if you’d rather deal with fewer crowds and don’t mind the rain, you’re better off planning your wedding from October to May. It starts raining from lunchtime until four in the evening before the sun comes out to play. You can organize your schedule around this season.
