With more than a million tourists visiting this beach paradise each year, the Bahamas certainly has an unrivaled charm. It has almost 700 coral islands with practically infinite beaches, which means each Bahamas wedding can be at a completely unique location.
Enjoy the pink sandy beaches of Harbor Island and Eleuthera or walk along the Cabbage beach on the pristine Paradise Island. With sunny days and cool nights, this place has a warm character that will make you fall in love with it.
When you’re here, make sure you indulge in the fresh and tasty shellfish that’s popular all over the world.
About Destination Weddings in the Bahamas
Why Get Married in the Bahamas
There are many reasons to plan a Bahamas wedding – dreamy sceneries, warm weather, beautiful resorts, and unlimited locations. You can tie the knot on one island and enjoy your honeymoon on another.
Whether you want to read your vows on a secluded sandbar or under an arbor in the middle of the ocean, there are some locations that only the Bahamas offers. The island has lush green gardens as well as intimate hideaways.
It starts with a romantic proposal and goes on to a magical honeymoon. When you’re in the Bahamas, time stands still as you two experience true love in each other’s company.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in the Bahamas
The cost of a Bahamas wedding will depend on various factors such as the number of guests, type of accommodation, reception menu, selection of drinks, etc.
If you want an intimate ceremony with just the two of you, you can have a beach wedding for about $500 to $1000. This will include an officiant, a wedding cake, and some other basics.
Some resorts will offer a free wedding package when you stay with them for a minimum number of days. If you select such a resort, you can cut back on your wedding costs.
The Best Bahamas Wedding Venues
Sandals Royal Bahamian
The perfect place for an elopement, the Sandals Bahamian offers an all-inclusive place for couples in love. It’s an adults-only resort that is perfect for a Bahamas wedding. With two sky-sized pools, live your life in luxury as you spend your most magical moments together.
Tantalize your taste buds at the Coconut Grove lounge which offers gourmet delicacies from all over the world. There are 12 dining options here, including two food trucks. They have 8 bars that serve specialty cocktails and delicious wines.
From Kanoo Caribbean cuisine to classic French dishes, the resort offers a wide range of flavors to its guests. When you’re here, make sure you taste their premium house wines.
After a leisurely stroll on the beach, head to the Red Lane Spa for a couple’s massage or a holistic therapy massage before your big day.
Experience the true Bahamian ambiance at an exotic offshore island where you two can hide away and create a magical land of your own.
For the most luxurious experience, try the West Bay Oceanview suite. It’s a swim-up suite that comes with butler service and a soaking tub. It also includes Rolls Royce private transfers.
Sandals Emerald Bay
Sandals resorts are popular among honeymooners and new couples because of their all-inclusive adults-only offerings. Also, Sandals provides a free wedding package when you stay there for a minimum of three days.
Sandals Emerald Bay continues this tradition and offers a luxurious resort that carries a romantic and passionate vibe. Add dream magic to your Bahamas wedding with its unique venues and island-style accommodation.
This resort is spread out on a 500-acre area and has a mile-long beachfront. Whether you want a sensuous suite or a secluded villa, you’ll find many hideaway locations for your intimate moments.
Emerald Bay has three pools and a swim-up bar. Swim to the bar and enjoy fruity cocktails. And in the evening, enjoy the warmth of the glowing fire pit with your loved one.
Practice your game at the golf course and visit the spa for relaxation and rejuvenation – indulge in pure luxury when you’re at Sandals Emerald Bay.
There are many accommodation types available at this resort but if you want the best, select their Royal Estate Beachfront suite. This suite comes with a pool and exclusive butler services. The Prime Minister Honeymoon suite is also an excellent choice.
Courtyard by Marriott
Courtyard is at Junkanoo Beach, just a few steps from the water. It’s a spacious and comfortable hotel that offers an amazing landscape. Whether you want to swim, snorkel, or lounge on the beach, this is the perfect place for a new couple.
It’s in Nassau’s Downtown district, which makes it easy for you to explore nearby areas including museums, boutiques, and other cultural attractions.
Try a refreshing cocktail and savor delectable cuisine at the restaurants and bars of this hotel. After a day of exploration, take a dip in the hotel’s pool. Or go for a workout in the fitness center.
The rooms of the hotel are inspired by beach décor and reflect the vibe of the Bahamas. Whether you’re here for an elopement or with your friends and family, Courtyard can be an excellent choice for your Bahamas wedding.
You can have a beach wedding or select an indoor venue from the hotel – there are many possibilities. There are special deals and if you book multiple rooms for your guests, you get discounted rates.
The hotel has certified wedding planners that will take care of all aspects of your wedding so you can simply sit back and relax.
Squire’s Estate
Squire’s Estate is a stunning property in the Bahamas. It has amazing waterfront views, pristine cottages, and beautiful private areas. It combines natural and rustic beauty with modern and luxurious amenities.
It offers 1-4 bedroom suites where you and your guests can stay with complete privacy. There are 11 houses and cottages and the area can accommodate small elopements to mid-sized weddings of up to 100 guests.
You can select any venue for your wedding. Whether you want a beachfront wedding, a garden wedding, or an indoor one, you can make it happen at Squire’s Estate.
There are several locations for the reception as well, including an oceanfront deck. You can celebrate as the sun sets in the Caribbean and turns on its magical golden glow.
While you’ll experience all modern amenities here, the place carries a touch of 19th-century architecture which gives it an old-school charm.
They also have a live webcam feature that shows the views from Modern House, a villa on the property so guests can experience Squire’s Estate before even coming here.
The estate has certified wedding planners that can help you plan and coordinate your wedding.
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
Experience true comfort and luxury in this one-of-a-kind property in the Bahamas. It offers three beaches and a 5-mile stretch of shoreline where you can relax and soak in the goodness of the Bahamian sun.
Have fun at Dolphin Cay and you might make some dolphin friends here. This family-friendly hotel offers a relaxing yet adventurous vacation with its 141-acre land of waterslides, river ride, and 11 swimming pools for kids and adults.
If you’re an animal lover, you’ll enjoy being in the company of two sea lions at the resort. When you’re here, you get to explore marine exhibits and habitats including coral formations, caves, and lagoons.
Witness the exotic sea life of the island including rays, sharks, barracudas, eels, piranhas, and many more.
Once you’re done exploring the raw natural beauty of the place, head over to the casino that offers limitless possibilities to play and win.
The resort has a wedding planner/coordinator team that will help you with your Bahamas wedding, whether it’s an elopement or a grand ceremony.
There are many stunning venues in this property and they can make your dream wedding come true. Plan your wedding here to create beautiful memories that last a lifetime.
Bahamas Wedding Legal Requirements
Can you legally marry in the Bahamas
Yes, you can legally marry in the Bahamas. And it’s not difficult either. You can have a civil ceremony with the minimum paperwork. And if you’re here for a symbolic ceremony, there’s no paperwork at all.
When you get a civil wedding in the Bahamas, it will be recognized in your home country as well. However, a symbolic ceremony has no legal holding.
The rules of a civil wedding are different for Bahamians and non-Bahamians. The legal age for marriage in the Bahamas is 18 years.
Can you elope in the Bahamas
Many couples come to the Bahamas for elopement. Elopements are smaller, less expensive, more intimate, and easier to manage. Many resorts in the Bahamas offer an adults-only retreat to elopers and honeymooners.
However, if you plan to have a bigger event with guests, that’s possible too. The Bahamas has many resorts and hotels that can accommodate hundreds of guests, so no matter what the size of the celebration, it’s always possible here.
Required Legal Documents & Fees
You need a marriage license for a Bahamas wedding. The license is available at the Department of Registrar General. It is valid for three months and you need to marry before it expires.
Once you tie the knot, you have to send a duplicate marriage registration to the Marriage Officer. Here are the documents you need for marriage:
- Passports of the bride and groom
- Death or divorce certificates of previous spouses (if applicable)
- A declaration stating you’re single and never married before (if applicable)
You need to be in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours before applying for a license. You’ll need two witnesses. Your wedding planner or hotel can help you with that.
Bahamas Wedding Planning Tips
How to Get There
Airways
The Bahamas has two major airports: Grand Bahama International Airport and Lynden Pindling International Airport. The Bahamas also has a national airline called Bahamasair.
Waterways
You can visit the Bahamas via cruise. Several international cruise ships sail to Nassau, Bahamas. Nassau port has direct waterways connections with the US, the UK, South America, and the West Indies.
If you’re from Florida, you can take a ferry to the Bahamas and it will take 3-4 hours, depending on the route of the ferry. People of Miami can also take a ferry to the Bahamas and it takes about 2-3 hours.
Roadways
Since the Bahamas are a group of islands, you cannot visit them by roadways or railways.
Bahamas Weather
The Bahamas lies between tropical and subtropical areas and has a marine climate. It has warm and sunny weather which largely stays pleasant throughout the year.
However, the Bahamas sees more seasonal variations than some other Caribbean islands. In fact, there are variations among different islands in the Bahamas. Some islands receive twice as much rainfall as others.
Since this place is in the middle of the Atlantic hurricane belt, there are chances of cyclones and hurricanes, especially in the months from August to November.
The temperatures generally lie between 21oC in winter to 32oC in summer. The winter season lasts from December to March. July and August are the warmest months here.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in the Bahamas
April and May are dry months and popular for a Bahamas wedding. Whether you’re looking for a beach wedding or a garden one, rain showers can play havoc with your plans. Selecting dry months ensures that your wedding goes exactly how you planned it.
December to March are winter months but since Bahamas winters aren’t cold, these are also good months for a wedding.
Make sure you skip August to November because these are the hurricane months. While there might not always be a hurricane, there is always a chance.
Planning for a honeymoon? Check out our options for a beautiful Bahamas honeymoon.
