Barbados is a beautiful Caribbean island that is home to pristine beaches with smooth white sands. Thanks to its rich natural beauty and unique history, many couples come here for their Barbados wedding.
This coral island has more than 80 beaches and you can relax and unwind here in the sun or go for water sports. The beaches are lined with swaying palm trees and carry a romantic ambiance.
When you come here, you’ll experience the local hospitality. The locals are helpful and if you stop by and talk to them, they have many stories to tell. This makes Barbados a very unique and friendly destination.
Why Get Married in Barbados
If you’re looking for a destination wedding that carries excitement, passion, and romance, you need a Barbados wedding.
Sample the local cuisine and sweet plantains for lunch and try international flavors for dinner. Go on a shopping spree in Bridgetown and find unique Caribbean-style memorabilia to take home with you.
The island has many hotels and resorts that will manage all aspects of your wedding so you can just sit back and relax.
If you’re a nature-lover, you can go for forest exploration and watch the local flora and fauna which consists of flying fish, translucent frogs, green monkeys, and other exquisite animals.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Barbados
The cost of a Barbados wedding will depend on several factors, such as how many guests you have and what features you want.
As you’d expect, a big wedding will be more expensive than a small one or an elopement.
Some planners will offer packages starting from $750, which includes a wedding planner/coordinator, a religious officiant, and licensing charges.
Resorts such as Sandals offer a free wedding package if you stay with them for at least three days. This will be the basic package and you can upgrade it according to your preferences.
The Best Barbados Wedding Venues
Sandals Barbados
If you’re looking for a 5-star luxury resort for your Barbados wedding, this one is just right for you. It’s an all-inclusive adults-only resort that’s ideal for elopements and honeymoons.
You get the perfect romantic setting for your wedding without worrying about money. Just pay once and all your expenses will be covered. And if you stay for three days or more, you get the free wedding package which means you don’t have to spend anything on the wedding.
The resort has 11 pools including a rooftop and glass-edge pool. Take a swim in any of them or visit one of their 6 whirlpools. There are 20 gourmet restaurants that offer the most delicious local and international flavors.
The resort has 14 bars that serve international liquors and delicious wines. You get unlimited premium liquors and a fully-stocked mini bar in every room.
There are day and night entertainment options and live shows that will keep you entertained throughout your stay. Try their beachfront penthouse for a 5-star experience. This suite comes with a soaking tub and butler services.
Whether you want a beach wedding or an indoor one, discuss your needs with the Sandals wedding coordinator and they’ll be happy to help you out.
Sandals Royal Barbados
Sandals has another offering in Barbados – Sandals Royal Barbados. The resort has the same offerings in terms of the free wedding package and an expert wedding coordinator.
It comes with a 4-lane bowling alley and a craft beer bar. If you’re a fan of craft beer, this is the resort for you.
There are 21 gourmet restaurants that use only fresh and local ingredients. The resort has 14 bars, including a swim-up and a rooftop bar. When you want to unwind while enjoying the views of the ocean, this is the place to be.
The resort has a tennis court where you can enjoy a game or two. And if you’re a fitness freak, you’ll enjoy the fully-equipped state-of-the-art fitness center.
Take a ride on their glass-bottom boat with your loved one and see the amazing marine life right under your feet. They also offer pedalboards and kayaks for adventure lovers.
Their Beachfront Prime Minister suite comes with a private pool and a soaking tub. It also has butler services and all transfers will be made via Rolls Royce.
If that’s the kind of pampering you’re looking for, you’ll find it only at Royal Barbados.
Courtyard by Marriott
Courtyard Bridgeton is ideal for a wedding with several guests. If your guests have kids, this hotel will accommodate them. It’s close to the Grantley Adams airport and offers opportunities to explore the island.
Enjoy your day in Hastings village and discover new and exciting beaches. If you’re up for nightlife, visit Saint Lawrence Gap or enrich your senses at Garrison Historic Area.
Go on a shopping spree and work up your appetite because, at Courtyard, you’ll find local and international flavors.
Continue your workout schedule at their fitness center and head out to the outdoor pool for a relaxing swim. Whether you want to host a wedding at the hotel or a nearby spot (such as Mayfield Plantation House), the hotel staff will help you out.
There are 5 event rooms with over 3,100 square feet of event space. The largest room can accommodate 120 guests and will be ideal for a reception. All event rooms come with A/V facilities so you can play a slideshow of your beautiful moments.
You can hold the cocktail party in the open – just find what you want it and the hotel staff will make it possible.
Treasure Beach
Treasure Beach is an all-inclusive adults-only boutique resort by Marriott. It has 35 rooms and is an ideal location for small-sized weddings. It has a private beachfront location at Platinum West Coast to make your Barbados wedding even more magical.
If you want to invite guests with children, Tamarind next door has amazing options where they can stay and join you in the festivities.
Treasure Beach has dedicated wedding coordinators who will help you plan and execute the event. The hotel offers several wedding packages and you can choose from them. Some packages can be free based on the accommodation you select.
All packages can be customized according to your needs. It’s your wedding and it should happen just the way you want it.
The resort has a versatile menu that brings out authentic Caribbean flavors. Treat your guests to a mouthwatering experience with special food and drinks on your big day.
The resort offers two weekly Yoga classes in a tranquil tropical setting to make your stay even more pleasurable. If you and your soulmate are the adventurous kinds, you’ll enjoy the motorized and non-motorized water sports at the resort.
O2 Beach Club and Spa
Relax and enjoy unadulterated comfort in this luxury resort. Add a touch of magic to your Barbados wedding with stunning suites, a serene spa, gourmet dining, and exciting water and land adventures.
Revel in the combination of tropical spirits with modern luxury here. Behold the stunning views of the ocean from your elegantly designed room.
O2 Beach Club guarantees only one wedding per day so you can have the complete focus of their wedding coordination team. Find the perfect romantic setting here as you tie the knot near the palm trees, drowned in the golden glow of Bajan sunshine.
There are versatile venue spaces, custom wedding menus, expert planning, and coordination staff, design and décor services, catering services, marriage licenses, minister services, and private transfers to license officers. In short, they take care of every little aspect of your marriage.
When you stay at the resort for seven or more days, they’ll provide the wedding package for free.
The venue spaces include rooftop terraces, lush gardens, and beach settings. Select the one you like the most and you can read your vows there. They also have several event halls for reception and cocktail parties.
Barbados Wedding Legal Requirements
Can you legally marry in Barbados?
Yes, you can legally marry in Barbados and your marriage will be recognized back in your home country.
However, if you hold a symbolic wedding, it will have no legal holding. For a symbolic wedding, you’ll need to get married in your home country and then come here and read the vows.
Tying the knot in Barbados is really easy. You don’t need to stay here for a minimum number of days. Also, there’s no waiting period for marriage.
Can you elope in Barbados?
Eloping with your loved one in Barbados is a wonderful experience. You can read your vows here and extend your wedding into a honeymoon.
There are many adults-only resorts here that are made especially for elopements. And if you want a bigger wedding, that’s possible too. Select a family-friendly hotel for your guests and you can enjoy a grand celebration.
No matter what the scale of your wedding is, it’s entirely possible in Barbados. Elopements are more economical than bigger weddings, which is why many couples prefer to elope in Barbados.
Required Legal Documents & Fees
For a Barbados wedding, you need to apply for a marriage license at the Ministry of Home Affairs. The license is valid for three months.
Here are the documents you’ll need:
- Passports of the bride and groom
- Birth certificates of the bride and groom
- Divorce or death certificates of previous spouses (if applicable)
If you want a Roman Catholic religious ceremony, your bishop needs to send relevant documents to the bishop of Bridgetown.
If the documents are not in English, they need to be translated by a certified translator. Marriage license issuance will cost $100.
Barbados Wedding Planning Tips
How to Get There
The main airport of Barbados is Grantley Adams International Airport and it is easily accessible from many parts of the world.
Some airlines that come here are American Airlines, British Airways, and Air Canada. You’ll also find some charter airline companies operating here, especially in the peak tourist season.
If you’re coming from the US, you can use several flight options including American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Airlines, and Caribbean Airlines.
If you’re traveling from Europe or UK, you can take British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, or Condor.
Barbados Weather
Barbados has tropical weather that stays warm all year long. The average temperature in the country is 26oC.
The two seasons here are wet and dry, with the dry one being more pleasant. The wet season also includes the Atlantic hurricane season from June to November.
The dry season lasts from December to May. In the dry season, days are warm and nights are cool. In the wet season, the humidity is relatively high, which might become uncomfortable at times.
September and October are the warmest months. These months also receive heavy rainfall.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Barbados
It stays warm in Barbados all through the year. However, the winter season is the best as it’s dry and comfortable.
The summer or wet months receive rain showers, which might hamper your plan for an outdoor wedding. Besides, there can be chances of a hurricane which is why it’s best to visit this island from December to May. These months are the driest and there is a minimum chance of rainfall.
However, December to May are also the busiest months and the tickets are more expensive then. To avoid tourist season, you might want to come here in June.
Interested in this unique island paradise? Check out our guide for a Barbados honeymoon.
