Wedding season is right around the corner! A destination can be a great way to celebrate your special day with family and friends. If you’re considering a Caribbean wedding, here’s a rundown of five of the best places to get hitched in this gorgeous region. 1.) Antigua Maciej Czekajewski / Shutterstock Antigua is home to a variety of resorts that can help you with every aspect of your destination wedding. The island is located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Antigua is known for gorgeous year-round weather. Temps hover around the 70s-80s, and Antigua gets the least rain of any island in the Caribbean. This means it’s the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors after you say your vows. From hiking tours to sunset cruises, Antigua is sure to deliver a romantic experience. 2.) Bahamas Mikhail Starodubov / Shutterstock The Bahamas are one of the most popular Caribbean wedding destinations, and it’s easy to see why. This coral-based archipelago in the Atlantic is made up of over 700 islands and cays. Some of these are completely uninhabited, but others, like Grand Bahama and Paradise Island, are home to some of the best resorts in the Caribbean. The Bahamas offer some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling sites in the world, including the Andros Barrier Reef, Thunderball Grotto and the black-coral gardens off the Bimini string of islands. If you’re feeling brave, you and your new spouse can even swim with reef sharks (and feed them!). 3.) St. Vincent and the Grenadines ph. Stanislav Smoliakov / Shutterstock A region with French and British colonial history, the string of 32 islands and cays known as St. Vincent and the Grenadines is as culturally rich as it is beautiful. St. Vincent remains the least touristy of the Caribbean islands, making it the perfect place for a low-key destination wedding experience. As one would expect, hotels on St. Vincent are typically on the smaller side and locally owned, which will provide an intimate, relaxing experience for you and your guests. For a glitzier resort scene, head to the Grenadine island of Bequia (about a one-hour ferry ride to the south of St. Vincent). This bustling island thrives on tourism, and offers a variety of excellent restaurants, shopping, and outdoor activities. Bequia’s Admiralty Bay draws outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. It’s a great place to snorkel, swim, hike, or simply enjoy the breathtaking views. 4.) Martinique Elena Yakusheva / Shutterstock The French-speaking island of Martinique is the perfect place for a destination wedding with that certain touch of je ne sais quoi. After you’ve tied the knot, take some time to learn about Martinique’s fascinating blend of French and West Indian cultures. Stroll the narrow streets of Fort-de-France (the island’s largest city), visit La Savane (a public square/garden surrounded by shops and cafes), and party the night away in one of Martinique’s vibrant nightclubs. Be sure to visit the black sand beaches (the result of a volcanic eruption in the early 20th century) on the northern part of the island – they are stunning! 5.) Jamaica soft_light / Shutterstock Jamaica has no shortage of all-inclusive resorts that will provide the perfect backdrop to your wedding. After you say “I do,” explore local attractions like Dunn’s River Falls. Go on your first adventure as a married couple by climbing up the 600 feet through the chilly waterfall and treat yourself to souvenirs from the craft market at the top. Be sure to have happy hour at Rick’s Cafe in Negril. This Cliffside restaurant offers gorgeous views of the famous Jamaican sunsets and impromptu performances by cliff divers who jump into the water from up to 100 feet above. Did you tie the knot in the Caribbean, or are you in the process of planning a wedding there? What are some must-see spots in this region? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
