A Destination Wedding in Jamaica

Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Affordable Wedding of Your Dreams

Jul 17, 2008

Destination weddings are the up-and-coming alternative to traditional weddings. Read on and learn how to make your special day an affordable and stress-free occasion.

Destination weddings annually account for sixteen percent of all nuptials. Responsible for over five thousand weddings each year, the Caribbean island of Jamaica is currently in the top five most popular places to say your "I do's". Jamaican resorts offer a multitude of perks for the couple seeking a unique wedding experience.

Cost Effective

Gone are the days of financial etiquette that call upon the parents of the bride to pay for the wedding of their daughter's dreams. Today 32% of couples planning a wedding will personally be footing the bill. The average American wedding comes with an astounding price tag of $27,852 while the average honeymoon falls around $3,700. Destination weddings can save an engaged couple a tremendous amount of money while employing all the luxuries of a multi-million dollar facility.

Depending on the season of travel and the level of comfort one chooses, Jamaican "weddingmoon" packages range anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000. This wide variation reflects a couple's personal preferences and ample opportunities to upgrade their stay with the resort. For example, the Sandal's Montego Bay resort advertises eighteen different room categories ranging from the more humble Deluxe Oceanside Room to the lavish Prime Minister's Beachfront Suite. On average a lovely wedding and honeymoon can be had for $4,000 to $7,000. This will include the couple's flight, hotel, entertainment, drinks, meals and even activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling. Oftentimes the basic wedding package will even be included in the couple's stay.

How To Do It

Begin planning your destination wedding by researching Jamaican resorts online. Compare prices, packages and seasonal specials to find the deal best suited for your wallet and schedule. Initial reservations should be made directly with the resort via telephone to avoid any miscommunications. Inform the booking agent that you intend on being married during your stay at their resort. A wedding coordinator will contact you within the next few days. Upon receiving this call you and your fiancé should be prepared to make preliminary decisions regarding the wedding. Among others, these decisions will include the ceremony's date and time, and whether or not a photographer will be needed. It is important to remember that Jamaica requires 48 hours of 'residency' on the island before a wedding can be performed.

Before the celebrations can begin there are several logistics to attend to. In the midst of hunting down that perfect wedding dress remember to leave a good six to eight weeks to apply for and receive your passports. In addition, your wedding planner will inform you of any essential paperwork you may need to present. The following are standard items that must be sent to the resort in advance:

Upon checking-in you and your fiancé will be informed of an appointment with the resident wedding coordinator in order to finalize those last minute details regarding exactly where the vows will be said, type of flowers, flavor of the cake, and to which song you will share your first dance. In the meantime couples can enjoy lying on sun-laden beaches, sipping Dirty Bananas and Red Stripe beer. By the wedding day all the newly-weds-to-be have to do is show up in their finery!

The copyright of the article A Destination Wedding in Jamaica in Jamaica Travel is owned by Erin Dorr. Permission to republish A Destination Wedding in Jamaica in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.