Planning a Destination Wedding in St. Thomas

As couples have become more mobile in recent years, destination weddings have risen sharply in popularity. Most Caribbean weddings come as customizable vacation packages with all the details accounted for by the resort or planning service. As a result, you and your guests can spend time relaxing on the beach instead of struggling with last-minute preparations. Although it may seem much more difficult to plan a wedding thousands of miles away, the reality is that a wedding in St. Thomas or anywhere else in the Caribbean is much less labor intensive (and often cheaper!) than a traditional wedding. Follow these easy steps to plan the perfect wedding on St. Thomas.

Your first step in planning a destination wedding on St. Thomas should be to contact a wedding planner, resort, or concierge on the island. Once you find a reliable wedding planner, let them know your budget and specific requests. Your budget should be determined by the number of guests you expect to have in attendance. As the planner searches for providers and locations, ask as many questions as possible to ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for. Later in the process, you’ll want to visit St. Thomas to make sure everything is going according to plan and make final decisions about the event.

After determining the date and location of your destination wedding, you’ll want to notify your guests. It’s best to let your friends and family know at least five to six months in advance to ensure accommodation and airfare are properly arranged. Since your wedding planner handles most of the details on site, you’ll want to focus on arranging blocks of hotel rooms and discounted group airfares. Destination wedding etiquette often requires guests to pay for their own airfare, while the bride and groom cover the cost of the weekend.

As you work out the details with your guests, you may also want to determine what kinds of activities everyone would like to do outside of the ceremony. Then your planner can help you build an itinerary with everything from diving to dancing. Also, consider having a wedding website where your guests can see up-to-date details about your St. Thomas wedding.
If you’re working on a tight budget, look to less expensive destinations and more inclusive wedding packages. You should also consider holding your ceremony outside of the tourist season and hosting some of your events, such as dinners and rehearsals, outside of the high-priced tourist areas. Not only will this save you some money, but it will also allow you and your guests to experience the indigenous culture of your destination.

Lastly, when you get married in St. Thomas or anywhere else in the Caribbean, you will need to obtain a local marriage license and passport. The passport is now standard procedure for travel to the Caribbean; just make sure your guests are aware. Getting a marriage license can sometimes be more difficult. It is best to contact your local government and follow their instructions to obtain permission. While your planner can help you with some of these details, some international locations require blood tests, vaccination certificates, or medical certificates to legally marry. However, most Caribbean islands simply require a three-day residency prior to the ceremony, proof of citizenship, completed documentation, and a small license fee. Your best sources for information on all of these requirements are the US Department of State and the government office where your wedding will take place.

After adding it all up, you’ll probably be surprised to find that a luxury destination wedding can be much less expensive than a traditional US wedding. Although you will have fewer guests, the all-inclusive packages mentioned here will allow your closest friends and family to spend an intimate weekend in a picturesque location, all without breaking the bank.