It’s one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, and it’s one of the most significant economic contributors to Caribbean tourism: weddings. The Caribbean is the most romantic place in the world, and it’s the dream location for a destination wedding. But there are so many questions to answer when you’re planning one of these: how much do flights cost? How big is your wedding going to be? Which hotel is the right size and fit? What’s your budget? And even more importantly, how much will your guests be able to spend on flights and hotels? We’re here to help with an inspiring list of the best places for your perfect Caribbean destination wedding (including which hotels to consider).
Jamaica
The original destination for romance in the Caribbean, and the island’s nonchalant vibe only adds to that. There’s a greater variety of destination wedding hotel options here than anywhere else in the Caribbean. But the biggest thing for your guests is that there are numerous direct flights from major worldwide cities and they’re usually among the most affordable, too.
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: Half Moon
Best Hotel for a Small Wedding: Round Hill
Best Hotel for an All-Inclusive Wedding: Sandals Royal Caribbean or Sandals Negril
Best Hotel for a Hip Wedding: Rockhouse
Dominican Republic
Airlift is easier here than almost anywhere, and there’s an almost endless supply of hotels and destinations, whether you want a beach wedding in Punta Cana or Puerto Plata or a historic wedding in Santo Domingo. It’s also one of the best places for an all-inclusive wedding.
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: Casa de Campo (La Romana)
Best Hotel for a Small Wedding: Casa Colonial (Puerto Plata)
Best Hotel for a City Wedding: Hostal Nicolas de Ovando (Santo Domingo)
Barbados
It takes a little longer to get here than other destinations, but there are also many direct flights, and this island is a Caribbean classic. There’s a degree of charm and prestige to the whole island, and a good selection of hotels from some of the toniest resorts in the region to some more affordable boutiques (and even a new Sandals resort).
Best Hotel for a Glamorous Wedding: Sandy Lane
Best Hotel for a Beach Wedding: The Crane
Best Hotel for a Small Wedding: Cobblers Cove
Best Hotel for an All-Inclusive Wedding: Mango Bay
St Lucia
There’s a reason it’s one of the great Caribbean honeymoon destination. It just oozes romance. But it’s also a tremendous wedding destination. Airlift is direct but often expensive, so that’s definitely a consideration. But the hotel product here is off the charts.
Best Hotel for a Spectacular Wedding: Jade Mountain
Best Hotel for a Small Wedding: Anse Chastanet
Best Hotel for an All-Inclusive Wedding: Sandals Regency La Toc
Nevis
This is one of the most charming, beautiful islands in the Caribbean, with a wonderful collection of resorts and plantation inns. The only thing to think about is that flights can be an issue, because you can only fly directly to neighbouring St Kitts or connect in Puerto Rico. But once you’re past that, this an unforgettable wedding destination.
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: Four Seasons Nevis Resort
Best Hotel for a Small Wedding: Montpelier Plantation and Becah
Best Hotel for an Artful Wedding: Golden Rock Inn
Antigua
It’s easy to get here (particularly for those traveling from the United Kingdom) and there are lot of great large (and usually all-inclusive) hotels and a whopping 365 beaches. Antigua has an interesting mix of colonial history, sailing culture and laid-back beach vibes.
Best Hotel for a Luxury All-Inclusive Wedding: Galley Bay
Best Hotel for an Elegant Wedding: Blue Waters
Best Hotel for a Classic Wedding: Curtain Bluff
Nassau/Paradise Island
The proximity to the US and South Florida in particular makes it a great choice, but you’ll find a range of hotel options from large resorts like Atlantis to small out-of-the-way seafront places like Compass Point, and, more importantly, you can fit every budget.
Best Hotel for a Glamorous Wedding: One and Only Ocean Club
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: British Colonial Hilton
Best Hotel for an All-Inclusive Wedding: Sandals Royal Bahamian
Best Hotel for a Small Wedding: Graycliff Hotel
Best Hotel for a Hip Wedding: Compass Point
Puerto Rico
There’s great airlift, a huge number of hotels, lots of activities for guests, and most importantly, it’s in the US, so you don’t have to worry about extra paperwork or passports. Puerto Rico has a variety of venues, from historic urban weddings in San Juan to beach options in places like Rincon or Dorado Beach.
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: El Conquistador
Best Hotel for a Small Wedding: Horned Dorset Primavera
Best Hotel for an Exclusive Wedding: Ritz-Carlton Reserve Dorado Beach
Grand Cayman
Want to get married underwater? You can do it here, although this diving destination’s full of great places above the water, too, with none better than the island’s world-famous Seven Mile Beach. And airlift is not a hassle, with a variety of solid (and quick) options.
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: Westin Grand Cayman
Best Hotel for a Luxurious Wedding: Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman
Aruba
This is all about the beach wedding, because almost all of the hotels are right on the sand. And if you’re doing a summer wedding, the island is outside of the Hurricane Belt, so that takes a weight off. And there is a huge range of direct flight options from the US.
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: Aruba Marriott and Stellaris Casino
Best Hotel for a Luxury Wedding: Ritz-Carlton Aruba
Providenciales
This is a beautiful beach destination. And while it has some of the most expensive flights in the region, it’s also one of the shortest flights in the region. All of the best hotels are right on the world-class Grace Bay Beach, too.
Best Hotel for a Luxury Wedding: Regent Palms
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: Sands at Grace Bay
Best Hotel for a Hip Wedding: Gansevoort Turks and Caicos
Best Hotel for an Exclusive Wedding: Amanyara
Cancun/Riviera Maya
If you plan on having a party wedding, this is the place. Cancun has some of the best flight options in the Caribbean, and it also has some of its best all-inclusive resorts, most of which are extremely sound at running weddings.
Best Hotel for an All-Inclusive Wedding: Dreams Riviera Cancun
Best Hotel for a Party Wedding: Hard Rock Hotel Cancun
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: Fairmont Mayakoba
Best Hotel for a Luxury Wedding: Viceroy Riviera Maya
US Virgin Islands
There are three islands to choose from, no passports required and lots of direct flights from all over the country. The only question is which island — the laid back St Croix, the natural paradise of St John or bustling St Thomas.
Best Hotel for a Large Wedding: Buccaneer Hotel (St Croix)
Best Hotel for a Luxury Wedding: Caneel Bay (St John)
Best Hotel for an All-Inclusive Wedding: Bolongo Bay (St Thomas)
Best Hotel for a Small Wedding: Palms at Pelican Cove (St Croix)