6 important things to consider when planning your Bahamas destination wedding
Destination wedding planning comes with so much excitement and joy; there really is nothing like packing your bags, flying to paradise and saying “I do” to the love of your life. However, planning a wedding in a different country also comes with a million options, decisions and matters to think about. Here are 6 things you’ll want to consider when planning your Bahamas destination wedding.
Time of year
It’s important to have a clear vision of what you want your wedding to look like before choosing the time of year you’re planning to get married in The Bahamas. Why? The main reason is the weather. Although The Islands of The Bahamas usually boast wonderful weather, summer and winter temperatures both have their pros and cons, which are worth considering before setting that final wedding date. The temperatures in the summer can average 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, making afternoon weddings quite warm. That might mean taking your wedding inside, keeping the outside portion of your wedding short, choosing a well-shaded venue or choosing to have your wedding in the early morning or later in the evening. On the flipside, winter in The Bahamas, although quite nice, can also mean that the ocean might be a bit colder. If you’re hoping to dip more than just your toes in the beautiful Bahamian waters, this is also something you will want to consider before deciding on the time of year for your destination wedding.
Time of day
As important as the time of year is for your Bahamas wedding, the time of day is equally as important. If you’re choosing a summer month to get married, it’s important to note that early morning and evening weddings will make sure you and your guests are the most comfortable temperature wise. Also keep in mind that between April and October, the sun sets later than between November and March, so if you’re looking to capture some golden hour magic in your photos, you should consider not only the time of year as mentioned above, but also the time of day you want your ceremony and reception as this will determine when you will sneak away to capture some shots with your photographer.
Photo credit: Christina Ysaguirre Photography
Length of stay
When planning and booking for your destination wedding, the amount of time you spend in The Bahamas is definitely one of the items you need to pay close attention to. Did you know that you have to be on Bahamian grounds at least 24 hours before you can apply for your marriage license? It usually takes about two business days to receive the license, so it’s recommended that you give yourself at least three to four days before you can say “I do”. The only exception is if you’re arriving by cruise ship. In addition to that, a lot of resort wedding planners would prefer having you on property a few days ahead of the wedding to show you all the details you would have gone over together via phone or video call, such as cake flavors, décor and food. Also, if you’re planning to have a ‘weddingmoon’, which means you’re planning your wedding AND your honeymoon in The Bahamas, that should also affect your length of stay.
Marriage documents
Are you aware of all the documents that are needed for your Bahamas wedding? Since marriages performed in The Bahamas are legal, there are certain documents you will have to produce, in order to receive your marriage license and therefore get married. It might also be that some of those documents might need an apostille and maybe even an English translation. Check out this page for more information about the requirements.
Nassau vs family island
With all its glorious 700 islands and cays, The Bahamas is not short of amazing locations and venues to choose from, for what promises to be a day (or week) of a lifetime. Deciding what kind of vibe you’re going for, might help you decide whether you want to get married in the city of Nassau or if you want to unwind and enjoy the retreat to a family island. Both options are great and make for wonderful destination wedding memories, so it’s worth doing your research ahead of time to make sure you’re choosing the right island for you and your guests.
Photo credit: Braxton Gardiner Photography
Pre and post wedding events
Last but definitely not least, you’ll want to consider the planning of all the pre and post wedding events. Are you planning a welcome party for all your guests to get acquainted or are you thinking of a girl’s spa day instead of a wedding shower? Have you considered hiring a planner or are you thinking of planning them yourself? Choosing a destination wedding means you get to choose whether or not you incorporate traditional events such as bachelor and bachelorette parties or if you want to step out of the box and do something different like throwing your guests a Bahamian themed “thank you brunch” the morning after the big day. Once you’ve decided which events you prefer, make sure you add the costs into your budget ahead of time.
Make sure to note these 6 items and keep them at the forefront of your planning process. Happy planning!