Destinations

Did you know that there are 2.4 million US weddings per year? Of these marriages, 24% of them are destination weddings. That's 384,000-480,000 destinations wedding each year, and that number is growing. The average cost of a traditional wedding is over $30,000. This is the wedding day only, not a honeymoon. The average cost of a destination wedding is under $10,000 (including flights, all-inclusive resort for a week, ceremony, reception.) 
 
Year after year, our couples find that Riviera Maya, Mexico offers the best resorts and the best value for destination weddings. Despite it's unfair bad press lately, Mexico is by far the top wedding destination for US based brides. Over 35 million people visited Mexico in 2016, putting Mexico in the top 10 visited country in the world. Couples will find that flights to Mexico are numerous, easy and reasonable when compared to most Caribbean destinations. This leaves more room in the guest budget for a higher quality resort. With 5 star properties, world class golf courses, World Heritage sites, genuine hospitality and hundreds of miles of pristine beaches, Mexico is often the best choice for destination weddings.
 
Knowing this, you can expect us to discuss Mexico as a possible destination with you. It is not only the top destination choice for our brides, it is the top destination choice for our personal travels as well. Time and again, we pack up our families and travel to Mexico for work as well as pleasure. We know and love this destination, and highly recommend it.

Find my perfect destination!

Before publishing our list of recommended destination wedding locations, we carefully thought of aspects most important when planning destination weddings. We chose locations based on travel time, legal requirements, all-inclusive resort availability, cost and weather. Of course, there are other destinations (St. Lucia, Antigua, St. John, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, just to name a few), and really, the world is yours for the choosing. The destinations we have listed here are the ones most frequently chosen by our wedding couples. Oh, and by the way... thinking about a destination wedding in Florida, California or another US location? Check this out!

ARUBA:  Want a destination wedding in the Caribbean, but don't want to worry about a hurricane? Think Aruba. Aruba's the place for couples who want a Caribbean beach wedding and honeymoon, yet don't want to be concerned that their plans may coincide with hurricane season. 

The reason? Aruba is located so far south that it is well outside the hurricane belt. Aruba is different from most other Caribbean Islands. It doesn't have the lush and tropical landscape that some vacationers expect. But it has a beauty and charm all its own. And the temperature averages in the low 80 degrees year-round - perfect for a honeymoon spent getting some sun on the beautiful beaches.

All civil wedding must take place before the church wedding, either in the US or in Aruba. Civil ceremonies are conducted inside the City Hall (Bureau Burgerlijke Stand) in Oranjestad.

BAHAMAS:  The Islands of the Bahamas is a 100,000-square-mile tropical paradise that claims more than 700 islands and 2500 cays and lies a mere 50 miles off the Florida coast. Once called the “Isles of Perpetual June” by George Washington, the Bahamas is blessed with a tropical climate that makes it a year-round eloping and wedding destination.

If you’re considering to elope or having a wedding in the Bahamas do consider the seasons; the best time to visit the Bahamas is in the summer, which falls between June and August. While winter can be surprisingly cold, daily high temperatures in the Bahamas rarely drop below 60°F from December to February, and the sun shines an average of 320 days out of the year.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: A Dominican Republic wedding can fulfill every dream scenario, from lavish affairs to simple and romantic ceremonies. The island's charming historical quality and friendly people almost beckon you to choose a Dominican Republic wedding, with its inherently romantic atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. World-class service here will complement a Dominican Republic wedding so that nothing will be left to chance. 

Before holding a Dominican Republic wedding, couples need to have their legal documents translated into Spanish. We recommend http://www.wedo.com.do/. Because of this requirement and the costs associated with it, the Dominican Republic is the most difficult destination to have a legal wedding.

JAMAICA: Jamaica has long been a great destination for eloping, destination weddings and honeymoons. Why? In a word - beauty. The sunsets, the beaches, the pampering. It all adds up to one incredibly romantic destination. Although you may not want to leave your resort, there are a great deal of outdoor activities to keep the newly-married couple busy. Those who have their weddings in Jamaica have some great adventures awaiting them as Jamaica has lots of outdoor excitement. Jamaica happens to be one of the easiest destinations to be legally married.

MEXICO:  Our #1 destination for the excellent value and incredible experiences. Mexico is known for it's great beaches and Spanish hospitality. Flights to Mexico are abundant, making it an easy choice for destination weddings. With so many communities dotting the shoreline, Mexico is sure to have the perfect wedding location for every couple.

Civil Mexican weddings are legally recognized in the US. Blood tests for HIV and other STD’s are required and must be perform by a certified, Mexican doctor. Your on-site wedding coordinator will assist in arranging the doctor’s appointment. You cannot do the blood test in the US and bring the results to the Resort. Please be aware that if any of the results are positive, you will not be able to get legally married in Mexico. Do not stress about this! It is super easy and actually kind of fun. They often celebrate this step by popping a bottle of champagne to share while you’re having the tests done. It is part of your Mexican wedding celebration!