While many couples dream of a Caribbean wedding or honeymoon, they want to pick that perfect island that is right for them. Each island has its unique culture and attractions and, perhaps most importantly for couples looking to tie the knot, it’s set of regulations for getting married.
The following is a rundown of some of the Caribbean islands unique destinations and what you need to know to get married there. (** Please check with your travel agent as requirements and regulations can change without notice).

ARUBA
Whether you choose to tie the knot on the beach, with a private sunset cruise, or at a lush tropical garden, getting married in Aruba is a wonderful tranquil way to add tropical romance to your wedding day. With all the many properties on the island that have complete banquet facilities for your reception, there are also fine restaurants that offer elegant private rooms for your special occasion. After your I Do’s you can enjoy your honeymoon here, taking in the islands breath-taking vistas and secluded hideaways to celebrate your special day. Many of Aruba’s best resorts and hotels offer all-inclusive honeymoon packages, and the island is perfect for newlyweds.

Requirements for weddings:
For a civil service, the couple must provide from their country of citizenship an “apostille” report proof that they are both single and eligible to marry. Each person must submit their birth certificate with a raised seal. In addition, couples must hold valid passports and submit with their application, copies of the pages showing all relevant details. Copies of the passport pages of their witnesses must also be submitted (if a couple does not have a witness, the resort will provide them at an additional fee). All documents are to be faxed for review to the office of Civil Registry and then submitted by courier (i.e., FedEx) at least a month prior to the wedding date.
All civil ceremonies must take place before the church wedding, either in the U.S. or in Aruba. Civil ceremonies are conducted inside the City Hall (Bureau Burgerlijke Stand) in Oranjestad and are performed Wednesdays through Fridays from 9:30a.m. to noon

BAHAMAS
The powdery white sand and crystal blue water makes this the ideal setting for your “big day”. It’s the reason A-list celebrity’s chose to the Bahamas to start their new lives. The island is perfect for your last hurrah with the guys or girls, the wedding itself and honeymoon, and it’s just a short plane flight from Florida!
With the 700 islands, newlywed couples can island hop and experience all that the Bahamas have to offer. They can relax on secluded beaches; explore underwater caves, shop for handmade crafts or swim with the dolphins.

Wedding requirements:
The couple must be in the Bahamas while applying for their marriage license. Couples may apply a day after their arrival and can e married once their license is approved- it usually takes one day. Both parties must produce a valid passport, birth certificate and photo ID. The couples must also produce evidence of the date of their arrival.
The Bahamas Immigration Card or entry stamp in your passport will suffice. No blood test is necessary. The fee for the license is $100 certified copies of a marriage certificate are $20.
Marriage licenses are issued at the office of the Registrar General in Nassau. This office is open to the public Mondays through Fridays between 9:30 am and 4 pm

Barbados
Barbados has a wide range of accommodations; from elegant resorts to intimate guesthouses. Dining in the country is a feast for all senses, from folk recipes for fish like the flying fish (a culinary “national treasure), to gastronomic experiences that rival the world’s finest. Sightseeing options include an array of natural attractions, abundant choices of sports, world-class shopping fun filled night life. As the natives are fond of saying “Life didn’t begin in Barbados, it was perfected here.”

Wedding requirements:
There is no required waiting period or minimum length of stay to be married in Barbados. The application for a marriage license must be made by both parties, in person, at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Valid passports or original, copies of birth certificates are required. Where necessary, all documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If neither party is a citizen or resident of Barbados, there is a fee of $74 cash and a $12 stamp.

Bermuda
A secluded and utterly unique island, yet just a short flight from the U.S, Bermuda offers a great depth of experiences for honeymooners. With no big neon signs, limited cars, and strict environmental laws, its ambiance has a purity rarely found anywhere in the world. With beautiful locations and few legal formalities, it’s no wonder that bridal magazines rate it as one of the top 10 wedding destinations in the world.

Wedding requirements:
Couples must fill out and file with the Bermuda Government’s Registrar General a notice of indented Marriage form. It is wise to do this at least four weeks prior to the wedding. The form must be accompanied with a fee of $210, plus $21 for the marriage certificate. The payment can be made through cashier’s check or bank draft (Bermuda or U.S. dollars) payable to the accountant general, Hamilton, Bermuda. Copies of final divorce decrees must accompany this form where applicable. No blood tests or health certificates are required.

Cayman Islands
What make s Cayman Islands wedding so unique isn’t just the poetic and perfect experience it afford the bride and groom- but the memories their guest share with them. Imagine if will a champagne bridal luncheon, set on a deck overlooking a surreally blue sea. And how about a deep-sea fishing expedition or golf outing for the groom and his guys, or a rehearsal “dinner at sea” with their nearest and dearest friends and family? You will find an impressive array of luxury resorts, cozy beach bungalows and private villas, condos to choose from. Did we mention the pampering spas you will find on each one of these islands, and the world-class dining options, and a safe family-friendly environment? You will also have a chance to partake in some of the Caribbean’s best activities and attractions and have the ingredients of a once in-a-lifetime experience you and your guest won’t forget.

Wedding requirements:
There is no waiting period to get married in the Cayman Islands. Couples must arrange for a marriage officer and a Non-Resident Marriage License. Arrangements with the marriage officer should be made prior to filing the application for the marriage license. Marriage licenses can be obtained on the day of application. Couples must produce a Cayman Islands International Immigration Department Pink Slip showing proof of entry. Cruise passengers may present their ship boarding passes to prove they are legally in port. Valid passports or original or certified copies of birth certificates along with photo ID are required. Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony. Fee: $200

Dominican Republic
While the Dominican Republic has garnered a reputation of a budget-family mecca for all-inclusives, the island has stepped up its luxury offerings, particularly in the resort area of Punta Cana. Here, every resort has extensive wedding packages and romantic offerings for honeymooners-and most at a great value for your dollar.

Wedding requirements:
There is no waiting period and no blood test: two witnesses are required. U.S. citizens need to write to the American Consulate in Santo Domingo requesting permission to marry. Required documents include passport, original birth certificate and a “single status” affidavit in Spanish for each party. Fees range from $60-$100 depending upon the judge. Most hotels have wedding coordinators onsite but be warned, they require paperwork at least 15 days in advance to prepare for the wedding. Couples will be given a document after the ceremony as proof the wedding has solemnized. Then they need to request a marriage certificate-valid all over the world-from the local justice of the Peace.

Jamaica
The island of Jamaica’s beautiful beaches, lush tropical foliage, warm weather and a wide range of accommodations make it the perfect setting for both your weddings and honeymoon. In fact Jamaica –based Sandals Resorts has trademarked the word “Weddingmoons” for that reason. Jamaica’s wedding locations include beaches, gardens, mountains, countryside, rivers, gazebos and fascinating waterfalls. Resorts in Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and South Coast provide the best of services and location.

Wedding requirements:
Visitors can be married 24 hours after arriving in Jamaica provided prior application has been made for a marriage license. To apply for the license, call the ministry of national security at 1-876-906-4908 or visit its office. The license cost $75-$80. A certified copy of the parties birth certificates, which includes father’s name is required.

Puerto Rico
Honeymooners and wedding couples can explore opulent hotels delightful restaurants and sizzling clubs in Puerto Rico’s Condado and San Juan metro areas. You can visit the old city in the morning and visit the cosmopolitan part of San Juan at night.
Luxury resorts and small Caribbean boutiques east of Puerto Rico are unique in the way they bring comfort to body and soul. The small islands of the east coast that run parallel – Culebra and Vieques let you experience the simplicity and casual, subtle privacy of the Caribbean surroundings.

Adventurous couples will fall for Porta del Sol with its natural beaches, biking, deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, golf, kayaking, scuba and windsurfing. And for the more “cultural” couples, the “Magical Charm of Porta del Caribe,” the coffee haciendas and Don Q rum distillery are attractions that reflect Puerto Rican soul.

Wedding requirements:
Marriage license papers must be requested in writing via the registrar’s office in Puerto Rico. Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying for the papers. Prepare in advance as the time needed to complete the license requirements is around two months. Blood tests are required, although a test conducted on the U.S. mainland within 10days of the ceremony will suffice. A doctor in Puerto Rico must sign the license after conducting an examination of the bride and groom. There are no fees for the license and private ceremony, but hotel fees average from $150-$350.

For more information or to register your honeymoon, contact Jackie & George Hammond at 302-266-7910 or toll-free 888-452-9804, or visit http://www.jhammond.cruiseone.com/ .