Aruba Weddings Caribbean in Focus

Get Married in Aruba! This Dutch Caribbean island, just 15 miles off the coast of South America, boasts miles of pure white sand, turquoise waters and year-round sunshine. The capital of Oranjestad has charming Dutch-style architecture and is known for its vibrant nightlife. Top properties: Bucuti Beach Resort, Radisson Aruba Resort, Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, TheWestin Resort. Hot spots to watch: Arikok National Park, which takes up almost 20 per cent of the island’s land mass and reopened after an extensive three-year infrastructure upgrade, and the surreal ‘wish-stone garden’: you can have as many wishes as rocks you can pile on each other but if the tower falls down, your dreams disappear with it! Landscape: Aruba’s eclectic geography is rarely found in the Caribbean: white sandy beaches line its idyllic south coast, rugged cliffs and black pebbles mark its tempestuous north and its striking red, arid interior boasts rock formations and cacti. Activities: Sea-trekking (a way of walking on the sea-bed without getting your hair wet), wreckdiving, off-road jeep safaris, horse riding and a special moonlight walk through Arikok National Park. Marriage Requirements: British couples must hold a legal ceremony at the Civil Town House. The couple may then hold another ceremony at the beach, on a boat or other venue. Residency Requirement: None. Documents Required: Marriage certificate for religious ceremony. Proof of divorce if relevant. Authorisation of eligibility to marry required from a notary or government official. N.B. All documents must be in Dutch, English or Spanish. Fees: To be advised locally. Witnesses: Two required. Witnesses can be provided locally at $50 each by a wedding planner. TOP TIPS Go for a picture-perfect beachfront wedding: The natural backdrop with Aruba’s breathtaking sunset is ideal for capturing everlasting memories. (Don’t) take the weather with you: The Caribbean may be affected from hurricanes from time to time but it is summer every day in Aruba. The island is outside the hurricane belt, enjoying year-round sunshine, a gentle breeze and glorious average temperatures of 28° C. Make sure you’re the one: Unlike other popular destinations, most resorts and hotels in Aruba will only hold one ceremony per day so your wedding will have a more intimate feel. The gift is right: Aruba is the first Caribbean nation to offer an online bridal registry. Couples can register for the most romantic activities, from sunset sailing, dinner cruises and underwater sightseeing to horseback riding, spa treatments and special accommodation add-on packages. For more information on Weddings in Aruba Visit: http://www.perfectweddingsabroad.co.uk/destination/Caribbean/Aruba Source: Information kindly supplied by Caribbean Tourism Organisation: http://www.caribbean.co.uk/content/files/CaribbeanWeddingGuide2011.pdf

Antigua Weddings Caribbean in Focus

Get Married in Antigua and Barbuda! Antigua and Barbuda is a tropical paradise made for romantic weddings. And, as you'd expect, you can choose from a whole range of options, from barefoot on the beach to classical in the cathedral. Top properties: BlueWaters, Carlisle Bay, Curtain Bluff, Galley Bay, Jumby Bay. Hot spots to watch: Nonsuch Bay (Antigua) Sugar Ridge (Antigua) Lighthouse Bay Resort (Barbuda). Landscape: Antigua has a stunning coastline with coves and harbours and endless sandy beaches. The rest of the island is low lying with undulating hills. Barbuda is a low-lying coral island known for its untouched pink coral and white sand beaches. Activities: Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour, a sunset catamaran cruise; boat tours to Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda or for turtlewatching on Long island. Diving tours and the enchanting Stingray City Tour. Head to Shirley Heights on a Sunday for rousing reggae music and breathtaking views or hire a jeep and explore English Harbour. Marriage Requirements: Documentation needs to be approved by The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs in St. John’s and a marriage application completed. The wedding ceremony is usually performed by the Registrar or Deputy Registrar in the Registrar’s Office, or by a Civil Marriage Officer at a pre-selected location. The wedding must take place between 6am and 8pm. Residency Requirement: None. Documents Required: Essential documents – All you need is a passport, a valid ID picture, a decree absolute if divorced, a marriage certificate and death certificate if you have been widowed, or if single, a declaration signed in Antigua and Barbuda. Fees: US$150 for the licence (approx £83), US$40 for the registration fee (approx £22) plus a fee for the Marriage Officer which is dependent upon the chosen location. TOP TIPS A Wedding At Sunset: Avoid the heat of the mid-day sun and say your vows as the sun goes down, creating a magical backdrop for your special day. Wedding Photography With A Difference: For something a little bit different try out the “Trash the Dress” photography service. Local photographer, Vanessa Hall uses all the island has to offer in order to create these once in a lifetime images. Be prepared to get wet! Unity Sand Ceremony: For couples wanting to add something unique to their ceremony, the ‘Unity Of The Sands Ceremony’ provides a truly authentic experience.White sand from Antigua and pink sand from Barbuda is poured by the bride and the groom symbolising unity and the newly formed union. Use The Island Experts: Make sure your wedding day goes as planned by making use of the inhouse wedding coordinators available at most hotels. If an amazing venue outside the hotel is your preference, the island also has experienced event coordinators, available to assist with planning the day. Hassle Free: Make the most of the islands no residency requirements and experience a hassle free wedding in Antigua and Barbuda. For more information on Weddings in Antigua & Barbuda Visit: http://www.perfectweddingsabroad.co.uk/destination/Caribbean/Antigua Source: Information kindly supplied by Caribbean Tourism Organisation: http://www.caribbean.co.uk/content/files/CaribbeanWeddingGuide2011.pdf

Anguilla Weddings Caribbean in Focus

Get Married in Anguilla! The British Territory of Anguilla is one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets and measures just 35 square miles. Boasting 33 pristine beaches, tempting turquoise waters, contemporary international style, a wide variety of accommodation choices and world class cuisine. Anguilla is the pinnacle of your search for the idyllic wedding location. Top properties: Anguilla’s portfolio is Diverse; resorts, villas and the Charming Escapes - 14 small and privately owned properties. The choice is yours - Cuisinart Resort and Spa, Cap Juluca, Malliouhana Hotel and Spa, Viceroy Resort and Villas, Cove Castle, Altamer Resort, Anacaona Boutique Hotel, Paradise Cove and the Charming Escapes portfolio and beautiful private villas. Hot spot to watch: The Villas - Le Bleu Villa, Modena, Rum Punch and Ultimacy Landscape: The island is mostly flat, consisting of coral and limestone formation. The beautiful white sand beaches and coves that surround the island are all public. There are no private beaches on Anguilla. Activities: Golf, tennis, sailing, diving, cultural tours, art galleries and a diverse choice of festivals throughout the year. Marriage Requirements: Marriage ceremonies can be performed by the magistrate at the Court House or a minister of religion who is a registered Marriage Officer for Anguilla. Couples should apply for a marriage licence at the Court Registry 48 hours prior to the day of marriage. Documents Required: Passports or birth certificates along with driver’s licences or other forms of identification. A Decree Absolute if divorced bearing a Seal of the Court of Divorce. Death certificate if widowed. If parties are under the age of 18, consent must be presented. For a wedding in the Catholic Church you will require, confirmation papers, baptismal certificate, freedom to marry papers, pre-cana course, 3- 6 months in advance. Fees: EC$1000.00 or it’s equivalent of US$38 worth of Anguilla stamps which can be obtained from the General Post Office in Anguilla. EC$650.00 or it’s equivalent of US$22 which is the cost of the marriage licence. If required an Apostille, EC$150.00/US$5 payable in cash or by travellers cheques. The Apostille can be obtained at the Ministry of Finance in Anguilla. TOP TIPS Planning: Work with a wedding planner. Anguilla has a number of professionals that can take the stress out of your wedding and make the day pure joy. Celebrating: Anguilla has over 100 restaurants. Celebrate your day at one of the many beachfront locations and tailor-make your reception. Champagne and canapés at sunset, Caribbean beach barbecue or fine dinning by candlelight with the twinkling lights of our neighbouring islands as the back drop. Capturing: For a small island we have great creative talent. Capturing your day as it evolves will bring happy memories for years to come.Work with one of Anguilla’s professional photographers to save the memories. We have all the facts: Contact the Anguilla Tourist Board UK on info@anguilla-tourism.com for the latestWedding Fact Sheet, covering everything you will need to know and wedding specialist For more information on Weddings in Anguilla Visit: http://www.perfectweddingsabroad.co.uk/destination/Caribbean/Anguilla Source: Information kindly supplied by Caribbean Tourism Organisation: http://www.caribbean.co.uk/content/files/CaribbeanWeddingGuide2011.pdf