I am looking into eloping and having a very small destination wedding later this summer with just me, my fiance, and three guests. i was originally going to go with vegas, but I wanted to check out other options first. My first choice would be Hawaii but flights from New York are pretty high, so I've started looking into the Caribbean. The thing is, I've never been to any of the islands and have no idea which islands are great and which are not so great.
Does anyone have any suggestions about islands or specific resorts/hotels to look into? I'm only looking to go for 3-4 days and my only real requirements are reasonable airfare (from NY) and hotel. I'm trying to avoid the pre-packaged "wedding deals" because they seem so cheesy to me. I don't need a wedding "coordinator" or photographer or matching t-shirts - just a simple ceremony somewhere would be great. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone has to offer. Thanks!!
There are so many wonderful Caribbean islands and each is a bit different. I chose Jamaica because I thought it would be a wonderful place to throw a party and it is a very easy flight (non stop) from NY.
That said, I have visited many other beautiful Caribbean islands that would be amazing for a wedding. If your most important factor is ease of travel, islands like Jamaica, some parts of the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Bermuda even Florida can be good but potentially "pre-packaged"- it just depends. Our was not so, but we spent a lot of money to have it our way. On this site, Mrs. Ant's was at Rockhouse in Jamaica and her wedding looked amazing! So you definitely can have the non-packaged, personal, gorgeous weddings on these bigger islands!
However, I have visited islands in the Caribbean that are so gorgeous, I would love to have a wedding there, but knew my mom wouldn't be able to stand the ferry or small plane rides to get there. So, if you don't mind the more obscure travel or at least making an airplane connection, then I love places like the Exumas (in the Bahamas), Barbados, BVI , USVI. That's all that I've been to, but tons of others look just amazing. (Curacao, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos are on my list of one day getting to visit). And most of these islands will probably have the less "pre packaged" feel which you mention you do not want. For me, it was about shuttling around 40 guests. But with 5 guests, I probably would have gone somewhere in British Virgin Islands, or Dutch West Indies. Someplace more remote... But your budget will determine a lot as well. Maybe you don't want to fly in your photographer, but how much per night are you willing to spend on hotel or how much on the airplane flight, etc. This will determine what island you should go to.
Anyway, I hope that helps a little. Sorry it was so long. If you need more specific info on where I've stayed etc., let me know...
Hi all, I am in need of some advice...
I am looking into eloping and having a very small destination wedding later this summer with just me, my fiance, and three guests. i was originally going to go with vegas, but I wanted to check out other options first. My first choice would be Hawaii but flights from New York are pretty high, so I've started looking into the Caribbean. The thing is, I've never been to any of the islands and have no idea which islands are great and which are not so great.
Does anyone have any suggestions about islands or specific resorts/hotels to look into? I'm only looking to go for 3-4 days and my only real requirements are reasonable airfare (from NY) and hotel. I'm trying to avoid the pre-packaged "wedding deals" because they seem so cheesy to me. I don't need a wedding "coordinator" or photographer or matching t-shirts - just a simple ceremony somewhere would be great. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone has to offer. Thanks!!
posted by runawaybride 2 months agoThere are so many wonderful Caribbean islands and each is a bit different. I chose Jamaica because I thought it would be a wonderful place to throw a party and it is a very easy flight (non stop) from NY.
That said, I have visited many other beautiful Caribbean islands that would be amazing for a wedding. If your most important factor is ease of travel, islands like Jamaica, some parts of the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Bermuda even Florida can be good but potentially "pre-packaged"- it just depends. Our was not so, but we spent a lot of money to have it our way. On this site, Mrs. Ant's was at Rockhouse in Jamaica and her wedding looked amazing! So you definitely can have the non-packaged, personal, gorgeous weddings on these bigger islands!
However, I have visited islands in the Caribbean that are so gorgeous, I would love to have a wedding there, but knew my mom wouldn't be able to stand the ferry or small plane rides to get there. So, if you don't mind the more obscure travel or at least making an airplane connection, then I love places like the Exumas (in the Bahamas), Barbados, BVI , USVI. That's all that I've been to, but tons of others look just amazing. (Curacao, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos are on my list of one day getting to visit). And most of these islands will probably have the less "pre packaged" feel which you mention you do not want. For me, it was about shuttling around 40 guests. But with 5 guests, I probably would have gone somewhere in British Virgin Islands, or Dutch West Indies. Someplace more remote... But your budget will determine a lot as well. Maybe you don't want to fly in your photographer, but how much per night are you willing to spend on hotel or how much on the airplane flight, etc. This will determine what island you should go to.
Anyway, I hope that helps a little. Sorry it was so long. If you need more specific info on where I've stayed etc., let me know...
posted by LM 2 months ago