There are lots of ways to stage a destination wedding. But when it comes to sun-soaked natural settings with beautiful views, it’s hard to beat the Caribbean, with its beautiful beaches, lush vegetation and sumptuous hotel venues.
Destinations around the Caribbean continue to diversify their wedding offerings to serve a wider audience, whether it’s Indian weddings in Aruba or LGBTQ weddings in Puerto Rico. Larger hoteliers, meanwhile, offer an ever-growing array of possibilities with chain-wide services.
Palladium Hotel Group in the Dominican Republic and More
Palladium Hotel Group, for example, pampers couples in multiple destinations with its Weddings by Palladium program, which features private check-in, a room upgrade, breakfast in bed and free access to the hydrotherapy areas at Zentropia Spa & Wellness, plus a 15% discount on spa services.
In addition, Palladium’s TRS Hotels brand offers plenty of opportunities to personalize the experience, with customizable options at properties such as TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel in the Dominican Republic.
The Ritz-Carlton in St. Thomas and Grand Cayman
Marriott International is another big player in the Caribbean’s destination wedding segment, with interesting options such as a Nautical Nuptials package at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, which includes a wedding service onboard a private catamaran accompanied by photography services and a performance by a solo musician.
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, meanwhile, offers wedding venue options that include Seven Mile Beach, the property’s Great Lawn and the 9,000-square-foot Cayman Island Royal Ballroom, which accommodates more than 500 guests and is billed as the island’s largest such indoor event space.
Hilton in Aruba
Also well-versed at entertaining larger wedding parties is Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, which can host from 100 up to 1,000 guests in spaces that include indoor ballrooms, a pool deck, an ocean-view lawn and the beach.
The property also offers extra services designed just for couples, including a romantic pre-wedding dinner for two, organized by the property’s Sunset Concierge.
Rock House in Turks and Caicos
Scenic settings are also easy to find at Rock House, a Grace Bay Resorts property in Turks and Caicos with a 120-foot jetty and a wedding-friendly, white-sand beach. The property’s Mediterranean-inspired ambiance is enhanced by customized Italian dining options created by chef Dennis Boon, with private Italian dinners in some of the property’s most scenic locations.
The Crane Resort in Barbados
In Barbados, The Crane Resort offers Gold and Silver wedding packages with various features and an array of photo-worthy venues to provide memorable backdrops for tying the knot — including the pink sands of Crane Beach, the Cliff Pool Wedding Garden and the Historic Wedding Garden, which sits next to a villa dating back to 1790.
Multiple Locations in Nevis
Historic settings are also a selling point in Nevis, where The Mount Nevis Hotel can host wedding ceremonies near the ruins of a nearly 200-year-old church, and the 60-acre Montpelier Plantation & Beach is set on the grounds of a 300-year-old sugar plantation.
At Four Seasons Resort Nevis, meanwhile, picturesque wedding venues include a beautiful beach and the 18-hole, Robert Trent Jones II golf course. Golden Rock Inn is an excellent option on Nevis for full property buyouts; up to 24 guests can stay for a private ceremony and enjoy 40 acres of gardens.
Park Hyatt in St. Kitts
In nearby St. Kitts, soon-to-be-married couples can indulge in especially luxurious accommodations at Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, which is home to a 5,280-square-foot, three-bedroom Presidential Villa with a private infinity pool that overlooks the ocean. Couples can pamper themselves even more with the services of a private butler and chef.
Multiple Locations in Puerto Rico
Couples looking to mix and match multiple venues will find lots of options in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where a variety of hotels offer wedding services. Possibilities range from rehearsal dinners at the stylish Condado Ocean Club to wedding ceremonies at the luxurious Condado Vanderbilt Hotel and “Jack and Jill” wedding showers and after-parties at the hip La Concha Resort, where a private beachfront cabana lounge and live DJs help set a festive tone.
Couples looking to include furry friends in the fun, meanwhile, should consider Puerto Rico’s Embassy Suites by Hilton Dorado del Mar Beach Resort, which offers pet-friendly weddings complete with dog treats, water bowls and floor mats. (After all, destination weddings can be even more memorable when they truly include the entire family.)