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Jamaican honeymoon: Planning a wedding abroad
by Victoria Pesce Elliott
Some people just aren't cut out for the classic white wedding. My husband, for example, was eager to tie the knot three years ago; he just wasn't up for all the fuss of a formal ceremony. "I don't want to be part of that old ritual," he said. "All those people from our whole lives get together for a few hours in a hotel and only talk to the people at their table. I like the idea of getting everyone together in Jamaica, where they could really get to know each other."
If you opt for an island wedding as we did, you'll find you can create a phenomenal event for a fraction of what you would pay at home. Plus, getting married overseas can be a good way to slim down that swelling guest list.
Destination weddings, as they have been dubbed in the industry, are getting more and more popular. According to a survey by the American Society of Travel Agents and Fodor's, Jamaica is the single most popular destination for honeymooners, many of whom combine the trip with the ceremony, as well as friends and family.
With more than 150 miles of beaches, six dramatic mountain ranges and hundreds of rivers, the gorgeous island of Jamaica provides a perfectly romantic backdrop for whatever style wedding you have in mind.
Whether you are thinking black ties or bikinis, the "all-inclusives" have perfected the art of nuptials. With more than a dozen properties, Sandals and SuperClubs dominate the market. Between them, they hosted more than 3,000 weddings last year. Prices can include everything from rooms, meals and drinks to unlimited water sports, and vary depending on the property and the season. The wedding package will cost generally cost extra. That includes the bare necessities, like a licence, an officiant, simple flowers, announcements, a cake, appetisers and taped music.
Both Sandals and SuperClubs offer an extensive menu of a la carte add-ons. Be warned, however, that "your" day might be shared with other couples. Before booking you may want to ask how many weddings are planned during your stay. Some say it can feel like a "wedding factory" during the busy summer season.
If you are looking for a more intimate experience, consider doing it yourself at a smaller property where prices are lower and the event more personalised. That's what Sarah Cleveland, a law professor from Austin, Texas, did last August, when she chose her wedding location on the advice of guidebooks alone. "I found out about Good Hope and it seemed too good to be true," she said. "It turned out to be even more perfect than it sounded." With about 30 friends from all over the country, the couple hosted what she called a "fabulous, amazing and incredibly affordable" event. "We're talking about going back for all our anniversaries," she said.
It's no wonder. Good Hope (876-954-3289) is a stunning plantation about 45 minutes from Montego Bay airport. A truly impressive gourmet menu, impeccably trained staff and riding stables set it apart from most properties on the island. You might have seen it featured in the recent movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
Another option, and one that we chose, was to rent privately owned villas for our guests. Each came with a full staff (cook and maid). We organised manicures, pedicures and massages on the premises as well as some excursions to nearby attractions.
If you are planning to have your ceremony at a private property, you may want to ask your guests to each pack a bottle of champagne to toast the newlyweds. While rum and Red Stripe are abundant and inexpensive, fine wines are hard to come by and outrageously overpriced. Each adult is allowed to bring one bottle of alcohol into the country without paying duty.
Whether going to Jamaica or any foreign country, check the requirements well in advance. In Jamaica, you'll need a certified copy of both your birth certificates, which must include your father's names, and, if either of you is younger than 21, written consent from a parent. If this is a second marriage, you'll also need divorce or death certificates. In addition, unless you have had someone obtain the licence in advance, you'll need to be in the country for at least 24 hours before the ceremony. No blood test is required but most wedding coordinators want documents at least a month in advance.
For details, call the Tourist Board of the island you are planning to visit.
Read about another Jamaican wedding and honeymoon, pictured above, now.
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