Destination Wedding
 

Hello everyone!

I was wondering if anyone could suggest some ideas for a destination wedding in the Caribbean. We are open to just about anywhere - we are coming from upstate NY and just looking for something on the more affordable side.

Basically, looking for an all-inclusive place that offers wedding packages. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you all so much :)

Will this be your actual legal wedding? Or just a ceremony (and you'll officially marry at home).

I ask that as the first consideration, because some islands are easier to be legally married than others on.

Thanks suze -
This would be more of a ceremony and for fun for parents/close friends.

We can do the legal/city hall stuff here in the States!

Thank you again!

Need more info from you as your request is way to general. If you include the Bahamas Out-islands there are over 800 islands in the Caribbean with literally 1,000's of resorts and hotels.

Define "...something on the more affordable side..." in terms of actual dollars - we have no idea what you and your guests can "afford". Let us know too if that budget is just for accommodations or does it also include airfare, food and other activities.

Do you expect to pay additional costs for the ceremony and reception/dinner afterwards or is that also included in your overall budget?

How many people will be accompanying you?

Will they all be staying at the same resort?

How long a trip are you planning?

How long are you willing to travel to reach your destination? It would help if you told us where in upstate NY you are flying from.

When will you be getting married? Time of year will have a big impact on accommodation costs.

Sorry! (I'm new to this)

We will be leaving from Albany, NY - but we could easily take the train and leave from NYC.
We would like to plan it for late August.

Our budget is around $10,000 and that is NOT including airfare. That's the most we want to spend. We want an all-inclusive for about 5 days, and it would be for 6 people total.

Looking for a place that offers a small ceremony, all-inclusive (food and drink).

I don't know much about the Caribbean so I apologize for not narrowing it down more - I just have been told places like Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican are the cheapest options if other guests/friends want to come for a few days.

Thank you so much!

If your budget of $10,000 is for all 6 people then it is not overly generous but it is doable, especially in August which is "Low season' so you'll generally find lower room rates.

And, yes, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica are the All Inclusive "capitals" of the Caribbean and are among the most budget friendly destinations in the Caribbean and they should be relatively easy to reach from Albany (and certainly from any of the NYC area International airports) so you should probably look there first. The Bahamas has a good number of All Inclusives but most are located on the so called "Out-Islands" that are difficult to reach so I'd pass on them.

You'll also find a lot of budget friendly All inclusive in Cancun, Playa del Carmen (just 40 minutes south of Cancun) and Cozumel which are also fairly easy to reach from your area.

No matter where you chose to go DO NOT expect the "ceremony" to be part of the package even at an All inclusive as there probably will be some "add on fees". Most resorts have a concierge or wedding coordinator who would be glad to assist you.

The Caribbean wouldn't be my pick for an August vacation. Have you looked at what the weather is like?

This all will be easier since it's a ceremony not an official legal marriage/wedding.

Thank you everyone :)

The 10,000 budget is just for the bride and myself. Obviously that's plenty for just like 4/5 days, but we will put extra money into helping our parents as well. Our best friends are paying for their own stay.

Thanks again everyone!

$10,000 for the two of you rather than for 6 is a very generous budget. With that kind of money I'd skip going All Inclusive and go to one of the more exclusive upscale resorts on different islands. Look at Amanyara or Parrot Cay in the Turks & Caicos; Caneel Bay on St. John in the US Virgin Islands; Peter Island or Guana Island in the BVI's; Cap Jaluca or Viceroy on Anguilla; Four Seasons, Nevis; Jumby Bay or Carlisle Bay, Antigua; or Anse Chastinet or Ledara on St. Lucia - all will be much better than any of the All Inclusives on the islands/destinations mentioned in earlier responses.

These aren't necessarily "all inclusive" but many of the hotels in Negril Jamaica (both on the 7 mile beach and on The Cliffs) do weddings.

The place I stayed last time I know does...
http://www.miragenegril.com/index.html

Look at www.negrilonestop.com if you think Jamaica might work.

Thank you so much everyone :) Lots of research to do now!

Mayan Riviera (Caribbean coast of Mexico) offers affordable options. But coming from upstate NY I think the Caribbean would work better because of being somewhat easier for you to get to? But you might want to check. The area below Cancun (where you'd fly in) around Playa del Carmen has lots of AI resorts.

Be sure to remember the price your guests will pay to attend: airfare, hotel room, meals.

Try to minimize their expenses. Consider hosting a 'rehearsal' dinner for everyone attending. See if the hotel/resort will give you a group rate for lodging.

I know that Caneel closes August 24th. You may need to check on other places on your list. Late August is heading into the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season and many resorts close for renovations,etc.