Hi,

My fiance and I would like to get married in the Caribbean June 2004. The problem is that we've done research on many of the islands but can't decide which one to choose.

Since we've never been to the area before, we would like to hear your recommendations/experiences. My fiance and I are probably going to just lounge around on a nice beach. We don't plan on being too active but might want to see some sights once we get there.

We really don't want to stress out on wedding details. We will have approximately 25 guests (all ages), so we would like a location that has activities for all ages (not everyone is a sun worshipper). We will be traveling from Chicago, so easy access to the island is a consideration. We really liked what we read about Barbados; however, we're concerned that it might be too far to travel.

Is it difficult to get married on a Sunday in the Caribbean?

I advise that you pick an island and then find out about the rules of getting married there. Most islands require a three day stay before the ceremony, but some islands vary on requuirements. Holidays and weekends do not count. Try this website as it has a bunch of islands and it also lists their marriage requirements, you can also view different resorts, beaches,prices etc. www.travelhop.com

Forgot to add......weddings in the caribbean are very popular. Once you pick an island/resort there is always a wedding co-ordinator who will help you with everything you need. Many resorts do only 1 wedding per day.

Anguilla may be a good choice for you. You can get married/stay at a high end resort, but your guests can stay in a more moderate prices resort. Or you can rent a large villa and get married there and have a catered reception in the villa. There is plenty to do, great food and beaches, its also very very safe. St. Martin is a short ferry ride away for casinos, shopping etc..

There is also St. John, USVI. There are villa rentals and Caneel Bay would be the high end resort there.

the travelhop site will be a good place to start. You have to pick and island and decide what is in your budget, for you and your guests. The islands differ so greatly.....some are hilly and lush lacking great beaches ex: St. Lucia, some have great beaches but lack lush greenery ex: Anguilla and some are in between ex: BVI. So if you wish to get married on a talcum white sand beach, St. Lucia would not be for you.

As a word of advice I would steer clear of All Inclusives, they do not offer great value as ther are much nicer places to stay at a much better price.

Thanks SandyFeet. Based on reading other posted comments, we had eliminated St. Lucia from our list because of its lack of nice beaches.

Since I plan on going to the Caribbean in June (start of Hurricane Season), are there any islands that have more rain/storms than others? Or do they all receive an equal amount of rainfall?

You will be fine in June. Although it is "hurricane season" May 30th - Nov 30 the hurricanes really start blowing off the African Coast August thru Oct with Sept being peak. Most resorts/restaurants/businesses in the caribbean close Sept & October due to this and reopen Nov 1st. Businesses take advantaqe of (low season/hurricane weather) this time to renovate, take a holiday and gear up for the busy season.

June is usually a beautiful time in the caribbean. Rainfall is at night or a short shower in the afternoon which usully produces a rainbow! I don't travel to the caribbean late aug, sept or oct, but the other months I have been there I never encountered a full day of rain. Only brief sunshowers or quick passing heavy rain that will last 10 min or so. In my experience, it will be raining on one part of the island and sunny a few hundred yards away!