Barbados Bridal Bells

If you have always dreamed of getting married on a sandy stretch of beach in Barbados, but never believed it was plausible, think again. A bit of investigation and a lot of mindful planning can enable you to experience the tropical wedding you have always dreamed of.

The fantasy setting, built-in honeymoon location, and mild weather year-round are only a few of the reasons that so many people choose to plan their big day in Barbados.

Pros and Cons

Arranging a wedding can be demanding, especially one in which you have to make all of your plans strictly over the phone or via e-mail.  However, for so many couples, the positive aspects outweigh the negatives. Even so, a Caribbean wedding is not the best choice for everyone. The following collection of pros and cons will allow you to determine if having a wedding in Barbados is really for you.

Pros

• Cost. Although many men and women don't recognize it, a Caribbean wedding can actually save you money. This is due to the fact that destination weddings commonly tend to be smaller affairs at which less people attend, therefore costing you less funds in table settings and cuisine. Many resorts also provide wedding and honeymoon package discount rates, thus improving your savings even further.
• Weather. Many couples are attracted to Barbados because of its temperate climate, where the average temperature ranges between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Rain showers do occur, but they are typically over before they begin.
• Planning. When you plan a destination wedding, you traditionally utilize an event planner (or one is allocated to you by your resort when you purchase a wedding package from them). This makes certain that every single detail of your wedding event is thoroughly considered by an expert.
• Friends and Family. Arranging a Barbados wedding means that you can cut back on the size of your guest list - you don't have to feel obligated to invite guests that you aren't particularly close to.

Cons

• Cost. While arranging a destination wedding, many couples may feel compelled to cover all travel expenses for their entire wedding party. If you decide to cover all these expenses, a destination wedding will undoubtedly require a larger budget.
• Weather. Barbados is located within the hurricane belt, which means that it is imperative to bear in mind that planning a wedding celebration during hurricane season (which runs from the beginning of June through the end of November) presents a slight risk.

• Planning. Due to the fact that you are not on site to actually check out and decide on wedding items for much of the time leading up to your nuptials, you may find yourself becoming stressed because you feel everything is out of your control.
• Legal issues. Legal guidelines regarding marriage licenses might differ from those you would deal with back home.

• Family and friends. Given financial situations and various other obligations, some of the guests you hope to share your wedding memories with may not be able to attend a destination wedding.

Why Choose Barbados?

A wedding in Barbados appeals to the five senses.  What could be better than hearing the ocean lap against the shore as you smell the salty sea air, feel the sand beneath your feet, and view the breath-taking tropical scenery as you say your vows?  Perhaps the traditional Barbudan food you might taste later at your reception.  If catering to your senses doesn't entice you, think about how much fun your family, friends, and you will have during wedding down time.  There are more than 25 attractions worth visiting within a half a mile of the capitol city of Bridgetown alone.  Bridgetown is also great for duty free shopping, and the 70 square miles of beaches that edge the island means that a relaxing day basking in the sun and participating in water sports is always a possibility.

Local Wedding Customs

Across the Caribbean, one of the most commonly seen traditions is the use of a spiced fruit cake soaked in rum as the cake of choice for the wedding.  This is true of Barbados as well, but instead of only serving up cake at the reception, each guest is presented with a piece of the cake to take home with them.  The cake will usually be contained in a small cardboard box and set on the table as part of the guests place settings.  A small bag of sugar almonds is a customary wedding favor in Barbados, as well. 

Types of Ceremonies

From locations to themes - there are numerous ways to host a wedding ceremony in Barbados.  However you set up your own wedding, consider honoring your desire to host an island wedding by integrating a sand service into your ceremony.  At a sand service, the bride and groom as each presented with a differently colored vial of sand.  The officiant will speak of unity as the couple simultaneously pours their vials of sand into a glass or plastic container, allowing the two colors to mix together.  This is symbolic of joining two lives to create one new one.

Budgeting

Although a destination wedding often carries a smaller price tag than an elaborate event hosted back home, you still need to take a dedicated amount of time to carefully create a budget. To make this happen, sit down with your fiancée and develop a summary of everything you imagine you'll be investing money in, based upon significance to you. Some typical ideas include the catering, location, professional photography, and attire, among many others. After a bit of quick investigation, allocate a price limitation to each item, then total it up. This will provide you with a general idea of how much you can expect to be spending. Remember that this total will probably change as you plan your big day, and the organized list of important items will assist you in knowing instantly what items you can cut back on and which items you can't live without.

Requirements

In comparison to many other Caribbean nations, obtaining a marriage license in Barbados is quite simple.  There are no waiting times, and no minimum stay requirements.  You simply have to appear at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bridgetown with your fiancée and the required documents and $113(USD), and apply.  Necessary documents include certified copies of birth certificates, death certificates, divorce certificates, adoption papers, return plane tickets, and photo identification.

For many people, their wedding is the most significant event of their lives, and creating a destination wedding in Barbados may be an opportunity for you to make your wedding all the more special. A little planning will go a long way to creating a day you won't forget.