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How to Get Married in Barbados | Destination Weddings Guide

Dreaming of making your wedding vows in a tropical paradise?

It’s easier than you might imagine. 

Anyone making plans or thinking about getting married in Barbados, will be delighted to discover that these dreams can come true.

Our guide below covers the essential documentation you’ll need to present in order to get married, as well as the 3 of the best hotels where you can hold your perfect destination wedding on this enchanting island.

Welcome to Barbados!


Why Barbados is a Dream Island for Romance & Weddings...

Set in the eastern Caribbean, with exquisite sandy beaches, wonderful lush vegetation, tropical gardens, and a climate where the barometer sits in the late 20s/30s for the whole year... Barbados ticks all the boxes for a picture-perfect destination wedding.

Surrounded by long stretches of sand and the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean, beach weddings in Barbados are both beautiful and easy to arrange. Just imagine the stunning photos that you’ll be able to look at over the years, or post on Instagram so that friends back home can see the joy in your faces and the beauty of your destination wedding venue as you’re tying the knot.

Our featured hotels all have specialist teams that’ll make getting married in Barbados as easy as possible and take the stress and strain away from you. This will leave you free to concentrate on the fun things and really enjoy your time here.

PLUS not only will you be able to host your wedding celebration on the island, Barbados is also the ideal place to spend your honeymoon.

The Paperwork for Getting Married in Barbados...

You'll be glad to hear the Barbados authorities have cut down on much of the necessary documentation to get married on their stunning island - leaving just the important essentials.

Of course, your hotel wedding planner will be able to advise you on these legal requirements, and they may even carry out some of these arrangements on your behalf, but here’s a quick checklist to ensure that you take the right paperwork with you to the island, just make sure that all documents are originals and not copies!

The first thing that you’ll have to do is make arrangements to ensure the ceremony is legal, contact an authorising marriage officer, a magistrate or a religious minister to perform your ceremony. You’ll receive an official letter, which you must have before applying for your wedding licence. You’ll then have to apply for a wedding licence from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bridgetown.

Once you have your wedding application you'll need the following documents...

  • A valid passport is essential
  • An original birth certificate/ or a certified copy
  • If you’re adopted, your certificate of adoption will be needed
  • Details of your occupations must be provided
  • Details of your domestic address are essential
  • If you have changed your name by deed poll, you must provide all the legal papers to support this
  • If either you or your partner is under 18- a legal affidavit must be signed showing that you have permission to marry
  • If divorced, an original Decree Absolute is vital
  • Your return flight ticket will be needed
  • If your spouse has died, then you’ll need to have their death certificate and your original marriage certificate.

The important thing is not to worry.

All the required documents are a matter of common sense, and you will have these to hand at home, just make a checklist and then pack them in a document folder. There’s no waiting time on Barbados between obtaining the licence and getting married, you can hold your wedding immediately after receiving the all-important licence.

Then three days after your ceremony, you’ll be able to pick up your wedding certificate for taking back home.

Should you have any concerns, the hotels that we have recommended will be able to help you. You’ll want your ceremony to be as stress-free as possible and our selected hotels, all have seasoned wedding professionals on hand to help you achieve your dream celebration.

Recommended Destination Wedding Venues in Barbados

You can always try and arrange your ceremony in Barbados yourself, but weddings are supposed to be romantic and fun. If you put all of your efforts into long distance arrangements you may well find that you’re exhausted when it comes to the big day itself. You want to feel happy, fresh and full of love when you get married, not frustrated and exhausted.

To ensure you get the wedding of your dreams without any of the stress or worry here are three of top wedding venues in Barbados...

#1 Get Married at Crystal Cove Resort, Barbados


The Last Word In Wedding Luxury Named ‘wedding destination’ of the year by the Luxury Travel Guide UK, from the moment you set foot in the resort you’ll understand why the critics rave about this place. It’s not simply Crystal Cove's reputation for attentive service, or the breathtakingly beautiful views over the ocean, it’s the ambience of the hotel, and the excellence of its wedding planners that makes this resort one of the best on Barbados to hold your ceremony.

Attention To Detail Once you’ve decided on the date, chosen Crystal Cove as your destination, you’ll then have to fill in an online form detailing your requirements. The Elegant wedding package will allow you to hand over all the planning of the reception, the food, the hair and make-up, and all the other thousand and one details that comprise a wedding. Start the day as you mean to continue with a bottle of complimentary champagne.  This exciting package is free should you need to book 10 rooms for your guests.

The most difficult decision you’ll have to make is your choice of venue. Do you want to get married on the beach, or will you want to say ‘I do’ by the pool, or possibly in a lush tropical garden? Crystal Cove can satisfy all of these options.

A Wide Range Of Wedding Choices The hotel’s packages are all tailor-made, and your wedding ceremony can be the intimate occasion that you’d always planned, or you can host many friends and family as you wish. Crystal Cove can arrange a romantic beachside meal just for the two of you after your wedding, so you can gaze into each other’s eyes, relishing a delicious meal while the ocean waves lap melodically in the background.

Room Service The resort’s rooms are beautifully designed with crisp contemporary interiors. With wonderful views over the ocean or the pool or garden where better to have breakfast on your first morning as a married couple. Accompanied by a mimosa, this is a wonderful way to start your new life’s journey. Your wedding concierge will wave their magic wand ensuring that your wishes are all fulfilled.

Activities When spending your honeymoon at Crystal Cove you’ll be able to indulge yourselves in all the treats that the resort can offer. Start your new life together with a romantic private catamaran cruise, or you can always pamper yourselves in the spa before enjoying an intimate candlelit dinner for two, you’ll even be served by your own private butler. 

Personal service is elevated onto a higher plane at this resort – some of the staff have even been known to polish guests’ sunglasses just to make the stay even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for wish fulfilment and a wedding to remember, then celebrating your ceremony at Crystal Cove is a romantic dream come true - request more details here.

#2 Get Married at Tamarind, Barbados

Magical Choices Set on the west coast of Barbados, Tamarind will stun you with its location on the ocean and its range of choices for your perfect wedding. The number of wedding options is just one of the reasons why so many choose this hotel. You can get married on the beach, in the lush tropical gardens or by the hotel pool.

Planning For Success The dedicated wedding planners at the Tamarind will present you with a wide range of itineraries that cover all budgets, and all possible tastes, and these experts are always on hand to help you in your decision making. Upon arrival at the hotel you’ll receive a letter from the wedding coordinators with the date of your meeting where they’ll outline all of the necessary formalities. Wedding planning couldn’t be easier - enquire here for full details of all wedding services

Ambience With 104 rooms and suites you’ll be able to hold a large ceremony including family and friends or a small intimate occasion – the choice is yours. If you want to be met at the airport and then have a couple’s massage once you set foot in the hotel, nothing could be easier. You can even ask for doves to be released during the ceremony. It’s the Tamarind’s job to ensure that you have as romantic a wedding as possible. The attention to detail continues right throughout your stay. Imagine waking up with your new husband on the day following the ceremony and looking out over the ocean as you enjoy a private breakfast on your secluded balcony.

Let The Fun Commence Once you’ve selected the type of ceremony and decided on the number of guests, then it’s time to look at the huge range of activities on offer at the Tamarind. You can take to the waves on a catamaran, explore the local rum distilleries – or, simply chill out in the hotel’s couples-only spa. Whether it’s private dining that thrills your souls or intimate sessions in the hotel spa – nothing is too much trouble.

#3 Get Married at Waves Hotel, Barbados

Looking After Mind And Body You’ll certainly experience a celebration with a difference when you select Waves Hotel and Spa for your destination wedding. With a wide range of dining options, a wonderful selection of all-inclusive suites, some of which are situated in the adult only spa building, overlooking the hotel’s picturesque pool, and you’ll be treated to two spa treatments during your stay.

Romance Is Key With the help of the Waves wedding coordinators, you’ll be able to plan a tailor-made wedding and reception to suit your tastes. You’ll be transported to the registration office to complete all of the legal formalities and then all you have to do is decide which luxurious location you want for your celebration, the wonderful tropical garden setting or maybe you’ll want to get married to the accompaniment of the soothing sounds of the waves lapping on the beach.

Exciting Choices You can have your own colour scheme, floral displays, choice of music from local steel drummers to classical violinists. And, the hotel has its own hair and beauty services, so you’ll look you best on your big day. Wave’s wedding planners will do their best to create the wedding of your dreams. If you want to take advantage of this stunning location for a little longer, you can always ask your coordinator to help you plan the perfect honeymoon - enquire for full details here

Intimacy Is All A stay at this resort will satisfy all the senses, you’ll feel pampered and cherished before, during and after the ceremony, and you can introduce yourselves to Barbados with a welcome cocktail on arrival. Celebrate your union with a wonderful romantic private dinner on the beach or unwind in your room with a three-course gourmet meal served by your own dedicated member of staff.

An Island Welcome Barbados is renowned for its warm welcome to visitors, and you’ll soon discover during your stay at Waves that nothing is too much for the staff. As well as the hotel’s stunning facilities, it’s easy to explore the surrounding area, you can go on your own tour of the nearby islands, swim with turtles, or stay on land and visit some charming historical churches. Barbados is beautiful and there’s nothing more romantic than the two of you wandering and exploring the local landscape and culture.

Why Barbados?

The reason so many couples choose to get married in Barbados is to take advantage of the stunning climate, the beautiful settings and the warm welcome that you’ll receive on arrival. When selecting any of our recommendations you can rest assured that your wedding will be special. If you want steel drummers to play as you walk down the aisle, or to tread on a romantic pathway strewn with rose petals, nothing could be easier. The wedding coordinators will always be on hand to present you with a range of options to ensure that you have a ceremony to remember.

And finally, if you're looking for honeymoon hotel in Barbados?


Our top recommendation is Turtle Beach!

From a private beachfront dinner under the stars, exploring the sea with a kayak for two or experience the local delicacies with a cooking class from our in house chef, this beachfront resort will makes your a honeymoon in Barbados to remember.

Not found exactly what you're looking for? Don't worry... Our expert romantic consultants are waiting to hear from you. Yes, really! This is what we love... helping couples like you find and book their dream romantic trip, wedding or celebration. Get in touch HERE today. The fun is just about to begin