ISLAND ROMANCE: Wedding Packages

Two Top Wedding Packages

In the Caribbean, two all-inclusive resort chains really stand out in the destination wedding and honeymoon market: SuperClubs and Sandals. These resorts offer extensive wedding packages and on-site coordinators to make the day memorable as well as extra special.

Sandals

With resorts in Antigua, Jamaica, Bahamas, and St. Lucia, Sandals has also performed thousands of weddings. Call or contact the Sandals wedding division for a wedding form and details; www.sandals.com; 888-SANDALS.

The "Wedding Moon" package includes document preparation; legal fees; minister or other officiating party; witnesses; wedding announcement cards; champagne and hors d'oeuvres; bouquet and boutonniere; Caribbean wedding cake; video of your ceremony; 5x7 photo; candlelight dinner for two; "Just Married" T-shirts; continental breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding; decorated wedding area; and taped musical accompaniment. Check with Sandals for the present fee. Lately they've been offering the package free with a minimum stay.

Additional services can be purchased and include manicure/pedicure; full body massage; hairstyling make-up session in your room; additional photos; "Sunset Hour" Moët and Chandon with hors d'oeuvres; floral decorations, and more.

Wedding times at Sandals properties are 10 am, noon, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm.
If you'll be getting married at one of the Sandals locations in Jamaica, you'll need to send notarized copies, that include both the notary stamp and notary's signature of your birth certificates, (as well as final divorce decrees or death certificates, if one of you was previously married) to Unique Vacations at 4950 SW 72nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33155. 305-284-1300.

Important: You have to supply documents at least a month before the wedding. Be sure to send notarized copies, not originals!

If you select one of the Sandals properties in St. Lucia, the Bahamas, or Antigua, you'll need to send photocopies of your documents to Unique Vacations at least 30 days before the date, then hand carry your original documents with you to the hotel. (We've suggested this before, but it's worth another mention: be sure to hand-carry those documents with you; never put them into checked luggage!)

SuperClubs

This resort has locations in Jamaica and the Bahamas, and offers guests free weddings and vow renewals with ceremonies that include marriage license, minister, witnesses, tropical flower bouquet and boutonniere, champagne, music, and a wedding cake, as well as best man, maid of honor and witnesses, if needed. A minimum stay is required. Additional packages are available for a fee including video and still photography.

SuperClubs has a variety of properties for all types of guests, so you can select one that meets your personal interests and the profile of your wedding guests, if you're bringing some along. Elegance is the name of the game at the Lido properties: Grand Lido Negril, Grand Lido Braco, and Grand Lido Sans Souci. Sports and fun is the theme at the Breezes properties: Breezes Bahamas, Breezes Montego Bay, and Breezes Runaway Bay. And it's pure party, anything goes at Hedonism II in Negril and Hedonism III in Runaway Bay (where you can even get married in the nude if you choose!). Visit www.superclubs.com; 877-GO-SUPER in the US; 0208-390-7652 in the UK.

Before you go, you'll work with a wedding coordinator to supply papers including certified copies of both your birth certificates, which must include your fathers' names. You'll also need to supply your professions. If either of you was previously married, you'll need either a certified copy of the final divorce papers or death certificates.

TIP: Start the paperwork process as least three weeks before your trip.

When you arrive at SuperClubs, the wedding coordinator will take you on a personal tour of the property so you can select the perfect spot for exchanging your vows. If you're staying at one of the Jamaica properties, you'll need to be on the island at least two days before exchanging vows, and all the paperwork is handled by the wedding coordinator. If you're staying at Breezes Bahamas, you'll need to be on island two days before the ceremony and will need to appear at the Registrar General's office in person between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, to complete your paperwork.

Other Wedding Packages

Just about every hotel in the Caribbean offers a special wedding package. Some of these packages include accommodations; some cover the wedding only. Check with your property for a wedding package and ask about the features you're interested in, whether it's a steel pan band or a videographer. Also ask about guests. One property may have restrictions on the number and age of guests. Another may have discount packages available for guests staying on property. Some hotels do weddings for guests only; others allow people staying at other properties to exchange vows at their hotel.