Reserve gorgeous venues for your luxury elopement with our editor's recommendations for elopement-friendly ceremony sites, plus three tiers of options for California honeymoon venues.
Whether you imagine yourself on a pristine white beach or in a lush garden setting, the islands of the Caribbean are a breathtaking option for a luxury elopement. Learn more about the top wedding destination in the world, and see if one of its islands is right for your nuptials.
THE CARIBBEAN
Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism
ARUBA
In addition to beautiful beaches and a dry climate that results in reliably sunny weather year-round, the island of Aruba offers legal wedding ceremonies for non-citizens, making it an excellent location for an elopement. Included in the Dutch West Indies and Leeward Antilles group of Caribbean islands, Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and features a lovely mix of old-world charm and modern energy amid glorious island views of the Caribbean Sea. In other words, heaven.
Major Airport: Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
Currency: Aruban Florin (AWG)
Language: Dutch and Papiamento; English spoken
High Season: Mid-December to Mid-April
Low Season: Mid-April to Mid-December
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST)
POPULAR AREAS & ATTRACTIONS
ORANJESTAD
The bustling capital of Aruba has the distinction of offering contemporary attractions – casinos, nightclubs, bars – alongside restored historic buildings. Oranjestad is also the locale for the Office of Civil Registry, where legally recognized marriages are required to take place (complementary religious ceremonies may also be arranged and have their own individual requirements). Luxury retailers and world-class resorts round out this unique hot spot for lovely Caribbean elopements.
PALM BEACH
Northwest of Oranjestad lies this gorgeous two-mile stretch of sugar-sand beach best known for its glam high-rise resorts and excellent inland nightlife. The Palm Beach district also boasts exceptional shopping and restaurants, as well as gentle waters that make for top-notch swimming and snorkeling.
ARUBA
REQUIREMENTS QUICK GUIDE
BLOOD TESTS: None
LOCAL CITIZENSHIP: Not required
PROOF OF AGE: Required
LOCAL RESIDENCY: Not required
PASSPORT: Required
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: Not recognized
WAITING PERIOD: None upon arrival*
*Required documents must be submitted to the Office of
Civil Registry 30 days in advance for review
OFFICE OF CIVIL REGISTRY:
+297.585.4400; +297.584.5433
REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY TO ARUBA
Detailed marriage requirements for Aruba >
source: visitaruba.com
Photos: Aruba Tourism Authority | Sources: Aruba.com; ArubaTourism.com; VisitAruba.com
THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
Composed of three islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman – this British Overseas Territory has earned its paradisical reputation by dint of azure waters, exquisite white sands, and sublime locale in the western Caribbean Sea. Snorkeling, diving, and sunbathing are to be expected, but the ease with which Americans can elope there may come as a surprise. Familiarize yourself with the islands below and see if one or more of these heavenly destinations could be right for your luxury elopement.
Major Airport: Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM)
Currency: Caymanian Dollar (KYD)
Language: English
High Season: Mid-December to Mid-April
Low Season: Mid-April to Mid-December
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
DISCOVER THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
GRAND CAYMAN
The highlights of Cayman’s largest and most popular island includes the bustling capitol of George Town, a popular port of call and beautiful Seven Mile Beach, and Sting Ray City, where one can swim and interact with the graceful fish. Luxe hotels and resorts offer an array of options for vow exchanges and honeymoons.
CAYMAN BRAC
Best known for the limestone bluff after which it’s named, Cayman Brac is unsurprisingly a fantastic spot for rock climbing. Wreck-diving to sunken vessels, cave exploration, and hiking are all top attractions In addition to the usual water sports, and villas, cottages, and guesthouses provide well-appointed and intimate accommodations for honeymooners.
LITTLE CAYMAN
If quiet privacy is what you seek, Little Cayman may be the location for you. Less developed than its sister islands, Little Cayman is best known for the richness of its diving and snorkeling sites and its intimate hotels and resorts. Ideal for a secluded honeymoon or a daytrip from one of the nearby isles, Little Cayman is a romantic spot to consider for your luxury elopement experience.
CAYMAN
REQUIREMENTS QUICK GUIDE
BLOOD TESTS: None
LOCAL CITIZENSHIP: Not required
PROOF OF AGE: Required
LOCAL RESIDENCY: Not required
PASSPORT: Required
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: Not recognized
WAITING PERIOD: None upon arrival
PASSPORT CORPORATE SERVICES:
Sussex House, 128 Elgin Avenue
George Town, Grand Cayman
Tel: +1.345.943.7678
Detailed marriage requirements for the Cayman Islands >
source: www.gov.ky
Photos: Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism | Sources: CaymanIslands.com; Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism
JAMAICA
If you're even remotely familiar with Jamaica, the name alone immediately conjures warm island breezes, waves lapping at a sandy shore, and the rhythms of reggae filling the air. This paradisiacal Commonwealth realm is high on the list of Caribbean destinations for honeymoons, and its easygoing approach to weddings makes it a top locale for legal luxury elopements.
Major Airports: Norman Manley International Airport (KIN)
Sangster International Airport (MBJ); Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ)
Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
Language: English; Jamaican English
High Season: Mid-December to Mid-April
Low Season: Mid-April to Mid-December
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
MOST POPULAR AREAS
KINGSTON
The bustling capital of Jamaica is the cultural and legislative epicenter of the island. Museums, botanical gardens, and art galleries stand amid colorful government buildings in the colonial-style architecture for which Kingston is known, all set against a lush island background. The resort district is plush with posh hotels and it's in Kingston where you'll apply for and be issued a marriage license.
MONTEGO BAY
Sublime beaches and reggae music are inexorably associated with famous Montego Bay. Villas, inns, beach resorts, and boutique hotels are the primary accommodation options, but a scattering of resorts built on the grounds of former sugarcane plantations offer exquisite, high-end options for honeymoons.
JAMAICA
REQUIREMENTS QUICK GUIDE
BLOOD TESTS: None
LOCAL CITIZENSHIP: Not required
PROOF OF AGE: Required
LOCAL RESIDENCY: Not required
PASSPORT: Required
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: Not recognized
WAITING PERIOD: 24 hours
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OFFICE:
NCB Towers
2 Kensington Crescent
Kingston 5
JAMAICA
Detailed marriage requirements for Jamaica >
source: www.visitjamaica.com
OCHO RIOS
Ocho Rios, located on the north shore of the island, is an adventurer's paradise. Among the possibilities are river tubing, cave exploring, wind surfing, and horseback riding both on land and in the Caribbean Sea (known as a "ride and swim"). Sweet boutique hotels are plentiful as are more intimate options such as villas and private condos.
Photos: Jamaica Tourist Board | Sources: VisitJamaica.com; Montego-Bay-Jamaica.com; Wikipedia.com