For many, a destination wedding in Jamaica sounds like a dream come true. Picture saying your marriage vows by the shimmering Caribbean sea, your closest friends and family looking on. Everything, from the celebration to the villa where you’re staying, is personalized completely to your taste. Sounds perfect, right?
And yet, there are all those lingering questions. After all, not only are you planning a wedding, but you’re doing it in a foreign country. Where should you stay? Who’s going to cater? What will you do for entertainment?
The good news is that, in many ways, a Jamaican destination wedding can be easier to plan than a wedding back home. This post will go over everything you need to know to plan the ideal destination wedding in Jamaica. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll feel more confident than ever to make your dream wedding come true.
Why Choose a Villa for Your Jamaican Destination Wedding
The first step to planning your destination wedding in Jamaica is deciding where you’ll stay and where you’ll have the wedding. Jamaica luxury villas are ideal because they take care of both issues while presenting a ton of advantages over alternatives like hotels.
For one, villas in Jamaica are fully staffed. This gives you an ideal level of personalized service. Not only do you have a chef and wait staff taking care of every meal, but you also have staff to help you on the day of the wedding. If you or anyone from the wedding party has any special requests, then your chefs, butlers, and housekeepers are there to make it happen.
Villas also offer more privacy, which is so important when you’re traveling with your close friends and family, especially for a wedding. You want to be able to enjoy these special moments and let loose without worrying about other guests.
Lastly, if you rent your villa with Rental Escapes, then you’ll also get access to our concierge service. Your Concierge will be your best friend while planning this wedding, helping with everything from menus to DJs to decorations and more. It’s almost like having a wedding planner included with the cost of your stay.
Where to Stay for Your Destination Wedding in Jamaica
Once you’ve decided you want a Jamaica villa, the next step is choosing where in Jamaica you want to rent. In some ways, this step is optional, because you can choose where to stay based off of the villa alone. That said, below are the top places to stay in Jamaica for destination weddings:
Montego Bay
Home to Round Hill, the Tryall Club, and Half Moon, Montego Bay luxury villas offer a true resort-style experience. Plus, you’ll have access to the widest selection of services for decorations, catering, and entertainment.
Ocho Rios
Known for its tropical beauty, Ocho Rios villas are often oceanfront and surrounded by lush landscaping. Your group will also be close to attractions like Dunn’s River Falls, while still getting to enjoy their own private pool and beach.
Discovery Bay
If you want to get married right on the beach, then Discovery Bay villas are a great choice. The vibe here is much more relaxed and intimate, but you’ll still have access to everything you need to create that magical sunset wedding.
Choosing Weddings Villas in Jamaica
Whether you know where you want to stay or not, the next step is to start looking at wedding villas in Jamaica. It’s important to know that not all villas allow weddings. Those that do will also often charge an additional event fee. Because there are relatively few villas equipped for weddings, it’s important to book early.
Below are some of our top picks for fully-staffed wedding villas in Jamaica:
Montego Bay
7 bed, 7 bath
From $1,357/night
With stunning views over the Caribbean, Endless Summer combines graceful features with dramatic, classical architecture to create a timeless beauty. Everything here is made with the finest materials, and the construction is ideal for a wedding. Say your vows on the upper balcony, then enjoy a grand reception on the veranda and pool terrace. You can even toss the bridal bouquet from the upper gallery.
Ocho Rios
4 bed, 4 bath
From $1,243/night
Set on a designated coconut plantation, Seven Seas offers a sophisticated stay thanks to original art, an open design, and high-end finishes. The 400 square-foot beachfront, thatched-roof pavilion makes for the perfect place to enjoy your wedding meal. Plus, private beach access and a tennis court ensure that you and your guests will also be entertained before and after the magical event.
Discovery Bay
5 bed, 5+1 bath
From $1,964/night
With a private white sand beach, Sugar Bay offers the perfect Jamaican seaside experience. The interior is eclectic, with artwork and furnishings from around the world. The sprawling veranda also makes for the perfect place to enjoy your wedding reception, and the full staff can prepare meals suited to your guests’ tastes. You can even exchange your vows in the seaside gazebo. One thing’s for sure – your wedding photos will turn out superb.
How Your Concierge Can Help
Your Concierge can be an invaluable help in planning your destination wedding in Jamaica. They’ll contact you as soon as you book your villa, and will get information about your trip. From there, they can help with:
- Meal planning: Your Concierge can help arrange menus for both the wedding and the rest of the trip based on your tastes. They can also help pre-stock the villa so that it has all your favorite food and drink ready.
- Entertainment: Your Concierge can hire a DJ, band, reggae artist, or any other entertainment for an unforgettable experience.
- Décor: From floral arrangements to tablecloths and themes, your Concierge can ensure everything looks just like you’ve always dreamed.
- Photography: Whether you need to hire a photographer or plan a shoot, your Concierge can help you capture every moment.
- Excursions: Boat charters, zip-lining, buggy rides, jungle hikes…whatever you and your group want to do, your Concierge can help arrange.
Additional Tips to Plan a Destination Wedding in Jamaica
Here are some more tips to make sure your special day goes off without a hitch:
- Submit your Documents: Jamaican law requires couples to provide information such as birth certificates and passports to get married. Make sure to submit them at least two weeks early.
- Choose your officer: A Jamaican marriage can be done by a marriage officer, or by a registered religious leader. Some also opt to register the marriage civilly back home and have a symbolic ceremony in Jamaica.
- Plan early: The best time weather-wise for a destination wedding in Jamaica is December to April, but that’s also when it’s busiest. Book as soon as possible to reserve those dates.
- Plan to tip: It’s customary to tip at the end of your villa stay in Jamaica, especially if you’ve had a wedding. Tips are paid in cash directly to the staff. Your Concierge can advise you on suggested amounts.
- Communicate early: Give your guests as much notice as possible regarding the dates, accommodation options, and costs. This goes a long way in preventing misunderstandings.
- Book villas together: Our wedding villas are located in resorts or villa neighborhoods with plenty of nearby stays. Let us plan accommodation for the rest of your group so everyone can stay as close together as possible.
Let Us Plan your Ultimate Destination Wedding in Jamaica
The most important thing to remember when planning a destination wedding in Jamaica is to get a good team on your side. Rental Escapes has over 10 years of experience planning beautiful destination weddings in Jamaica and around the world. Contact us today and we’ll make your special day truly magical.
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