In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in the Bahamas.
Weddings in the Bahamas: What You Need To Know
A destination wedding in the Bahamas is the perfect way to celebrate your love.
The turquoise waters and white sand beaches provide a stunning backdrop for your ceremony, and the laid-back atmosphere of the islands will help you to relax and enjoy your special day.
There are a number of beautiful locations to choose from for your Bahamas wedding, whether you want to say your vows on a secluded beach or in a lush garden.
And with a variety of accommodation options available, you can find the perfect place to stay for your honeymoon.
Whether you are looking for an intimate setting for your nuptials or a fun-filled celebration with family and friends, a destination wedding in the Bahamas is sure to make lasting memories.
But first: you need to know where in the world the Bahamas is…
Where is the Bahamas?
The Bahamas are located in the northwestern corner of the West Indies, southeast of Florida and north of Cuba. The archipelago consists of around 700 islands and many cays.
Area: 5,382 sq mi (13,939 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 397,900, Capital: Nassau (on New Providence Island).
Bahamas Facts To Know:
- Language: English
- Currency: Bahamian dollar (BSD)
- Airports:Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), Exuma International Airport (GGT), Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO)
- Official Tourism Website:https://www.bahamas.com/
- Driving side: Left
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Bahamas for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in the Bahamas
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in the Bahamas:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in the Bahamas or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having a Bahamas wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in the Bahamas:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in the Bahamas
Bahamas Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in the Bahamas:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in the Bahamas?
- What are the marriage requirements for Bahamas?
- What is the weather like in the Bahamas?
- What should you pack for a trip to the Bahamas?
- What things are there to do in the Bahamas?
- What are the best Bahamas wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in the Bahamas Cost?
Marriage license cost in the Bahamas is $120, and also includes one certified copy of a marriage certificate.
Both parties must come in person to the Registrar General’s Department and present proof of identity – a picture ID with date of birth like a driver’s license, state ID card, or valid passport.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in the Bahamas
When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Valid passport.
- Birth certificate and a notarized affidavit.
- If you have already been married, provide the relevant certified documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
- Foreigners must prove that they have been in The Bahamas for at least 24 hours.
Other legal requirements are:
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date, and the waiting period is one day.
- Two witnesses are required who are at least 18 years old.
- If the marriage is between foreign nationals or between Bahamian and Non-Bahamian, the couple is interviewed in order to prevent the facilitation of a marriage of convenience.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in the Bahamas, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- All international paperwork has to be translated into English by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.
Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
What Is The Weather Like in the Bahamas?
The dry season, which runs from around the end of November to about the middle of April, is the best time to visit the Bahamas. However, the northwestern islands generally have chilly and windy days from December through March, making it less than ideal for a beach vacation.
On the other hand, the winters on the southernmost islands, especially Inagua, are mild enough to enjoy the sun and the water, while in April and May you might still prefer the northernmost islands; even though in May the rains are a bit more frequent.
During the months of May through October, the weather is hot and humid, and the thunderstorms may be rather powerful (at least on the northern islands), despite the fact that the sun is still out most days.
If you want to visit during the summer, July is your best bet because of the relative reduction in precipitation (though not in Nassau and on the north-westernmost islands) and, compared to August, the reduced likelihood of storms.
What should you pack for your trip?
During the months of November through April, visitors visiting the northern islands should pack light clothes as well as a sweatshirt or sweater, a scarf for the wind, a jacket, and an umbrella.
If you plan on visiting the southern islands, pack light clothes, but include a sweater and scarf for the cooler evenings.
From May to October, you should pack light tropical clothing, as well as a light sweater and a light raincoat in case of thunderstorms.
Bring your snorkeling gear, especially water shoes or shoes with rubber soles, with you when you go to the reef.
Bahamas Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Bahamas:
Average Temperatures in the Bahamas
The table below shows the average temperatures in the Bahamas each month:
Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
January | 18.4 | 26.6 | 22.5 | 65 | 80 | 72.4 |
February | 18.6 | 27.2 | 22.8 | 65 | 81 | 73.1 |
March | 19.1 | 27.7 | 23.4 | 66 | 82 | 74.2 |
April | 20.8 | 29.1 | 25 | 70 | 84 | 77 |
May | 22.5 | 30.5 | 26.5 | 72 | 87 | 79.7 |
June | 24.4 | 32.1 | 28.2 | 76 | 90 | 82.2 |
July | 25.1 | 33 | 29 | 77 | 91 | 84.2 |
August | 25.2 | 33 | 29.1 | 77 | 91 | 84.5 |
September | 24.8 | 32.5 | 28.6 | 77 | 90 | 83.5 |
October | 23.8 | 30.9 | 27.3 | 75 | 88 | 81.2 |
November | 21.3 | 28.6 | 25 | 70 | 84 | 77 |
December | 19.6 | 27.3 | 23.5 | 67 | 81 | 74.2 |
Year | 22 | 29.9 | 25.9 | 71.6 | 85.8 | 78.5 |
Average Rainfall in the Bahamas
The table below shows the average rainfall in the Bahamas each month:
Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
January | 50 | 2 | 8 |
February | 50 | 2 | 6 |
March | 65 | 2.6 | 7 |
April | 65 | 2.6 | 6 |
May | 115 | 4.5 | 10 |
June | 225 | 8.9 | 15 |
July | 150 | 5.9 | 17 |
August | 215 | 8.5 | 18 |
September | 180 | 7.1 | 17 |
October | 135 | 5.3 | 14 |
November | 80 | 3.1 | 9 |
December | 50 | 2 | 8 |
Year | 1380 | 54.3 | 135 |
Sunshine Hours in the Bahamas
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in the Bahamas each month:
Month | Average | Total |
January | 7.5 | 225 |
February | 8 | 225 |
March | 8 | 250 |
April | 9.5 | 280 |
May | 9 | 280 |
June | 8 | 240 |
July | 8.5 | 265 |
August | 8.5 | 260 |
September | 7.5 | 220 |
October | 7.5 | 235 |
November | 7.5 | 220 |
December | 7 | 210 |
Year | 7.9 | 2885 |
Sea Temperatures in the Bahamas
The table below shows the average sea temperatures in the Bahamas each month:
Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
January | 25 | 76 |
February | 24 | 76 |
March | 24 | 76 |
April | 25 | 77 |
May | 26 | 80 |
June | 28 | 83 |
July | 29 | 84 |
August | 30 | 85 |
September | 29 | 85 |
October | 28 | 83 |
November | 27 | 80 |
December | 25 | 78 |
Year | 26.8 | 80.2 |
What To Wear in the Bahamas? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in the Bahamas so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Pack light and airy clothes made from natural fabrics.
- Sunscreen: Bring plenty of sunscreen, as the tropical sun can be intense.
- Beachwear: Pack your bathing suit and a pair of flip-flops, as you’ll want to spend plenty of time lounging by the pool or on the beach.
- Hat and sunglasses: A hat and sunglasses will help you in the hot Bahamas sunshine.
- Comfortable walking shoes for any exploring or sightseeing you might be doing.
- Insect repellent: Pack insect repellent, as mosquitoes can be a problem in some areas.
- First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
- Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera, as you’ll want to capture memories of your idyllic vacation.
- Passport: And, of course, don’t forget your valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Chargers: Finally, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
Things to Do in the Bahamas
There are many different things to do in the Bahamas, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Aquaventure
- Pink Sands Beach
- Cable Beach
- Garden of the Groves
- Marine Habitat at Atlantis
- Coco Cay
- Port Lucaya Marketplace
- Taino Beach
- Lucayan National Park
- Clifton Heritage National Park
- Pig Beach
- Versailles Gardens and Cloisters
Best Bahamas Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in the Bahamas?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in the Bahamas
- Hope Town Harbour Lodge in Nassau
- Squires Estate in Eleuthera
- Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach in Freeport
- Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina in Nassau
- Rosewood Baha Mar in Cable Beach
- Ocean View Club in Harbour Island
- The Cove in Eleuthera
- French Leave Resort in Eleuthera
- The Ocean Club (a Four Seasons Resort) in Paradise Island
- The Island House in Old Fort Bay
Hotels in the Bahamas
- French Leave Resort – Governor’s Harbor
- Rollezz Villas Beach Resort – Old Bight
- Sir Charles Guest House – South Palmetto Point
- Treasures of Andros – Love Hill
- The Blue Inn Family Vacation Rental – Smith Point
- DreamSpace Cottage – Nassau
- The Pilot House Inn Between The Beaches – Rock Sound
- Bajamar Bed n Breakfast – Freeport