Why Have Your Wedding in Jamaica
Jamaica is known for its natural beauty, with stunning beaches, lush green forests, and breathtaking waterfalls. The island’s natural beauty provides a picturesque backdrop for a wedding ceremony, and there are several venues throughout the island that take advantage of the stunning scenery.
Additionally, if you love warm weather and have always dreamed of a tropical location Jamaica has a warm climate year-round. The temperature ranges from the mid-70s to mid-80s. Jamaica is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Africa, Europe, and Asia. The diversity is reflected in the island’s music, food, and traditions.
Jamaica is easily accessible from the United States and other parts of the world, with several major airports serving the island. This makes it easy for wedding guests to travel to the island and enjoy the festivities. Jamaica is home to several world-class resorts.
Getting to and From Jamaica
The most common way to get to Jamaica is by air. The country has two international airports: Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. Many major airlines offer flights to Jamaica, including American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines. Most of the hotels/resorts offer car transfer services, so make sure to connect them ahead of time to have them pickup directly from the airport.
The Best Time of Year to Have Your Wedding in Jamaica
Choosing the best time of year to get married in Jamaica is crucial to ensure that you have the perfect wedding day. The weather in Jamaica is warm and tropical year-round, with an average temperature of 80°F (27°C). However, Jamaica has two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.
The best time of year to get married in Jamaica is during the dry season which is from December to April. During this time, the weather is generally sunny and dry, with little to no rain. This makes it the perfect time to have an outdoor wedding, whether it’s on the beach, in a garden, or at a historic plantation.
On the contrary, the rainy season runs from May to November. The the most rainfall occurs from September to November. Typically, the rain comes in short bursts in the late afternoon or evening. This can make for stunning tropical scenery, however, it can also cause delays or disruptions to your wedding day plans.
Talk with your wedding planner in order to set a backup plan in case of inclement weather. Many venues offer indoor spaces or covered areas where you can still have your ceremony or reception in the event of rain.
Wedding Venues in Jamaica
The Royalton Negril
Is an all-inclusive resort located on the beautiful Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica. The resort offers several wedding packages to help couples create the perfect wedding experience. This is the location that is featured throughout this particular blog post for Shelby & Douglas’ wedding. So I wanted to include a bit more information on their particular wedding packages. Check them out below:
- Free Wedding Package: This package is complimentary when booking a minimum of 10 rooms for a minimum of 7 nights each. The package includes a ceremony location, wedding coordinator, semi-private dinner for the wedding group, wedding cake, and honeymoon amenities.
- Just the Two of Us Wedding Package: This package is designed for couples who want a more intimate wedding experience. The package includes a ceremony location, wedding coordinator, bouquet and boutonniere, wedding cake, and honeymoon amenities.
- Royalton Signature Wedding Package: This package is the most comprehensive wedding package offered by the resort. The package includes a ceremony location, wedding coordinator, ceremony décor, bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, semi-private dinner for the wedding group, wedding cake, sparkling wine, and honeymoon amenities.
- Customizable Wedding Packages: The resort also offers customizable wedding packages that allow couples to choose the specific elements of their wedding day, including ceremony location, decor, flowers, photography, and more.
Couples Negril
This is an all-inclusive resort located on Seven Mile Beach in Negril. The resort offers several wedding packages. Couples can choose from a variety of locations on the resort’s property for their ceremony, including the beach, garden, or gazebo.
The Caves
This location is a unique wedding venue located on the cliffs of Negril. The resort offers several wedding packages, including cliffside weddings and beach weddings. The property features several different locations for the ceremony, including a cliffside gazebo, a private beach, and a hidden cave.
Rockhouse Hotel
The Rockhouse Hotel is a boutique hotel located on the cliffs of Negril. The hotel offers cliffside weddings and beach weddings. The property includes a cliffside gazebo, a private beach, and a garden.
Azul Beach Resort Negril
This another wonderful all-inclusive resort located on Seven Mile Beach. The resort offers beach wedding packages and garden weddings.
Best Beach Locations
- Seven Mile Beach: Located in Negril, Seven Mile Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Jamaica. With its white sand, clear water, and stunning sunsets, it’s the perfect backdrop for a beach wedding. Many of the resorts mentioned above our located on this beach.
- Doctor’s Cave Beach: Located in Montego Bay, Doctor’s Cave Beach is known for its crystal-clear water and pristine white sand. It became famous in the 1800s and is said to have healing properties. This location has incredible facilities and shops located nearby. In the water you can find colorful coral reefs teeming with marine life.
- Frenchman’s Cove: Located in Port Antonio, Frenchman’s Cove is a secluded beach that offers privacy and stunning natural beauty. The beach is surrounded by lush vegetation and offers calm waters.
- James Bond Beach: is located in Oracabessa. James Bond Beach is named after the famous James Bond spy movies. The movie “Dr. No” was filmed in Jamaica. The beach offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and is a popular spot for beach weddings.
- Half Moon Bay Beach: Located in Montego Bay, Half Moon Bay Beach is a crescent-shaped beach that offers stunning views of the ocean. The beach is surrounded by palm trees and offers a peaceful and romantic setting.
What to Wear for your Jamaican Wedding
I would recommend choosing a wedding dress that is lightweight and easy to move around in. Due to the warmer climate I also would suggest choosing a dress without a corset bodice so it’s easy to breathe in. Additionally, you may want to opt for a shorter train as it can be difficult to walk in. As for a suit, I would recommend choosing a lightweight fabric and colors that pair nicely with the background. Tan/Khaki suits seem to be a popular choice for beach weddings.
Wedding Vendors to Consider
Caterers: Choose a caterer who can provide the cuisine you want for your wedding, whether it’s traditional Jamaican cuisine or international fare. Check with your wedding venue to see if they use a specific caterer or if you are allowed to bring in your own.
Florists: Tropical locations have no shortage of stunning flora and fauna. Including florals into your beach wedding adds an extra special touch and adds to the tropical beach wedding vibes.
DJs or Bands: You’ll want to reach out to different djs and bands to see if they can provide a variety of music. One of the most popular musical additions to Jamaican weddings includes steel drums.
Jamaican Wedding Traditions
Jumping the Broom: This is a traditional African-American wedding custom that has been adopted in Jamaica. The couple jumps over a broom as a symbol of sweeping away the old and welcoming the new.
The Cake Pull: This is a tradition where small charms or trinkets are tied to ribbons and placed in the wedding cake. Each bridesmaid pulls a ribbon, revealing a charm that represents their future.
The Rum Toast: At the end of the ceremony, the bride and groom share a glass of rum as a symbol of unity.
The Money Dance: Guests pin money onto the bride and groom as they dance, symbolizing their support for the newlyweds.
The Ring Game: This is a game where the bride and groom place their wedding bands in a bowl of water and guests take turns trying to find the rings blindfolded.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Jamaica
Before you can get married in Jamaica, you need to meet the legal requirements. These include:
Residency Requirements: There are no residency requirements to get married in Jamaica. You can arrive in the country and get married on the same day.
Age Requirements: Both parties must be at least 18 years old to get married in Jamaica. If one or both parties are under 18, written consent from a parent or legal guardian is required.
Identification: Both parties must provide valid identification, such as a passport or driver’s license.
Divorce or Death Certificates: If one or both parties have been previously married, they must provide proof of divorce or death certificates.
Marriage License: You will need to apply for a marriage license at the Ministry of Justice in Jamaica. This can be done by your wedding planner or directly by you.
Blood Test: A blood test is not required to get married in Jamaica.
Planning Your Wedding to Jamaica?
Jamaica holds such a special place in my heart, so if you are looking for a photographer to capture your memories – I’m your girl! Reach out here to get started.
