A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Married at a Sandals Resort
Destination Wedding Guide · 2026
How to Get Married at a Sandals Resort:
A Step-by-Step Guide
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A wedding at a Sandals Resort is one of the most seamless, beautiful, and genuinely stress-free destination wedding experiences available anywhere in the world. With stunning venues across 10 Caribbean islands, complimentary wedding packages included with qualifying stays, and a dedicated on-site wedding team handling every detail, Sandals has made saying "I do" in paradise more accessible than most couples imagine.
This step-by-step guide walks you through everything — from choosing your island to handling legal documents — so you can approach your Sandals wedding planning with complete confidence.
Choose Your Destination & Resort
Sandals Resorts span 10 stunning Caribbean islands — each with its own distinct personality, scenery, and wedding venue options. Choosing the right island is the most important decision you will make, and it shapes everything from your guest logistics to your wedding photos.
Saint Lucia
Dramatic Piton Mountain backdrop. Most romantic setting in the portfolio.
Jamaica
Most flight options from the US. Vibrant culture, multiple resorts to choose from.
Bahamas
Closest to the US East Coast. Stunning turquoise water and overwater venues.
Barbados
Sophisticated atmosphere. Sandals Royal Barbados has outstanding dining.
Grenada
The Spice Isle. Less touristed, lush Pink Gin Beach, intimate atmosphere.
Antigua & Others
Also available in Curaçao, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Antigua.
🌍 Not sure which island is right for your wedding? We've been to them all.
Get Our Recommendation →Partner with a Destination Wedding Planner
A Sandals destination wedding involves far more moving parts than most couples anticipate — guest travel coordination, hotel room blocks, legal documents in a foreign country, vendor coordination, and timeline management across multiple time zones. Working with an experienced destination wedding specialist from the very beginning makes the difference between a stressful process and an effortless one.
What Bliss Honeymoons Handles for Your Sandals Wedding
- Full travel booking and management for you and all your guests
- Securing and managing your hotel room block at the resort
- Coordinating with the Sandals on-site wedding team on your behalf
- Handling payment logistics and guest invoicing
- Managing the legal documentation process for your destination country
- Planning the perfect honeymoon immediately following your wedding
- Being your point of contact if anything goes wrong — before, during, or after
💍 Ready to start planning? Free consultation — no obligation, no pressure.
Schedule Your Free Consultation →Choose Your Wedding Package
One of the most compelling things about getting married at Sandals is the complimentary wedding package — included automatically when you stay three nights or longer. This is a genuinely meaningful inclusion that no other resort brand matches at this scale. From there, you can customize and upgrade as much or as little as you like.
Complimentary Package
Included with stays of 3+ nights. Everything you need for a beautiful, simple ceremony in paradise.
Beautiful Beginnings
The complimentary package enhanced with additional décor options and a more personalized feel.
Flutter of Romance
Elevated floral arrangements and romantic décor packages for couples who want lush, photo-ready styling.
Vision in White
An all-white elegant theme — timeless, sophisticated, and effortlessly beautiful in any venue.
Island Paradise
Tropical-themed with vibrant colors and lush Caribbean styling — perfectly suited to the setting.
Bespoke Wedding
Work directly with the Sandals wedding team and your Bliss planner to design every element from scratch.
Choose Your Ceremony Venue
Every Sandals Resort has multiple ceremony venues — and the range across the brand is genuinely extraordinary, from beachfront gazebos to chapels suspended over the Caribbean Sea. The venue you choose will define the look and feel of your wedding photos more than almost any other decision.
Beachfront
The classic Caribbean ceremony — sand underfoot, ocean as the backdrop, sunset in the distance.
Garden
Lush tropical foliage creates a naturally beautiful, private setting for intimate ceremonies.
Gazebo
A charming, intimate structure surrounded by garden or beach views. Perfect for smaller weddings.
Overwater Chapel
Available at Sandals South Coast — a breathtaking chapel set directly above the Caribbean Sea.
Overwater Gazebo
Romantic and secluded, set over the water — the most dramatic and photogenic ceremony option.
Sky Terrace
Elevated above the resort for panoramic views — ideal for sunset ceremonies with wide open vistas.
Start Planning Your Sandals Wedding Today
Our certified Sandals specialists have helped hundreds of couples plan their dream Caribbean weddings. A free 30-minute consultation is the easiest way to get started.
Schedule Your Free Consultation →Understand the Legal Requirements
Every Caribbean island has its own legal requirements for marriage — and getting this right is one of the most important parts of your destination wedding planning. Sandals' on-site wedding coordinators guide you through the process, but it is essential to understand the basics well in advance so nothing catches you off guard.
| Document Required | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates |
| Birth certificate | Certified copy — not a photocopy |
| Proof of single status | Required in most Caribbean countries |
| Divorce decree (if applicable) | Certified copy required if either party has been previously married |
| Death certificate (if applicable) | Required if either party is widowed |
| Document translations | Notarized translation required if documents are not in English |
| Marriage license fees | Vary by country — Sandals will advise on exact amounts |
Manage Guest Travel & Accommodation
One of the most complex — and most underestimated — parts of a destination wedding is coordinating travel and accommodation for your guests. This is where working with Bliss Honeymoons pays for itself. We manage the entire guest logistics process so you can focus on being the couple getting married, not a travel agent.
12+ Months Before — Secure Your Room Block
Reserve a block of rooms at the resort to guarantee availability and pricing for your guests. This is especially critical for popular dates and peak season.
9 Months Before — Send Save the Dates
Give guests maximum notice for international travel. Include destination information and a booking deadline for the room block.
6 Months Before — Book Flights
Advise guests to book flights now. Monitor prices and share group flight options if available for your departure city.
3 Months Before — Submit Legal Documents
Submit all marriage documents to the Sandals wedding team. Confirm final guest count and finalize ceremony details.
1 Month Before — Final Confirmation
Confirm all bookings, review wedding day timeline with coordinator, and ensure all guests have their travel details.
Arrive 2–3 Days Early
Arrive before your guests to meet the wedding coordinator, tour venues, confirm final details, and settle in before the celebrations begin.
Arrive, Review & Rehearse
Arriving two to three days before your wedding gives you time to settle in, meet with your on-site wedding coordinator, and ensure every detail is exactly as you envisioned. This is also when small adjustments get made — and having that buffer time makes all the difference.
Pre-Wedding Meeting
Review every detail with your coordinator — flowers, music, catering, timeline, and seating. This is your chance to catch anything that needs adjusting.
Venue Walk-Through
See the ceremony and reception spaces in person. Confirm they are set up exactly as discussed and request any final adjustments.
Wedding Rehearsal
Walk through the ceremony with your wedding party so everyone knows their role, their position, and the timing on the day.
Delegate & Relax
Once the rehearsal is done, hand off any remaining tasks to your wedding party and let yourself enjoy the days leading up to the ceremony.
Celebrate — Then Honeymoon
On your wedding day, the Sandals team and your Bliss planner handle everything. Your only job is to be present, be joyful, and take it all in. After the ceremony, Sandals' all-inclusive experience means your reception, dinner, and evening entertainment are all seamlessly taken care of.
One of the most beautiful things about getting married at a Sandals Resort is the transition into your honeymoon. You are already at a world-class resort — you simply shift into honeymoon mode the next morning. Many couples extend their stay, upgrade to a butler suite or overwater bungalow for the honeymoon portion, or move to a different Sandals property on the same island for a change of scenery.
🥂 Ready to plan your Sandals wedding and honeymoon together?
Explore Sandals Weddings →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sandals complimentary wedding really free?
Yes — couples who stay three nights or longer at any Sandals Resort receive a complimentary wedding package that includes a bouquet, boutonniere, wedding cake, and cocktail reception. There are no hidden ceremony fees beyond the standard room rate. You do pay for additional guests' room stays, optional upgrades, and legal marriage license fees, but the core ceremony package itself is genuinely included.
How many guests can attend a Sandals wedding?
Sandals accommodates weddings of all sizes — from intimate ceremonies of just the two of you to larger celebrations of 50+ guests. Guest room availability at each resort will be the main limiting factor for larger groups, which is why securing a hotel room block well in advance is so important. Your Bliss planner manages this process from the beginning.
How far in advance should we book a Sandals wedding?
For peak season dates (December through April), we recommend beginning the planning process 12–18 months in advance to ensure venue and room availability. For off-peak dates, 9–12 months is typically sufficient. The earlier you start, the more options you have — popular venues like the overwater chapel at South Coast book quickly.
Will our marriage be legally recognized in the United States?
Yes — marriages performed at Sandals Resorts are legally recognized in the United States. Each Caribbean island has its own legal marriage process, and the Sandals wedding team guides you through all required documentation. Your Bliss planner also helps manage this process to make sure everything is in order well before your travel date.
Can we do a symbolic ceremony and a legal ceremony separately?
Absolutely — many couples get legally married at their local courthouse before traveling, then hold their symbolic celebration ceremony at Sandals. This simplifies the legal documentation process significantly and allows you to focus entirely on the ceremony experience at the resort. It is a very popular option for destination weddings.
Do we need to use Sandals' photographers and vendors?
Sandals has preferred vendors including photographers and videographers, and some packages include photography. You can also bring or hire outside vendors, though specific policies vary by resort. Your Bliss planner can advise on vendor options based on your chosen property.
💬 Have more questions? Our team knows Sandals weddings inside out — free consultation.
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