It’s no surprise that The Bahamas is such a popular location for getting married. Weddings in the Caribbean promise the happy couple a good chance of hot, sunny weather, crystal-clear oceans, soft white sand and the tropical atmosphere that it’s hard to find anywhere else. However, before you head to The Bahamas for your wedding, there are a few things you should be aware of about weddings in the Caribbean.

Your Arrival

If you’re planning to arrive in The Bahamas and get married on the same day then you’ll have to think again. There are always regulations to follow with weddings in the Caribbean, and Bahamian rules state that both members of the party must be present in the country 24 hours before they apply for a license. This probably won’t affect you much as it is unlikely you’d want to arrive and get married on the same day. But just in case there is a last minute rush or delay, it is something you should be aware of.

Applying for a License

Because The Bahamas is so far away, you will want to have everything planned well in advance before you head there for your wedding. Weddings in the Caribbean will require a certain amount of organisation, but although you will be able to arrange your hotel, reception, catering and everything else, you cannot apply for your license until you have arrived in The Bahamas.

You should also remember that applying for a marriage license will differ depending upon where you are planning to get married. If you want to get married in the Out Islands then you will need to get your license from the Commissioner’s office on that island rather than from the capital Nassau.

Weddings in the Caribbean often involve a fee, and there will be a fee required by the Bahamian authorities, as well as various items of documentation including your passport, proof of arrival, final decree in the case where one member of the couple is divorced, and other items. Always check with the authorities before heading to The Bahamas to get married otherwise you may forget something important. You will also need to have two witnesses present when you apply for your license in person.

Age of the Couple

One final issue of importance concerning weddings in the Caribbean is the age of the couple getting married. If either member of the couple is under 18 then they must be accompanied by their parents or guardians in order to get a license to get married. A consent form will need to be completed and they will also have to hold an interview with the registrar.