Flick through any Caribbean brochure and the words ‘free wedding’ jump out of the pages. For couples staying a minimum number of nights at a resort or bringing a certain number of guests, the basic wedding package, and sometimes the bride’s accommodation, is often thrown in for free. However, it’s worth being aware of hidden costs.
Although it varies, a ‘free wedding’ package will usually include registrar’s fees, marriage licence and certificate, decorated wedding location, cake, sparkling wine, bouquet and buttonhole for the groom. Photography, music, video, additional flowers, hairdressing, refreshments for guests, wedding night dinner and options such as horse-drawn carriages normally cost extra. Couples wanting more than the basics will often spend around £300 in resort on tailoring their special day.
Tradewinds marketing manager Louise Dixon said: “Because of the special offers on wedding packages, couples can afford to splash out on extras. The most popular options are video, extra photographs and steel band.”
Extras are generally paid for locally, but some operators, such as Kuoni, have a ‘two tier’ package system, so agents can sell up from the basic wedding package and make commission.
An increase in administration fees by a number of the islands’ governments in November 2003 means that fewer weddings will be completely free in future, with many resorts, including Sandals and SuperClubs passing the cost onto guests.
Couples marrying at Sandals in Jamaica and Cuba will now have to pay £89, while weddings in the Bahamas, St Lucia, Antigua and the Turks and Caicos will be charged £132.
While some islands, including Barbados, have not introduced a charge, many hotels will choose to absorb the cost and still offer free weddings.
Thomas Cook Signature assistant product manager Caribbean Beth Adams said: “Whether the charges will be passed on will vary from resort to resort, but there will definitely still be free wedding packages for those staying for a certain number of nights. It’s worth thinking about the overall cost of the holiday too.
“Sometimes you may pay for a wedding package but the total spend can be less than elsewhere where the package is free.”
Sandals WeddingMoons
A Sandals WeddingMoon package is completely free to couples booking a honeymoon of five nights or more. However, bookings are subject to a government and administrative charge, which differs from island to island. Included in the package is:
Services of a personal wedding co-ordinator.
Wedding announcement cards.
Preparation of all documents.
Certified copies of marriage license and legal fees.
Minister/registrar or justice of the peace.
Best man or maid of honour or witness if required.
Bride’s bouquet and buttonhole.
Wedding reception with sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Caribbean wedding cake.
Honeymoon candlelit dinner for bride and groom.
Continental breakfast in bed (morning after the wedding).
One 5X7 inch wedding photograph.
‘Just married’ t-shirts.
Decorated wedding area.