One of the exciting prospects of getting married, is going on honeymoon. Just because a couple choose to tie the knot overseas does not mean they cannot zip off to another destination after the ceremony.
The bride and groom can spend the wedding day on one island surrounded by family and friends and then jet off for a romantic honeymoon alone elsewhere.
The Caribbean is ideally placed for this arrangement as some of the islands are a mere 20-minute flight away.
For example, the flight from Antigua to St Kitts is just 25 minutes, from Barbados to St Vincent is 40 minutes and from Barbados to Dominica is one hour.
Views of the islands scattered across the azure Caribbean Sea, the corals reefs and sand bars are breathtaking – some people pay for the flight alone.
There are a number of airlines operating inter-island services across the Caribbean – Liat is the biggest player. However, in 2000, Caribbean Star Airlines launched a competitive service. It now operates over 100 daily flights with a fleet of 10 aircraft serving 13 Caribbean destination. This year will see the airline expand both its fleet and route network. In particular, as from June 1 Caribbean Star will fly between Antigua and the Dominican Republic, while sister airline Caribbean Sun introduced three new routes in March 2004: San Juan to St Vincent and Antigua to St Thomas and St Croix.
Most UK sales for the Caribbean airlines are offered by CaribJet, the UK sales representative.
Agents could also put together a multi-centre package combining several islands in one holiday. For this, purchasing an air pass may be the best value. Liat offers two passes – the Airpass and the SuperExplorer – and Air Jamaica Express offers its Caribbean Hopper.
The range of multi-centre options is huge. Combining a wedding and honeymoon in St Lucia and Jamaica is popular for Sandals’ guests.
Other options include marrying in Barbados, then heading to Palm Island Resort in the Grenadines, just a 45-minute flight away. Why not marry on Nevis at one of the idyllic plantation houses and honeymoon at luxurious Cap Juluca on Anguilla – in the footsteps of Courtney Cox and David Arquette?
Alternatively, exchange vows at Curtain Bluff, Antigua, and honeymoon on celebrity-loved St Barts at a romantic hideaway like Eden Rock. For a sense of drama couples could marry at the fairy tale-like Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas, then head off into the sunset on a luxury cruise from Nassau.
Another popular choice is for newlyweds to sail away after the ceremony and spend four nights relaxing on a fully-crewed yacht. This is available from Young Island in the Grenadines, Biras Creek in the British Virgin Islands and East Winds in St Lucia and is offered by a number of tour operators, including Caribtours.
Sample product
Tradewinds offers seven nights at the Rex Turtle Beach hotel on Tobago followed by seven nights at the Coyaba Beach Resort on Grenada from £999 per person. This includes flights from Heathrow and transfers.
Virgin Holidays offers seven nights at the Grand Caribe Club Kawma in Cuba, followed by seven nights at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean in Jamaica from £1,226 per person. This includes flights, transfers and all-inclusive accommodation.