The Bahamas
Destination wedding guide
The Bahamas offers 700 islands of turquoise water, powder-white sand, and year-round warmth just a short flight from the US East Coast. From the upscale resorts of Nassau and Paradise Island to the secluded barefoot luxury of the Exumas and Harbour Island, Bahamian weddings combine Caribbean ease with surprisingly sophisticated venue options.
By Plana Editorial
Updated
Bahamas
What makes it special
The full picture
The Bahamas is the Caribbean's most accessible luxury destination wedding location for North American couples. Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport receives direct flights from over 30 US and Canadian cities, and the 24-hour residency requirement (compared to 3–7 days in some Caribbean nations) makes logistical planning straightforward.
Nassau and Paradise Island host the largest and most established wedding infrastructure. Atlantis Paradise Island, The Ocean Club (a Four Seasons resort), and Rosewood Baha Mar offer full-service wedding departments with on-site coordinators, multiple ceremony venues (beach, garden, ballroom, chapel), and catering for groups from 20 to 500. The Ocean Club — with its Versailles-inspired gardens and private beach — is widely considered one of the Caribbean's most prestigious wedding venues.
For intimate, exclusive-feeling weddings, the Out Islands (also called Family Islands) deliver a completely different experience. Harbour Island — a 3-mile-long island accessible by a short flight from Nassau plus a water taxi — is famous for its pink sand beach, pastel colonial architecture, and a boutique hotel scene that attracts a fashion-and-design-conscious crowd. Weddings on Harbour Island feel like a private island experience with just enough infrastructure for comfort.
The Exumas — a chain of 365 islands stretching 100 miles southeast of Nassau — offer the most dramatic turquoise water in the Atlantic. Private island rentals, secluded beach ceremonies, and the famous swimming pigs excursion make Exuma weddings uniquely memorable. Several private islands (Musha Cay, Fowl Cay, Over Yonder Cay) can be rented exclusively for wedding weekends.
Hurricane season runs June through November, with August through October carrying the highest risk. The peak wedding and travel season (December through April) offers the best weather — warm days in the low 80s°F, low humidity, and minimal rain.
Marriage requirements
Couples must be in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours before applying for a marriage license. Apply at the Registrar General's Office in Nassau or through an authorized wedding coordinator on the Out Islands. Required documents: valid passports, birth certificates, proof of single status (if never married) or divorce decrees/death certificates (if previously married). The marriage license costs $120 and is typically processed within 1–2 business days. No blood test or residency requirement beyond the 24-hour waiting period.
Where to actually celebrate
Luxury beachfront resorts with full wedding services
Boutique island hotels with private beach access
Private island rentals for exclusive celebrations
Historic colonial estates and gardens
Yacht and catamaran ceremonies on open water
From people who’ve done it
- 01
Book during the shoulder season (November or late April) for the best balance of good weather and lower rates — peak season (December–March) commands premium pricing.
- 02
If planning an Out Island wedding (Harbour Island, Exumas, Eleuthera), hire a local wedding planner who knows the island logistics — vendor availability, boat schedules, and supply chain realities are different from Nassau.
- 03
Arrange group flights for guests — Bahamasair and local charter operators offer inter-island flights from Nassau to the Out Islands that can be booked as a group.
- 04
The 24-hour residency requirement means couples should arrive at least 2 days before the wedding to handle the marriage license application and allow buffer time.
- 05
Budget for the Bahamian VAT (10%) on all services — it is applied to venue fees, catering, and vendor costs and is often not included in initial quotes.
- 06
Plan at least one group excursion — a boat trip to the swimming pigs, a snorkeling excursion to Thunderball Grotto, or a sunset sail gives guests a shared adventure memory.
Frequently asked
How do guests get to the Out Islands?
Most guests fly into Nassau (NAS) and connect on a short domestic flight (30–60 minutes) or a fast ferry to the Out Islands. Harbour Island is reached via a flight to North Eleuthera plus a 10-minute water taxi. The Exumas are reached via a flight to George Town or a private charter.
Is a Bahamas wedding expensive?
It depends on the island. Nassau resort weddings are competitively priced with other Caribbean destinations ($15,000–$40,000 for 50–100 guests). Out Island and private island weddings are more expensive due to logistics — $20,000–$60,000+ including transportation and accommodation.
Can we get married on the beach?
Yes — beach ceremonies are the most popular format in the Bahamas. Most resorts include beach ceremony options in their wedding packages. For public beach ceremonies, a permit may be required depending on the island.
What is the food like at Bahamian weddings?
Bahamian cuisine features conch (fritters, salad, chowder), fresh grouper and snapper, rock lobster, peas and rice, and johnnycake. Resort catering offers international menus alongside local options. Expect $75–$200 per person for seated wedding dinners at resort venues.
Are the Bahamas safe for wedding guests?
Resort areas in Nassau, Paradise Island, and the Out Islands are very safe. Nassau has some areas with higher crime rates outside the tourist zones — guests should stay in resort areas or travel with organized transportation. The Out Islands are exceptionally safe and tranquil.