Everything You Need to Know About Having an Off-Resort Wedding in Jamaica

January 13, 2022 ctn_admin

In our Canadian Travel News series, travel experts share their reviews of the destinations they’ve visited as we emerge from COVID. Follow for the latest resort updates, best beaches and a first-hand look in the destinations you want to visit.

Here is Jennifer Borgh’s, Owner of Borghinvilla Wedding Venue, experience travelling to Jamaica recently. *Photos by Merrick Cousley Photography

Jamaica is the ultimate location for destination weddings.   Jamaica has a tropical climate 365 days a year, spectacular sunsets, delectable food, talented entertainers and a wide variety of activities for wedding groups.

It’s advised to work with a Destination Wedding Planner, who can assist through the process and a Travel Agent who can assist with choosing the best resort for the budget and wish list.  Most off-resort destination weddings that happen in Jamaica, stay at an all-inclusive resort or villa and then get married at a wedding venue.   

Off-resort, also known as off-site destination weddings are held at an outside wedding venue where the guests aren’t staying overnight.   A good portion of destination weddings in Jamaica, still stay at hotels(usually all-inclusive) and many of those couples choose to move the wedding day activities off property.  There are many advantages to hosting an off-resort wedding, which include but are not limited to guests having a unique and authentic Jamaican experience, flexibility in wedding times, privacy and flexibility of customization as well as premier vendor selection. 

Most off-resort wedding venues host only one wedding per day, so couples have the privacy of not crossing paths with unwanted guests or other brides.   Weddings are one of the most special celebrations couples will have throughout their life so its optimal to be closed off from the rest of the world for that special day. Because they are the only wedding that day, they may also get the most desirable wedding times which are usually a few hours before sunset.  This will allow guests to be warm yet not hot and is ideal for photography. 

Vendor selection may be a priority for their wedding and putting together their own team could be very beneficial as they may get a higher quality of services.   The wedding vendor team can be entrepreneurs who are running their own small business and are paid a fair wage and going to go above and beyond to exceed couples expectations.   Couples must be careful to choose the correct team as inexperience and lack of exposure can make some vendors a very bad fit and a lot of confusion.   

Jamaica has a wide variety of religions and a lot of venues are able to accommodate them. Selected wedding vendors can also accommodate a selection of cuisines and dietary restrictions. Off-resort venues may be more flexible in allowing outside vendors which can be crucial when accommodating some religious ceremonies and non-Jamaican cuisine.

Jamaica has a wide variety of vendors and it’s best to get a recommendation from your Wedding Planner prior to signing your contracts to ensure they are reliable. 

When getting married off-resort, you may choose to have a legal or symbolic wedding ceremony.  For legal weddings, Jamaica has a residency of 24 hours prior to the wedding.   For a cruise ship wedding, the ship must doc for a minimum of 6 hours for a legal wedding to be performed.   A registered marriage officer from Jamaica, must perform all legal weddings.   Most venues have no restrictions for symbolic weddings and will let anyone perform this.

To legally get married in Jamaica, all documents presented must be in English. If originals are in another language they need be translated by certified translators(certification of authenticity should be included).  The paperwork consists of an information form of your personal details as well as notarized photo ID(and divorce decree if previously married).   The Wedding officiant will often deal with this paperwork prior to the arrival on island and you will receive your certificate in approximately 6 weeks after your wedding(sometimes longer).

Getting married off-resort in Jamaica is sure to give you and your wedding group an incredible experience with lifetime memories of this island rich in culture.  

2022 UPDATE:

In Jamaica, foreigners can only get married at Covid Certified venues in the resilient corridor.   Wedding Venue should be Covid Certified by TPDCO and follow the safety protocols put out by the Ministry of Tourism.  These protocols include sanitization stations, proper covid signage and staff who will regularly clean all services.   All staff must be wearing masks at all times.

Jennifer can be reached via office: 876-405-1255, [email protected] and on IG at @borghinvilla_jamaica

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