A tropical paradise for the ultimate Caribbean wedding
Why get married in Barbados?
Because it’s easy to organise and it’s the perfect romantic setting. Barbados is an idyllic pear‐shaped coral limestone island, the most easterly of the eastern Caribbean islands. Intimate and relaxed, it yet boasts a remarkably varied landscape: in just an hour you can pass through the lush rain forest of St Thomas, the rugged rocky coast of St Joseph, and the gentle, sloping hills of St. Andrew.
The famed west coast offers white sand beaches lapped by warm Caribbean waters and is known for some of the most sophisticated hotels in the Caribbean. Venture away from the resort areas to find cane fields and plantation houses, familiar cricket grounds, hilly headlands and caves. The south coast boasts white sands and foaming surf, a combination favoured by windsurfers and beach lovers.
For three decades Barbados was under British Rule so don’t be surprised when you stumble across Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square or strangely familiar place names such as Hastings or Scotland!
What kind of wedding ceremony can I have in Barbados?
You can have a civil or religious ceremony in Barbados. Couples can choose from a wide range of venues, from ocean‐facing to tropical beach to a traditional synagogue or church.
If you wish to get married in a Catholic church, you’ll need your local bishop to send the following documents to the Bishop of the diocese of Bridgetown:
- A pre‐marital enquiry, completed and signed by both of you, obtainable from your parish priest.
- Baptismal certificates, issued within the last six months.
- A freedom to marry statement, signed by your parish priest.
- A certificate of participation, certifying you have taken part in a programme of preparation for marriage.
- Testimonial letters from your bishop.
- Permission to marry or a Dispensation from Disparity of Cult, issued by the bishop of the Catholic party (in the case of a mixed religious marriage)
Your bishop should send these documents to:
The Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgetown
St Patrick’s Presbytery
PO Box 1223
Jemmotts Lane
Bridgetown
Barbados
Is it wedding weather?
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max temp. (°F)* | 83 | 83 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 87 | 86 | 87 | 87 | 86 | 85 | 83 |
| Sunshine hours* | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Rainfall (inches)* | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
*Average daily sunshine hours
*Average monthly rainfall (inches)
What’s the flight time?
8.5 hours
What’s the time difference?
GMT ‐4
Do I need a visa to enter the country?
No.
What’s the wedding paperwork?
- Residency There is no required waiting period or minimum length of stay for weddings in Barbados. Before travelling you must contact the minister or magistrate who will officiate at the marriage ceremony, who will provide a letter for you to take when you apply for your licence.
- Proof of ID You will need your passports or an original copy of your birth certificates.
- Divorced If either of you is divorced, you must bring along the original Decree Absolute.
- Widowed If either of you is widowed, you must show the original marriage certificate, and the death certificate of your former spouse.
- Age restrictions If you are under 18 you will need parental consent in the form of a statutory declaration, stamped and signed by a solicitor.
How do I obtain a marriage licence?
Application for a marriage licence must be made by both parties in person at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs (see Where can I find further information?).
Where can I find further information?
Ministry of Home Affairs,
Level 5, Post Office Building,
Cheapside
St Michael
Barbados
Tel: 001 246 228 8960
www.barbados.gov.bb
Barbados Tourism Authority
263 Tottenham Court Road
London W1T 7LA
Tel: 0207 636 9448
www.barbados.org
British High Commission
Lower Collymore Rock
P.O. Box 676
Bridgetown
Barbados
Tel: 001 246 430 7800
www.ukinbarbados.fco.gov.uk
Disclaimer
confetti makes reasonable efforts to obtain data from reliable sources and to keep the contents reasonably accurate. However, specifications and requirements may change and confetti cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content or information. We strongly advise you to consult other sources of information including the embassies or consulates of the countries in question or local lawyers.
