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Thanks for the suggestions guys, keep 'em comin...
We're really trying to stay away from Mexico (we've done Puerto Vallarta and Cancun already), as well as trying to at least do the "wedding" part in a place whose official language is English, just so that the hassles of translating documents and whatnot is partially avoided...I realize that getting married in another country (or even USVI) is harder than getting married at home and comes with certain hassles, we just don't want to add having to translate things from Spanish (of which we don't speak).
. . .
My "dive buddy" and I are getting married in Curacao, because she's a native Dutch speaker and we think it will be cool to have the ceremony partyly Dutch, partly in English, and then going to Bonaire for a week. I know that doesn't help you.
Many of the Caribbean islands are accustomed to hosting weddings for Americans, and I wouldn't let the formalities deter you. People do it all the time, and the language and other hassles are not nearly as great as you might think.
Most Caribbean countries publish for tourists any local requirements relating to weddings. It shouldn't take long to check.
Two rules in the BVI that catch a lot of people out: (1) you have to be physically present on the island for at least 3 days before you can marry (something to do with some ancient law about publishing Banns), and (2) if you have previously been married, you need to remember to bring an original copy of your decree for divorce/separation/anulment.
Good luck!
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Rhone Man British Virgin Islands
I am a lifelong supporter of Leisurepro - they have done more to make diving accessible than PADI ever has.
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” — Bertrand Russell
Lucky us, this is the first wedding for the both of us (and hopefully the last).
I've spoken to a few travel agents that this thread offered up and they are all HIGHLY recommending Fiji (especially because I'm on the west coast). They are quoting prices that are less than $2000 pp including airfare, diving, food, etc.
And here we were thinking that the Caribbean was going to be much cheaper...
Thanks for the recommendations and I'll surely take more travel agent recommendations.
I would suggest, as someone earlier did, going to Hawaii. The diving is good on pretty much any island and it is in the USA so no problem with getting married internationally. You could go with the Big Island of Hawaii or do something more intimate like staying on Lanai. Flights from CA are relatively inexpensive as well and depending on which island you decide, you could possibly fly direct.
Also, from Honolulu, Oahu you can catch a plane to almost anywhere in the Pacific (ie Micronesia, Guam, etc) so you two could do that for the honeymoon.
Lucky us, this is the first wedding for the both of us (and hopefully the last).
I had the misfortune to miss both of my brothers' weddings. I didn't score many points with their wives when I promises solemnly to attend their next ones.
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Rhone Man British Virgin Islands
I am a lifelong supporter of Leisurepro - they have done more to make diving accessible than PADI ever has.
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” — Bertrand Russell
My husband and I were married at Harbour Village in Bonaire in March 2000 and just booked a return trip for our 10 year anniversary. Harbour Village is an amazing and beautiful resort which even has a beach, unusual in Bonaire. The staff handled all details for us - paperwork, courthouse wedding with a magistrate, minister for a blessing on the beach at sunset, a great photographer, a wedding cake, dinner on the beach by ourselves in the torchlight with our own private waiter, etc. They even have a spa for hair, nails, etc. before the wedding. The onsite dive operation is wonderful and all gear is set up for you everyday (pampered diving). I've been to over 25 Caribbean islands and Bonaire is one of the best for diving - healthy reef, great viz, seahorses, turtles, eels, spotted drums, walls, etc. They do not have many weddings in Bonaire and we felt special and that our day was magical. I'd be happy to email you wedding photos so that you can see the courthouse, beach at sunset, cake and champagne setup, etc. Just send me your email - cltlaw@earthlink.net We honeymooned in Aruba at the Bucuti Beach Resort which was very nice. Aruba has amazing beaches, but diving is focused on wrecks because reef is not great (that's the payoff for a beautiful beach). This time we'll head to Curacao for the second part of our trip.
If Bonaire isn't for you, consider St. Lucia. We stayed at Anse Chastenet resort several years ago which is perched on a cliff overlooking the pitons and a black sand beach. Scuba St. Lucia is onsite and is very good, although diving is not the primary focus here and you feel that. We met a couple on our airport shuttle from the airport who were to be wed at the resort and they asked us to be their witnesses. It was a very nice ceremony, in the restaurant on the cliff and then photos at sunset on the beach. If you have family members coming, note the beach is a long stair climb (over 100 steps).
I'm getting married in Aruba in just under a month. We're staying at the RIU Aruba Palace, which is a 5 star all-inclusive. Decided not to do the wedding at the resort (wanted something more private), rather opted for getting married at The Links Golf Course By Divi, with the reception to be at the Windows on Aruba restaurant.
Not sure who we'll be diving with, once I'm done my law school exams I'll be booking that up asap, but since we're all experienced divers we'll be booking with that in mind.
I've also been to St. Lucia and Grand Cayman and would easily recommend either of those. Especially the Sandals Regency or Ladera Resort on St. Lucia, or if you want something with some glitz, try the Ritz Carleton in Grand Cayman.
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