Practical Information

Weather: There is so little temperature variation in Jamaica, you almost can't go wrong. However, you'll want to skip the hurricane season (June to September). Between December and April you can expect deliciously beautiful weather ranging in the 70's, 80's, and 90's.

Marriage Requirements: Minimal assistance necessary, as the process is quite easy;

24 hour residency

Money: amaican dollar

Jamaican embassy: http://www.jamaicaembassy.org/

Jamaican tourism: http://www.visitjamaica.com

Wonderful Venues and Services

One reason why Jamaica is such a popular wedding destination, is its many remarkable resorts, each with its own unique beauty, but all with the signature sense of welcome, ease, and graciousness. In Montego Bay alone, there are several to choose from. Round Hill Resort is located on a former sugar plantation a few miles west of Montego Bay. The resort boasts a beautiful hotel and villas, with gorgeous gardens and a state-of-the-art spa located in an 18th century great house at the edge of the sea. The Rose Hall Resort and Country Club was also once an 18th century sugar plantation, and is also near Montego Bay. It is an all-inclusive resort, and might be a wonderful choice for wedding parties that include kids. The resort has a championship golf course, as well as a spectacular water park. With twelve different restaurants, there should be plenty to please everyone in the group! Half Moon Resort extends over 400 acres, with a championship golf course, a dolphin lagoon, 51 swimming pools, gym, spa, squash and tennis courts. To say it "has it all," seems an understatement. Did we mention the equestrian center? A much less expensive resort option in this area, with a fabulous view of the entire Bay is The Richmond Hill Inn.

Considering Negril as your wedding location? It is a wonderful city...relatively quiet and peaceful, with miles of good beaches, fun shopping, and friendly people. The Negril Escape is reasonably priced, and worth considering. It has ten large, brightly colored cottages and a variety of beautiful locations to accommodate small or large celebrations, from an oceanside gazebo to a partially open-air ballroom. A very romantic small villa resort in Negril is The Caves Resort, with ten hand-crafted wood and stone thatch roofed cottages dotting two acres of lush vegetation and cavernous caves, each with sea views. Perched above Negril's natural volcanic formed caves, the Caves has an arrangement of coral stairs and walkways that lead to intimate sun-decks and grottos in the cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea. A very cool (and affordable) new boutique hotel, which is elegant while also fun and funky, is The Rockhouse, located on the cliffs of Negril's Pristine Cove.

Speaking of cliffs, while in Negril you should plan a sunset trip to Rick's Cafe, where you can catch a meal or drink while you watch divers (professionals and amateurs alike!) cascade off the cliffs into the ocean below. Beyond the towns of Montego Bay and Negril, consider choosing Ocho Rios, Port Antonio or Mandeville as your destination; each is lovely and has its own unique charms to recommend it. Lisa Light once worked with a couple that was torn between loving the laid-back charm of Jamaica and also wanting a stately, European elegance for their wedding. Trident Castle in Port Antonio was the perfect venue, with its 40,000 square feet of luxury, panoramic ocean views, helicopter pad, private pool, servants, and more, and reasonably priced villas nearby for guests.

In Negril and elsewhere in Jamaica, you may want to hire a taxi rather than renting a car. Driving can be treacherous, even if you are comfortable driving on the left side of the road. Before contracting a taxi, negotiate a price, and make it clear that you want to take it slow and easy, as "normal driving" in Jamaica can be hair-rising for most Americans.

If you are pulling together plans for a big group, and need help arranging transportation, entertainment, or tours; consider an escort/tour company such as Glamour Tours. Whether you need to arrange a bus tour, or a series of meal recommendations and reservations, Glamour Tours can make the arrangements. The Jamaican Tourist Board is a terrific resource for information, suggestions, and travel tips. These online sites are also useful:

http://www.negril.com

http://www.top5jamaica.com

http://www.jamaicahq.com.

For some couples, a destination wedding in Jamaica does not mean a big, all-inclusive resort, or planned activities of any sort. What some couples want above all is privacy, and the chance to focus on each other. Jamaica Villas offers over 60 private, staffed villas on the island available for renting by the week. A browse through their listings is an exercise in wanderlust heaven. They have villas that will also serve as stunning ceremony locations, sister villas grouped together, and "child-friendly" villas for larger parties. With stunning views, a cordial staff, and the best of what Jamaica has to offer, who needs to go anywhere else?

Music

For a destination wedding in Jamaica, let's assume a polka band is NOT an option! The truth is, there's fabulous music everywhere you go in Jamaica, and your only difficulty will be choosing between many great bands for your wedding. The Fab 5 is one of the island's most popular dance bands. Many of the resorts and all-inclusives will have recommendations, and some of the nightclubs in Montego Bay and elsewhere (Royal Decameron, Pier One) have top local bands perform. If you are making a planning trip, you'll have a great time auditioning bands, or from home you can gather recommendations and listen (and dance) to demo cds.

Photography

While you look at Jamaica-based Brian Nejedly's portfolio of wedding photography, also check out his stunning photos of surfers (it will get you in the mood for your Jamaica beach days!). Paula Pickett and Damian Williams both live in Jamaica (though Paula is from Texas), and are partners in Sungold Photography which specializes in photographing weddings island-wide.