Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda are nestled in the Eastern Caribbean Sea. Antigua is one hundred and eight (108) square miles of limestone, coral coves and bays. Barbuda is a flat coral land area of sixty-two (62) square miles . It is home to smaller, exclusive resorts and has pink sand and secluded beaches bordered by the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.
Getting to Antigua and Barbuda is effortless. Service from the United States is provided by most U.S. airline carriers. JetBlue Airlines recently began nonstop service out of New York. To get from Antigua to Barbuda, there are several convenient options by airplane, helicopter or ferry.
Antigua and Barbuda is the premier romance destination with sunny days, cool trade winds, three hundred and sixty-five (365) pristine beaches, exceptional views and majestic sunsets. All of the modern amenities and latest trends in floral, photography, videography, music, hair and makeup are available. You can experience world class accommodations, amazing food and entertainment. Rich local culture can be used to enhance the wedding themes with personal style.
Some of the traditional wedding settings are quaint chapels, romantic sunset sails, stunning resorts, cozy private villas, barefoot on the beach, lush garden settings or ballrooms. I had the pleasure of attending a “green wedding” at Nonsuch Bay a couple of years ago.
A relaxed nightlife includes entertainment by steel bands, Calypsonians, jazz groups, limbo dancing and moon-lit cruises .The home of the most happening parties on Antigua, the Shirley Heights Lookout Bar and Restaurant is the place to be on Thursday and Sunday nights. Every Thursday a steel drum band plays and they offer food from the grill. On Sunday nights, they host a huge barbecue with two live bands for plenty of dancing, drinking, and feasting late into the warm Caribbean night.
You can enjoy cycling, spa treatments, heritage tours, horseback riding, zip lining, golfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and all- terrain vehicle and safari tours.
Spike Lee and his wife, along with Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are some of the celebrities that have married in Antigua and Barbuda.
Curtain Bluff, Hermitage Bay and Jumby Bay are some of the world’s award winning properties. They provide some of the most excellent customer service in the world and are recognized as some of the most romantic retreats . There are also all-inclusive resorts in Antigua for families and guests..
Recently I had the pleasure of staying at NonsuchBay, one of my favorite resorts. Set in the heart of a secluded bay in Antigua on a private beach, Nonsuch Bay is the perfect destination to relax and unwind. The hotel’s spacious hillside suites and beach cottages offer stunning views of a tropical coastline across a tranquil bay and out to a barrier reef of gleaming turquoise. Nonsuch Bay promises guests a truly authentic and idyllic luxury Caribbean beach hotel experience.
Tying the Knot is easy in Antigua .
You start by:
1. Completing the application and pay applicable fees.
2. Confirming a date and time for the ceremony with a marriage officer.
3. Getting married- Congratulations!
- No waiting period
- No residency requirement
- Cruise passengers can enjoy same day weddings
- Valid Passport
- Proof of Citizenship
- Proof of Marital Status
Antigua recently received the following awards:
The destination has received from the World Travel Awards 2015: Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination/Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort:Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa
Antigua & Barbuda’s Leading Boutique Hotel: The Inn at English Harbour
Antigua & Barbuda’s Leading Hotel: Blue Waters Resort & Spa
Antigua & Barbuda’s Leading Resort: Sandals Grande Antigua Resort& Spa
Antigua & Barbuda’s Leading Spa Resort: Galley Bay Resort & Spa.
By Brenda O’Neale- With This Ring Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Travel Agency- bwoneale1@hotmail.com
This is a fabulous article and it truly highlighted the beautiful islands of Antigua and Barbuda in the best possible way. For example most travel advisors reading this piece are not aware that Antigua is the only Caribbean destination with no residency requirement if someone wanted to get married. To all travel advisors please bear in mind that this is an additional USP you can use when selling the wonderful islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Great point! and a very good read.
I love Antigua & Barbuda, there’s a sense of tranquility that washes over You once land. I’ve attended two lovely and unique destination weddings each beautiful in its own right as one was an eco-friendly, beach wedding and the other was hosted in a private villa. Spectacular locale!!! Great article!!!