Destination Weddings – Bahamas

 Photo taken by Bahamas wedding photographer Dianna Hart

 In the past, I have mentioned that planning a destination wedding may help a bride and groom save money.  This is because the couple either goes alone or with a select group of family and close friends; therefore, avoiding the high reception costs.   

A popular spot, especially for those who live along the east coast, is the Bahamas.  My husband and I visited the Nassau and Paradise Island areas of the island this weekend.  Here are some affordable wedding planning tips, that I can share with you based on my stay this past week.  

• Select a hotel that is on Paradise Island.  There are parts of downtown Nassau that you will want to avoid when it gets dark.
• Stay at Atlantis.  The room rates are slightly higher than the nearby resorts but it will be worth the additional money, as you will most likely spend most of your time there anyway.
• If you are looking for an all-inclusive resort, this is not your island.  If you are set on an all-inclusive resort in this area, your options on Paradise Island are the Hotel RIU Palace and Paradise Harbour Resort.   From our experience, the RIU doesn’t have the best service and basically gets business for its location, being right next door to Atlantis, and Paradise Harbour Resort is 3-stars and welcomes kids.
• If you want to have your wedding on the beach, or even just relax on the beach, walk past the resort(s) to a more secluded area.  You don’t want to be bombarded with the men selling parasailing and jet ski activities, the women selling beach wraps and jewelry, or the drunk vacationers stumbling away from the beach bar.
• If you have a decent size group and you would like to have a reception, make sure that the resort where you are staying can reserve you a private area of a restaurant or a small banquet/ballroom.  While we were there, we saw a just-married couple have their first dance around the pool.  Who wants to share this special moment in front of a bunch of strangers in Speedo’s, while worrying about getting your dress wet?
• Do your research to find the best deal.  Almost all of the hotels and resorts on the island offer some type of wedding package.  Make sure the package that you select includes a wedding coordinator, to help you plan your special day from miles away.
• If you want to have a nice private dinner or small reception somewhere outside of the hotel, I highly recommend Graycliff.  This by far, was the best part of our trip.  This 5-star restaurant has a private dining room downstairs in the wine cellar that can seat up to 18 people.  The service was excellent, the food was amazing and the restaurant itself has an old-charm feel with a piano player taking requests.  The private dining area is $1,000 to rent, not including the food prices but compared to a large reception at home, this still doesn’t compare.  If you decide to eat in the regular dining area, make sure to request a tour of the wine cellar and take a walk next store to the cigar company to watch the master rollers.
• Food and drinks on the island can be very pricey.  If you and your husband-to-be like to relax with a cocktail, stop by a duty free shop and purchase a bottle of your favorite liquor(s).  Mix up your own drinks in your room before heading out to the pool or casino.
• Check the weather before you plan your trip.   The weather in February can be iffy.  It was gorgeous the beginning of our trip but cold, windy and rainy towards the end.
• Do not rent a car.  For travelers from the U.S., it can be very confusing, as they drive on the left side of the road.  It is also very crowded.  You can get almost anywhere in the area by taxi for $10-15 each way.
• Find activities for you and your guests that cost little to no money:

-   Walk through The Dig at the Atlantis hotel to see some of the world’s most exotic sea creatures.  

-   Walk the casino in Atlantis to people watch and try your luck at some penny, nickel or quarter slots.  

-   Take a stroll through the Marina Village.  Check out the unbelievable boats and yachts docked at the marina, browse the over-priced shops and grab a slice of pizza, a quick bite at the deli, or enjoy an ice cream cone at Ben & Jerry’s.  

-  Visit the straw market on Bay Street to find fun souvenirs and gifts for an inexpensive price.  

-  Talk a walk or rent scooters and drive by the gorgeous celebrity homes of Oprah, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, R. Kelly, Sean Connery and many more.  

If anyone has had their wedding in the Nassau area, or have been to a wedding there, please share your experiences in the comments section below!