St Lucia Weddings - What You Need To Know
In September 2012 Saint Lucia was named the Caribbean's leading honeymoon destination by the World Travel Awards - for the tenth year in a row. Winners are selected by both the trade and by consumers, who consider the island to be a leading romance destination.
Brides magazine also listed Saint Lucia as one of the world's top 20 honeymoon destinations in 2012, while US News & World Report listed the island as one of the best Caribbean honeymoon locations.
In addition to these awards in 2012, both American and British versions of the hit television series, The Bachelor, were filmed on Saint Lucia.
With global recognition as a leading romantic destination, it will come as no surprise that many couples choose to marry in St Lucia, as well as honeymooning there.
If you'd like to hold your wedding ceremony on this stunning tropical island, there is a little paperwork you'll need to do before your wedding can take place. Same-day weddings are available in St Lucia, and if this is your plan, your documents will need to be mailed in advance. If any of the documents are in a language other than English, an authenticated English translation should be provided.
Identifying papers
You'll need to present both your passport and your birth certificate. If your name has changed you will need to present your deed poll paperwork.
Previous marriages
If you're divorced, you'll need to provide your decree absolute. If you're widowed, the death certificate of your first spouse should be provided.
Under-18s
If either party is under 18 years of age, evidence of parental consent (a sworn affidavit stamped by a Notary Public) should be presented.
Civil wedding ceremonies
There are a great many civil wedding venues to choose from in St Lucia, from the expected to the unexpected. While many hotels offer wedding planning services and wedding packages, if you'd like to be married on a beach (or underwater if diving is your passion) this can usually be arranged.
Catholic wedding ceremonies
If you would like a Catholic wedding ceremony in St Lucia, first of all your local parish priest needs to liaise with a St Lucian priest, to be sure that you've gone through the required counselling and meet all criteria for marrying in a Catholic ceremony.
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a beautiful Victorian-style cathedral in the centre of St Lucia's capital city, Castries, is a popular venue for Catholic wedding ceremonies in St Lucia. The cathedral can be contacted on +1 758 452 2271.
Romantic ways to spend your stay in St Lucia
Once the wedding ceremony is over, you can relax and enjoy the rest of your time in St Lucia engaged in any number of romantic activities.
You could enjoy a romantic sunset cruise on the calm Caribbean Sea, with champagne and glorious views.
Hitting the beach is a popular option if you're looking for some romantic time out from the world. St Lucia has no shortage of beautiful beaches, with black or white soft sand and views that you'll never forget. If you're staying at Marigot Bay, and want to venture out from its palm-fringed beach to explore other local sandy beaches, you'll find it's very easy to get to Anse Cochon, Anse des Pitons, and Cas en Bas - all of which are beautiful sandy beaches where you'll have no shortage of romantic views.
St Lucia's natural history is fascinating, and there are many excellent places on the island where you can see Mother Nature at work. Strolling hand-in-hand through beautiful tropical scenery, watching wildlife, visiting beautiful gardens and waterfalls and bathing in the sulphur springs and mineral baths are all popular ways to experience St Lucia's natural history with your new spouse.
But really, when all's said and done, the greatest romance in St Lucia - romantic as the island is - will be found by gazing lovingly into the eyes of the one you love, surrounded by the tropical sights, sounds and scents of one of the most beautiful and romantic destinations in the world.
Brides magazine also listed Saint Lucia as one of the world's top 20 honeymoon destinations in 2012, while US News & World Report listed the island as one of the best Caribbean honeymoon locations.
In addition to these awards in 2012, both American and British versions of the hit television series, The Bachelor, were filmed on Saint Lucia.
With global recognition as a leading romantic destination, it will come as no surprise that many couples choose to marry in St Lucia, as well as honeymooning there.
If you'd like to hold your wedding ceremony on this stunning tropical island, there is a little paperwork you'll need to do before your wedding can take place. Same-day weddings are available in St Lucia, and if this is your plan, your documents will need to be mailed in advance. If any of the documents are in a language other than English, an authenticated English translation should be provided.
Identifying papers
You'll need to present both your passport and your birth certificate. If your name has changed you will need to present your deed poll paperwork.
Previous marriages
If you're divorced, you'll need to provide your decree absolute. If you're widowed, the death certificate of your first spouse should be provided.
Under-18s
If either party is under 18 years of age, evidence of parental consent (a sworn affidavit stamped by a Notary Public) should be presented.
Civil wedding ceremonies
There are a great many civil wedding venues to choose from in St Lucia, from the expected to the unexpected. While many hotels offer wedding planning services and wedding packages, if you'd like to be married on a beach (or underwater if diving is your passion) this can usually be arranged.
Catholic wedding ceremonies
If you would like a Catholic wedding ceremony in St Lucia, first of all your local parish priest needs to liaise with a St Lucian priest, to be sure that you've gone through the required counselling and meet all criteria for marrying in a Catholic ceremony.
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a beautiful Victorian-style cathedral in the centre of St Lucia's capital city, Castries, is a popular venue for Catholic wedding ceremonies in St Lucia. The cathedral can be contacted on +1 758 452 2271.
Romantic ways to spend your stay in St Lucia
Once the wedding ceremony is over, you can relax and enjoy the rest of your time in St Lucia engaged in any number of romantic activities.
You could enjoy a romantic sunset cruise on the calm Caribbean Sea, with champagne and glorious views.
Hitting the beach is a popular option if you're looking for some romantic time out from the world. St Lucia has no shortage of beautiful beaches, with black or white soft sand and views that you'll never forget. If you're staying at Marigot Bay, and want to venture out from its palm-fringed beach to explore other local sandy beaches, you'll find it's very easy to get to Anse Cochon, Anse des Pitons, and Cas en Bas - all of which are beautiful sandy beaches where you'll have no shortage of romantic views.
St Lucia's natural history is fascinating, and there are many excellent places on the island where you can see Mother Nature at work. Strolling hand-in-hand through beautiful tropical scenery, watching wildlife, visiting beautiful gardens and waterfalls and bathing in the sulphur springs and mineral baths are all popular ways to experience St Lucia's natural history with your new spouse.
But really, when all's said and done, the greatest romance in St Lucia - romantic as the island is - will be found by gazing lovingly into the eyes of the one you love, surrounded by the tropical sights, sounds and scents of one of the most beautiful and romantic destinations in the world.
