Your Guide To Belize Weddings
Belize All Inclusive Destination Wedding
Destination weddings are a great way to have that special day in a dream location. Whether you choose to have your ceremony on a white-sand beach, in a pristine rainforest, or on a private island, tying the knot away from home gives you a chance to get married without all of the stress and money associated with planning a traditional wedding. It also has the added benefit of serving as your exotic honeymoon location. Because of this, getting married in tropical Belize, Central America has become a popular choice for many U.S. and Canadian citizens.
There are several resorts in Belize that cater to couples looking to get married. Three of the nicest and more luxurious wedding destination resorts are Coco Plum Island, Laru Beya and Belizean Dreams. Each of these all inclusive Belize resorts has an on-site wedding coordinator ready to assist you in planning your dream destination wedding.
What You Need To Know To Get Married in Belize
Getting married in Belize for foreigners is easier than ever. The general procedure is straight forward, the application for a marriage license is easy to fill out and most resorts take care of all the details for you. You and your partner are required to travel to Belize at least three days prior to your ceremony date. The Registrar General's Office in Belize City handles the application for a marriage license. You and your partner must provide proof of your country's citizenship with a valid passport showing the date of entry into Belize and an original birth certificate. If you or your partner is widowed or divorced, you must also provide a death certificate or a divorce decree along with your application. You will not need to get a blood test or have parental consent if you're over the age of 18. The next step is getting married. If you follow the proper protocols, it is important to note that your marriage in Belize will be legal and internationally recognized. For specific details on how our resort assists with this procedure, please see our Wedding Requirements page.
Selecting That Special Wedding Location
From beach casual to jungle chic, Belize has a wide selection of wedding venues. Several of the smaller locations are charming and romantic with just the wedding services you need. Many resorts in Belize cater to those looking for wedding destinations and have lush tropical gardens, waterfronts or beaches for your ceremony. If you're looking for something different, can even choose to have your wedding on a private island resort with views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
Many of the hotels and resorts offer all inclusive wedding packages. These may include the services of a local wedding planner, making sure you have completed all of the necessary paperwork, help planning the ceremony, and assistance with the planning the lodging for you and your guests.
Wedding planning & ceremony packages often are separate from packages that bundle rooms, food, and excursions for you or your guests, so make sure that the resort you choose has the amenities that you want. Accommodations will range from hotel rooms to suites to private cabanas. Resorts may also offer discounts for large parties, as is the case for Coco Plum Island Resort, Laru Beya and Belizean Dreams.
Packages will often include a choice of wedding cake flavor as well as your wedding color theme, traditional palm leaf and tropical flower archway setup and decor. You should be able to request changes to package inclusions for additional fees, for example, on the cocktails and meals served at served at the reception. Most resorts will accommodate special dietary requests. Choose the food that you will enjoy and remember for your special day.
Your Tropical Wedding Ceremony
If you have your heart set on a non-traditional wedding ceremony, you should specify to your hotel and resort what you envision. From the non-religious to the secular, you can have almost any kind of ceremony your heart desires. Weddings in Belize must be performed by a justice of the peace, a boat captain, or a minister of a church. If you don't have anyone in particular in mind that you want to perform your ceremony, your resort's wedding planner will be able to arrange the justice of the peace. Your ceremony must be witnessed by one male and one female. If you and your partner are planning a wedding without friends or family, your hotel or resort will provide witnesses.
If you would like music at your wedding, your all inclusive Belize wedding package coordinator will arrange the musicians such as a local band for an additional fee. If you prefer, you can hire a local DJ instead of having live music. Or, if you are looking to save on costs, simply bring your own playlist and connect to the resort's sound system. Basic photography is included in most packages with an option to upgrade more artistic photography.
Your selection of a wedding dress and flowers will be one of the most important decisions you make. Your inclusive wedding hotel or resort will help you find the right decorative flowers and bouquet. Keep in mind that there are very few wedding dress stores in Belize. You, your partner and your wedding party should bring all wedding attire. Makeup and hair services can also be arranged by most resorts for an additional fee.
Start Planning Your Destination Wedding
When you book your all-inclusive destination wedding in Belize, all of the details are taken care of for you. Your love of nature coupled with a desire for a totally exotic setting makes Belize the perfect location for your destination wedding. There is no better setting than a wedding under swaying palm trees on a sun-kissed beach with the waves of the Caribbean Sea gently rippling in the background as you pledge your love for partner. Whether it be just the two of you, your closest family and friends, or a large destination wedding group, several Belize resorts can host your wedding. A wedding planner will provide the personalized service that you need to take the stress out of the planning so you can enjoy peace of mind when you say "I do." So, what are you waiting for? After celebrating the best day of your life, stick around and begin your life as newlyweds by indulging in the blissfully romantic touches of an all inclusive Honeymoon Package.
Contact us to learn more about planning your Belize destination wedding.
"The most beautiful, unforgettable, romantic island wedding. With such ease and joy the staff at Coco Plum took care of what we needed before we knew we needed it. Everything was taken care of for our wedding, all we had to do was show up. There is a wonderful family created with all guests and staff alike. A place you will return to, to take your shoes off and smile for your entire stay. Take a walk around the island, and just breath."
"No decisions to make and every meal was amazing right down to the dessert. A quiet, peaceful, beautiful place to unwind with no TV is very rejuvenating. Every staff member went above and beyond to make this the most memorable trip possible. The wedding preparations were second to none. Every request was met with a can do attitude. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting downtime to relax and renew your body."
"We went on this trip for our son’s wedding. Which the staff did an incredible job with! The flowers were amazing. The staff did an incredible job from beginning to end! Outside of the wedding...I don’t think I have the words to describe how amazing the staff is...they are attentive and fun! They know everyone by name 5 minutes after you arrive. Anything you need or want they are ready to help out and get it."