How to Plan Your Dream Bahamas Destination Wedding or Honeymoon
Today's post from Jackie, my travel editor, could not of come at a better time. The temperature here dipped down to 12 below early this morning and that was before the windchill was factored in. That would make it feel like 25-50 below zero. Brrrrr. I'm completely going to spend today daydreaming of being somewhere tropical with the ocean at my feet . . . The Bahamas sounds like a perfect place :) Now, here's Jackie . . .
Greetings! Today, I'm sharing some fun travel tips and ideas for planning a dream destination wedding or an intimate, romantic honeymoon in The Bahamas. Most people think of the Bahamas as a chain of a few islands with big resorts and hotel chains, but I'm here to tell you that you can find so many unique experiences on any one of the 700 (yes, 700) islands that are part of the country's chain. While not all of them are accessible, those that are have so much to offer.
I recently had the pleasure and honor of visiting the island of Bimini, made up of three smaller islands just over 50 miles off the coast of southern Florida - the closest of the Bahama islands to the US. It is rich in both history and marine life, and is one of the most popular destinations for big game fishing in the Caribbean. Earnest Hemmingway was a Bimini resident from 1935-1937 where he was inspired to write The Old Man and the Sea and Island in the Stream. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited the island twice to write two of his most famous speeches. Today, Bimini remains a quiet but vibrant island full of wonderful, kind people, pristine turquoise water and lush surroundings.
So, what makes Bimini an ideal location
for a destination wedding or honeymoon?
Even though the island is small, you can enjoy the amenities of a resort but have more intimate experiences should you choose. My host lodging for this trip - Resorts World Bimini - makes it super convenient and affordable to get to the island from Miami. It's just a quick 2-hour trip by cruise ship, and visitors can book affordable packages to cruise and stay at Resorts World Bimini starting at under $100 per person for a 2-night stay! If you prefer to fly directly to Bimini, a few smaller airlines offer flights out of both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale and will have you beach-side in just 35-45 minutes!
Should you be looking for destination wedding venue for a larger group, Resorts World can accommodate groups up to 200 very easily. However, if you are looking for an intimate experience, there are many options for you as well. Resorts World offers several different ceremony locations from beach front to poolside to the Casino, as well as options for a romantic, private post-ceremony dinner for two, or a fun reception and party for all of your friends and family. If you’re looking for a completely secluded spot for your ceremony, the resort can also arrange a private boat charter to take to you an isolated beach for a one-of-a-kind wedding experience, complete with setup for dining after the ceremony! Doesn’t that sound like the perfect wedding escape?
If you’re looking to spend some time on Bimini either before or after your wedding, there is plenty to do!
1. Rent a golf cart and take a spin around the island.
2. Must-visit places include Stuart’s or Joe’s Conch Shack for the favorite local (and oh so delicious) dish of conch salad and the Dolphin House, a mini-museum with artifacts documenting the island’s history.
3. The public beaches are also worth checking out, as the water is crystal clear and relatively shallow.
4. Another highlight is exploring the incredible marine life around Bimini: charter a boat and go snorkeling or diving, where you’ll discover sting rays, bottle-nose dolphins, beautiful tropical fish and shipwrecks.
Want to have an extended stay in the Bahamas?
There are so many places to explore, particularly on Nassau, the most populous island of the Bahamas. Learn about the history and culture of the island chain or relax on one of the many beaches. Or head right next door to Paradise Island for a more luxurious visit, complete with world-class dining and entertainment, aquariums, and water activities (including The Atlantis’ lazy river and Mayan Tower Waterslide). Visitors can even purchase day passes to access many of Nassau’s or Paradise Island’s hotels and resorts – it’s a great way to sample everything these islands have to offer! If you’re considering a romantic getaway, an adventurous honeymoon or an intimate destination wedding, I can’t recommend the Bahamas enough! It’s a beautiful place that is fairly easy to get to by boat or plane, and has such a welcoming atmosphere.
Whether you want to spend every day by the beach, swim with dolphins or tour historic sites, the Bahamas has it all. So plan your trip and pack your bags already!
PS: all featured images were taken by Jackie