Bahamas Wedding Guest Travel Guide
Everything your guests need to know -- and everything you need to tell them. Flights, hotels, what to wear, what to pack, and what to expect. From someone who has coordinated 200+ destination weddings in Nassau and across the Bahamas.
The Complete Guide to Getting Your Guests to the Bahamas
The number one concern couples share with Glenn before booking a Bahamas destination wedding is guest logistics. Will my guests actually come? How will they get there? Where will they stay? What should they wear? This guide answers every question -- whether you are the couple planning the wedding or a guest who just received a save-the-date. The information on this page is based on Glenn Ferguson's 24 years of coordinating destination wedding travel for couples from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe. According to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Nassau and Paradise Island welcome approximately 1.5 million stopover visitors annually, with destination weddings representing one of the fastest-growing tourism segments.
Flights to Nassau for Wedding Guests
| Departure City | Airlines | Flight Time | Peak Season | Off-Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Fort Lauderdale | American, Bahamasair, JetBlue, Spirit | 50 min | $250-$400 | $200-$300 |
| New York (JFK/EWR) | JetBlue, American, Delta, United | 3 hr | $350-$500 | $300-$400 |
| Atlanta | Delta, American | 2.5 hr | $300-$450 | $250-$350 |
| Charlotte | American | 2.5 hr | $350-$500 | $280-$400 |
| Chicago | American, United | 3.5 hr | $400-$550 | $350-$450 |
| Dallas / Houston | American, United | 3.5 hr | $400-$550 | $350-$450 |
| Los Angeles | American, JetBlue (1 stop) | 6-8 hr | $450-$650 | $400-$550 |
| Toronto | Air Canada, WestJet | 3.5 hr | $450-$700 CAD | $400-$550 CAD |
| London | British Airways, Virgin (via Miami) | 11-14 hr | $700-$1,000 | $600-$850 |
Swipe left to see all columns
Hotels for Bahamas Wedding Guests
Comfortable & Affordable
Comfort Suites Paradise Island -- walking distance to Atlantis, includes beach access. Clean, reliable, guest-approved.
Towne Hotel -- downtown Nassau, steps from Bay Street shopping.
Breezes Resort -- all-inclusive option on Cable Beach.
Style & Comfort
British Colonial Hilton -- historic downtown Nassau, private beach, pool.
Warwick Paradise Island -- adults-only, all-inclusive, near Atlantis.
Hotel Riu Palace Paradise Island -- all-inclusive beachfront.
World-Class Resorts
Baha Mar Grand Hyatt -- Cable Beach, multiple pools, casino, spa.
SLS Baha Mar -- boutique luxury, pool scene, exceptional dining.
Atlantis Paradise Island -- iconic resort, Aquaventure waterpark, marine exhibits.
What to Wear to a Bahamas Beach Wedding
Women -- Ceremony
Maxi dress, midi dress, or sundress in light, breathable fabric. Floral prints and pastel colours work beautifully. A light wrap or cardigan for evening ceremonies (December-April).
Wedge sandals, dressy flats, or go barefoot on sand
Avoid stiletto heels, heavy fabrics, all-black outfits, or white (unless the couple says it's fine)
Men -- Ceremony
Linen or lightweight cotton trousers with a button-down shirt (long or short sleeve). Blazer optional. No tie required unless specifically requested. Khaki, tan, light blue, and white are popular colours.
Loafers, boat shoes, or clean sandals
Avoid dark suits, heavy wool, jeans, trainers, or flip-flops
Welcome Dinner / Reception
Resort elegant. Women: cocktail dress or jumpsuit. Men: dress shirt with slacks or chinos. If the reception is at a resort restaurant, some venues require closed-toe shoes and collared shirts for men.
Check if the venue has a dress code
Avoid overly casual beach wear at formal dinners
Beach Days / Activities
Swimsuit with cover-up, shorts, tank tops, sundresses. Reef-safe sunscreen is expected (and increasingly required for water activities). A hat and sunglasses are essential.
Bring water shoes for boat excursions
Avoid wearing expensive jewellery in the water
Planning a Bahamas Wedding? Glenn Handles the Guest Logistics for You.
Custom guest travel packets, group hotel rates, airport transfer coordination, and a dedicated planning timeline -- so your guests show up happy and you stay stress-free.
Bahamas Wedding Guest Packing Checklist
Carry-On Essentials
- Valid passport (expires 6+ months out)
- Wedding ceremony outfit
- Prescription medications
- Phone charger / portable battery
- Sunglasses
- Travel insurance documents
- Cash / credit cards
Clothing (3-5 Night Stay)
- Ceremony outfit + dressy shoes
- 1-2 casual resort outfits
- Swimsuit + cover-up
- Light wrap or cardigan
- Comfortable walking sandals
- Water shoes (for boat/reef trips)
- Sun hat
Toiletries & Extras
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Insect repellent
- After-sun / aloe vera
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Travel-size wrinkle release spray
- Reusable water bottle
- Light rain jacket (summer weddings)
Leave at Home
- Expensive jewellery (risk of loss)
- Heavy winter clothing
- Hair dryer (hotels provide them)
- Beach towels (hotels provide them)
- Wrapped wedding gifts (ship instead)
- Full-size toiletries
- Formal ball gowns / tuxedos
Currency, Tipping, Passports & Safety
The Bahamian Dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US Dollar. US dollars are accepted everywhere -- you do not need to exchange currency. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. Smaller vendors and taxis may prefer cash. ATMs are available at the airport, hotels, and downtown Nassau.
- Restaurants: 15-20% (check if gratuity is already added)
- Hotel porters: $1-2 per bag
- Housekeeping: $2-5 per day
- Taxi drivers: 15-20%
- Tour guides / boat captains: $10-20 per person
All visitors need a valid passport. US citizens can use a passport book or passport card (card valid for sea return only). No visa required for US, Canadian, UK, or EU citizens for stays under 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond travel dates. Apply or renew 3+ months before your trip. See the Americans guide, Canadians guide, or UK citizens guide for country-specific details.
Tourist areas in Nassau, Paradise Island, and Cable Beach are well-patrolled and generally safe. Standard precautions: stay in well-lit areas at night, use hotel safes, take licensed taxis (identifiable by yellow plates), and don't display expensive jewellery. Resort areas have 24-hour security. According to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the tourism zones maintain dedicated police patrols year-round.
Activities for Wedding Guests in Nassau
A destination wedding is a mini-vacation for your guests. Glenn provides every couple with a guest activity guide featuring local recommendations and pre-negotiated group rates. Here are the most popular activities for wedding groups in Nassau and Paradise Island:
Snorkelling Excursion
Crystal-clear reefs just off Nassau with tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral gardens.
Swimming with Pigs
Day trip to Exuma to swim with the famous Bahamas swimming pigs at Big Major Cay.
Atlantis Aquaventure
Waterslides, lazy river, marine exhibits, and beach access at the iconic Atlantis resort.
Catamaran Sunset Cruise
Sail along Nassau harbour at sunset with drinks and music. Perfect for a welcome party.
Downtown Nassau Tour
Queen's Staircase, Fort Charlotte, Straw Market, and colonial architecture walking tour.
Rum Tasting
Sample Bahamian rum and learn about island distilling traditions at local distilleries.
Blue Lagoon Island
Dolphin encounters, sea lion shows, beach, and nature trails on a private island.
Jet Ski / Parasailing
High-energy water sports along Cable Beach or Paradise Island with group packages.
When to Tell Your Guests What -- Communication Timeline
One of the most common mistakes couples make with destination weddings is communicating too late. Your guests need lead time to save, plan, and book. Here is the communication schedule Glenn recommends based on 24 years of coordinating guest travel:
Save-the-Date
Include destination (Bahamas), approximate dates, and a note that detailed travel info will follow. Mention that a valid passport is required. This gives guests time to request time off, budget for travel, and renew passports. See our complete planning timeline.
Wedding Website Launch
Create a wedding website with hotel block information, recommended flight routes, approximate costs, and a link to this guest travel guide. Include dress code guidance and an FAQ section. Glenn provides content for your wedding website.
Formal Invitations
Send printed or digital invitations with RSVP deadline (at least 2 months before the wedding). Include hotel booking codes, group rate details, and the wedding website URL. Request RSVPs early so you can finalise vendor headcounts.
Detailed Travel Packet
Send the full guest travel guide: arrival logistics, hotel check-in details, airport transfer schedule, wedding day timeline, dress code specifics, currency/tipping info, packing suggestions, and activity options. Glenn provides a customisable travel packet template for every couple.
Final Details Email
Confirm airport transfer times, wedding day schedule (ceremony time, dress code reminder), welcome event details, and Glenn's contact number for on-island questions. Include local emergency numbers and the nearest hospital/clinic location.
Cruise Ship Guests, Gifts & Travel Insurance
Guest Experiences from Real Weddings
"Glenn organized our wedding with precision, professionalism, and flexibility. From start to finish it was perfect. For anyone apprehensive about getting married abroad -- don't be. Glenn had all the paperwork completed for our arrival and organized a priority wedding license at the government building before taking us to the beach for the wedding."
Stacey & Partner
Scotland -- Beach Wedding, Nassau
"In 31 days' time, Glenn managed to put together a dream Bahamas elopement for my wife and I. He was quick to respond, professional, and had a charismatic nature that always put us at ease. Glenn made the entire process, even on such a tight timeline, feel beyond easy."
Recent Couple
United States -- Elopement, Nassau
"Glenn provided us with the most beautiful ceremony on the beach with our family and friends. We absolutely loved everything that they did. Very professional but also became like family that day!"
Beach Wedding Couple
United States -- Group Wedding, Nassau
Frequently Asked Questions from Guests & Couples
Why Glenn Handles Guest Logistics Better Than Anyone
Glenn Ferguson is a Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer and WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner (Wedding Planners Institute of Canada) with 24+ years of experience and over 200 destination weddings performed across Nassau, Paradise Island, Exuma, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Bimini, and Abaco.
Glenn's dual credentials mean he serves as both your wedding planner and your legal officiant -- handling everything from guest hotel blocks and airport transfers to marriage license processing and the ceremony itself. His local relationships with hotels, tour operators, and transport providers mean your guests get better rates and smoother logistics than booking on their own.
Every couple who books with Glenn receives a customisable guest travel packet, group hotel rate negotiations, coordinated airport transfers, and Glenn's direct phone number for any on-island questions. Your guests don't need to figure anything out -- Glenn's team handles it. See why couples choose an independent planner over a resort wedding desk.
Ready to Start Planning?
WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner • Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer
2026 peak season dates (December-April) are booking now. A 35% deposit holds your date. Glenn provides a complete guest travel packet with every wedding package -- your guests will thank you.
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