Planning a Wedding in the Bahamas:
A Journey, Not Just a Day

Hi, I’m Glenn Ferguson, a WPIC-certified Bahamas wedding planner, and Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer with over 20 years of experience creating unforgettable, luxury destination weddings in the Bahamas. And let me tell you something I’ve learned after planning hundreds of weddings here—your wedding in the Bahamas should be more than just a ceremony. It should be an experience, a story, a journey you and your guests will never forget.

Forget the cookie-cutter resort wedding packages. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s vibrant, immersive, and deeply connected to the soul of the islands, then keep reading. I’m going to show you how to plan a wedding that’s as breathtaking as the Bahamas itself.

Step 1: Let the Wedding Begin Before You Arrive

One mistake couples make when planning a destination wedding is thinking the experience begins when they arrive at their venue. But why wait? Your guests should feel the excitement long before they board their flights.

How to Build the Anticipation:

• Curate a Wedding Soundtrack: Music is the heartbeat of the Bahamas. Create a playlist of Bahamian rake ‘n’ scrape, Junkanoo, and Caribbean love songs and send it to your guests so they start feeling the island vibe before they even pack.
• Send a Digital “Message in a Bottle” Instead of a standard invitation, create an interactive wedding website with videos of Bahamian chefs, musicians, and locals showcasing what your guests will experience.
• A Bahamas Wedding Passport: Send guests a digital Bahamas guide with local phrases, must-try cocktails, and hidden beach recommendations to get them excited about exploring beyond the wedding day.

(Want to know the best time to get married in the Bahamas? Check out my guide on Bahamas wedding seasons)

Step 2: Choose a Wedding Venue That Tells a Story

Sure, beachfront weddings are stunning, but the Bahamas is home to extraordinary locations that can turn your wedding into a one-of-a-kind experience.

Unique Bahamas Wedding Venues:

• A Sandbank Wedding: Imagine saying “I do” on a sandbank that only appears at low tide—a magical, disappearing island in the middle of crystal-clear waters. Your guests arrive by boat, greeted with fresh coconut water and Bahamian bush tea. By the time the tide rises, you’ll have left nothing behind but footprints and memories.
• A Blue Hole Ceremony: The Bahamas is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking blue holes—mystical, deep pools of sapphire water surrounded by lush greenery. What if your wedding took place at one of these sacred, ancient sites, blending natural beauty with folklore?
• A Junkanoo Parade Reception: Who needs a traditional first dance when you can lead your guests in a private Junkanoo rush-out through the streets of Nassau? The pounding of drums, the energy of the crowd—your wedding reception will feel like a celebration of life itself.

(Looking for the best wedding venues in the Bahamas? Here’s my list of top Bahamas wedding locations)

Step 3: Forget the Traditional Wedding Timeline

Most weddings are structured down to the minute—but in the Bahamas, time moves differently. Embrace it.

How to Ditch the Rigid Schedule:

• Make it a Wedding Weekend (or Week): Instead of cramming everything into one day, plan a wedding experience. Host a welcome beach bonfire, go swimming with pigs in Exuma, or take a sunset catamaran cruise before the big day.
• Reimagine the “Getting Ready” Process: Instead of the usual bridal suite photos, why not start the day with an ocean meditation, a Bahamian bush tea ritual, or a rum tasting with your bridal party?
• Let the Island Set the Pace: If your wedding ceremony starts a little later than planned because your guests are busy watching the sunset melt into the ocean, so be it. That’s the kind of beauty you can’t schedule—and trust me, it’s worth it.

(Need help with legal requirements? Check out my guide on how to get legally married in the Bahamas)

Step 4: Let Go of Perfection—The Bahamas Will Surprise You

I tell every couple this: Your wedding will not be perfect. But that’s the beauty of it.

Maybe a cloud passes over during your vows, the ocean breeze tangles your hair, or the Junkanoo drummers decide to play an extra song. These are not flaws. These are the moments that make your wedding real, raw, and alive.

Instead of fighting it, lean into it. Let the islands happen to you.

Step 5: Make It a Story Worth Telling

The best weddings aren’t just about beautiful décor or fancy venues. They’re about stories.

What Story Will Your Wedding Tell?

• The Couple Who Married on a Vanishing Sandbank: A once-in-a-lifetime ceremony, with guests arriving by boat and the island disappearing beneath the rising tide.
• The Lovers Who Danced Through the Streets of Nassau: A wedding-turned-festival, where no one could tell where the ceremony ended and the party began.
• The Wedding That Became an Island-Wide Affair: A spontaneous Junkanoo rush, locals joining in, and a celebration that became part of the Bahamas itself.

Your wedding is not just a date on the calendar. It’s a living, breathing experience, and it deserves to be planned as such.

Let’s Start Planning Your Bahamas Wedding

I’ve spent over 20 years helping couples like you plan breathtaking, deeply personal weddings in the Bahamas. Now, I want to help you.

✅ Looking for a stress-free, all-inclusive Bahamas wedding package? I’ve got you covered.
✅ Need a licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer to make it legal? That’s me!
✅ Want a wedding that’s unique, immersive, and unforgettable? Let’s design something magical together.

📩 Contact me today, and let’s start planning the wedding of your dreams in the Bahamas. I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

👉 Ask Glenn about your Bahamas wedding now!