10 Questions to Ask a Bahamas Wedding Planner Before You Book
Don’t hire anyone until you’ve asked these 10 questions. Below, Licensed Marriage Officer Glenn Ferguson answers every one — with pricing, proof, and zero vague promises — so you know exactly what to look for.
Jump to any question:
“Are You a Licensed Marriage Officer — or Just a Wedding Planner?”
Why this matters: It determines whether one person handles everything — or a stranger reads your vows.
In The Bahamas, only a Licensed Marriage Officer authorized by the Registrar General can legally perform your ceremony. Many “wedding planners” are coordinators who book vendors and hire a separate officiant you’ve never spoken to. That means the most important 10 minutes of your wedding — your vows — are performed by someone who doesn’t know your names, your story, or why you chose the Bahamas.
I am both a Licensed Marriage Officer authorized by the Registrar General of The Bahamas and a WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner. I plan your wedding, I learn your story, and I legally marry you. One person — from first call to “I do.” No handoff to a stranger at the altar.
“How Much Does It Cost — All-In, No Hidden Fees?”
Why this matters: “Starting at” pricing often excludes officiant, license fees, transport, or flowers.
The biggest surprise couples face is discovering that the advertised “$800 elopement package” doesn’t include the marriage license, officiant fee, government charges, flowers, witnesses, or transportation. By wedding day, it’s $2,500+. Ask for the complete price — everything required for a legal wedding.
My Island Nuptial packages are all-inclusive. The price I quote is the price you pay. Government fees, affidavits, transport, flowers, witnesses, ceremony, and certificate — all included. No add-ons, no wedding-day surprises. See the full cost breakdown here.
Just you two. License, ceremony, flowers, witnesses, transport, certificate included.
View Package“Do You Handle the Marriage License — or Do I Figure It Out Myself?”
Why this matters: The license process can cost you 6-8 hours of vacation if done alone.
The Bahamas marriage license requires document verification, affidavit preparation, an appointment at the Registrar General’s Office, and certificate collection. Some planners say “we assist with the license” but actually give you a PDF checklist and wish you luck navigating a government office in a foreign country on your wedding week.
I handle everything. I verify your documents before you fly. I prepare your affidavits of singlehood. I schedule the appointment at the Registrar General’s Office. I personally drive you there in my car. I walk you through the 20-minute process. I collect the license. I deliver your certified marriage certificate after your ceremony. Apostille arranged if needed. You don’t fill out a single form.
David & Natalie — Nuptial Beach Elopement
Kassandra — Nassau Beach Wedding
“Will YOU Personally Be at My Wedding — or Will Someone Else Show Up?”
Why this matters: Many planners take bookings then send assistants you’ve never met.
This is especially common with resort wedding departments and large planning companies. You spend months communicating with one person, then on your wedding day a stranger introduces themselves as your “day-of coordinator.” Your ceremony becomes an assembly line.
I am personally present at every wedding I book. I am your planner, your officiant, and your day-of coordinator. The person who answers your first WhatsApp is the same person who says “by the power vested in me” at your ceremony. This is my core promise — and the reason 82+ couples mention me by name in their reviews.
“How Many Weddings Have You Actually Performed?”
Why this matters: Experience means knowing what can go wrong — and preventing it before you notice.
A planner with 10 weddings and a planner with 200+ have very different problem-solving skills. Ask about volume, variety (elopements, full weddings, cruise weddings), and which islands and venues they’ve worked at. Knowledge of tide patterns, sunset timing, government office hours, and backup venues only comes from years on the ground.
200+ legal wedding ceremonies across 8 Bahamas islands over 24+ years. I’ve worked at every major venue — Atlantis, Baha Mar, Four Seasons Ocean Club, Sandals, Margaritaville — plus beaches, private villas, cruise ship ceremonies, and my exclusive Nuptial Beach. Couples from 45+ countries.
Wedding at Atlantis Paradise Island
Beach ceremony — Nassau
“Can I See Real Reviews from Actual Couples?”
Why this matters: Website testimonials can be curated. Verified Google reviews cannot be faked.
Don’t just read the testimonials on a planner’s website — anyone can write those. Ask for their Google Business Profile link and read verified reviews with real names, specific dates, and details about what actually happened. Look for patterns: does the planner’s name appear consistently? Do couples describe the same experience?
82+ verified Google reviews with a 5.0 average rating. Every review uses my name. Every review describes specific ceremony details. I encourage every couple to read them before booking. Also reviewed on WeddingWire. Full stories on my reviews page and the Connie & Ben elopement story.
“Glenn is a rockstar! Not one misstep. He put Mark and I at ease with the whole process.”
Lisa & Mark — Atlantis
“Glenn took care of everything and made the process run as smooth as possible. An amazing experience.”
Connor & Grace — Beach Wedding
“Glenn was waiting before we docked. Every detail thoughtfully taken care of in advance.”
Jason & Family — Cruise Wedding“What Happens If It Rains on My Wedding Day?”
Why this matters: “We’ll figure it out” is not a rain plan.
Ask for specifics: Do they have a covered backup venue confirmed? Do they monitor weather forecasts? How far in advance will they communicate changes? If the answer is vague or “we’ll play it by ear,” you’ll be scrambling in your wedding dress while your planner improvises.
In 24+ years, I have never cancelled a wedding due to weather. I monitor multiple forecasts starting 48 hours before your ceremony. I communicate backup options in advance — you’re never surprised. I always have a covered venue or alternate beach location ready. Bahamas rain showers are typically 15–30 minutes. I adjust your timeline to work around weather — not cancel because of it. I’ve done this dozens of times and couples never even realize it happened. Best-time guide →
“Is My Bahamas Marriage Legally Recognized Back Home?”
Why this matters: A beautiful ceremony means nothing if your marriage isn’t legal.
Some couples worry a beach wedding in another country won’t be recognized at home. The key is ensuring your ceremony is performed by someone with legal authority granted by the Bahamas government — not just someone with a nice suit and a microphone. Also confirm they handle Apostille certification if your country requires it.
Yes — worldwide. Marriages I perform are legally recognized in the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and 150+ countries through Apostille certification via the Hague Convention. Your certificate carries the official Registrar General’s seal. I handle Apostille processing through the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs if your country requires it. Full legal recognition guide →
“How Far in Advance Do I Need to Book?”
Why this matters: You need to know if your timeline is realistic — especially for short-notice plans.
Some planners require 12–18 months. Others can work on shorter timelines. The real bottleneck in The Bahamas isn’t venue availability — it’s document preparation and Registrar scheduling. A planner with strong government relationships can move faster than one who doesn’t.
I recommend 3–6 months for peak season (November–May) and 1–3 months for off-season. But I’ve coordinated complete legal elopements in as little as 31 days — and even shorter for cruise ship weddings. The key is document readiness, not venue scarcity. Call or WhatsApp me with your dates and I’ll confirm availability within 2 hours. Full planning timeline →
“What Exactly Do I Need to Do — and What Do You Handle?”
Why this matters: “Full-service” should mean full-service — not “everything except the 15 things you didn’t know about.”
Get this in writing before you pay a deposit. The best planner gives you a clear, simple list of exactly what you do versus what they do. If your list is longer than 3 items, the planner isn’t handling enough.
Here’s the split — in writing, right now, on a public page:
| You Do (3 things) | Glenn Handles (everything else) |
|---|---|
| 1. Call Glenn & choose package | Document verification before you fly |
| 2. Email passport copies | Affidavit of singlehood preparation |
| 3. Show up in The Bahamas | Registrar General appointment + personal escort |
| Marriage license collection | |
| Vendor coordination (photographer, florist, musicians) | |
| Beach or venue setup on the day | |
| Bridal bouquet & boutonniere | |
| Witnesses (if eloping just the two of you) | |
| Transportation — hotel to venue and back | |
| Legal ceremony — personally performed by Glenn | |
| Certified marriage certificate delivery | |
| Apostille processing (if needed) |
The Quick Comparison Scorecard
Use this to evaluate any Bahamas wedding planner side-by-side
| Question | Glenn Ferguson | Typical Planner |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Marriage Officer? | ✓ Yes | ✗ Usually no |
| WPIC Certified Planner? | ✓ Yes | ✗ Rarely |
| Personally attends wedding? | ✓ Every one | ✗ Often sends assistant |
| All-inclusive pricing? | ✓ $1,495–$11,995 | ✗ Hidden add-ons |
| Handles license personally? | ✓ Full concierge | ✗ PDF checklist |
| Verified Google Reviews? | ✓ 82+ at 5.0 | Varies |
| Zero rain cancellations? | ✓ 24 years, zero | Varies |
| Short-notice weddings? | ✓ 31-day minimum | ✗ 6–12 months |
| Consultation fee? | ✓ Free | Often $50–$200 |
| Response time? | ✓ Under 2 hours | 24–72 hours |
The Bottom Line
If a planner can’t answer these 10 questions with specifics, pricing, and proof — they’re not ready to handle your wedding day. Glenn just answered all 10, in public, with nothing hidden.
More Questions Couples Ask Before Booking
Answers to the most common follow-up questions
Ready to Ask Glenn Your Questions?
Free consultation. No obligation. Glenn responds personally within 2 hours — often within minutes.
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