Your Guide to Planning a Bahamas Wedding
Costs, venues, legal requirements, timeline, and packages — WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner Glenn Ferguson from 24 years and 200+ weddings of firsthand experience in The Bahamas.
Quick Answer: How to Plan a Bahamas Wedding
Cost: $1,495–$11,995 all-inclusive packages, or $8,000–$75,000+ custom. Timeline: 6–12 months ideal, but Glenn has done it in 31 days. Documents: Passports, birth certificates, affidavits. Best locations: Nuptial Beach, Atlantis, Baha Mar, Cabbage Beach, Harbour Island. Who to call: Glenn Ferguson — 1-(242)-395-8495
Glenn Ferguson — 200+ Bahamas Weddings and Counting
I'm Glenn Ferguson, a Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer and WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner. I've personally planned, coordinated, and officiated over 200 weddings in The Bahamas including Nassau and Paradise Island, Eleuthera and Harnour Island, Exuma, Abaco and Grand Bahama— from two-person elopements at Nuptial Beach to 50-guest celebrations at Atlantis and Baha Mar.
This guide covers everything I've learned in 24 years of doing this work. Use it to plan on your own, or reach out and I'll handle the whole thing for you.
Everything You Need to Plan a Bahamas Wedding
Table of Contents
1. Why the Bahamas for Your Wedding 2. Legal Requirements & Marriage License 3. Best Venues — Glenn's Picks 4. Costs & Budget Breakdown 5. Glenn's All-Inclusive Packages ($1,495–$11,995) 6. 12-Month Planning Timeline 7. Vendors & Services 8. Honeymoon & Activities 9. FAQ — Answered by Glenn
Why Couples Choose the Bahamas for Their Wedding
Close to Everything
3 hours or less from most US cities. Direct flights from New York, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Toronto, and London. No long-haul travel for you or your guests.
Year-Round Good Weather
Average 75–85°F. November through April is dry season with clear skies. Even summer weddings work well with proper planning and Glenn's rain-day backup approach.
Simple Legal Process
No blood tests, no residency waiting period beyond 24 hours, no complicated paperwork. Glenn handles the entire marriage license process for you.
English-Speaking & USD
No language barrier, no currency exchange headaches. The Bahamas uses the Bahamian dollar (pegged 1:1 to USD) and English is the official language.
Range of Venues
Secluded beaches, luxury resorts, private islands, historic gardens. From $1,495 elopements to $75,000+ celebrations — there's a setting for every style and budget.
Worldwide Legal Recognition
Your Bahamas marriage certificate is recognized globally. Glenn handles Apostille processing for additional international validation.
Bahamas Marriage License — What You Need and How Glenn Handles It
Getting legally married in the Bahamas requires a marriage license from the Registrar General's Office in Nassau. The process is straightforward when you have someone who knows it inside out. Glenn has done this over 200 times.
Documents You Bring
Valid passports (both partners), original birth certificates with raised seal, proof of arrival date (airline ticket), and affidavits of singlehood. If previously married: certified divorce decree or death certificate.
What Glenn Handles
Affidavit preparation ($95 each), marriage license application, personal escort to the Registrar General's Office, interview guidance, priority same-day processing, and certified certificate delivery.
Key Facts
License fee: ~$100 USD. Valid for 90 days. No blood test required. No residency waiting period beyond arrival. Weddings must be held before sunset. Glenn's priority service lets you marry as early as the next day.
Best Bahamas Wedding Venues — Glenn's Picks After 200+ Weddings
After 24 years, I know every beach, resort, and hidden spot in Nassau. Here are the venues I recommend most — each chosen because I've performed weddings there and know exactly what works.
Nuptial Beach
My signature venue. Semi-private, secluded white sand, turquoise water. Best for elopements and intimate ceremonies up to 20 guests. No crowds, no interruptions.
Atlantis Paradise Island
The Cove, The Reef, Royal Towers, Beach Towers — multiple settings for 2 to 50+ guests. World-class resort with built-in guest accommodation and activities.
Baha Mar Cable Beach
Grand Hyatt, Rosewood, SLS, and Melia. Nassau's premier resort strip with miles of beachfront, luxury dining, and spa facilities for your guests.
Cabbage Beach
Paradise Island's public beach — powdery white sand and turquoise water. A natural setting for beach ceremonies of any size without resort fees.
Blue Lagoon Beach
Private island a short boat ride from Nassau. Crystal-clear shallow waters and untouched sand. An exclusive backdrop you won't find at any resort.
Harbour Island
Famous pink sand beaches on Eleuthera. Boutique hotels and a slower pace — ideal for couples who want something different from Nassau's resort scene.
How Much Does a Bahamas Wedding Actually Cost?
Costs depend on guest count, venue, and how much you want included. Here's a real breakdown — not inflated resort pricing, not unrealistic minimums. These numbers come from what my couples actually spend.
Elopement (2 people)
$1,495–$2,395
License, officiant, flowers, witnesses, transport, certificate. Add photography, limo, and Apostille in higher packages.
View Elopement Packages →Small Ceremony (2–25)
$2,495–$4,915
Everything above plus professional photography, video, live musician, cake, beauty services, and bus transport for guests.
View All Packages →Full Wedding (25–50)
$5,995–$11,995
Complete ceremony + reception with chairs, arbor, dinner, open bar, DJ, cake, multiple musicians, and full transport.
View Nassau Packages →Custom Wedding (50+)
$15,000–$75,000+
Fully custom planning at resorts, private venues, or villa buyouts. Glenn coordinates every vendor, venue, and detail.
Ask Glenn for a Quote →Money-Saving Tips
Choose a weekday ceremony for 20–30% savings on vendors and venues. Book during off-peak season (May–November) for lower rates on flights and hotels. Start with a smaller package and add services as needed — Glenn customizes every package. Consider an elopement package from $1,495 if it's just the two of you, and put the savings toward your honeymoon. Look at affordable beach packages for couples on a budget.
Glenn's Wedding Packages — $1,495 to $11,995
Every package includes Glenn as your Licensed Marriage Officer, priority marriage license processing, personal escort to the Registrar General's Office, tropical flowers, ceremony witnesses, and a dedicated wedding consultant. View complete package details.
Sweet Beginning
- Priority marriage license
- Glenn as officiant
- Tropical bouquet & boutonniere
- 2 ceremony witnesses
- Roundtrip transport to beach
- Certified marriage certificate
Romance
- Everything in Sweet Beginning
- 1-hour professional photography
- Limo for up to 6
- Marriage certificate & Apostille
Paradise Nassau
- Everything in Romance
- Video on DVD, edited with music
- Live soloist (violin, sax, or flute)
- Bus transport for up to 25
Nassau Wedding
- 50 chairs + bamboo arbor
- Aisle runner with rose petals
- Classical trio of musicians
- 1-hour photography
- Limo + 2 buses for guests
Extravaganza
- Full ceremony + reception
- 3-course dinner + 3-hour open bar
- DJ for 3 hours
- 2-tier cake with fresh flowers
- Limo + bus for 25
Eternal Love
- 50 guests — ceremony + reception
- 2-hour photo + 2-hour video
- Classical trio + steel band + DJ
- White arbor with fresh flowers
- Cake for 50 + 5 centerpieces
View all 12 packages | Proposal Packages
Also Available
Elegance — $2,495: Photography + bus for up to 25. Sunset — $4,295: Adds two-tier cake + limo. Deluxe — $4,915: Classical trio + hair stylist + makeup artist.
Full Package Details →Vow Renewal Packages
Basic — $375: Officiant + certificate. Standard — $895: Adds flowers + transportation. Premium — $1,495: Adds professional photography. All include Glenn as officiant.
Book Vow Renewal →What to Look For in a Planner
Local knowledge of Bahamian vendors and venues. Certification (WPIC or equivalent). 5+ years in destination weddings. Verified reviews. Ask how many Bahamas weddings they've planned and how they handle weather changes. Glenn: 200+ weddings, 24 years, WPIC-Certified, 5.0★.
Ready to Book? Talk to Glenn.
Free consultation. Glenn personally answers every inquiry — average reply under 2 hours.
12-Month Bahamas Wedding Planning Timeline
This is the timeline Glenn recommends for most couples. Planning a full wedding with guests? Start 6–12 months out. Eloping? Glenn has done it in as little as 31 days. Cruise passengers can book 2–4 weeks ahead.
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Set Your Vision & Book
Define your style, guest count, and budget. Contact Glenn for a free consultation. Choose your venue and date. Book your package and secure with a deposit. Glenn sends your document checklist.
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Documents & Paperwork
Verify passports (must be valid 6+ months past travel). Obtain certified birth certificates. Gather divorce/death certificates if needed. Send copies to Glenn for review. He prepares affidavits of singlehood.
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Ceremony Details
Finalize ceremony location, time, and style with Glenn. Confirm photographer, musician, flowers, and transportation. Plan reception details if applicable. Glenn scouts your exact ceremony spot.
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Personal Prep
Finalize attire (lightweight fabrics for the beach). Book hair and makeup if desired. Write personal vows. Organize document originals in carry-on luggage. Final consultation with Glenn — he provides your day-of itinerary.
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Final Week
Glenn confirms all vendors, builds your minute-by-minute schedule, and scouts your ceremony spot one last time. Pack wedding essentials. Communicate final details to guests. Relax — Glenn has it covered.
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Arrival in Nassau
Glenn personally escorts you to the Registrar General's Office. Priority license processing — approved same day. Final venue walk-through. Brief rehearsal for larger weddings. Early night.
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Your Wedding Day
Hair, makeup, getting ready. Transport to your ceremony beach. Glenn officiates as your Licensed Marriage Officer. Professional photography. Toast, celebrate, and enjoy — you're married. Reception dinner if applicable.
After the Wedding
Glenn delivers your certified marriage certificate. Apostille processing and worldwide courier if needed. Update your legal name back home. Enjoy your honeymoon.
Wedding Vendors Glenn Coordinates
After 24 years in Nassau, Glenn has a vetted network of photographers, musicians, florists, caterers, and stylists. Every vendor in his packages is someone he's worked with repeatedly and trusts.
Photography
Professional coverage from 1–2 hours. Photographers who know tropical lighting and every beach in Nassau. Included in Romance package and above.
Music
Solo violin, saxophone, or flute. Classical trio. Steel band. DJ. Glenn books local musicians he's worked with for years — from intimate acoustic sets to full reception entertainment.
Flowers
Tropical bouquet and boutonniere in all packages. Upgrade to arbor florals, aisle arrangements, and centerpieces. Popular Bahamian wedding flowers: hibiscus (national flower), bougainvillea, bird of paradise, orchids, frangipani. Natural decor with bamboo, driftwood, seashells.
Catering & Bahamian Cuisine
From casual beach celebrations to plated 3-course dinners. Bahamian specialties: conch salad, rock lobster, grouper, snapper, johnnycake. Cocktails: rum punch, Bahama Mama. Reception styles: beach barbecue with steel drums, elegant plated dinners, cocktail receptions, family-style shared platters.
Transport
Limo for the couple, buses for up to 50 guests, or both. All mid-tier+ packages include roundtrip transport to your ceremony beach. Glenn coordinates all logistics.
Hair & Makeup
Professional stylists experienced with humidity-proof beach looks. Available as an add-on to any package or included in the Deluxe ($4,915) package and above.
Real Reviews from Real Couples
"Glen is a rockstar! He took care of every detail — marriage license, venue, everything. Incredibly responsive, always available. I would recommend him 100%."
"We would not have gotten married in Nassau if not for Glenn. He facilitated our entire marriage process from beginning to end. A true professional."
"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."
"In 31 days' time, Glenn managed to put together a dream Bahamas elopement. Quick to respond, professional, charismatic nature. I can't say enough for the quality and value."
Bahamas Honeymoon & Activities
Most couples stay a few extra days after the ceremony. The Bahamas offers more than beaches — here's what Glenn recommends for extending your trip.
Romantic
Private beach picnic at sunset. Couples' spa treatments at Baha Mar or Atlantis. Sunset sailing on a private charter. Dinner on the water. Private island day trip to Blue Lagoon or Rose Island.
Adventure
Snorkeling at Rainbow Reef. Swimming with pigs in Exuma. Deep-sea fishing charters. Kayaking through mangroves. Scuba diving at Andros Barrier Reef. Jet ski tours around Nassau harbour.
Culture & Food
Historic downtown Nassau and Bay Street shopping. Junkanoo cultural performances. Local craft markets at Arawak Cay. Traditional Bahamian cooking classes. Rum distillery tours. Fish Fry at Arawak Cay for the best local food.
Bahamas Wedding Planning FAQ
The most common questions Glenn receives — answered from 24 years of experience. Don't see yours? Ask Glenn directly.
Start Planning Your Bahamas Wedding
24 years. 200+ weddings. One phone call to get started. Glenn personally answers every inquiry and provides a free consultation with package recommendations.
Average response time: Under 2 hours
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