Caribbean Islands ideal for weddings on a budget

As average UK wedding costs soar to £20,000, Caribbean resorts are bending over backwards to appeal to cash-strapped couples. Here’s a guide to the best freebies on offer.

Almond Resorts in St Lucia and Barbados
Free “Wedding in Paradise” package on bookings of seven nights in a deluxe or higher room. Includes government and registrar fees, ceremony, cake and champagne. A superior “Wedding in Heaven” package is free on 10 night stays in a deluxe room. Weddings otherwise cost £399.

Coconut Bay, St Lucia
A “luxury wedding package” costing $695 is free on stays of 10+ nights in an upgraded room. The “bride stays free” when 10 adults book in May/June or November until 15 December. Other dates are eligible when more adults book.

Couples Resort, Jamaica. A complimentary wedding package includes wedding coordinator, minister, wine, cake, massages and “Just Married” t-shirts.

Elegant Hotels, Barbados
At Colony Club Hotel, a $901 “Ultimate Wedding” package is free when three or more rooms are booked for a week. At Turtle Beach, a $850 Ultimate Wedding is free on stays of 10 plus nights in an Ocean View Junior Suite or higher. Tamarind Cove offers free wedding packages on seven-night bookings in a Deluxe Ocean Front Room or higher.

Elite Island Resorts
Galley Bay in Antigua offers a free wedding on stays of 12 nights in a deluxe room or above. Palm Island Resort in The Grenadines offers a free wedding on stays of 13 nights.

LaSource, Grenada
Offers free weddings year-round on seven night stays. Includes licence, legal fees, reception and a special table at dinner. Wedding guests get 10% discount on accommodation when staying seven nights. Honeymooners receive sparkling wine, fresh fruit and flowers and a couples massage.

Occidental Hotels & Resorts
Free weddings at various Allegro and Occidental properties when a minimum number of rooms are booked. At Royal Hideaway Playacar, weddings are free on bookings of a duplex suite for seven nights. Many wedding bookings qualify the bride and groom for a free anniversary return trip.

Rex Resorts
Offers free “Hibiscus” weddings at all properties when a group of 10 people book a seven night stay. Couples staying 14 nights are also eligible for Hibiscus package. The package includes wedding coordinator; flowers, legal fees and cake.

Ritz-Carlton
Free weddings when 25 rooms are booked on a “Reconnect” package (accommodation plus breakfast and resort credit) for three nights. Valid between May 1 and December 20 at Ritz-Carlton properties in Cancun, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, St Thomas and San Juan.

Rose Hall, Jamaica
The Rose Hall Resort and Spa – A Hilton Resort is offering free weddings to guests booking 14 nights in an Oceanview room with most UK tour operators.

Sandals Resorts
Complimentary “WeddingMoons” on stays of six nights in a concierge or butler service category. Includes location, dinner for the couple, photograph, cake and consultant.

SuperclubsGrand Lido resorts offer a complimentary Lido Nuptials package with wedding planner, cake, minister, license, and flowers. Breezes Resorts offer a complimentary “Dream Wedding”. Brides receive a 20% discount on any other bookings if travelling within six months of their wedding day.

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