Supposedly, planning a wedding is one of the most stressful things you’ll experience. To this, I say “poppycock.” In July, I got married without any sleepless nights or strained conversations. I was practically horizontal in the weeks leading up to the ceremony, and this was because we made a really tough decision from the get-go: we only invited our parents and siblings. We had a party of 14 guests, including partners, and it was everything we could have hoped for and more. Once we handled the uncomfortable conversation with Aunt Margret (whose pants were all bunched up from our small wedding announcement), we never looked back. Granted, we didn’t have pressure from our parents to invite distant cousins and their unknown-to-us plus ones, but we also didn’t entertain that as an option. And you can do this too. If you’re considering a destination wedding and like the idea of a small ceremony, Sandals Resorts in Jamaica or Turks and Caicos will host your special day for free; all you need to do is book a five-night stay at either property and decide which ten lucky people you’d like to join you.
This All-Inclusive Caribbean Resort Will Pay for Your Wedding if You Book a Five-Night Stay
Photo: Sandals Resorts
I can’t think of anything better than having a few day’s vacation in the Caribbean on either side of your wedding. The five-night condition wouldn’t faze me. Especially when you consider how flexible your budget will be after not forking out for smoked salmon canapes for your second cousins from Norway and having Sandals pick up the bill for the ceremony (which, even with a celebrant, costs roughly over $600).
Photo: Sandals Resorts
They are also offering to cover your reception, a wedding planning team to take all stress off your shoulders, a gift registry service, and more. And if you’d like to say “I do” this year, couples who book at the resort in Jamaica before October 6 will be gifted $500 towards flights and $275 tour credit with Experience Jamaica.
Photo: Sandals Resorts
And you can push the boat out — literally with a sunset party on a catamaran — with a few added activities. Matador spoke with Sandal’s director of romance and weddings, Marsha-Ann Donaldson, who shares that couples can let their imaginations run wild. From taking your parents on a PADI-certified scuba diving course to spa days, there’s a multitude of ways you can make memories outside of the ceremony itself.
If you need further convincing, Sandals recommends browsing through the latest issue of Aisle to Isle, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at destination weddings at the brand’s resorts in the Caribbean.
If you want Sandals to take the weight off, read more about the Sweetheart deal and use the promo code SWEETHEART when you call to book. 