A Unique Wedding

By Charlene McNeill
When most people think of destination weddings, they think of white sandy beaches and flower covered gazebos. However, for those brides who wish to break away from the typical beach wedding yet still have a tropical wedding, there is a surprisingly large range of alternative wedding venues available in the Caribbean. Here are some ideas for unusual venues, ranging from the simple and romantic to the down right fun.

Waterfalls

For those brides who want a breathtaking location for their wedding ceremony, what could provide a more spectacular backdrop than a beautiful waterfall? There is no shortage of amazing falls in the Caribbean, with some of the best being incorporated into botanical gardens and National Parks in Grenada, St Lucia and Jamaica. Many of the National Parks and botanical gardens welcome wedding parties, and offer packages to suit every budget. See the following websites for more information:

* Jamaica Waterfall Weddings
* Spectacular Waterfalls in Grenada
* Waterfalls of St Lucia

Barbados Orchid World

The Barbados Orchid World - in the heart of Barbadian countryside � has its own wedding gazebo located on a lawn surrounded by thousands of orchids and beautiful scenery. The centre has a bar and restaurant in which guests can be entertained, and holds breathtaking views over the whole island.
Ancient Buildings

For a ceremony steeped in Caribbean heritage, island brides can choose to get married at any one of the many historical sites dotted around the islands. Try the ancient sugar mills in St Lucia, St Kitts and US Virgin Islands or the gunblazing forts in The Bahamas or San Juan (Puerto Rico).

Alternately you could research the many large plantation houses that offer that true Colonial feel, ie. Half Moon Bay in Jamaica, Balenbouche Estate in St Lucia or bayside ruins like the 14th Century French Cloisters originally built by Augustine Monks and reassembled in The Bahamas in the 1960�s.

Local hotels specialize in arranging ceremonies at these historic ruins and can guarantee a seamless day with tons of smashing photo�s for the future.
Caribbean Church Wedding � Tradition with a Twist

Brides searching for a religious ceremony will be pleased to know that many religious denominations offer Church services in the Caribbean. Catholic churches date back to the late 15th Century and many have beautiful and well developed tropical gardens for stunning photography.

For those of the Jewish faith the Mikve Israel Synagogue in Curacao provides a unique and deeply spiritual option for a religious ceremony. The oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas, Mikve Israel was founded in 1732 by Sephardic Jews fleeing persecution in Portugal and Spain. The floor is still covered in white sand just as in the Old World where Jews prayed on sand to avoid being heard in the temples.

Regulations regarding ceremonies and documents differ from one denomination to another, so island brides should check with tourism boards for contact details of local clergymen.
Submarine Nuptials

Adventurous brides and grooms can tie the knot at 130 feet below seal level in a truly unforgettable ceremony with Atlantis Submarines who run subs from Aruba, Barbados, Cozumel, Curacao, Grand Cayman, St John, St Martin and St Thomas.
Private Charter Boats

Brides who love the turquoise sea of the Caribbean but prefer to stay dry may splash out on a luxury wedding aboard a privately chartered boat. Couples can find many different packages available to them on Grand Cayman, St Croix and in The Bahamas � from champagne breakfast and snorkeling packages to sunset weddings or fully blown all-day affairs.

Big Beard's Adventures in St Croix offer packages from $250 for the ceremony.
Private Villas

Land lovers who prefer to stay on an island for their ceremony can also go for the height of luxury � away from hotel package deals � and rent a private villa or estate house. Many of the large villas and houses available for rental throughout the Caribbean offer special and tailor-made services to wedding parties, and often have their own staff to cater for guests, including personal wedding planners. Villa Castellamonte in the Dominican Republic offers the most luxurious setting imaginable for weddings, with seven king-sized suites and an astounding entrance hall.

With so much variety on offer to couples, it is no wonder that the Caribbean is one of the world�s top wedding destiantions.