FAQ
WEDDING CEREMONY / MARRIAGE LICENCE PROCEDURE
RESERVE YOUR DATE ON THE WEDDING CALENDAR ON THE COUPLES WEBSITE
Our Couples Resorts, US-based wedding planner will contact you to review next steps and to answer any questions you have about your wedding ceremony and celebration. Reserve Your Date »BEGIN PLANNING YOUR WEDDING
Consult with your personal wedding planner and select from one of our premium packages, add enhancements and more; or you can also wait to finalize the various details when you arrive to the resort.IT'S INCLUDED
Couples Resorts offers a 'One Love' complimentary wedding package with a minimum six-night stay in any room category ($250 fee still applies for government fees and license). 'One Love' wedding is not included for Couples Secret Rendezvous and complimentary reservations.JAMAICAN LAW REQUIRES
that the couple must be 18 years of age and at Couples Resort for 3 days prior to the actual wedding ceremony.DOCUMENTATION
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED
by the Couples Resorts, US Wedding Office at least 45 days prior to your wedding ceremony; a $200 late fee will apply.Couples Resorts (Island Romance Holidays)
Attn: US Wedding Department
10392 State Road 84
Unit 101
Davie, FL 33324
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
will remain in the files of the Jamaican Government.Notarized or certified copies of:
- Birth certificate
- Divorce decree (if applicable) first and last pages, and any pages which pertains to the female's use of last name
- Death certificate (if applicable)
- Copy of Photo ID or Passport
- Professional English translation required (if applicable)
Notarization requires taking your original documents to a notary, who will make a copy and notarize them, stating he/she has seen the originals. Send the notarized copies to Couples Resorts, US Wedding Office; keep your originals at home.
For vow renewals, an un-notarized copy of your marriage license can be faxed to 954.416.1281, or you may mail a copy to our office.
MARRIAGE PROCEDURE
UPON RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS
at our US Wedding Office, we will be forward these to the Couples Head Office in Montego Bay. The Group Wedding Coordinator will then apply for the marriage license from the Jamaican government, who will in turn issue the certificate once the ceremony, has taken place. The minister will give you a temporary certificate following the ceremony; this certificate will not allow you to update name on documents, rather you must wait for the official certificate.MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
APPROXIMATELY 12-16 WEEKS
following the ceremony, the resort will forward your marriage certificate (2 copies) to our US wedding Office, who will in turn forward it to you. There is no way to expedite this process at this time. If you would like to obtain extra copies of your marriage certificate at $25 each, please advise your wedding coordinator at the resort.To request a copy of your marriage certificate after you have left Jamaica, please contact:
The Registrar General Department
Twickenham Park
Spanish Town, St. Catherine
Jamaica, W.I.
Fax: 876-749-6458
Telephone: 876-984-3041-5
http://www.rgd.gov.jm
IN CASE OF ERROR
on a marriage certificate, both originals must be sent back to our US Wedding Office with a letter stating the error and correction, along with copies of birth certificates. The process will take 12-16 weeks.MARRIAGE LEGAL STANDING IN US & COMMONWEALTH
Marriages performed in and according to the laws of Jamaica are legally valid in the United States and Commonwealth countries. It is not usually necessary to register your marriage in your respective state; it should be sufficient to present your Jamaican marriage certificate as needed for name changes etc. For more specific questions, please contact the Office of the Attorney General in your state.MARRIAGE LEGAL STANDING IN EUROPE
It is not required for British citizens to have an additional certification of their marriage. For citizens of Germany, Belgium and Italy, an extra certification ($100 fee) is necessary. We are required to forward the marriage certificate to the Foreign Affairs Office and the respective consular offices of both countries. This process may delay the receipt of the marriage certificate.WEDDING / VOW RENEWAL CEREMONY
CEREMONY DURATION
The Ceremony takes about 15-20 minutes with universally used vows. You may add your own short exchange that has a special meaning to you. Some couples choose to incorporate a unity candle-lighting ceremony or a sand-ceremony (please bring your candles or sand receptacle). Following the ceremony, you will sign the temporary marriage certificate along with the minister. If friends or family are not present for the ceremony, the resort will provide witnesses as needed. You will then enjoy a cake and champagne reception followed by photos (additional fee for photo package applies).MINISTER
If you have friend who is a licensed minister, he may certainly be a part of your ceremony; however the on-site minister is required to pronounce you man and wife in Jamaica. You may also request to have a Jamaican rabbi perform the ceremony at an additional cost. If you would like Catholic priest to officiate, this must be done in a church building. Please contact your wedding coordinator for details on Jewish and Catholic weddings.DOUBLE WEDDINGS OR VOW RENEWALS
These ceremonies can be arranged. Please make your request to your wedding planner in advance. Vow renewals do not legally require a minister. Anyone can perform the ceremony; however at Couples Resorts we use a minister.PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE
VARIOUS PHOTO OPTIONS
Couples Resorts offers various photo packages to treasure this special day forever. Outside photographers will be allowed on property for a fee of $500 for up to two photographers. These fees are waived if the photographer is a paying guest staying at Couples for a minimum of three nights.WEDDING GUESTS
SINGLES
As a 'couples only' resort, we must limit the number of singles attending a wedding. Once a group contract, comprised of at least 10 paying rooms, one single room can be made available. For groups of 20 rooms or more, a maximum of 5% of the group may be single persons. In all cases, all rooms must be paid at the standard double occupancy rate. The alternative to this policy is for single friends and family members to stay at a nearby resort. A maximum of 5 off-property couples may attend, please advise your wedding coordinator in advance; if more than 5 couples are to be present, a request must be approved by the General Manager. Children may attend a wedding as guests for the ceremony and photographs only, with GM approval. After the wedding ceremony and photographs the children must leave the resort.
To include extra guests to your wedding package, a fee of $15 per person applies.
For the Tower Isle package, a fee of $35 applies per additional guest.
We are pleased to provide Wedding Ceremony Passes for guests staying off property:
- Full Day Pass [10:00am - 11:30pm]: $200 per person
- Two-Hour Wedding Pass (arrival 30 minutes prior to the ceremony): $50 per adult and $40 per child.*
(*Strict limitations apply to all children attending; all minors MUST receive prior approval to attend the ceremony only; Hours may be adjusted depending on time of ceremony.)
- Half Day Pass [10:00am - 6:00pm]: $100 per person
- Evening Pass [6:00pm - 1:00am]: $100 per person
DAY / CEREMONY PASSES
Payment for the passes will be collected upon guest arrival.- Wedding Ceremony Only Pass (2 hours with arrival 30 minutes prior to the ceremony) — $50/person ($40/child)
- Half Day Pass [10:00 am - 6:00 pm] — $100
- Full Day Pass [10:00 am - 11:30 pm] — $200
- Evening Pass [6:00 pm - 1:00 am] — $100
*Hours may be adjusted depending on time of ceremony
CEREMONY CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS
TIME & DATE CHANGE
The time of your ceremony can be changed based on availability, and certain conditions may apply. To change the location of your wedding to another Couples resort, change your hotel reservation first; we will then take care of the wedding transfer; all changes are subject to availability. If you need to cancel your wedding ceremony, you can do so within 7 days of booking the wedding, with a full refund. If the cancellation is made less than 7 days from the date you booked your wedding, the administrative fee ($250) is non-refundable.WEDDING PLANNING
FIRST MEETING WITH YOUR WEDDING PLANNER
Upon check-in (at least 3 days prior to your ceremony) you will receive a pre-set appointment time to meet with your personal wedding coordinator. You can verify your preselected choices and/or choose your photography package, wedding location, book your private dinner and more.SHIPMENTS TO RESORTS
We cannot accept shipments on behalf of guests. It is recommended that you bring your wedding garments as part of your carry-on luggage. We are pleased to offer professional dress steaming of your gown and any other dresses in the wedding party starting at $60. Your suit can also be pressed upon arrival at an additional charge. At this time, there is no wedding or tuxedo store in the area that we would recommend.WEDDING REHEARSAL
A wedding rehearsal is available subject to availability. These must be conducted before 4:00 pm; $75 fee applies.DECORATIONS
You may bring your own wedding decorations; let the wedding planner and wedding coordinator know so we may assist as needed.RECEPTION
RESTAURANTS
In order to maintain the intimate atmosphere at our restaurants that require reservations, a maximum of 10 people only may be pre-booked together. Please submit all names to your wedding coordinator at least than 30 days in advance. White linens are included; you can bring other decorations if you wish.LARGER WEDDING PARTIES
may request the following options:- A private reception with a beautiful buffet-style dinner, wait staff and a full bar.
- A section in one of our larger restaurants, with a set menu.
Please note that availability for all private functions must first be confirmed with your US wedding planner, as existing restrictions vary by resort.
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
This party can be organized at a cost of $20 (cold) or $35 (hot) per person. Full bar included.BEVERAGE & DINING ENHANCEMENTS
Premium alcohol is included and upgraded champagne can be purchased (see wedding package details). Consult your wedding coordinator for a la carte pricing and availability. Private dinners on the beach with extras are also are offered upon availability, prices are subject to change.HONEYMOON GIFTS
Honeymooners receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and a 25 minute his/her massage.- Reservation must make note of "honeymoon"
- Valid for couples that were married within 30 days of arriving to resort.
- Proof of wedding is required at check in (proof of marriage is a copy of the marriage license, wedding certificate, engraved rings or wedding invitations).