Plan Your Dream Caribbean Wedding on a Stunning Island

Turquoise water, warm weather, and white-sand beaches make the Caribbean a natural backdrop for the happiest day of your life. But beyond the scenery, there’s the convenience. The Caribbean is home to some of the best resorts on the planet, and many of them are all-inclusive. An all-inclusive Caribbean wedding keeps your lodging, meals, drinks, and entertainment under one roof, while an on-site wedding team coordinates the details so you can enjoy the day instead of managing it. And because your guests are traveling too, your celebration doubles as a vacation for everyone you invite. Many of the all-inclusive resorts for weddings in the Caribbean offer great perks, but Aruba and the Dominican Republic stand out. Each island has its distinct personality, and each is home to a stunning resort with its own dedicated wedding packages and offers. Let’s dive in.

Aruba is known for its dry, sunny climate and its lively mix of beaches, restaurants, and nightlife. Plus, its known as One Happy Island, and for good reason. Aruba has something for all your guests both on and off the resorts. At Barceló Aruba, enjoy water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, or windsurfing with friends and family. Dine at the hotel’s seven restaurants. Spend a night testing your luck at the casino. Take a break and get a massage with your wedding party at the spa. 

Off-resort, there’s also plenty to do. Enjoy the great outdoors by hiking through caves or spending a day exploring Arikok National Park. Take some time to learn about local pirates and visit their old stomping grounds. The list of things to do both on and off the resort is never-ending… It’s no wonder more and more couples are getting married in Aruba. Now, let’s dive into some of the trends we’re seeing couples bring to their Aruba weddings.

One of the biggest wedding trends in Aruba is the intimate elopement. More couples are choosing privacy and meaningful moments over a big spectacle, and the result is a celebration that feels more personal and costs less. If you want to get married in Aruba with just a handful of guests (or with only each other), Barceló Aruba’s wedding team can tailor a ceremony on the beach with the sea breeze, swaying palms, and sparkling water as your only décor. 

For those seeking a larger celebration surrounded by loads of friends and family and all the bells and whistles, there are some gorgeous trends to keep in mind while planning. Ocean-inspired décor is having a moment. From delicate pearl accents and shimmering sea glass to white table linens that flow like gentle waves, ocean-inspired décor never disappoints. Plus, it’s a perfect match for a Caribbean beach wedding, where the real thing is just steps away from your reception dinner table. 

Pair the look with a bright, colorful bouquet of tropical blooms for the bride, a trend that’s replacing the classic all-white arrangement, and the whole ceremony feels like it belongs to the island. And don’t forget the little touches. Caribbean wedding favors can be as simple as small bottles of local aloe skincare, mini bottles of rum, or a shell keepsake that guests can take home as a reminder of the day.

Barceló Aruba’s wedding services team specializes in elegant ceremonies and celebrations on the beach, and the resort offers a range of wedding packages to suit different sizes and budgets, from small ceremonies to larger celebrations. 

The wedding venues at the resort include its white-sand beach and tropical gardens, and the team can arrange religious, civil, or symbolic ceremonies, as well as themed weddings. If you’re hunting for a Caribbean wedding planner to make your day unique, the Barceló Weddings team is there to guide you through every step, from the first idea to the moment you say “I do.” The resort’s team can also explain the documents required for a legal ceremony, so check the requirements with them before you book. As for timing, April through August falls outside the high season, which means lower prices and a quieter beach ceremony.

Happily ever after starts with a great honeymoon, and honeymoons in the Caribbean don’t get much better than this. Whether you tied the knot at this resort or not, you can still honeymoon at Barceló Aruba! Enjoy a romantic dinner on the beach, spend the day kayaking, snorkeling, or windsurfing, browse the shops and nightlife along Palm Beach, or unwind at the hotel pool and spa. Adventurous couples can dive the SS Antilla, a roughly 400-foot shipwreck just off the coast that’s often called the largest wreck in the Caribbean. For an extra-special stay, upgrade to Royal Level, a hotel-within-a-hotel with a private lounge, a beach bar, an exclusive restaurant, and spacious ocean-view rooms and suites, including a master suite.

If you envision a wedding that’s more of an extended celebration with a larger guest list, then the Dominican Republic is calling. Home to some of the world’s best beaches, the stunning Los Haitises National Park, and the vibrant historical capital city of Santo Domingo, there’s plenty to do for all tastes before and after the wedding away from the resort.

Punta Cana is the Dominican Republic’s hottest wedding destination, and for good reason. A Punta Cana wedding offers miles of white-sand beaches, a lively atmosphere, and fabulous resorts. At the Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort, you and your guests can choose between two all-inclusive hotels: the Barceló Bávaro Palace and the adults-only Barceló Bávaro Beach. At the resort, you and your guests can enjoy a wide variety of aquatic activities such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, or windsurfing. Dine at a wide variety of restaurants, try your luck at Casino Bávaro, or unwind with a relaxing massage. You can also hit some balls at The Lakes Golf Course or find your way out of the resort’s escape room with your wedding party. When the sun goes down, keep the celebration going at the nightclubs for adults and teens. With so much to enjoy, it’s no wonder so many couples opt for getting married in Punta Cana. Now, let’s dive into some of the trends couples are bringing to their Punta Cana weddings.

Couples are increasingly stretching their wedding celebration beyond a single day with welcome gatherings, the ceremony, a relaxed day by the water or an excursion, and a farewell brunch. It’s the ultimate Caribbean weddingexperience, and a resort like this one makes it easy. Your guests can enjoy the beach, water sports, a variety of restaurants, and nightly entertainment, including shows at the Grand Teatro Bávaro. After a long day, there’s also a 24-hour casino for those who want to keep the party going. 

The new wave of mindful celebration is all about wellness: a calm morning before the ceremony, nourishing food, and time to truly enjoy the day. If you’re looking for the best resort for a wedding in the Dominican Republic that also helps you relax, the Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort delivers. Start the morning with a romantic breakfast, book a couples’ treatment at the U-Spa to melt away any pre-wedding stress, and enjoy the resort’s daily hydrotherapy treatment. Wellness-minded guests will find plenty to love, too, from the beach to the pools to the spa.

It’s also trendy to incorporate local customs into your own celebration. A Dominican wedding is full of music, food, and family. Expect the dance floor to fill with merengue and bachata. Feast on a celebratory spread that features local favorites such as roast pork and the beloved Dominican cake with its pineapple filling. Many Dominican and Latin American Catholic ceremonies also include customs like the arras, a gift of thirteen coins that symbolizes the couple’s commitment to share their lives together. 

You can bring those flavors into your Caribbean wedding. Incorporate the arras into your ceremony. Eat traditional foods at dinner. Make a toast with the island’s locally produced rum. Make your Caribbean wedding favors cigars and Dominican amber or Larimar. These are all memorable and trendy ways to give your guests a taste of the destination.

The resort’s on-site wedding team can create anything from an intimate beachside ceremony to a big celebration for tons of friends and family members, and a variety of Caribbean wedding packages are available to suit different needs and budgets. There’s no shortage of wedding venues at the resort, including Bávaro Beach, the beachfront gazebo, a chapel, a lush garden, and 24 multipurpose rooms in different sizes. As for the wedding ceremony, couples can choose symbolic, civil, or religious ceremonies, including Catholic weddings at the on-site chapel.

After the party, it’s time to slow down. The adults-only Barceló Bávaro Beach is a serene setting for newlyweds, with couples’ spa time, long beach walks, and a quieter pace. Spend a day trying water sports, lying at the pool, or playing a round at The Lakes golf course. Finish the trip with a cigar-and-rum evening. Punta Cana offers one of the most relaxing honeymoons in the Caribbean you could ask for.

Both destinations are stunning, so which is the best Caribbean island to get married on? It depends on the celebration you have in mind.

Choose getting married in Aruba if you want an intimate, laid-back ceremony, a sunny and dry climate, and a honeymoon with a mix of beach time, nightlife, and underwater adventure. It’s ideal for elopements, small groups, and couples who want a private celebration with plenty of romance.

Choose getting married in Punta Cana if you’re imagining a larger guest list, a multi-day celebration, and a resort with a long list of ceremony settings, including a chapel and a beachfront gazebo. It’s a great fit for couples who want a Catholic or traditional ceremony, a lively reception, and plenty to keep guests entertained.

Whichever you pick, you’ll be in good hands. These are two of the best places to get married in the Caribbean, and Barceló’s wedding teams are ready to help you plan every detail. Ready to start? Visit Barceló Weddings to begin planning your dream Caribbean wedding today.