Getting married in Antigua

With its laid‐back lifestyle, perfect weather and totally tropical flavour, Antigua is many couple’s idea of the perfect beach wedding venue…

Why get married in Antigua?

Boasting 365 picturesque coves and secluded bays, with fine, white sand and clear blue seas, Antigua’s beaches certainly make up for its lack of tropical scenery. Stay here for a year, as they say, and you could relax on a different beach every single day.

 

The largest of the British Leeward islands, Antigua is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide. Temperatures generally range from the mid‐70s in the winter to the mid‐80s in the summer. The annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean islands.

What kind of wedding ceremony can I have in Antigua?

Typically, a discreet surfside ceremony, perhaps part of a specialist package booked with a top hotel. Imagine plighting your troth under a beach‐front gazebo, surrounded by white spray and the scent of bougainvillea…

The marriage ceremony in Antigua is legal and binding. If you wish to get married in a church, you need permission from the local church authorities. Some churches ask that the couple attend pre‐nuptial consultations, so you should allow extra time to plan this. Contact the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism for a list of churches on the island (see Where can I find further information?).

Your wedding ceremony may be performed by the Registrar or the Deputy Registrar in the Registrar’s Office, or by a Civil Marriage Officer at an appointed place and time, between the hours of 6am and 8pm.

Is it wedding weather?

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Max temp (°F)* 82 82 84 86 86 86 87 87 87 87 84 84
Sunshine hours* 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 8
Rainfall (inches)* 3 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 4
*Average daily max temp (°F)
*Average daily sunshine hours
*Average monthly rainfall (inches)

What’s the flight time?

8‐10 hours

What’s the time difference?

GMT ‐4/‐5 hours

Do I need a visa to enter the country?

No.

What’s the wedding paperwork?

  • Residency No period of residency is required.
  • Proof of ID Full birth certificates and passports are needed.
  • Divorced An official copy of your decree absolute will be required.
  • Widowed If either of you are widowed you will need to produce the death certificate of your deceased spouse.
  • Age restrictions You must both be over 15. If you are under 18 then parental consent in the form of a statutory declaration is needed.  

How do I obtain a marriage licence?

You must visit the Ministry of Justice on Lower Nevis Street in St John’s with your valid passports, complete the application, pay your fees and confirm a time and date for the ceremony with a marriage officer.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs is open Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.30pm and on Fridays from 8am to 3pm. The wedding can take place the following day.

Where can I find further information?

Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office
15 Thayer Street
London W1U 3JT
Tel: 020 7486 7073
www.antigua‐barbuda.com

High Commission for Antigua and Barbuda
2nd floor, 45 Crawford Place,
London
W1H 4LP
Tel: 020 7258 0070

Disclaimer

Confetti makes reasonable efforts to obtain data from reliable sources and to keep the contents reasonably accurate. However, specifications and requirements may change and confetti cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content or information. We strongly advise you to consult other sources of information including the embassies or consulates of the countries in question or local lawyers. 

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