Planning a Winter Destination Wedding? Part 2: Tropics Edition: Apostille Planning for Sun & Sand
Your Beach Wedding Checklist: Apostilles for Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Beyond
Dreaming of saying “I do” with sand between your toes and a warm breeze at your back? This is Part Two of our destination wedding paperwork series. Don’t miss Part Three, where we’ll tackle everything you need for magical arctic ceremonies under the northern lights!
Picture This:
You and your partner are barefoot on a white-sand beach, palm trees swaying, and the sea sparkling in the background. Maybe it’s Jamaica, St. Lucia, or the Maldives; a postcard-perfect day, the culmination of months of planning.
But here’s a detail that can trip up even the most organized couple or experienced planner: getting your legal documents ready in time.
Tropical Destinations That Top the List
November and December are peak months for destination weddings in:
Jamaica
St. Lucia
Turks & Caicos
Riviera Maya/Cancun (Mexico)
Bahamas
Maldives
Each country has its own requirements, but almost all will require certain documents to be apostilled (certified for use overseas). And during peak season, offices and shipping services can get seriously backed up.
What You’ll Need: The Essential Documents
Most tropical destinations require:
Birth certificates (originals or certified copies)
Certificate of No Impediment (also called Single Status Affidavit)
Divorce decree (if applicable)
Name change documents (if your name has changed)
Passport copies
Notarized translations (if your documents aren’t in the official language, e.g., Spanish for Mexico)
Country-by-country quick notes:
Mexico: All documents must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.
Maldives: This is high season, apply as early as possible.
Jamaica, St. Lucia, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas: Originals required, and allow extra time for delivery due to holiday slowdowns.
Why September is Your Recommended Deadline
Government offices and embassies in the U.S. and abroad slow down or close for holidays.
Courier services experience delays as peak season hits.
Translations may take longer to arrange.
Even planners who “always have it handled” can get tripped up by unexpected snags at the last minute.
Example:
A couple planning their St. Lucia wedding in December submitted their paperwork in early October, thinking they had plenty of time. Unexpected office closures for local holidays and extra time needed for translations meant their apostilled documents barely made it in time for the ceremony.
How an Apostille Agent Helps
Gathers, reviews, and prepares your documents
Handles all shipping, government forms, and follow-up
Tracks progress to keep everything moving—even if you’re traveling or busy with wedding details
Saves you and your planner the headache of chasing paperwork across time zones
Next Steps
Download the complete wedding document checklist .
Contact us for a paperwork consult. Whether you’re a planner or a couple, we’ll walk you through it all
Remember, Part Three is coming up! We’ll share everything you need to know about getting married in Arctic destinations like Iceland, Norway, and Greenland, so you can focus on adventure, not administration.
Ready for sun, sand, and smooth paperwork? Start early and let us help make your tropical wedding as stress-free as possible.
Stay tuned for Part Three: Arctic Edition coming soon!
