The Complete Guide to Planning a Wedding in Belize

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If you desire a tropical locale that's a bit more off the beaten path over, say, the usual experience in a Caribbean island, a Belize destination wedding beckons. Belize, a Central American country on the Caribbean Sea, features an incredible range of terrain and gorgeous beaches. A Belize wedding can become the source of lifelong memories for couples and their guests, who can explore the country's private islands, Mayan ruins and vibrant snorkeling options between parties.

While it's set by the sea, couples spot the jungle when they look west, giving them even more stunning backdrops for photos. The gorgeous diversity makes Belize an easy pick for a top destination wedding location spot. Plus, there are multiple jaw-dropping wedding venues, including Belize all-inclusive resorts, where couples can entrust the entire planning process to an experienced Belizean team of vendors.

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Belize Wedding Planning in this Article:

• Why Couples and Guests Love Belize Weddings
• The Best Places to Get Married in Belize
• The Top Belize Wedding Venues and Resorts
• Belize Wedding Legal Requirements
• Belize Wedding Planning Tips

Why Couples and Guests Love Belize Weddings

Photo: Matteo Colombo / Getty Images, Ambergris Caye

For warm weather-loving couples, the beautiful sandy beaches and lush tropical flora and fauna of Belize make it a dream wedding destination. Add in an easy legal wedding process for foreigners and a multitude of adventures, including caving and snorkeling, to keep a wedding party having fun for days, and it's the perfect getaway to say, "I do."

This friendly country welcomes foreigners from across the globe to explore rainforest jungles, ancient Mayan ruins, incredible waterfalls and one of the largest barrier reefs in the world. A Belize wedding isn't just about the day of—it's about experiencing the magic of this country bordering the Caribbean and witnessing the diversity of its landscape, from the jungles in the west to the pristine beachfront in the east. However, no one will judge if you do decide to spend a few days relaxing at a beach resort.

Pro tip: Invite a destination wedding travel expert to join your vendor team. Browse travel agents near you on The Knot Marketplace for Belize wedding expertise, group hotel blocks, flight arrangements and more.

The Best Places to Get Married in Belize

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The culture and range of topography give couples so many options when planning a destination wedding in Belize. Turquoise waterfalls, beaches, the Mayan ruins and mountain vistas are some of the many locales to throw a bash of a lifetime. Some areas offer quiet intimacy, while others are known for a party scene that goes well after sunset. In short, there are no cookie-cutter Belize weddings.

Big Rock Waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge

Have you ever seen a turquoise waterfall? At Big Rock Waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Imagine your guests' eyes as they watch you and your beloved exchange vows framed by the romance of a misty waterfall amid a dense green forest and soaring rock formations.

San Pedro

San Pedro is a lively destination and the most populated of Belize's islands. It's also known as the party capital of Belize, but that doesn't mean it can't make for a romantic wedding location. You'll find white sandy beaches and gorgeous Caribbean water but with the convenience of being in the city. Plus, your guests will have no trouble finding a spot for the after-party.

Ancient Mayan Ruins

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Couples looking for an unconventional and historic place to celebrate their ceremony can get married atop or at the foot of historic ancient Mayan ruins like those of Caracol, Cayo. It's an incredibly moving experience to begin a new life together, standing in the same spot that humans have walked for thousands of years. And it's a wedding your guests will never forget!

Ambergris Caye

If you prefer a more traditional island vibe, then Ambergris Caye is calling your name. Book an island resort wedding and bring all your closest friends and family together for a celebration that involves days of scuba diving and starlit evenings on the beach. Want to feel the wind in your hair as you walk down the...starboard? You can get married while sailing on a sailboat or catamaran off Ambergris Caye and watch the sunset from sea.

St. Georges Caye

You'll find a taste of paradise on the secluded island of St. Georges Caye. This historically important slice of the Caribbean is accessible only by boat and is perfect for a couple looking for the most exclusive of Belize resorts. It's quiet, romantic and perfect for a small, intimate celebration with your loved ones.

Placencia

For a splurge-worthy wedding experience, visit the palm-lined beaches of Placencia. The Placencia Lagoon is worth a visit, but don't dare dive in. It's not only home to friendly manatees, but also not-so-friendly saltwater crocodiles. Imagine a beachfront ceremony, followed by a dancing reception under cabanas strung with twinkle lights and the glow of the Caribbean moon.

Pro tip: As you consider Belize wedding locations, don't forget about your newlywed vacation. Plan an amazing Belize honeymoon, too, with our complete guide.

The Top Belize Wedding Venues and Resorts

Photo: Stuart Westmorland/Getty Images

A Belize wedding offers the beachy beauty of the Caribbean, the exclusivity of an island getaway, and chances to mix in explorations of rainforests and historical sites between clinking glasses and exchanging rings. If that sounds like your idea of a perfect wedding, you'll want to start researching Belize wedding venues. Many are located right on resort grounds, meaning you and yours can rest your head where you say, "I do," eliminating the need for additional transportation for guests who already traveled far for your Big Day. The grounds lean into the iconic beauty of Belize. What's more, many resorts offer Belize wedding packages to make planning a far-flung soiree even breezier.

St. George's Caye Resort

A paradise-perfect spot along the Caribean Sea, St. George's Caye Resort epitomizes laidback luxury. It's home to 12 thatched-roof cottages with porches perfect for taking in Sea breezes and garden vistas. Accessible only by boat, it has an element of exclusivity. The resort is ideal for couples hoping for smaller parties — it can accommodate six to 40 guests (and two-person elopements are also welcome). Expert Belize wedding planners are available to help couples with paperwork, securing a Belize marriage license and officiant. Other all-inclusive style perks include access to recorded or live music, decor, a cake, a photographer and a hairdresser. Intimate ceremonies can take place on a beach, dock over the water, garden or rooftop.

Matachica Resort & Spa

Steps from the world's second-largest barrier reef, Matachia Resort & Spa, feels remote and intimate (the adults-only policy helps). Yet, it's set on a Caribbean Sea beach and is about six miles from the Belizean Arts gallery, so couples still have plenty of spots to send their guests should they not want to spend every second of their stay entertaining. Speaking of which, an on-site spa is an ideal spot for downtime. Individually decorated casitas and villas each have a thatched roof, personal patio and hammock, making it easier to relax, spread out and maybe even nap during getting-ready festivities. A guest experiences manager can help you plan every moment of your wedding, including a beach ceremony.

The Lodge at Jaguar Reef

If it's good enough for Prince William and Kate Middleton, it's good enough for us. The Prince and Princess of Wales once stayed at The Lodge at Jaguar Reef, A stylish spot minutes from the bustling Hopkins town center. The upscale resort can give couples hoping for intimate affairs the royal treatment. The Lodge at Jaguar Reef offers elopement packages for two guests (the couple) and micro-weddings that accommodate up to 10. Perks vary, but each includes a license and certificate, music, planning and on-site coordination, cake and champagne.

Belize Wedding Legal Requirements

It's easy to get married in Belize. Couples may raise an eyebrow at the citizenship requirement to get married in the country, but that only requires a couple to be in the country for three days before applying for a marriage license. The application is submitted to the Register General and is completely valid in the United States and worldwide.

Legal Weddings v. Symbolic Weddings

Couples who choose to marry abroad tend to host only a symbolic wedding at their destination. They hold an official ceremony at home, and then invite friends to witness their vows and honor their commitment to each other, without jumping through the legal hoops in another country.

Since the marriage application process is fairly seamless in Belize, that may not be necessary. A legal wedding in Belize simply requires a marriage application and must be performed by a Senior Justice of the peace, a boat captain or a registered minister. There are elopement rules, so look into those details too.

Required Legal Documents

To fill out a marriage application, couples will only need to prove three days of citizenship and bring a passport or birth certificate. If they have been previously married, they will also need to prove that marriage is no longer valid in order to obtain a new marriage license. The application will have to be signed with a Senior Justice of the Peace as a witness.

Legal Marriage Timeline

While you need to stay in Belize three days to qualify for citizenship to get married, your marriage application process will only take a day. After 24 hours, you can pick up your marriage license.

Legal Marriage Costs

It costs $105 USD to obtain the required wedding license to get married in Belize.

Pro tip: Once you've decided on your Belize wedding venue, send out destination wedding save-the-dates with important info so your guest can book the time off and start thinking about travel plans.

Belize Wedding Planning Tips

Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Often the first thought when look at Caribbean and Central American wedding destinations is, "Will my guests be able to get there?" Founder of KIS Events Nirjary Desai says, "The most important thing to consider when planning a destination wedding is having enough time to plan. Your guests also need as much time as possible to coordinate being part of your special day."

In terms of timing, leave it to the pros. Larissa Banting has planned over 600 weddings in nearby Costa Rica, so she knows her way around a tropical climate and has advice for those looking to plan a Central American wedding. She explains, "The closer you are to the equator, the earlier sunset is, so keep that in mind while planning your big day. Allow enough time for your wedding ceremony, photos and cocktail hour before the sun dips. We don't recommend having the ceremony when the sun is bright and hot, making it uncomfortable for your guests and less than stellar for photos."

How to Get There

Belize is an easy two-to-four hour flight from most metropolitan locations across the US. You can fly via United, Delta, Southwest and other airlines into Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City, including direct flights from Houston, Dallas, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver.

While Belize is only a bit larger than the state of Massachusetts, you may want to rent a car to get around. It's the best way to see a large swatch of the landscape in one trip. However, if you plan on island hopping, you'll take either a water taxi or small plane.

Belize Weather

Belize is going to be hot, with temperatures year-round around 71°F to 88°F. The dry season, which runs from November to April, is the best time to visit for sunny skies. Of course, that's also the peak season.

Banting says your biggest issue may be battling the humidity with your wedding day look. "Consider an updo for the wedding day, as it will keep you cooler in the heat and will stay neat throughout the celebration," she says. "Central America can be quite humid, turning those carefully coiffed curls into straggly strands in under an hour. If you're prone to frizz, bring along a good anti-frizz product to tame those tresses."

Banting continues, "Waterproof makeup and a good setting spray will help you put your best face forward despite the heat and humidity. If you can afford it, hire a professional local hair and makeup team as they'll know best how the climate is and what tools and techniques will work best."

Choosing Your Belize Wedding Venue and Vendors

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Desai reminds couples, "The destination and time of year are all details that can be sorted out, but having enough time to figure it out is what matters most."

Don't leave decisions on venue and vendors until the last minute when you're planning a wedding in Belize. Instead, start conversations early and find vendors who will help you make the most of your tropical setting. When wedding packages are available to bundle vendors, consider it, as that could make things more efficient and stress-free on your end.

Keep in mind, planning from afar can be tough, particularly if you don't speak the language in the country. Luckily, there are wedding planners who specialize in helping couples who are planning a destination wedding in Central American and Belize. Plus, reputable hotel groups like The Belize Collection, which boasts numerous properties for every type of couple. Check out The Knot Marketplace for recommendations.

Belize Wedding Cost and Budgeting Tips

Belize is similar to the US for wedding pricing in terms of nearby countries. It's a popular destination and the costs reflect that. Belize uses the Belize dollar, which current stands at a $0.50 to $1 exchange rate with the US dollar.

Couples planning a beach wedding onsite at a resort could consider an all-inclusive wedding Belize wedding package for a more affordable option. Some even consider adding a honeymoon package for immediately after the wedding. A few weeks exploring a stunning country on the Caribbean Sea, getting married, and going on your honeymoon? That sounds like a dream destination wedding.

Pro tip: Set up a free destination wedding website on The Knot with all the event details including your Belize wedding itinerary, things to do, guest travel information, RSVPs and more.

BethAnn Mayer contributed to this article.