The Guide to the Dreamiest British Virgin Islands Wedding

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If sunsets make for your ideal Instagram installation and a soundtrack starring the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean sounds like music to your ears, a British Virgin Islands wedding hits all the right notes. Set on palm tree-lined white sand beaches, the paradisal local is home to warm weather that plays perfectly with calm ocean and sea breezes. Indeed, the British Virgin Islands are a hidden gem for couples considering destination wedding locations. The group of waterside British territories—Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and more than four dozen other islands—are not as popular as other picks for best Caribbean Islands. (We see you, Aruba and Barbados.) BVI wedding venues deliver many of the area's greatest hits (often with less foot traffic).

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"The breathtaking and scenic views, along with warm temperature and fresh sea breezes, make the BVI a great place to get married," says Keith A. Vanterpool, a wedding and event planner with Keith's Exquisite Touch in the British Virgin Islands.

Yet, like other destination wedding locales, couples will want to be prepared for a few additional hurdles. For instance, it's more challenging to see British Virgin Island wedding venues than to tour ones near your hometown, given the distance. You may also wish to obtain a marriage license in the British Virgin Islands and will want to understand the process.

But these hurdles are nothing for couples who have fallen wave over surfboard for BVI wedding venues. Wedding planners shared top tips for planning the dreamiest-come-true British Virgin Islands wedding, including assembling an all-star team of vendors from sea to shining sea away.

British Virgin Islands Wedding Planning Tips in this Article:

• Why Couples and Wedding Guests Love the British Virgin Islands Weddings
• The Best Wedding Locations in the British Virgin Islands
• Top British Virgin Islands Wedding Venues
• British Virgin Islands Wedding Legal Requirements
• British Virgin Islands Wedding Planning Tips

Why Couples and Wedding Guests Love the British Virgin Islands Weddings

Perpetually mild weather, out-of-this-world sunsets, friendly residents and crystal-clear waters—what's not to love? Yet, if we're being honest, you can say that about most islands in the Caribbean. But the British Virgin Islands makes waves for its unique factor, anyway. The most distinct pro? Walking along the white-sand beaches, you may feel you're among the first people to find this paradise.

"The BVI is quaint, unspoiled and not commercial, so it's a great location for a romantic wedding," says Heather Anderson, a wedding consultant with BVI Weddings. "It isn't cookie-cutter like many Caribbean destinations."

The luxury only bolsters the exclusivity. Sure, the British Virgin Islands are less developed than their Caribbean counterparts, but that doesn't mean you'll be backpacking through the sand with your nearest and dearest. BVI wedding venues and resorts focus on luxury, offering plush accommodations and a chance to see all that you can see (or sea) from your getting ready and wedding-night suites.

But not even a high-thread-count sheet can rival the soft, silky texture of white sands beside the water and mountainous cliffs, an altar that doubles as Mother Nature's gift to you and your jet-setting future spouse.

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

The Best Wedding Locations in the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands is technically an archipelago with four larger islands and about 50 more discreet isles and cays in the Carribean's cradle. Each of the four larger islands boasts a distinct character, allowing pairs to choose their own adventure when planning a BVI wedding. Will you choose a food-forward fete in Jost Van Dyke, or a Tortola wedding where mountainous cliffs and pristine white sands play oh so well together?

Tortola Wedding

Tortola, where Anderson is based, is the most bustling of the four large British Virgin Islands and a popular port-of-call for cruise ships. But make no mistake: A Tortola wedding feels luxurious and intimate—you'll just see more signs of life. On the northwest side, Cane Garden Bay's turquoise waters are a favorite place to swim and a fun yet mature bar scene leaves plenty of spots for welcome sips and dancing at sunset. The colorful BVI capital, Road Town, offers a trip down history lane, and Mount Sage offers 12 hiking trails for those who love by-foot exploration (and just-plain-pretty vistas for those who don't).

Anegada Wedding

Anegada is the most secluded of the four main islands, but (or, more accurately, so) it's top-tier for weddings in Vanterpool's book. "The island is quiet, peaceful and easy to get around," Vanterpool says. The island moves at a saunter rather than a power walk, and the terrain looks virtually untouched. Combined, these highlights give couples and their guests the feeling of a truly great escape.

Virgin Gorda Wedding

The third-largest of the British Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda is arguably considered its most beautiful. Yet, even with the stunning mantle, Virgin Gorda remains secluded and operates at a breezy pace. It's home to The Baths, a natural wonder of a maze of gray boulders and caves. The maze ends with a clandestine meeting at a secret pool. Or, saunter to another, not-so-secret natural pool in a cave, The Cathedral Room. Either way, it's an adventure dripping in romance for couples and guests alike to take during a relaxing yet whirlwind wedding week. Snorkeling and island hopping are other potential itinerary items.

Jost Van Dyke Wedding

Jost Van Dyke lives in the "both/and." It boasts a lively luxury boat scene, with yachts docking to dine or relax. Yet, upscale as some visitors are, it remains approachable and laidback—a place to come as you are. Like Tortola, Jost Van Dyke has a livelier bar scene than Virgin Gorda and Anegada—its New Year's Eve parties at Foxy's are the stuff of legends. The island is ideal for couples who want a pep in their (two) step without feeling like they're in a race to the finish of their wedding day. Scuba diving, fishing and top-notch Caribbean cuisine are other calling cards.

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

Top British Virgin Islands Wedding Venues

Once you've selected an island, you can focus on British Virgin Islands wedding venues. The wedding sites in the British Virgin Islands epitomize laidback luxury, allowing couples to get married in the sand before retreating to a posh-meets-airy space drenched in natural light. Some places may offer British Virgin Islands wedding packages with built-in perks like planners and flowers, lightening your load. Other BVI wedding venues may allow couples to choose a la carte and craft a day uniquely theirs from start to finish.

Long Bay Beach Resort

With views of sunsets that could inspire galleries' worth of artwork, Long Bay Beach Resort is a tropical delight worthy of consideration for your Tortola wedding. The luxury is a hallmark of Long Bay Beach Resort. Still, it's also accessible to people working on various budgets. The resort offers numerous British Virgin Islands wedding packages. Small, intimate affairs with four guests include flowers for the couple, a one-tier wedding cake, recorded music and a marriage officer for under $1,000. Larger receptions of up to 36 cost $12,999 and include a three-tier cake, three bottles of sparkling vino, a DJ, spa service discounts and more.

Sugar Mill Hotel

Another Tortola gem, you'll find Sugar Mill Hotel along the island's Emerald Coast. Once a sugar mill, the lauded boutique hotel with an on-site spa hosts weddings on the west-facing beach. The sun usually sets around 5:30 p.m., and Mother Nature paints the sky shades of pink, orange and yellow for a once-in-a-lifetime backdrop that leaves even seasoned photographers swooning. Sugar Mill can assist couples with flowers, cake, photography, food and other pros. The venue staff will also decorate the beach with a wedding arch, which is included in a hotel fee of $500. Pairs who want to honeymoon in Tortola can cut that price to $400 with a seven-night stay—quite the perk.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay

A five-star luxury resort set on chalk-white sand in Virgin Gorda, Rosewood Little Dix Bay offers a range of settings for your nuptials (and every party in between). A beach wedding with a reception to follow illuminated by tiki torches is authentically BVI. Yet the 400-acre paradise also has a lush alcove surrounded by tropical blooms, meticulously manicured gardens and an open-air pavilion with bay vistas that seats 159 guests. A silver package includes a marriage license, a local officiant of the couple's choosing, dressing room refreshments and some flowers for $3,000. A more expansive gold package costs $5,500 and adds perks like romantic turndown service, a complimentary room upgrade (if available) and a sunset experience.

White Bay Villas & Beach Club

Found in Jost Van Dyke, White Bay Villas & Beach Club can host weddings of 10 to 72 guests. But you'll build more than a lifetime of memories during your wedding here—the spot allows couples to create their own wedding oceanfront village courtesy of 18 freestanding villas. Pairs can access a private beach a stone's throw from the villas, and the staff can handle catering, including a menu that includes locally sourced ingredients for a genuinely Caribbean soiree, as well as other ceremony and reception needs.

Pro tip: Once you've decided on your British Virgin Islands 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.

British Virgin Islands Wedding Legal Requirements

While the legality of a wedding isn't as fun to plan as the flowers and playlist, it's an essential part. Getting married abroad can be challenging for US couples, with different countries and territories having unique mandates. Luckily, obtaining a British Virgin Islands marriage license is about as easy as a sea breeze (relatively speaking, at least).

Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings

Anderson says couples can opt for a legal or symbolic ceremony in the British Virgin Islands. As the name implies, a legal wedding is binding by law. Couples present legal documents, and the officiant submits paperwork so they can obtain their marriage certificate. Couples who choose a symbolic ceremony take care of the formalities back home and then jet off to the British Virgin Islands for a wedding that, while not legally binding, is something to celebrate.

Required Legal Documents

Anderson says couples hoping to make things (legally) official during a British Virgin Islands wedding will need a valid proof of ID, like a passport. If either or both of you were previously married, you'll need an original or certified copy of the divorce decree or the previous spouse's death certificate.

Legal Marriage Timeline

Vanterpool and Anderson agree that getting legally married in the British Virgin Islands is relatively simple. When couples arrive, Anderson says they'll want to go to the registrar's office to apply for a marriage license. A wedding planner can accompany you, but a staff member can also help you fill out the forms privately. Once the forms are complete, a staff member will review them, raise questions or concerns, collect a fee and issue a receipt. Your application will be processed in one to three business days. Then, you are free to say "I do" (legally).

Though the process is pretty straightforward, a knowledgeable wedding planner, venue coordinator and officiant can serve as invaluable resources in ensuring every T is literally and figuratively crossed.

Legal Marriage Cost

A regular license costs $120 ($100 for stamps and a $20 application fee). However, couples who have been in the territory for fewer than 15 days must pay a $220 fee for a special license ($200 for stamps and $20 for an application fee). Couples who wish to have their legal ceremony in the office can do so for an additional $120, and having a civil/marriage officer officiate at the ceremony is $220.

British Virgin Islands Wedding Planning Tips

With the legalities out of the way, couples can focus on planning an unforgettable British Virgin Islands wedding. You'll want to know how to get there and navigate transportation so you can communicate these particulars with guests. Then, there's the matter of assembling a vendor team that turns your dream BVI wedding into a fairy tale come true from an ocean away.

How to Get to British Virgin Islands

The most efficient way to get to the British Virgin Islands is by plane, but travel isn't as straightforward as in some other Caribbean locales. Direct flights are rare, though Miami couples and guests may be able to snag one and touch down in three hours. Typically, you'll fly into St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. A flight from San Juan to Terrance B. Lettsome Airport in the BVI is about 45 minutes, the same amount of time you'll spend on a ferry from St. Thomas to Tortola.

Island hopping in the British Virgin Islands is often done by boat. However, renting a car is a popular choice (Heads up: You'll drive on the left side of the road).

Best Months to Marry in the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands experience the mildest, driest weather from December through April, but it also attracts the largest crowds as people from cooler climates seek to escape the cold. The BVI experiences hurricane season from June through November, so you'll want to speak with your venue about contingency plans and consider wedding insurance.

British Virgin Islands Wedding Venue and Vendors

Meeting with vendors and visiting venues can be more challenging from afar. However, modern technology, like Zoom, makes connecting easier. Vanterpool suggests working with a seasoned planner.

"My top tip for finding vendors is to find a local wedding planner in the area you plan to get married," he says. "This wedding planner will then have a list of preferred vendors they work with on a daily basis. This makes the planning process way easier for you."

When looking over the preferred vendor list, search for web reviews, and pay close attention to what previous couples had to say about work, response and timeliness. Seeing samples of prior work—especially at your venue—is also important.

For support in your search for potential British Virgin Islands wedding venues and vendors, head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace for a comprehensive list of travel specialists with expertise in destination weddings.

Budgeting Tips

Believe it or not, a destination wedding can be a way to save money. However, the final destination wedding cost in the British Virgin Islands depends on many factors.

"Like any wedding, destination weddings can run from inexpensive to expensive," Vanterpool says. "The cost varies based on where you are traveling from, the details you would like for your wedding and the number of guests. BVI destination weddings can run anywhere from $3,500 to $25,000 plus." Even on the high end, that's less than the average couple paid for a destination wedding in 2023 ($41,000).

Anderson and Vanterpool say the BVI uses the US dollar, so couples won't have to fret over currency fluctuations and exchange rates that can tack on fees. To save more money, Vanterpool suggests choosing a venue with tables, chairs and a waitstaff to avoid paying rental fees and tips on top of what you're already forking over in site costs.

Anderson suggests focusing on having a fun party and delicious dinner over all the trimmings and trappings of a spare-no-expense wedding (if spare-no-expense is different from your budget). In BVI, a place loved for its Caribbean flare, she says pairs don't have to go high-end with menus—even casual, fresh seafood fare is memorable for all the right reasons. Using local vendors also helps you save on travel fees. Plus, you're getting someone who knows the lay of the land.

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