Bermuda

Department of Tourism– www.bermudatourism.com
Image: from www.bermudatourism.com

Exquisite sunsets and pink sandy beaches await you in Bermuda, one of the most popular locations for a destination wedding.   This British territory is often mistakenly considered a Caribbean island, but is actually located in the Atlantic Ocean 650 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and is only 90 minutes by air from the east coast of the US.

There are no rental cars in Bermuda so transportation is by mopeds, bicycles, taxis, buses, ferries and horse-drawn carriages.   The island is 21 miles long with a maximum width of 2 miles.  Accommodations range from luxury resorts to bed to breakfast inns many of which offer excellent packages year round.

Not only is this a convenient idyllic location for your destination wedding, but your guests will be delighted with the variety of activities from diving through shipwrecks and coral reefs to world class golf.

Quick Facts

• Language Spoken: English
• Passport: Yes
• Currency:  British Dollar (by US $ is also accepted by most merchants)
• Time Zone:  Atlantic (UTC-4)
• Airport: Bermuda International Airport
• Weather: During the months of May through mid-October temperatures range between 75°F / 23°C and 85°F / 29°C.  During the winter months, temperatures average 70°F / 21°C.    Rainfall is spread throughout the year, with the summer months slightly drier.  Hurricanes do occur, but not as frequently as in the Caribbean.

Marriage Requirements

You don’t need to be a resident of Bermuda, take a blood test, or have a health certificate. What you will need is a passport, a photo ID, and a “Notice of Intended Marriage” form (available by phone from Bermuda’s Registrar General’s Office 441-297-7709 or online at www.bermudatourism.com). The form must be filed at least fifteen working days before the wedding and will cost $210 US dollars plus $21 for the marriage certificate. The license must be picked up by a designated person and is valid for 3 months.

If you were previously married, you’ll need a copy of your divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate. If you’re under 21, written consent is required from both parents, if alive, or legal guardian.  You cannot be married in Bermuda if you’re under 16. There are also no proxy or same-sex marriages allowed.

Religious services may have special requirements. For example, to marry in the Roman Catholic Church, non-residents must submit a written request to the bishop, and for a Jewish ceremony, you need to bring your own rabbi since there are none locally. Be sure to contact a wedding planner or the Bermuda Department of Tourism in advance for details.  (Please note that Destination I Do provides this information only as a general guide.  We encourage you to contact the appropriate government agency for current legal requirements prior to planning your wedding ceremony).
 

Articles:  Fall Winter 2005