Love Is In the Air You don't have to trek to the Pearly Gates for a marriage made in Heaven. Bermuda was made for romance - and it's a lot closer.
Getting married in Bermuda - Dream Weddings
Legend has it that a lifetime of good fortune graces newlyweds who pass through a moongate, the peculiar wedding ring-shaped arch that adorns gardens throughout Bermuda. But any couple fortunate enough to tie the knot in a paradise like Bermuda is lucky to begin with. After all, you'd be hard-pressed to come up with a more romantic setting for a wedding, a wedding reception, and a honeymoon... than this mid-Atlantic island archipelago.
With its 400-year-old history and colourful marriage of cultures, Bermuda has an eclectic ambience that charms couples. Charming, scenic, island wedding locations are abundant in Bermuda. What's more, saying, "I do" in Bermuda couldn't be easier. That's because Bermuda is home to a host of professionals who will make sure that your nuptials are nothing less than spectacular. Wedding consultants across the island are happy to arrange every detail, from securing floral arrangements, wedding photographers, ceremony details, formal wear, your wedding video and entertainment for the reception -- to booking a bridal suite. All you really have to concern yourself with is applying for the marriage license.
Here's what you need to know about the paperwork or obtaining a marriage license for a wedding in Bermuda. First, file a "Notice of Intended Marriage" with the Registrar General, along with a fee of $200, plus $20 for the certificate. You may obtain the form from the registrar's office in Bermuda (441-297-7707/7709, fax: 441-292-4568) or from Bermuda Department of Tourism offices throughout North America. A copy of a final divorce decree, if applicable, must accompany the form. Next, the notice must be published in two local newspapers. Assuming there is no objection, the registrar will issue your marriage license 15 days after receiving notice; the license is valid for three months from the date of issue for your Bermuda wedding.
Now you need to find a setting for your ceremony. Again, your wedding consultant can help you to choose the perfect place. Bermuda offers several romantic spots, including the spectacular beach at Astwood Park in Warwick Parish, the charming gazebo in Hamilton's lovely Victoria Park, and secluded cliff-top havens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Bermuda's hotels, inns and cottages also have an abundance of scenic and very private wedding locations. The islands of Bermuda provide breathtaking, picturesque backdrops for all of your wedding photographs.
Did you know you can skip all the travel and event planning and still enjoy a dream wedding and honeymoon? Contact a Bermuda Specialist at Bermuda Travel for advice, detailed local information, all of your arrangements -- and best of all a stress-free experience! BermudaTravel.bm.
Have your cake and eat it too. Everyone will want a slice of a traditional Bermuda wedding cake. According to Bermudian tradition, both the bride and groom are treated to wedding cakes. The groom's is a plain pound cake covered with gold leaf, which represents wealth. And it's customary to place a symbol of the groom's favourite activity on top of the cake.
The bride has a fruitcake symbolizing fruitfulness in the marriage. It is covered with silver leaf, which represents purity. Atop the bride's cake should be a small vase containing a cedar branch, which symbolises Bermuda. In addition, you'll often find a potted cedar beside the bride's cake table. After the reception, the bride and groom plant the tree. It is believed that as the cedar grows, the marriage will flourish with strength and happiness. Whatever your taste in wedding cakes, your Bermuda wedding planner will make it happen!
While the wedding professionals handle all the wedding preparations — bride and groom can enjoy a relaxing day being pampered at one of Bermuda's luxurious spas — most spas also offer gift certificates — which make great gifts for anyone traveling to Bermuda! Try our favorites:
Inverurie Day Spa at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess
The Inverurie Day Spa (open daily) is centrally located at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. Enter a realm of deep relaxation, gentle rejuvenation and blissful revitalisation. Inverurie's acclaimed team of professional staff emphasises: "It's All About You," and specialty treatments are customized to suit your individual needs: Eminence of Hungary - organic skin, beauty and body treatments; massage; holistic treatments and hair styling.
Tel: 295-7016
E-mail: inveruriedayspa@tbinet.bm www.fairmont.com/hamilton
The Spa at Ariel Sands at 34 South Road, Devonshire
The Spa at Ariel Sands is your beachside retreat from the world, a place to relax and revitalise the body, mind and spirit. The Spa offers the head-to-toe pampering for an hour or a day. An extensive range of spa and beauty treatments includes stone massage and features Yon-ka skin and body care products.
Tel: 232-5300 www.arielsands.com
The Spa at Elbow Beach Bermuda at 60 South Shore Road, Paget
Stunning ocean views from personal balconies are the perfect backdrop to the Spa's six private spa suites. Decorated in soothing colours and organic textures, with handcrafted granite soaking tubs, bamboo flooring and river pebble-lined steam showers, the spa suites offer secluded havens of tranquillity to enjoy holistic treatments from our team of highly trained therapists. The Spa at Elbow Beach has Asian accents, yet the ambience heralds a distinct island feel.
Tel: 239-8900 / Fax: 239-8906
E-mail: ebbda-spa@mohg.com www.mandarinoriental.com/bermuda
Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Southampton
Inside you is an energy. Surrounding you is the land that holds the secret to discovering it. Escape to the luxury and elegance of Willow Stream, the spa at The Fairmont Southampton. We create unique, energy-building experiences inspired by the land and its elements: wood, earth, air, fire and water. The balance of all five elements is necessary for optimum well-being, health and energy. Providing this balance is core to the philosophy of our new spa. This 31,000-square-foot oasis, situated in the exquisite Fairmont Southampton, offers a serene, adult atmosphere featuring only the finest on the island: exclusive lounges for women, men and couples; steam, inhalation and sauna rooms; a secluded indoor pool with waterfalls; terraced gardens and Jacuzzis overlooking the ocean; a full-service hair & beauty salon; and a state-of-the-art fitness centre boasting views of the golf course and sea. Customised treatments inspired by Bermuda's natural environment are performed in private massage and hydrotherapy rooms. A luxurious couples' suite and specialised men's treatments are also available.
Tel: 239-6924 / Fax: 239-6932 www.fairmont.com/southampton
Remember, one of the best reasons for marrying in Bermuda is that you're already in Heaven, so there's no need to go anywhere else for the honeymoon. Imagine your first days together as husband and wife, exploring Bermuda's magnificent beaches and attractions, as well as enjoying the island's fabulous culture and cuisine. Most island hotels offer value-added honeymoon packages, complete with champagne, flowers and candlelit dinners. Who needs Cupid's arrows when you've got the magic and romance found in Bermuda?
New this year! Visitors planning trips to the famed pink sand beaches of Bermuda over the coming months can now do so with greater peace of mind due to the first-ever "Hurricane Guarantee" program offered by 16 of the island's top resorts. Get full details here.
Moon Over Bermuda
The moongate, which symbolises peace, happiness and good luck for wedding couples, originated in China but has become an icon of romance in Bermuda.
In 1860, a Bermuda sea captain brought home a plan for a moongate he had seen in a Chinese garden. He drew the design for a circular gateway and then set about building it himself. The result was an eye-catching structure that other Bermudians quickly adopted.
Unlike Chinese arches, Bermuda moongates are made of stone, not wood. Islanders believe that when a couple makes a wish as they pass hand-in-hand through a moongate, they are guaranteed everlasting happiness and good fortune throughout their marriage. For that reason, many locals and visitors exchange their wedding vows in front of a moongate. Lucky? Perhaps. Romantic? You bet!
Looking for gifts for your wedding guests or wedding party?
In addition to the great selection of fine goods and famous name brands like Waterford, Wedgwood, Belleek, Lladro and Swarovski on Hamilton's Front Street, St. George's and the Royal Naval Dockyard try local goods for a memorable event souvenir.
Depending on the size of your group and your budget, choose from striking Bermuda prints and original artwork produced by Bermuda's fine artists. You could spend days browsing galleries that abound in Bermuda. Everyone will welcome gifts from the new Bermuda Perfumery (www.bermuda-perfumery.com) — locally produced fragrances for men and woman, Bermuda Rum Cakes (www.bermudarumcakes.com), beads and collectibles from Dockyard Glassworks (www.dockglass.com), Bacardi brand liquors (headquartered in Bermuda) sold throughout the island. Carole Holding Studio is also a popular resource for locally produced Bermuda ceramic crafts and curios, artwork, fragrances and scented soaps for men and woman (www.caroleholding.com).
Your event guests may also enjoy fine cigars, which are available at Chatham House or Cuarenta Bucaneros Limited (www.cigarbox.bm). Also consider keepsakes from Bermuda Monetary Authority (www.bma.bm) such as unique shipwreck coins and books and paper goods from Pulp & Circumstance Gifts and all kinds of Bermudiana in ceramic and linen from The Island Shop (www.islandexports.com).
Make your Bermuda trip even more memorable with dolphins! Dolphin Quest offers fun, interactive dolphin encounter programs for all. Book your adventure today!
Have a fun-filled vacation with a cycle from Oleander. If you can ride a bicycle, you can easily ride an Oleander scooter. See all of Bermuda...reserve one today!
Bermuda is our specialty ~ Excellence is our promise. Individuals, Honeymoons, Family Trips, Weddings, or Groups -- let Bermuda Travel, the best Bermuda Specialist, plan your trip today!
ExperienceBermuda.com The official web site of the
Bermuda Hotel Association. Copyright 2003/08, HCP/Aboard Publishing, a division of Biscayne Bay Publishing, Inc., and subsidiary of The McClatchy Company.
With its 400-year-old history and colourful marriage of cultures, Bermuda has an eclectic ambience that charms couples. Charming, scenic, island wedding locations are abundant in Bermuda. What's more, saying, "I do" in Bermuda couldn't be easier. That's because Bermuda is home to a host of professionals who will make sure that your nuptials are nothing less than spectacular. Wedding consultants across the island are happy to arrange every detail, from securing floral arrangements, wedding photographers, ceremony details, formal wear, your wedding video and entertainment for the reception -- to booking a bridal suite. All you really have to concern yourself with is applying for the marriage license. 
Have your cake and eat it too. Everyone will want a slice of a traditional Bermuda wedding cake. According to Bermudian tradition, both the bride and groom are treated to wedding cakes. The groom's is a plain pound cake covered with gold leaf, which represents wealth. And it's customary to place a symbol of the groom's favourite activity on top of the cake. 
Remember, one of the best reasons for marrying in Bermuda is that you're already in Heaven, so there's no need to go anywhere else for the honeymoon. Imagine your first days together as husband and wife, exploring Bermuda's magnificent beaches and attractions, as well as enjoying the island's fabulous culture and cuisine. Most 
In 1860, a Bermuda sea captain brought home a plan for a moongate he had seen in a Chinese garden. He drew the design for a circular gateway and then set about building it himself. The result was an eye-catching structure that other Bermudians quickly adopted.
Make your Bermuda trip even more memorable with dolphins! Dolphin Quest offers fun, interactive dolphin encounter programs for all. Book your adventure today!
Have a fun-filled vacation with a cycle from Oleander. If you can ride a bicycle, you can easily ride an Oleander scooter. See all of Bermuda...reserve one today! 
Bermuda is our specialty ~ Excellence is our promise. Individuals, Honeymoons, Family Trips, Weddings, or Groups -- let Bermuda Travel, the best Bermuda Specialist, plan your trip today!
