Saba / Special Interests / Weddings & Romance

By Nigel Tisdall

If you like the idea of a Caribbean wedding but don't fancy the classic white dress on a sandy beach scenario, Saba could be the answer. The island is an inspiring choice for anyone looking for a venue that is alternative, unheard-of or super-private. However if you are planning to invite a lot of guests (and in the past the whole island has been taken over for a wedding) bear in the mind that the journey here from St Maarten – by sea or air – is not for the faint-hearted. In addition, the accommodation options are very limited, with a only a few luxury options available.

In the same vein, Saba is an attractive option for a honeymoon, particularly if you like to dive or hike, and it is easily combined with some contrasting nights on nearby islands such as St Barths or Anguilla which offer a wide choice of high-end beach resorts. As for romance, let's just say that if you ask someone how they ended up on the island the conversation may well go “'oh, I came here on a diving holiday, and then I met...”

Wedding Tips

Every wedding on Saba is special - there is no production line here and the islanders will do their best to make your ceremony exceptional given the facilities available.

As Saba is part of the Netherlands, marriages must meet the requirements of that country. This includes formalities such as requesting permission to do this in advance from the Lieutenant-Governor and then submitting the necessary legal documents according to a set timetable. Ceremonies held in the Court Room of Government Building, The Bottom, only require two witnesses, but at other locations it needs to be six.

Popular venues for a wedding include Queen's Garden Resort, which has a gazebo, and the grounds of the Howard L. Johnson Museum in Windwardside. Or for something memorably different, Scout's Place Hotel can arrange a wedding in the rainforest with everyone dressed as pirates.