Nuptials in Nevis – The tranquil setting of this Caribbean island offers a charming backdrop for weddings

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – August 19, 2009 – With the legendary love story of Horatio Nelson and Fanny Nisbet, who were wed beneath a silk cotton tree, Nevis is the ideal setting for exchanging vows. Whether couples are looking to tie the knot barefoot on the beach or surrounded by lush tropical foliage, options abound on the “Queen of the Caribees”.

Here, a sampling of destination wedding packages available on Nevis:

Golden Rock Inn
Golden Rock Inn, high in the Nevis hills, is an 18th century 100-acre sugar estate. The Private Two-Person Wedding Package includes the service of a marriage officer and legal documents, two witnesses, wedding gazebo, bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere and 24 photos and is priced at $550. Available supplements include video ($400), cake ($75) and champagne ($40-$90 per bottle). Reception dinner and live band can also be arranged at an additional cost. The wedding ceremony can be followed with a honeymoon stay in the two-story sugar mill. Through December 23, 2009, nightly rates in the sugar mill, based on double occupancy and including meal plan, are $353. Contact the resort directly for group rates and please call 869.469.3346 or visit www.golden-rock.com for more information.

Oualie Beach Resort
A spacious, oceanfront hotel, Oualie Beach Resort offers 32 rooms in cottages scattered along the coconut-palm lined beach. The resort offers a special Wedding in Paradise package that includes ceremony, candlelit champagne dinner, corsage for the groom and bridal bouquet. The total cost is $725. Couples can combine this with the Honeymoon Special, for a complete package. This romantic special includes taxi transfer from and to the airport, welcome cocktail, bottle of champagne in-room, private verandah breakfast for two served on morning of choice, sail and snorkeling catamaran trip, oceanfront candlelight dinner for two and a 50-minute Swedish massage each. This package is priced at $625. From now until December 18, 2009, nightly room rates are based on double occupancy start at $215 (not including taxes and fees). Oualie Beach Resort offers 20 percent off rack rates for family members and friends of the wedding party. For more information, please call 869.469.9735 or visit www.oualiebeach.com.

Nisbet Plantation Inn
With 30 acres of lush palms and tropical flowers, historic Nisbet Plantation Inn is the only Caribbean plantation right on its own private beach. The resort’s special wedding package includes a one-hour private massage, for both the bride and groom, choice of plantation location for ceremony, such as the beach, Nisbet “Avenue of the Palms” or other romantic backdrop, all decorations, a bottle of chilled champagne, bridal bouquet/flowers, decorated wedding cake, services of a wedding coordinator, photography services and 24 color photos, license, registration and minister’s fee, as well as transportation to and from authorities as necessary. To commemorate each union, Nisbet will plant a coconut palm on the resort grounds. The bride and groom must be staying at Nisbet Plantation to take advantage of this offer, which is priced at $1,595. Nightly room rates are based on double occupancy, include meal plan and through October 31, 2009 start at $365. Nisbet Plantation offers a 15 percent discount on published daily rates for bookings of 10 to 15 rooms and a 20 percent discount on bookings of 15 to 20 rooms. For more information, call 800.742.6008 or visit www.nisbetplantation.com.

The Hermitage Plantation Inn
Couples can enjoy an intimate wedding at The Hermitage Plantation Inn, nestled on the slopes of Mount Nevis. The Wedding Option, which can be added on to the Romance Package, includes a decorated location in the gardens, a bottle of champagne, bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, West-Indian wedding cake, cost of marriage license, service of a marriage officer, registration fees and local transportation to and from local authorities, as well as witnesses if required and is priced at $900. The wedding ceremony must take place between Monday and Friday. Through December 14, 2009, the seven-night Romance Package is priced at $1,950. The Hermitage offers group rates ranging from 20 to30 percent, depending on group size and can also include complimentary transfers from St. Kitts and a welcome rum punch party. For information, call 800.682.4025 or visit www.hermitagenevis.com.

Wedding requirements on Nevis include two working days on the island prior to ceremony, passport and birth certificate. Also if applicable, divorce decree absolute, death certificate of previous spouse and name change by deed poll affidavit stating single status.

The island of Nevis is located in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies archipelago. This tiny jewel is just eight miles long and six miles wide, yet it has a natural beauty that is unparalleled. The Spanish explorers called Nevis, “Nuestra Senora de las Nieves” (Our Lady of the Snows) as a tribute to the white clouds surrounding the island’s central volcanic peak. Its green foothills support tropical rainforests, secluded valleys, historic plantations and the remains of sugarcane fields while its turquoise waters lap palm-fringed beaches.

For more information about the island of Nevis, please contact the Nevis Tourism Authority toll-free at 1.866.55NEVIS or visit www.nevisisland.com

August 19, 2009   Posted in: Caribbean