St. Thomas destination wedding

St. Thomas Destination Wedding

US Virgin Islands · Caribbean

St. Thomas delivers the classic Caribbean postcard, sheltered bays, powder sand, green mountain backdrops, on US soil. US guests fly domestic with no passport, the marriage license comes from a US court, and the national park beaches of St. John are a 20-minute ferry from Red Hook for welcome-day excursions. The island rebuilt luxe after 2017, led by a $100 million renovation of the Ritz-Carlton, and suits couples who want easy Caribbean glamour without international logistics.

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Avg Cost

$15k–$50k

Best Season

December – January

Visa Required

Usually No

Legal Wedding

Yes — legal

Guest Score

7/10

Best time to get married in St. Thomas

Jan 3d rain
Feb 2d rain
Mar 2d rain
Apr 2d rain
May 3d rain
Jun 5d rain
Jul 7d rain
Aug 8d rain
Sep 12d rain
Oct 10d rain
Nov 6d rain
Dec 4d rain
Ideal Shoulder Caution Avoid Hurricane risk

Weather data: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (2019-2023 averages). Hurricane risk: NOAA historical data. Last updated: 2026-08-26.

Marrying from July through October?

St. Thomas's storm season is documented in our climate data (Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (2019-2023 averages)). Travel insurance protects deposits if weather forces a change.

Compare travel insurance plans →

See how St. Thomas ranks against every destination in December, or the full Hurricane and Rain Risk Index.

What it costs your guests

Guest-Friendly Score

7
/ 10

How easy and affordable it is for your guests to attend a wedding in St. Thomas.

Avg round-trip flight from US ~$450
Typical hotel per night ~$350
Visa requirement No visa needed
Accessibility Easy — flat terrain, modern infrastructure

Estimated per-guest cost: ~$1,850 (flight + 4 nights)

Legal requirements

Legal ceremony is straightforward

St. Thomas is US soil: US citizens fly with a REAL ID (no passport) and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply to the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Family Division ($100 application + $100 license, payable to the court); there is an 8-day posting period after the court receives the application, so apply at least 8 working days and up to 12 months before the wedding (online pre-filing available). No blood test and no residency requirement. A Superior Court judge can perform the ceremony for $400, or use any authorized officiant; the license is valid for 3 months.

Always verify current requirements with local authorities or your wedding planner before finalizing plans.

Full details: getting legally married in St. Thomas as a US couple.

Where in St. Thomas?

Each area has a distinct character — the right choice depends on your style and guest count.

Magens Bay

tropical

Mile-long sheltered crescent regularly ranked among the world's best beaches

Best for:Larger classic beach ceremonies with room for a full guest list

East End & Sapphire Beach

romantic

Pretty Klip Point juts into a panorama of the British Virgin Islands

Best for:Photo-driven couples who want a dramatic island backdrop

Lindquist Beach

romantic

The clearest water and whitest sand on the island, kept quiet by permit-managed access

Best for:Intimate barefoot ceremonies away from the resort crowds

Charlotte Amalie & Frenchman's Reef

luxury

Historic harbor town with the island's biggest resort event spaces on the point above it

Best for:Full-weekend resort weddings that want ballroom backup for rain

Top resorts for St. Thomas weddings

Comparing resorts is the biggest early decision. We filter for 4-5 star properties rated 8.0+ by verified guests — the kind of places that actually host weddings well.

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

Luxury

180-room beachfront resort rebuilt in a $100M renovation; beach ceremonies up to 350 reception guests, Great Bay ballroom and terrace venues.

The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman's Reef

Resort

Harbor-view complex shared with Buoy Haus (Autograph Collection); 72,000+ sq ft of event space across hillside and beachfront settings.

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort

All-Inclusive

The island's only all-inclusive; intimate beachfront weddings for groups of 20 or fewer, with a 53-foot catamaran ceremony option.

Not sure which resort fits?

Answer six quick questions and get a personalized St. Thomas wedding plan: budget, timing, legal steps, and a resort shortlist matched to your priorities.

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Where will your guests stay?

Most St. Thomas couples have 20–50 guests traveling. We secure a group rate at the resort of your choice — locked-in pricing, a private booking link for guests, and complimentary perks based on your room count. Free to you — the resort covers our fee.

Group rate locked for your guests Complimentary rooms at thresholds One contact for all guest questions
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Trip Protection for Your Wedding Party

International flights, non-refundable deposits, and tropical weather all carry real risk. Cover your entire guest list with cancel-for-any-reason options designed for destination weddings.

A+ rated insurer. Group plans available for wedding parties.

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