The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas
Luxury4.11,174 reviews
via Google
180-room beachfront resort rebuilt in a $100M renovation; beach ceremonies up to 350 reception guests, Great Bay ballroom and terrace venues.
View resortWhy it fits you
You get that romantic, tropical feeling without making things hard for your guests, and legal ceremonies are available too. December and January are the best months if you want to lean into the sweetest spot in the calendar.
Budget snapshot
$11K-$35K estimate
Based on St. Thomas average ($15K-$50K) for an intimate (under 30) wedding
What drives this estimate
- Guest count: an intimate (under 30) party - more guests means more catering and room nights
- Resort tier: mid properties; all-inclusive vs à la carte swings this the most
- Season: peak months (December) cost more than shoulder season
Best timing
Best
DecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMay
Avoid
AugustSeptemberOctoberNovember
St. Thomas has elevated tropical storm risk from July through October. Consider travel insurance and a shoulder-season date.
Weather: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (2019-2023 averages). Updated 2026-08-26.
Your Spring window in St. Thomas, month by month
March
76-78°F
2 rain days
no storm riskApril
77-79°F
2 rain days
no storm riskMay
79-81°F
3 rain days
no storm riskYour guests (Mixed US guests)
Flight time
~6.5h
Avg flight cost
~$450
Hotel/night
~$350
Guest burden
7/10
easy for guests
Visa
No visa required
Legal requirements
Legal ceremony availableSt. 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.
Marriage laws and document requirements change. Confirm with your planner or the country's consulate before you book.
Your planning timeline
- Step 112 mo
Lock your destination + book a planner
- Confirm destination and rough date
- Book a local wedding planner
- Set the guest list and budget
- Step 210 mo
Save-the-dates + start your room block
- Send save-the-dates (guests need lead time to book travel)
- Start a hotel room block for group rates
- Step 38 mo
Legal paperwork
- Research marriage requirements at your destination
- Decide: legal ceremony abroad vs legal at home
- Step 46 mo
Book your core vendors
- Photographer, florist, officiant
- Tasting / menu planning
- Step 54 mo
Details + guest logistics
- Invitations
- Welcome bags, transfers, excursions
- Step 62 mo
Confirm everything
- Final headcount to resort/vendors
- Confirm legal documents and travel insurance
- Step 71 mo
Final month
- Pack documents (apostilles/passports)
- Reconfirm vendors and timeline
Where couples stay in St. Thomas
A feel for the resort scene - nothing to book yet. Most couples pick their resort with their planner's help, about 10 months out.
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
All-inclusive4.41,420 reviews
via Google
The island's only all-inclusive; intimate beachfront weddings for groups of 20 or fewer, with a 53-foot catamaran ceremony option.
View resortThe Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman's Reef
ResortHarbor-view complex shared with Buoy Haus (Autograph Collection); 72,000+ sq ft of event space across hillside and beachfront settings.
View resortVetted vendors in St. Thomas
Request an intro and they reach out to you - free, no obligation.
Photographer
Ajaleina Rose Photography
Destination wedding photographer based in St. Thomas. Natural light, candid moments, and the beauty of the location woven into every image.
Request introFlorist
All Occasions Flowershop
Wedding florist serving St. Thomas. Custom arrangements from intimate bouquets to full venue installations.
Request introTransportation
Big Love's Taxi
Airport transfers and guest shuttle service in St. Thomas. Private vans, group buses, and hotel-to-venue transportation for destination wedding parties.
Request introTransportation
Black & White Tours & Transportation
St. Thomas transportation company specializing in wedding groups. Airport pickups, bridal-party transfers, and late-night shuttles with bilingual drivers.
Request introFlorist
Bloom Atelier
Wedding florist serving St. Thomas. Custom arrangements from intimate bouquets to full venue installations.
Request introFlorist
Blooming Things
Wedding florist serving St. Thomas. Custom arrangements from intimate bouquets to full venue installations.
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