The expansive, winding coastline of Antigua is a tremendous wealth of secluded, powdery soft beaches. The coral reefs attract snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. And the fascinating little island of Barbuda — once a scavenger’s paradise because so many ships wrecked on its reefs — is now home to one of the region’s most significant bird sanctuaries. More and more people are getting married while on vacation, and it’s now easy to do so in Antigua and Barbuda. Even cruise ship visitors can now get married.

If it is peace and quiet you are after, then head to drowsy Barbuda, the lesser known of the two islands.  It feels untouched by progress with the principal inhabitants being the graceful frigate birds.

THINGS TO DO

Great Beaches: Antigua and Barbuda are one of the best beach destinations in the Caribbean; they have over 365 beaches each with its own personality with features such as rock pools filled with tiny crabs, aerial displays by diving pelicans or organized watersports. Usually you will be alone on the beach, except on the hotel beaches. Most beaches are not equipped with facilities so it is important to remember to bring water and sun protection. On holiday weekends the beaches often fill up with local Barbudans picnicking.

Diving: Get an experienced dive guide to show you around the coast of Barbuda as there are many wrecks from different periods of the islands history and a rich coral reef.

Cricket: This national game is played to the highest international standard as well as by enthusiastic amateurs in villages all over the islands. Antigua produced one of the finest cricketers the game has ever seen, Viv Richards.

Frigate Bird Sanctuary: Barbuda’s Frigate Bird Sanctuary is located in the island’s northwestern lagoon and is accessible only by boat. The sanctuary contains over 170 species of birds and is home to over 5,000 frigate birds. Fregata magnificens, the most aerial of waterbirds, possesses the largest wingspan (four to five feet) in proportion to its body size of any bird in the world.

Fig Tree Drive: is a 32km (20-mile) scenic route along winding roads through the lush tropical hills and picturesque fishing villages along the southwest coast. Fig is the Antiguan name for banana.

Yachting and Sailing: Antigua hosts many international yachting events and regattas throughout the year.

CUISINE

There are numerous restaurants covering all price ranges.  The more upscale restaurants require jackets for the men and appropriate attire for women. Tipping is usual 10% if not included in the bill.

The national dish of Antigua and Barbuda is fungie (pronounced “foon-jee”) and pepper pot. Fungie is a dish very similar to the Italian Polenta, and is almost completely made from cornmeal. Other local dishes include ducana, season rice, Saltfish and lobster (from Barbuda). There are also local confectionaries which include: sugarcake, fudge, raspberry and tamarind stew and peanut brittle.

Although these foods are indigenous to Antigua and Barbuda and to some other Caribbean countries, the local diet has diversified and now include the local dishes of Jamaica (e.g. jerk pork), Guyana (e.g. Roti) and other Caribbean countries.

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS

If either of you have been previously married, then bring along the original divorce decree or, in the case of a widow or widower, the original marriage and death certificates. Both parties must be over 15, if under 18, written authorization from your parents or guardians is required. It is important that all documents presented are original or certified original by the issuing departments or offices. Ensure that all documents are in your legal name, and provide affidavits in cases where you are known by another name. Your marriage must also be solemnized or celebrated in the presence of two or more witnesses, apart from the Marriage Officer. (Just ask a guest or two to do this for you). There is no residency requirement for the special license.

Cost: There is a registration fee of US$40 that must be paid at the courthouse in the new government buildings on Queen Elizabeth Highway. The application fee for the special marriage license is US$150, and the Marriage Officer’s fee is US$50. You will need valid passports as proof of citizenship.

HOTELS

Admirals Inn
Address: Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 713
Phone: (1-268) 460-1027
Fax: (1-268) 460-1534

Allegro Resort
Address: Pineapple Beach
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 54
Phone: (1-268) 463-2006
Fax: (1-268) 463-2452

Amarylis Hotel
Address: Airport Road
Phone: (1-268) 462-8690
Fax: (1-268) 462-8691

Antigua Beachcomber Hotel
Address: Winthrop Bay, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1512
Phone: (1-268) 462-3100
Fax: (1-268) 462-4012

Barrymore Hotel
Address: Fort Road, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1574
Phone: (1-268) 462-1055
Fax: (1-268) 462-4062

Blue Waters Beach Hotel
Address: Blue Waters, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 256
Phone: (1-268) 462-0290
Fax: (1-268) 462-0293

Bougainvillea Hotel
Address: Sand Piper Reef Resort, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1236
Phone: (1-268) 462-3040
Fax: (1-268) 462-0225

Caribbean Inn
Address: Radio Range Woods Centre, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box W368
Phone: (1-268) 562-0210
Fax: (1-268) 562-0209

Carlisle Bay Club
Address: Old Road Village, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1515
Phone: (1-268) 462-1377
Fax: (1-268) 462-1365

Catamaran Hotel & Marina
Address: Falmount Harbour St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 958
Phone: (1-268) 460-1036
Fax: (1-268) 460-1506

Chez Pascal French Restaurant & Deluxe Rooms
Address: Galley Bay Hill Five Islands
Phone: (1-268) 462-3232
Fax: (1-268) 460-5730

City View Hotel & Restaurant
Address: Newgate Street, St John’s
Phone: (1-268) 562-0256
Fax: (1-268) 562-0242

Coco’s Antigua
Address: Valley Rd Box 2024, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 462-9700 / (1-268) 460-2626
Fax: (1-268) 462-9423

Coco’s Antigua
Address: Valley Rd Box 2024, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 462-9700 / (1-268) 460-2626
Fax: (1-268) 462-9423

Copper & Lumber Store Hotel
Address: Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, St John’s
Phone: (1-268) 460-1058
Fax: (1-268) 460-1529

Cortsland Hotel
Address: Upper Gambles
Phone: (1-268) 462-1395
Fax: (1-268) 462-1699

Curtain Bluff Hotel
Address: Old Road ,St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 288
Phone: (1-268) 462-8400
Fax: (1-268) 462-8409

Dickensonbay Cottages
Address: Trade Wind
Phone: (1-268) 462-4940
Fax: (1-268) 462-4941

Dove Cove Hotel
Address: Dry Hill Box 2694, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 463-8600 / (1-268) 562-1017 / (1-268) 562-1018
Fax: (1-268) 463-8601

Galleon Beach
Address: English Harbour Box 1003, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 460-1024 / (1-268) 460-1450
Fax: (1-268) 460-1450

Half Moon Bay Club
Address: Half Moon Bay
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 144
Phone: (1-268) 460-4300
Fax: (1-268) 460-4306

HBK Rentals & Management
Address: Jolly Harbour Box 1793, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 462-6166 / (1-268) 462-6168 / (1-268) 464-7071
Fax: (1-268) 462-6167

Heritage Hotel
Address: Heritage Quay, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1532
Phone: (1-268) 462-1247
Fax: (1-268) 462-1179

Hodges Bay Club
Address: Hodges Bay, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 187
Phone: (1-268) 462-2300
Fax: (1-268) 462-1962

Jolly Castle Hotel
Address: Jolly Harbour, St John’s
Phone: (1-268) 463-9001
Fax: (1-268) 462-9033

Jolly Harbour Villas
Address: P.O. Box 1793, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 462-7771 / (1-268) 462-7773
Fax: (1-268) 462-4900 / (1-268) 462-7772

Long Bay Hotel
Address: Long Bay,St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 442
Phone: (1-268) 463-2005
Fax: (1-268) 463-2439

Mango Bay Hotel & Beach Club
Address: Dian Bay Box W1400, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 460-6646
Fax: (1-268) 460-8400

Marina Bay Beach Resort
Address: Corbinsons Point Dickenson Bay, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1187
Phone: (1-268) 462-3254
Fax: (1-268) 462-2151

Miami Hotel & Supermarket
Address: All Saints Rd.,St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 300
Phone: (1-268) 462-0975
Fax: (1-268) 462-5271

Montgomery’s Hotel
Address: Tindale Rd., St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 774-5990

Rex Blue Heron Hotel
Address: Johnson’s Point Beach, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1715
Phone: (1-268) 462-8564
Fax: (1-268) 462-8005

Rex Halcyon Cove Hotel
Address: Dickenson Bay, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 251
Phone: (1-268) 462-0256
Fax: (1-268) 462-0271

Royal Antiguan Resort
Address: Deep Bay, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1322
Phone: (1-268) 462-3733
Fax: (1-268) 462-3732

Sandals Antigua Resort & Spa
Address: Dickenson Bay, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 147
Phone: (1-268) 462-0267
Fax: (1-268) 462-4135

Sanpiper Reef Resort
Address: Crosbies Box 569, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 462-0939 / (1-268) 462-1741 / (1-268) 462-3040
Fax: (1-268) 462-1743 / (1-268) 462-0225

Siboney Beach Club
Address: Dickenson Bay Box 222, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 462-0806 / (1-268) 462-2307 / (1-268) 462-2155
Fax: (1-268) 462-3356

ST James Club
Address: Mamora Bay, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 63
Phone: (1-268) 460-5000
Fax: (1-268) 460-3015

Sunsail Club Colonna
Address: Hodges Bay, St John’s
Mailing Address: P.O. Box W1892
Phone: (1-268) 462-6263
Fax: (1-268) 462-6430

Sunset View Hotel
Address:
Phone: (1-268) 460-0266
Fax: (1-268) 460-0266

The Inn At English Harbour
Address: English Harbour Box 187, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 460-1014
Fax: (1-268) 460-1603

Tradewinds Hotel
Address: Dickenson Bay Box W1390, St. John’s
Phone: (1-268) 462-1223
Fax: (1-268) 462-5007

Trafalgar Beach Villas
Address: Pillar Rock Beach Deep Bay, St John’s
Phone: (1-268) 462-2531
Fax: (1-268) 462-2531