We understand the dilemma that many Catholic brides and grooms face when deciding to book a destination wedding and just how they can combine both a Catholic ceremony with a destination wedding away from home. Many times we are approached by brides of grooms of the Catholic faith asking us how it all works, is it even possible and if so, what are the best resorts that offer on-site Catholic chapels or churches. Here, we dive into finding the answers.
In eyes of the Catholic Church, a marriage is a blessed Sacrament. With a Catholic wedding ceremony, you are choosing the forming of a covenant to serve God, your faith, your community, and your new husband or wife. The ritual is to take place in the presence of Jesus Christ and witnessed by the minister of the church, a priest or deacon.
A Catholic Destination Wedding needs to follow the same rules and protocol as a Catholic wedding at home. These include that you meet with your local priest in advance, that the couple attend a parish-approved pre-marriage counseling program, that the sacred scriptures at the ceremony be read by a Catholic priest (which can be your own priest or one at the destination that your priest has met over the phone), and that the venue location also be parish-approved. Please note that Catholic beach ceremonies are not approved by the Catholic church as it is deemed not sacred.
Below are considered as the best and most awe-inspiring Catholic Destination Wedding Venues;
Jamaica -
Jamaica has limited options for an onsite catholic ceremony service but there are many churches located throughout this Caribbean island that many Catholic get married at. The resort's wedding coordinator can assist with booking the church and your group's transportation there and back. However, for more convenience, even though they do not have a Catholic chapel on-site, we understand that Iberostar Rosehall is one of the few that will perform catholic ceremonies right there. The most popular resort in Jamaica for a destination wedding with an on-site Catholic chapel however, is the adult-only Sandals Montego Bay.
Another alternative might be the Jewel Runaway Bay (formerly Breezes) with their open-aired oceanfront chapel.
The Lady of Fatima church tends to be our most popular off-site Catholic wedding venues in Ocho Rios for destination wedding brides and grooms.
Hawaii -
Moving on to the other side of the planet, we take a look at the tropical oasis of Hawaii. Here, one of the cutest and most picturesque oceanfront chapel's in the world has be found at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui. Although not an all-inclusive resort, this property boasts 5-star elegance and charm.
Other alternatives in Hawaii include the Sheraton Keauhou or the Turtle Bay Resort.
One of our personal destination favorites where money-is-no-object and that provides the most unique experience possible, is the "over-water chapel" at the beautiful Intercontinental Bora Bora Thelasso Resort. Here, you can actually see fish swimming underneath the glass-floor as you walk down the isle! In the background is the most picturesque landscape of the rolling mountains on Bora Bora and the turquoise blue ocean. The average cost of a travel package including flights from Los Angeles and a 7 night stay in Bora Bora is around $8,000 per person.
However, if all-inclusive and affordable is what you are looking for, then the Dominican Republic and Mexico are going to be your very best bet. Here, a travel package for you and your weddings guests including flight, airport transfers, 7-nights accommodations and the all-inclusive feature with all meals and drinks, generally is $2,000 and under per person.
Rooted in Catholic traditions, each of these countries have numerous Catholic destination wedding options to choose from.
Dominican Republic -
Our personal favorite and top destination wedding resort in Punta Cana for years, is the Barcelo Resorts. This complex is made up of four different resorts and include a golf course, the most expansive beach in the Dominican Republic, a mini-golf course, casino, water park and so much more. Exploring the grounds by golf cart, we stumbled upon one of the most picturesque, tranquil, organic and natural Catholic chapel we've seen. The open-aired structure over-looks a pond setting with flowers and chirping birds and can accommodate larger wedding groups.
Our other top all-inclusive Punta Cana seller for destination wedding groups is the Majestic Colonial and Majestic Elegance Resorts. Although they do not have sharing privileges, they are sister properties situated next door to each other. Their chapel is reserved for Catholic weddings only.
Outside Punta Cana but requires honorable mention and consideration are the Spanish-colonial style chapels at both Cap Cana and Casa Del Campo. When considering the new development at Cap Cana, you can get married at the Catholic Chapel in town but stay at the adult-only Secrets Cap Cana Resort for a luxurious 5-star experience.
The complex of Casa Del Campo is located closer to La Romana and the capital of Santo Domingo. Our favorite 5-star family-friendly resort here is the Dreams La Romana, then bring your friends and family to the historic Catholic Chapel in Casa Del Campo.
And finally we touch on our most popular place for destination weddings - Cancun and the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. Cancun is one of the most connected airports in the world, allowing guests from every corner of the globe to gain easy access to your wedding. The resort options are endless from EP to all-inclusive from 3 star to 5 star luxury. Here are our top choices for all-inclusive resorts that are 4-star or higher and offer Catholic Chapels right on-site;
Cancun -
The Royal Cancun is an adult-only luxury resort and shares their oceanfront "Our Lady of Guadeloupe" chapel with their next door family-friendly sister property - the Gran Caribe. It offers a glass-protected and enclosed area with the most beautiful view of the azul Caribbean Sea behind.
Recognizing the demand for more Catholic Chapels in Cancun, The JW Marriott and Casa Magna Marriott have built a new chapel to accommodate their Catholic destination wedding guests.
Mayan Riviera -
One of our top-sellers in the Mayan Riviera for destination wedding groups is the beautiful 5-star family-friendly all-inclusive resort of Dreams Tulum. Here, it's color Catholic Chapel is portrayed to be a part of a Mexico pueblo (small town).
We also greatly favor the Barcelo Maya, Beach, Caribe, Tropical and Palace Resort complex and like their property in Punta Cana, they also have an on-site Catholic wedding chapel. At this all-inclusive resort you will find the whitest, softest and most expansive beach in the Mayan Riviera. It's open-aired chapel feels spacious and natural.
The all-inclusive Palladium Resort complex also consists of a Catholic Chapel but is designed as a Spanish colonial-style building - a perfect backdrop for wedding photos.
If you are looking for an oceanfront Catholic chapel in the Mayan Riviera, then The Moon Palace all-inclusive resort is going to be the place. This is the largest resort in the Mayan Riviera offering three different resort sections and so many resort amenities including a wave rider, dolphin enclosure and golf course as well as a large variety of restaurants. Combine this with their designer wedding collections and $1500 per room resort credit (which can be used towards your wedding, upgrade in room, spa treatments, golf, tours and more), it makes it most ideal for destination weddings.
The Grand Sirenis is another top value-package all-inclusive recommended resorts where the price sells itself. The Catholic chapel here overlooks the ocean.
Said to have the only Roman Catholic Chapel in the Mayan Riviera, is the upscale and all-inclusive resort of the Valentin Imperial. It's chapel is more modern and contemporary with marble, white and brown hues.
If you're looking for an upscale adult-only resort that has a picturesque Catholic Chapel, then you can find it at the gourmet-inclusive El Dorado Royale Resort. Just steps from the beach, this Spanish-colonial white-washed chapel is the perfect setting for an intimate Catholic destination wedding ceremony.
Although not located at a resort, we had the opportunity to explore the Xcaret Eco Theme Park in the Mayan Riviera and was truly amazed and drawn into the mystical and spiritual place that it is. Created as a colonial town among the jungle, cenote caves and ancient Mayan ruins, it's truly the most ideal setting for anyone who is looking for that feeling of be re-connected to nature, history, God or your own spiritual being on your wedding day.
Xcaret has two Catholic chapels that are both recognized officially by the Catholic Prelature in the state capital, Chetumal. Although enjoyed throughout the day, one of the very best times to wed at Xcaret is in the evening as the buildings and pillars are lit up in a spiritually lifting way. The wedding team at Xcaret ensures that no detail is left undone.
St. Francis of Assisi Chapel is perched on top of a hill at the end of a windy cobblestone road. It's open aired venue is very spacious and feels like you can touch the sky.
The Chapel of Guadalupe is located in the center of the "puebla" (town). On the outside it appears to be a Spanish colonial-style building but as you enter the giant wooden doors, you feel like you've entered a magical world not known like any other place on Earth. This chapel has been created out of an old cenote cave and this giant 'tree of life' appears over the alter. It feels organic, natural and very spiritual and will definitely be a stunning venue that you and your wedding guests will never forget.
If considering the Xcaret Eco Park for your wedding, you can stay at the Occidental Grand Xcaret all-inclusive resort because they offer free entrance and river transfer into the park for you and your guests.
Romantic Planet Vacations has been serving destination wedding groups since 2004 and has heaps of first-hand knowledge, expertise and experience of these resorts and more worldwide. They have organized destination wedding trips for wedding ceremonies of all religion-types including Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and more, as well as non-legal, civil, symbolic and now renewals.
We can be contacted at
inquiries@romanticplanet.ca or 1-877-247-8123 for your group's destination wedding quote or if you have any questions about these resorts and more. For more information about other resort or destination options, please visit
www.romanticplanet.ca
Sincerely;
Laurie Keith
President
Romantic Planet Vacations
