Honeymoon In The Bahamas
By Tracey Porpora
 Manhattan residents Dawn and Tom Ridgway really wanted to have a New York-style wedding reception for their October 19, 2002 nuptials. But due to the high-cost of the wedding they desired, the couple decided against the idea because they felt they would have to sacrifice too many of the trimmings. "Randomly, I threw it out to him one night, 'How about getting married in the Bahamas?'" says Dawn, noting she never had been to the island prior to their wedding. After some discussion, the couple decided to take 65 of their closest friends and family members to the Bahamas Sheraton Cable Beach Resort to share in their wedding festivities.
To set the stage for their reception, the Ridgways hosted a beach barbecue for all the guests that featured a Caribbean theme and a calypso band the night before the wedding. A beachfront ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour on the hotel balcony with a steel drum band to entertain the guests. The outdoor reception was then held under the stars at the resort. "We had beautiful weather and a full moon. It was so beautiful," says Dawn. "It was the most intimate wedding. For a weekend, we had everyone there that we are close with."
 However, the Ridgways' wedding reception is not unique to the Bahamas. For couples tying the knot and honeymooning on Nassau's famed Cable Beach, the cost of saying "I do" is not only within reach, it's frequently an included resort amenity. In fact, wedding bells chiming is a commonly heard sound on Cable Beach! There are a variety of enticing beachfront venues that offer brides and grooms settings that range from tropical to romantic, and classic to uniquely individualized - including tying the knot while flying high upon an aerial trapeze. At Cable Beach's four premiere resorts - The Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, The Sheraton Cable Beach Resort, Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and SuperClubs Breezes Bahamas destination-wedding nuptials are as inspirational as the island's spectacular sunsets, and honeymooning here is as close to paradise as you can get.
"Cable Beach is a great place to get married because of the four strong brands of [resorts] we have along Cable Beach," says Joel Grossman, executive director of the Association of Nassau Resorts, a Plantation, Fla.-based organization that markets Cable Beach as "the" destination within the Bahamas. "No other area in the Bahamas has these brands. Honeymooners especially want to go and stay in a resort that is known. Many of the resorts have their own weddings department. The beaches along Cable Beach are among the best in the Bahamas, and they are extremely romantic for walks during the daytime and evening."
 He noted that the four resorts host a variety of weddings-both large and small-each year on scenic Cable Beach. "There are numerous weddings and they take place year round at all of our four resorts. It's not uncommon to see three weddings in a day in some of our resorts. The honeymoon market is the largest of the niche markets coming into Cable Beach because of the variety of resorts, and the fact that we have packages for all budgets," says Grossman.
And it's not uncommon for a couple to whisk 50 of their closest friends and family members off to Cable Beach with them to tie the knot. Perhaps the best part of getting hitched on Cable Beach is that affairs there often cost less than a wedding for the same amount of people in the United States. "Our weather is fantastic year round and many of our ceremonies are held outdoors at beautiful wedding gazebos in the various resorts. You can be casual (bathing suits) to formal (gowns and tuxedos) and everything in between," says Grossman.
Nassau, one of 700 islands that comprise the Bahamas, is the most visited tourist island within the Bahamian archipelago, and also is the center for tourism, commerce, industry and communications. Cable Beach, renowned for its powdery white sand and warm turquoise waters, activity-laden beachfront, Crystal Palace Casino, Cable Beach Golf Course, as well as its four resorts, is situated approximately five miles from Nassau International Airport and downtown. The resorts along Cable Beach also are popular spots for dining, nightlife/entertainment, meetings and conferences.
 "We are only 15 minutes away from the airport, as well as 15 minutes away from downtown, so the honeymooners have the best of both worlds - close to the airport so they can be swimming shortly after their arrival, and close to downtown to shop in our duty-free shops," says Grossman. "Plus, honeymooners should be aware of the excellent airline service into Nassau through most of the major carriers. We are only 45 minutes away from South Florida and 2.5 hours from New York City. There is U.S. customs pre-clearance so that you clear U.S. customs in Nassau. The professional golf course has been renovated on Cable Beach and is in great shape and challenging. Our beaches and ocean waters are beautiful and we have all the ingredients for a most memorable honeymoon experience."
He noted that each of the four resorts on Cable Beach create different yet "special" atmospheres for weddings. "All of the resorts have a great variety of dining for honeymooners and their guests, and some of the resorts offer all-inclusive packages. The honeymooners know up front what the cost of their all-inclusive vacation will be along Cable Beach," says Grossman, noting the remainder of the resorts offer packages and meal plans to assist in budgeting. The four resorts offer the following:
SuperClubs
Breezes Bahamas
Set on 1,000 feet of Nassau's magnificent two-mile, sugar-white Cable Beach, Breezes Bahamas provides a fun, active, romantic all-inclusive vacation. Known for offering guests "the playful side of paradise," Breezes Bahamas will create your dream wedding. Included in the wedding package are a minister, marriage license, best man/maid of honor witnesses, wedding cake, champagne, flowers and music. Resort locations range from the powdery white sand beach to in front of a cascading waterfall or perched high within a palapa. Adventurous duos can say, "I do" while snorkeling underwater or even when swinging from a trapeze!
With 400 air-conditioned rooms, including five suites and 35 oceanfront deluxe rooms, this resort offers either two double beds or one king-size bed; direct-dial telephones, satellite televisions with pay-per-view movies, clock radios, safety deposit boxes, hair dryers, coffee makers, iron & ironing boards, and CD players.
For more information or reservations, call 1-800-GOSUPER (467-8737) or visit www.Breezes.com or www.SuperClubs.com
Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort & Offshore Island
This luxurious, all-inclusive, couples-only, 405-room resort on 13-acres of beautifully landscaped property features eight restaurants, nine bars, three freshwater swimming pools, three mini-pools, six whirlpools, fitness center, spa and water and land sports.
Sandals' "Basic Wedding Moon Package," a $1,500 value, is a complimentary wedding fete for couples staying five nights or longer at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and Spa. This free wedding includes preparation of documents, certified marriage license, legal fees, a justice of the peace, witnesses, taped musical accompaniment, decorated wedding site, wedding announcement cards, wedding coordinator, champagne and hors d'oeuvres wedding reception, bridal bouquet and groom's boutonniere, Caribbean wedding cake, one 5"x7" wedding photo, candlelight dinner for the bride & groom and continental breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding. On-site wedding locations include: a wedding beach gazebo, beachfront deck and garden arbor. The reception locations include the terrace and garden arbor.
For more information or reservations, call 1-800-SANDALS (726-3257) or visit www.Sandals.com
Sheraton Cable Beach Resort
A warm Bahamian welcome awaits at Sheraton Cable Beach Resort, ideally situated on a 1,000-foot stretch of Nassau's most spectacular white-sand beach. From the moment you arrive, you'll be treated to gracious Bahamian hospitality, thoughtful amenities, and an abundance of activities - from swimming to snorkeling, sailing, and exciting water sports.
Seven acres of spectacular waterscape, including three freshwater pools with flowing waterfalls, oversized whirlpools, and a swim-up bar will help you relax during the day. By night, try your luck at the neighboring Crystal Palace Casino. Or gather together for a taste of the Caribbean at our great restaurants and lounges, ranging from casual to fine-dining. Nassau's bustling nightlife is also just minutes away.
Find all the comforts of home in our 694 guest rooms and suites, each boasting a large private balcony or patio with inspiring views of the Atlantic Ocean, waterscape, or lush gardens. After a full day spent with family and friends, drift to sleep on our soft and inviting Sheraton Sweet Sleeper(SM) Bed. Sheraton Cable Beach Resort will put you in touch with the things that matter most so you can relax and be yourself.
For more information or reservations, call 1-800-2-CASINO or visit www.CableBeachResorts.com
The Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino
When saying, "I do" at the Elvis Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas just won't do, imagine exchanging vows in a gazebo overlooking the clear blue waters of glorious Cable Beach. To turn that image into reality, The Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino has created three new packages with style, romance and affordability in mind. Starting from $449, the "Island Romance" wedding package provides couples with a wedding coordinator, the use of any on-site wedding location, a non-denominational minister, music, bridal bouquet, a boutonniere for the groom and more.
For just $549 the happy couple can add on the "Tropical Allure" honeymoon package, which includes three days and two nights in a deluxe ocean view room, breakfast in bed, champagne and strawberries, a romantic four-course dinner for two at either the Black Angus Grille or Sole Mare restaurant, and complete access to the resort's fitness center.
A significant savings is offered to couples who choose to bring their wedding party along. Starting from $799, the Forever Yours wedding and honeymoon package includes four days and three nights in ocean view accommodations for the bride and groom, all of the features of the Tropical Allure and Island Romance packages, plus a wedding cake when booking 10 rooms or more.
This 850-room deluxe oceanfront resort with its own private swimming lagoon features a Las Vegas-style casino with 60 gaming tables, an 800-seat theater, fitness center, private beach and lagoon, swimming pool with water slide and swim-up pool bar, water sports, eight specialty restaurants and lounges, as well as nearby sporting facilities that include an 18-hole PGA-approved golf course. Evening activities abound in the casino and the Rainforest Theatre, which now features a new variety show, called Majique, five times a week.
For more information andreservations, call 1-800-222-7466 or visit www.CableBeachResorts.com
Cable Beach Wedding Requirements
Advance notification of plans to marry is required and, depending on the property, can range from three weeks to 45 days. As with all destination weddings in the Bahamas, Cable Beach resort wedding consultants require documentation including: certified copies of birth certificates, bride and groom's occupation and certification of final divorce papers or death certificates if previously married.
The Weddings and Honeymoon Unit of the Ministry of Tourism offers services to assist in organizing wedding ceremonies, or by acting as a facilitator between couples and recommended on-island wedding consultants. Officers can be contacted toll-free from the United States at 1-888-NUPTIAL (1-888-687-8425). The Weddings and Honeymoon Unit can be telephoned directly at 242-302-2034, or via fax at 242-325-5835 or you can visit www.bahamas.com
The four resorts on Cable Beach all offer a variety of amenities, and have their own special atmosphere for weddings. All of the resorts have a great variety of dining for honeymooners and their guests, and some of the resorts offer all-inclusive packages. So choose Cable Beach for your wedding, and enjoy a unique experience in a place as close to paradise as you can get!
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