Jamaica Weddings - Golden Cloud Villa

Golden Clouds Villa Estate has become “The” place for weddings in the Caribbean. Every bride dreams of a truly romantic setting for her wedding day, and for a destination wedding, nowhere can compare with the tropical surroundings offered by Golden Clouds Estate Villa, in Jamaica. Swaying palm trees, exotic aromatic flowers, lush vegetation, tropical breezes, sparkling blue sea and a pristine sandy beach all combine to provide the ideal backdrop for the perfect Caribbean wedding.

The sense of privacy, intimacy, and highly attentive personal service you'll experience Golden Clouds simply cannot be matched by the more public environment of a hotel. Unlike a hotel, Golden Clouds villa is exclusive for you, your family and your guests during your stay and our dedicated staff are always, but discreetly, available to meet your every need. As, of course, is your personal wedding coordinator who will have organized every aspect of your wedding day right down to the smallest detail, ensuring that you can relax and really enjoy this very special day in your life.

A Golden Cloud wedding helps considerably to keeping your wedding costs down, since it allows you to combine your wedding ceremony, reception, dinner, and accommodations. Whether you choose a sit down dinner in the dining room terrace or a poolside buffet, the bridal couple is paying for the actual groceries for a menu that they and the chef agree on. Your chef will suggest various options for your wedding dinner. The use of Events with Elegance for coordinating all the wedding day needs would be required if you have outside guests or need assistance with planning the event with just the villa guests. Norma Ellison from Events with Elegance, has coordinated dozens of weddings at Golden Clouds and can provide a multiple of services including flowers, music, decorations, etc. Golden Clouds has accommodated countless weddings over the years, ranging from very large (50+ guests) to very small, and our goal is to exceed your expectations for a Caribbean wedding.

The following information will assist you in finalizing your wedding plans:

We can help you coordinate all the paperwork through any of our wedding coordinators or you can use your own. Specific rates apply. Please ensure that the original or certified copy of Birth Certificates and or Divorce/death Certificates are sent so they arrive at least 4-6 weeks prior to the wedding date. Documents submitted, original or certified, will be returned upon arrival in Jamaica.

The ceremony can take place anywhere on the Golden Clouds property with choices ranging from a beach location to the garden to the terrace. The wedding service is performed by an ordained Jamaican minister. These ministers are non-denominational in their wedding ceremony and vow presentations. Jamaica does not have notaries, who perform weddings, or a justice of the peace. All ministers are licensed by the Jamaica government and are required to perform the signing of the marriage license.

If you have your own minister, who is traveling with you and you would like to participate in your ceremony, they are always welcomed by your Jamaica minister but please note that the Jamaica minister must perform the vows and do the pronouncement at the end. He also must perform the signing of the marriage license with you.

Visitors can be married just 24 hour after arriving in Jamaica providing prior application has been made for a marriage license. All paperwork is initiated by your Golden Clouds wedding coordinator prior to arrival in Jamaica. Any wedding that our wedding coordinator organizes in Jamaica is legally recognized throughout most of the world including the U.S., Canada, South America and Europe.

Unlike many countries, Jamaica does not expect you take a blood test before getting married. However, the following documentation is required:

Proof of citizenship - certified copy of birth certificate, which includes father's name.
Parent's written consent if under 18 years of age.
Proof of divorce if applicable (original certificate of divorce).
Certified copy of death certificate for widow or widower.
Italian nationals celebrating their wedding in Jamaica must notify their embassy and a certified copy of their marriage certificate forwarded to their embassy to be legalized and translated.
French Canadians need a notarised translated copy of all documents and a photocopy of the original French documents.

Wedding Coordinator

Golden Clouds requires the use of Events with Elegance to coordinate the event if outside guests are invited. If it is just the villa guests then Events with Elegance can assist with all your wedding day needs but is not required.

Additional Guests

Golden Clouds can accommodate up to 24 guests. If you have additional quests we can recommend that you put them up at the nearby Blow Hole Villa located almost next door. We also have over 20 villas in nearby Ocho Rios.

Reception (with just the villa guests)

A Villa wedding helps considerably to keeping your wedding costs down. Whether you choose a sit down dinner in the dining room terrace or a poolside buffet, the bridal couple is paying for the actual groceries for a menu that they and the cook agree on, or you are using the all-inclusive plan. Your chef will suggest various options from finger food to a Jamaican Roast Suckling Pig banquet. Having already paid the Villa rental (which of course, includes your chef), no banquet charge or caterer’s fee is added unless the size of various events require the hiring of additional staff, and catering supplies (china, silver, etc.)

Where to have the ceremony

There are many beautiful places on the Estate to have your Wedding Ceremony. Here are a few of the most popular spots:

The Gazebo - Located on the Main lawn amidst fragrant flowering foliage and Jamaican songbirds as your choir, and Heaven as your ceiling. Chairs can be provided around the Gazebo for your guests. The Bride and Groom along with the Minister are under the Gazebo. After the Ceremony a table is set up on the lawn for the Champagne Toast.

The Beach - Some of our past guests have had the Wedding Ceremony on the Beach. Some have done this in a formal way some casual. The idea of getting married on a beautiful white sand beach at sunset seems to be very popular. After the ceremony all he guests go back to the Villa where the Champagne Toast is set up in the West Wing Patio.

The Front Terrace - Overlooking the Caribbean Sea at Sunset has also been very popular. Also, after the ceremony the Champagne Toast takes place in the West Wing Patio.

A Golden Clouds Wedding Story

A wedding a few years ago had 38 people. They had their family and close friends (16) stay at Golden Clouds and the other guests were at Golden Seas Hotel and Windjammer villa. Their guests arrived in Jamaica on a Saturday and were met at the Airport by one of our van drivers. The guests were driven to the hotel where the bride and groom met them and made sure they were all settled. That night, Saturday, the hotel had a b-b-q night with music and dancing so they all had dinner together at the hotel (while the staff was preparing for the next day Wedding). The bride and groom along with their family returned to the Villa late that evening to finalize plans for the late morning Wedding Ceremony. The ceremony took place at the Gazebo, in the main lawn, with chairs set up around the gazebo and the table in the lawn set up for the Champagne Toast. After the toast, they all walked down to Golden Clouds (the main Villa) and enjoyed their Wedding Brunch. They had their Wedding Dinner Party that evening after sunset at 7:00 P.M. where a fabulous Steel Drum Band played and they enjoyed their Jamaican Style Wedding Buffet. All the tables were set up in the West Wing sitting area decorated in pink and white, candles on all the tables as well as beautiful Jamaican flower arrangements. Beverages were served from the bar (champagne and wines). The band played till late that evening where everyone danced and danced. After the party was over the van came to pick up the guests and drive them back to their hotel and Windjammer villa.

The Bride and Groom wanted to have their friends not staying at Golden Clouds to spend the next day and night at the villa for meals. Their van driver picked them up in the morning and the guests enjoyed playing tennis, snorkeling and just relaxing on the beach. A buffet lunch of assorted sandwiches and salads was served by the pool. After the day in the sun the guests returned to the hotel and freshened up for dinner at the villa that night. The dinner that evening was a casual affair of B-B-Q of Jerk Chicken, B-B-Q Chicken, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Green Salad, Fresh Fruits and desserts.

Each group does it differently. Whatever you decide on can be accommodated.

Wedding Pictures from Golden Clouds Villa

Golden Clouds Wedding