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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
If there is anything you need or any question I might not have answered here, PLEASE do not hesitate to ask, and I will most likely put that question up here for everyone else to read as well. You can email me at stuart@usviservices.com or call me anytime at 340-514-4466.
1. Are there residency requirements or waiting periods in order to get married there? No. We are part of the US so getting married here is a snap. Just make sure to mail in your application about 10-30 days before you get here. There is an 8 day processing period for the courthouse meaning they like the application in at least 8 days beforehand, but it can be waived without much of a problem. We are used to getting rerouted cruiseship brides at the last moment.
2. Are blood tests required? No blood tests are required.
3. What do I need to get married? A completed application, which I can email to you or you can download online (see my link page), $100 payable to the courthouse, a photo id when you show up at court, and finally a certified copy of any divorce decrees or death certificates if you have been previously married. Some websites still stay its only $50 payable to the courthouse but it was recently changed to $100. Suggestion: Make a copy of the application and check before you mail it in, and bring this with you.
4. What should I wear? Welcome to the islands, you can wear whatever you want to wear. If you decide on a bathing suit just make sure you are covered up when going to the courthouse. I've seen everything from wetsuits and bikinis to tuxedos and ballroom gowns. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Black tuxedos, while very elegant, can be extremely hot in the tropical sun. Its your special day so wear something that reflects your individuality as well as the importance of the day.
5. What is the best time of day for the wedding? Check with your photographer about your particular location. But as a rule of thumb either morning or evening weddings are the best for photos. In the morning the water get the Caribbean turquoise color. Evening has the nice soft glow light, and if the saharan dust is blowing through the atmosphere you get a nice orange haze. Also, those times of day its not sweltering hot like the midday sun.
6. What type of ceremony locations are there? You can have your wedding day at botanical gardens, luxury yachts, gorgeous estates, deserted islands, quiet little secluded beaches, in a helicopter circling the islands, gazebos overlooking the ocean, and you can even get married underwater if you so desire. If you can dream it, we can make it happen. Unless you want snow....
7. Do I need a passport? If you have one bring it, and I would strongly suggest you get one if you have time. However, if you only plan on coming to the US Virgin Islands and don't plan on island hopping over the British Virgin Islands, then all you need is a license and a birth certificate.
UPDATE - Many people are asking about the new law that is to take effect starting Jan 2007. This law does not effect you visiting the USVI and then returning to the US mainland. If you want to go to the BVI - Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke etc., you will need a passport. Visit this Dept of State website for more info http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html Scroll all the way to the bottom and they explain specifically about the USVI. I hope this helps.
8. Where should I stay? That's a tough question to answer with a general statement. If you let me know what type of place you are looking for, like, secluded, family resort, all inclusive, villa, tight budget, near nightlife, etc. I would be more than happy to offer some suggestions.
9. It is just the two of us coming, but I want to do something out of the ordinary for the ceremony; however I am on a tight budget. Any suggestions? I did one wedding where we rented a boat and they got married on a deserted beach. I captained the boat while they sat and enjoyed the tour and some cold drinks. $400 for a 1/2 day which included my officiating and the boat, add another $200 if you want a full day island hopping excursion. Note, this might have to be changed last minute to a land based wedding depending on weather, but the fee would revert to my regular rate and all extra monies for the boat would be refunded.
10. When should we pay you, how, and do you need a deposit? Some couples prefer not to deal with money and the business aspect of their wedding on their actual wedding day, so you are welcome to pay me up front via Paypal. It also helps spread wedding expenses out so you have more money to spend in our wonderful shops when you arrive. You are also welcome to pay me in cash on the day of the wedding if you would prefer that as well.
11. What do we do with the license? VERY IMPORTANT.........Bring the license with you to the ceremony and make that the first thing you hand me. If you want to put the cash in the same envelope that is fine as well. I NEED to have that before the wedding, because after the ceremony is your time to celebrate so lets get the paperwork and formalities done upfront. I will mail you your court stamped marriage certificate within a few days after your wedding. If you are staying on island for a while you can pick it up from me before you leave.
12. I'm worried about the weather what should I expect? Well this is probably the most common question. People avoid getting married here in Hurricane season June-Nov, but historically September is our bad month. But, not to get married here because there might be a hurricane is like not getting married in the Midwest because there might be a tornado. 2005 has been one of the most active hurricane seasons on record, and thankfully the US Virgin Islands have been completely spared, not one hurricane, not even a tropical storm. So chances are the weather will be like it is 99% of the year, 88 degrees and sunny, with a brief shower here and there. Don't bother looking at weather reports, I have yet to see a weather report that didn't have rain listed, its rains somewhere on this island every day, but usually only for a few minutes.
13. Any island tips? Drink LOTS of water. You will be surprised how fast you can get dehydrated. Wear sunscreen, the sun here is ALOT stronger than the summer sun in the states, you can burn within an hour or two. Say good morning, good day, good afternoon to everyone you encounter. We are a very friendly people if you greet us and say hello, it will make a huge difference. If you are here for a few days renting a car is a great idea, especially if you have time to go explore St John, its impossible to get lost over there. We do drive on the left, but it is not as hard to adjust as you would think.
14. What is your number one piece of advice to brides & grooms? Relax and enjoy yourselves. You came to the islands to get away from the stress of planning a monster event back home or you just wanted something small, intimate, and stress free. Planning a wedding in the islands is only as hard as you want it to be. I know of one bride that completely switched her ceremony site, reception site, and decided to book a steel pan player within the last week, and it was a reception for 40 people, and she wasn't using a wedding planner. So unless you have more than 40 people and it less than a week away, there is nothing to worry about. No worries...No hurries... ENJOY
15. Can we write our own vows? Absolutely. I am non denominational so your wish is my command, this day is about you and your love, so whatever you feel best signifies your relationship is fine with me. I typically keep religion out of the ceremony to keep it neutral; however, I would be more than happy to add a few scriptures or readings into the ceremony. Also, there is an excellent Jewish officiate that I work with than can assist in intermingling Jewish traditions, customs, and readings, if you so desire.
16. We want to have chairs, and water at the ceremony can you do that? I can help you get the information on how to organize that, if you want to have one of your guests in charge of that. However, at this point I would recommend a wedding planner. I can give you some suggestions to those as well. There are two in particular I work with that are affordable and are willing to do small pieces of the wedding if you want to plan the rest on your own.