Galley Bay Resort & Spa

Galley Bay Resort & Spa sits on a private beach on Antigua's northwest coast, near the village of Five Islands. The property feels more intimate than the larger all-inclusive chains, with just 70 rooms and suites spread across manicured grounds, and a philosophy emphasizing privacy and personalized service. Unlike many Caribbean wedding resorts that house hundreds of guests, Galley Bay's smaller scale means the team can give detailed attention to wedding planning. Rooms include junior suites, one-bedroom cottages, and beachfront suites, each with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and either ocean or garden views. The resort offers both all-inclusive and à la carte dining options, giving couples flexibility in how they structure their celebration and their guests' experience.

Antigua and Barbuda's marriage laws stand out in the Caribbean for eliminating residency requirements entirely. According to the official guidance from Antigua and Barbuda's tourism authority, there is no mandatory residency period before a couple can apply for a marriage license. You can apply for a license as soon as your second day on the island, meaning couples arriving Wednesday can legally marry Friday. This stands in sharp contrast to other Caribbean destinations that require 15 to 30 days of residency before marriage is possible. The speed with which Antigua issues licenses, combined with the zero residency requirement, makes it one of the quickest destinations for a legal marriage in the Caribbean.

The legal process in Antigua requires both parties to be present during the application at the Ministry of Legal Affairs. You'll need a valid passport, proof of your status (a single declaration if you've never been married, a decree absolute if divorced, or a death certificate if widowed), a completed application form provided by the Ministry, and proof that both applicants are 18 years old or older (or written parental consent if under 18). There are two types of licenses available. An ordinary license requires one party to have been resident in Antigua and Barbuda for 15 days before application. A special license requires neither residency nor waiting time, meaning you can apply and marry within days. Most destination wedding couples use the special license to maintain the speed and flexibility.

The costs for a special license in Antigua are detailed in the government's schedule. The license fee is US $150 or EC $405. Registration costs US $40 or EC $100. The marriage officer conducting the ceremony charges US $100 or EC $270. A certified copy of your marriage certificate, should you need it, costs US $10 or EC $25. The total government cost for the license and all fees, plus a certified copy, comes to roughly US $300. You contact the Ministry of Legal Affairs at (268) 562-0381 to begin the process, and an interview with the Marriage Coordinator precedes the license issuance. After the interview, the license is registered at the Registrar General's office at (268) 462-0609.

Galley Bay's wedding packages begin at US $720 for the basic ceremony package and include specific elements. The base package features a beachfront setting with a decorated altar for up to six people, an officiant and wedding coordinator to manage the day, a fresh bouquet of local flowers for the bride, a single-tier wedding cake for the couple, sparkling wine for the toasting, and hotel taxes plus gratuities. The local marriage license fee from the government, roughly US $450 to $500 as detailed above, is separate and handled by the couple directly with the Ministry. The resort can arrange the paperwork and logistics, and they'll coordinate with the government offices to ensure the documentation is properly submitted. Additional services available through third-party providers include photography and videography, special dinners, entertainment, and spa services, available at local rates.

Getting to Antigua requires a flight to V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU), which receives direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, and Philadelphia, with flight times of 3 to 5 hours depending on the routing. Connections from other US cities typically route through Miami or San Juan. Once you land, Galley Bay is about 20 to 25 minutes from the airport by car. The resort can arrange airport transfers for guests. The best time to marry on Antigua is November through April, when the weather is dry and temperatures run 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. May through October brings more humidity and the hurricane season, though Antigua sits well outside the typical hurricane path and direct hits are uncommon. August and September offer the lowest guest volumes and sometimes reduced room rates despite the heat and humidity.

Galley Bay itself emphasizes relaxation and couples' privacy. The resort's 70 suites are distributed across the property so the atmosphere remains unhurried. All rooms include air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms with showers, and either beachfront or garden settings. Many rooms feature private plunge pools or direct beach access. The single on-site restaurant serves a mix of Caribbean and international cuisine and can accommodate both all-inclusive guests and à la carte diners. The beach is private and protected, calm for swimming, and the water is clear for snorkeling. There's a spa offering massages and facials, a fitness center, and a small library of water sports equipment. Evening activities include live music or quiet beach walks. The intimacy of the property means the wedding team can customize details and move at a slower pace than the larger resort chains.

A wedding day at Galley Bay follows a personalized script rather than a factory template. The wedding coordinator meets with you days before to finalize the ceremony details, location (beachfront or garden), timing, guest seating, and any special requests. The officiant is a local minister or justice of the peace registered with the government and experienced in marrying international couples. The couple exchanges vows in the chosen setting while your guests witness the ceremony and the two required witnesses sign the marriage license. After the ceremony, the celebration moves to the resort's restaurant or a private beachfront setup if you've arranged an upgraded package. Cake cutting, champagne toasts, and special dinners are optional add-ons. Photography can be arranged separately, and the resort will coordinate with the government offices to ensure your license application is processed and the ceremony is duly registered.

Couples choose Galley Bay when they prioritize ease and speed, particularly the zero residency requirement that makes Antigua unique. The appeal is also the intimate scale of the resort, where the team remembers details and personalizes the experience, rather than managing logistics for hundreds of guests. The beachfront setting offers protected waters and white sand, and the resort's Caribbean warmth and relaxed atmosphere fit the mood of a wedding escape. For a couple seeking a legal marriage completed within days of arrival, in a jurisdiction with no residency bureaucracy, at a smaller resort where the team can give them personal attention, Galley Bay delivers simplicity, privacy, and the speed to marry before the week is out.