Getting Married on Bonaire: Your Complete Guide for a Dream Wedding

Pearl-white sandy beaches, the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea, and a delightful climate with almost guaranteed sunshine – these are the perfect ingredients for a dream wedding in Bonaire. The island is excellently suited for saying "I do," whether you’re a resident or coming from abroad. Do you also want to get married in a tropical setting in Bonaire? In this comprehensive guide, you’ll read exactly what you need to arrange before the celebration can begin.

Can you already picture yourself standing with your feet in the sand on a fantastic beach during your most beautiful day? Or would you rather say "I do" in the beautiful, historic Pasangrahan (Bonaire’s town hall) or in a church? You can also choose convenience and get married at a resort with all facilities at hand. Everything is possible in Bonaire – you can choose your own wedding location and have your ceremony arranged completely to your wishes.

Official Marriage Requirements: What Do You Need to Arrange?

Timeline and Planning

A wedding in Bonaire can be reserved at least 2 weeks and maximum 1 year before the desired date. The first official step in getting married is the marriage announcement, also called banns. This marriage announcement is separate from reserving a date for your wedding and forms the legal basis for your marriage.

For Non-Residents: Starting the Procedure Remotely

Do you live abroad and want to get married in Bonaire? Then you can start the procedure remotely by sending an email to burgerzaken@bonairegov.com. You don’t need to be physically present to start the application, but you will need to come to Bonaire a few days before the ceremony to finalize the last matters and, of course, to get married!

Civil Registry Walk-in Hours

For the marriage announcement, you can visit the Civil Registry department during walk-in hours:

• Monday through Thursday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Address: Kaya Neerlandia 40

• Phone: +599 715 5330

Required Documents

For the marriage announcement, you must bring the following documents from both partners:

For everyone:

• A valid identity document (passport) from both of you

• A recent copy of the birth certificate from both

• Have you been married before? Then you need proof that you are no longer married: a divorce decree from all previous marriages or a death certificate of your previous partner

Additional for non-residents of Bonaire:

• A recently issued declaration of domicile, nationality, and civil status

• A declaration of capacity to marry (you can obtain this from the authorities of the country where you live)

Important: All documents may not be older than six months and must be legalized with an apostille. Documents not drafted in Dutch must be accompanied by an official Dutch translation.

Witnesses

For a legal marriage in Bonaire, a minimum of two and maximum of four witnesses are required. If you don’t have witnesses or can’t bring them, local wedding planners can arrange this for you.

Wedding Venues: From Beach to Town Hall

One of the most beautiful aspects of getting married in Bonaire is the freedom to choose your own location. Some popular options are:

The Beach

The most romantic choice for many: getting married with your feet in the soft, white sand while Caribbean waves gently rustle in the background. Bonaire has beautiful beaches such as Sorobon Beach, Te Amo Beach, and the beaches at various resorts.

Pasangrahan (Town Hall)

For a more traditional ceremony, you can go to Bonaire’s historic town hall, a beautiful building with colonial charm.

At a Resort or Hotel

Many resorts in Bonaire offer complete wedding packages with ceremony, reception, and accommodation for your guests in one location. This is practical and ensures everything is arranged down to the last detail.

Church or Other Special Locations

Religious ceremonies are also possible in Bonaire, and there are various unique locations available for those seeking something special.

Free Wedding: An Option for Residents

It’s possible to get married for free in Bonaire, but this is only available for residents of the island. This option is available on:

• Monday morning at 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM

• Location: The wedding hall of the Civil Registry Department

The ceremony is limited to saying "I do" and signing the certificate. At a free wedding, only the bride and groom and witnesses may be present.

The Wedding Book

When you get married in Bonaire, you have a choice of different types of wedding books. This is not mandatory but is a beautiful memento of your big day. There’s also space for mentioning children. You can choose from:

• Bordeaux red artificial leather - $33.55

• Dark blue artificial leather - $33.55

• White artificial leather - $33.55

Help with Organization: Wedding Planners in Bonaire

Organizing a wedding from a distance can be quite challenging. How do you arrange the most beautiful location for your celebration? Who should handle the catering? Where do you find the most delicious cake? Who is the best photographer? And what’s possible regarding transportation on the big day?

Fortunately, there are experienced wedding planners in Bonaire who can take over all these tasks. They can provide you with advice about the most beautiful places to get married, select the best caterer for you, arrange transportation down to the last detail, and even arrange witnesses if needed.

What a wedding planner can do for you:

• Select the perfect location

• Arrange flowers and decoration

• Book photographer and videographer

• Organize catering and wedding cake

• Provide music (DJ, live band, or other entertainment)

• Arrange transportation for the bride and groom and guests

• Coordinate styling and makeup

• Arrange witnesses if desired

• Manage all logistical details

Local wedding planners often also have discounts with suppliers, which could help you save costs. But most importantly, it’s relaxing to hire someone to make your most beautiful day a great success, so you can fully concentrate on enjoying the moment.

What Does Getting Married in Bonaire Cost?

A gorgeous wedding dress, sparkling rings, a finger-licking good cake, a five-course dinner, a DJ or band... you can make a wedding as expensive (and cheap) as you want. Of course, the number of guests also determines how much your wedding will cost.

Main Cost Items

Official costs:

• Wedding ceremony at a special location (outside the town hall): variable costs depending on location and time

• Free wedding: only Monday morning 8:00-8:30 AM for Bonaire residents

• Wedding book (optional): $33.55

Travel and accommodation:

• Flight tickets to Bonaire (from the Netherlands, Belgium, or other departure points)

• Accommodation for you and possibly guests

• Local transportation on the island (rental car is strongly recommended)

Ceremony and celebration:

• Wedding planner (optional but recommended)

• Venue rental (if applicable)

• Catering

• Photography and videography

• Flowers and decoration

• Music/entertainment

• Wedding cake

• Wedding attire

Budget Tips

For couples who want to get married in Bonaire without spending a fortune: the island offers possibilities for every budget. You can choose an intimate ceremony on the beach with just your witnesses, or a big celebration with all the bells and whistles. It’s wise to start planning early and request quotes from various suppliers.

Symbolic Beach Ceremony

In addition to an official marriage, it’s also possible to hold a symbolic ceremony on the beach. This option is popular with couples who are already officially married in their home country but want to celebrate their marriage in a romantic location. A symbolic ceremony can be arranged completely according to your wishes – from a simple ceremony with just the two of you to an elaborate celebration with all guests. This ceremony has no legal value but is a beautiful memory and a perfect way to celebrate your marriage in paradise.

Honeymoon in Bonaire: The Perfect Destination

After the wedding ceremony in Bonaire, the island is the perfect location for a wonderful honeymoon. Enjoy a beautiful beach with palm trees after your most beautiful day and let yourself be completely pampered. But even when you’re already married in the Netherlands or elsewhere, Bonaire is a great place to spend your honeymoon.

Why Bonaire is perfect for a honeymoon:

• Constantly pleasant climate year-round

• Beautiful beaches and crystal-clear water

• Excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities

• Romantic restaurants and dining options

• Various resorts with honeymoon suites

• Relaxed atmosphere and relatively little tourist crowds

• Safe and hospitable environment

• Activities for every level: from complete relaxation to active adventures

Combine your wedding day with a relaxing honeymoon and make your stay in Bonaire a complete experience. Hotels and resorts often offer special honeymoon packages with extras like champagne in the room, candlelit dinners on the beach, or romantic spa treatments for two.

The Ideal Wedding Season in Bonaire

Thanks to the constant, sunny climate, Bonaire is an ideal wedding destination year-round. The island lies outside the hurricane belt, making the risk of tropical storms minimal. The climate is warm and sunny all year with temperatures around 82-86°F (28-30°C) and a lovely trade wind that provides cooling.

The slightly drier period is from January through August, but even in the other months, there’s usually little rain. This means you can almost always count on sunshine during your big day, regardless of when you choose to get married.

International Recognition

An important point for international couples: official marriages performed in Bonaire are internationally legally valid. This means your marriage is recognized in the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries worldwide. Make sure that after returning, you submit the necessary paperwork to the appropriate authorities in your country of residence to have your marriage registered there as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Married in Bonaire

Can foreigners get married in Bonaire? Yes, they can! Both residents and non-residents can legally marry in Bonaire, as long as they meet the civil registry requirements. The procedure is well-organized and the Civil Registry department is ready to help you via burgerzaken@bonairegov.com.

What are the requirements to be allowed to marry in Bonaire? Both partners must be 18 years or older. The application must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance (and can be up to 1 year ahead), along with official documents such as a valid passport, birth certificate, and possibly a divorce decree or death certificate. For non-residents, a declaration of domicile, nationality, civil status, and a declaration of capacity to marry are also required. All documents must be in Dutch or provided with an official translation and may not be older than six months.

Do we need to be physically present to apply for marriage? No. However, the couple must be present a few days before the ceremony to finalize the last matters and, of course, for the wedding ceremony itself.

Is marriage in Bonaire internationally recognized? Yes, official marriages in Bonaire are internationally legally valid and are recognized worldwide. Make sure to register your marriage with the appropriate authorities in your country of residence after returning.

What documents do we need? To arrange your marriage, you need a valid passport from both partners, as well as a recent birth certificate and declaration of civil status. If you’ve been married before, you need a divorce decree or death certificate. For non-residents, a declaration of domicile, nationality and civil status, and a declaration of capacity to marry are additionally required. Note: all documents may not be older than six months and must be legalized with an apostille. Documents in a language other than Dutch must be provided with an official translation.

Can we also have a symbolic wedding on the beach? Absolutely! Many couples choose a romantic ceremony on the beach, alongside or after the official legal moment. This can be arranged completely according to your wishes with personal vows, music, and decoration. A symbolic ceremony has no legal value but is a beautiful way to celebrate your love.

Can you help with organizing the wedding? Yes, there are experienced wedding planners working in Bonaire who provide complete support for your big day. From selecting the perfect location to arranging flowers, photographer, catering, dinner, music, and styling – a wedding planner can organize everything for you, so you can enjoy a worry-free day.

What about witnesses? A minimum of two and maximum of four witnesses are needed for a legal marriage in Bonaire. If desired, local wedding planners can arrange witnesses for you if you can’t bring witnesses yourself.

What’s the best season to get married in Bonaire? Thanks to the constant, sunny climate, Bonaire is an ideal wedding destination year-round. The island lies outside the hurricane belt and offers practically guaranteed sunshine, regardless of which month you get married. This means you can choose your date based on your own preference and availability, rather than worrying about the weather.

Can we combine our honeymoon with the wedding? Certainly! Combining your wedding day with a relaxing honeymoon in Bonaire is a popular choice. The island offers beautiful beaches, excellent diving opportunities, romantic restaurants, and various resorts with special honeymoon packages. Many couples choose to stay a week or longer to fully enjoy the island after their ceremony.

For more information and to start your marriage application, contact Bonaire’s Civil Registry department via burgerzaken@bonairegov.com or visit bonairegov.com/inwoners/huwelijk.

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