At Sandals® Resorts and Beaches® Resorts, there are endless opportunities for a picture-perfect destination wedding backdrop. Below are a few tried and true tips to finding your perfect resort and securing your dream Caribbean wedding photos!

How to choose a backdrop and timeframe for Caribbean wedding photos

When it comes to planning your wedding photos, it’s all about lighting! In order to avoid overexposed, blown out backgrounds during a daytime photoshoot, you’ll want to find the sweet spot in the early morning or late afternoon. During these time windows, the Caribbean sun is not at its peak, especially compared to midday. 

If you do opt for a true afternoon photoshoot (between the hours of 11:30AM and 3PM), we recommend securing a shady location or working around any outdoor backdrops until the heat and bright sunlight subsides. Plus, by holding off until 4PM or golden hour to capture any ocean or beach shots, you’ll typically find quieter beaches with less people! 

Discussing your goals with your photographer is extremely beneficial as they’ll know when to schedule the right location at the right time. At Sandals and Beaches, the Epix photography team is always eager to meet with couples to discuss shot list items and build a schedule for the day of your wedding, plus additional events!

When it comes to our Luxury Included® Resorts, every island makes for breathtaking “I do’s”! Highlighted below are three resorts that have been known to draw in couples for years. 

Sandals Emerald Bay

The calm, brilliant blue waters surrounding Sandals Emerald Bay speak volumes to the incredible scenery of The Exumas. Located just a short flight from Florida, Sandals Emerald Bay encompasses 500 acres of sun-soaked bliss and unmarred landscapes. The resort also has a private, mile-long beach, ideal for portrait sessions or uninterrupted photos with the wedding party!

For those who prefer an intimate, shadier space, the resort’s quiet pool and neighboring Zen Garden, as well as the European Wedding Gazebo, complete with a glimmering reflecting pool, are also fantastic options. 

Photo credit: Finding Light Photography

Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Lush green landscapes, rich in vibrant foliage and wildlife, best define the isle of Saint Lucia. At Sandals Grande St. Lucian, every corner of the resort is inspired by the natural surroundings, which allows for stunning destination wedding photos. Seamlessly fusing innovation and nature, the resort boasts an Over-the-Water Serenity Wedding Chapel, complete with 360-degree views of Rodney Bay and volcanic mountains in the background. 

Tranquil gardens also offer beautiful settings for capturing romantic moments on the big day. 

The Over-the-Water Serenity Wedding Chapel at Sandals Grande St. Lucian presents one of the most breathtaking scenes in the Caribbean. With a spacious deck leading up to the chapel, you can capture outdoor shots, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. From inside, a glass-panel aisle and views of the famous Pitons make for a dreamy, dynamic backdrop.

Beaches Turks & Caicos

Situated on the most pristine stretch of Grace Bay, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a destination wedding oasis. Whether you want to plan a photoshoot along the resort’s 12-mile, white sand beach or within one of its five globally inspired villages, you can! Sparkling pools designed to reflect Italy, France, Key West, and the Caribbean offer plenty of space for large group shoots, while blooming gardens covered by trellises make for an ideal first look session. 

If you’re looking for a golden hour moment, Beaches Turks & Caicos offers unmarred views of the setting sun on the Caribbean Sea. It’s also worth noting that all Beaches destination weddings are family-friendly affairs, meaning kids can partake in the celebrations and photo ops too! 

Beaches Turks & Caicos has proven itself an ideal resort for Caribbean wedding photos. The resort boasts 12-miles white sand beach, lapped by calm Caribbean waters, for a setting that speaks for itself! Photo credit: Lin and Jirsa Photography

Already decided on your dream wedding backdrop? Contact your Sandals or Beaches wedding planner today to reserve the location and connect with the Epix photography team!