Working with Wedding Professionals in The Bahamas: What Non-Residents Must Know
The Bahamas is one of the most sought-after destinations for weddings, and for good reason. But if you’re a wedding planner or vendor coming from outside the islands, there are some serious rules and realities you need to know. This isn’t just about being polite. It’s about being legal, compliant, and professional while ensuring the very best for your couples.
Here’s what every non-resident wedding professional should understand before taking on a wedding in The Bahamas:
1. Respect the Law: You Can’t Do It All Yourself
- Non-residents are not legally allowed to perform certain jobs in The Bahamas without proper permits (e.g., officiating, photography, floral design, catering).
- Bringing in your own “full team” from abroad without involving local vendors is not only disrespectful but also illegal.
- Work with Bahamian professionals, not against them. Your couples deserve a wedding that is both stunning and legitimate.
2. Partner, Don’t Compete
Your role as an international planner is to guide your couple’s vision and provide personalized service. Local Bahamian professionals are your boots on the ground. They know the venues, the logistics, and the cultural nuances.
- Instead of trying to take over, collaborate.
- Hire local photographers, florists, DJs, and officiants.
- Position yourself as part of a strong team, not a one-person show.
3. Compliance Tips & Tricks
- Visas & Work Permits: If you’re being paid to work in The Bahamas, check if you need a work permit. Don’t assume your tourist status covers you.
- Contracts: Always clarify who is responsible for what. Your Bahamian vendor contracts should be direct and transparent.
- VAT (Value Added Tax): A mandatory 10% VAT is applied to goods and services. Explain this clearly to your couples so there are no surprises.
- Timing & Deliveries: Shipping décor, dresses, or rentals into The Bahamas requires customs clearance. Local vendors can guide you through what works, and what gets stuck at the port.
4. Trust Local Knowledge
Bahamian professionals know the realities of the islands:
- Which beaches are public vs. private.
- How to navigate seasonal weather (yes, hurricane season is real).
- Who the reliable suppliers are, and who to avoid.
Trying to “wing it” as an outsider risks your couple’s investment, your reputation, and their big day.
Final Word: Do Right by Your Couples
At the end of the day, this isn’t about ego or control, it’s about the couple. They’ve entrusted you with one of the most important days of their lives. To truly serve them, you must:
- Stay legal
- Stay compliant
- Work with Bahamian professionals
- Respect the culture and business practices
When you do, your couples get the best of both worlds: your expertise as their trusted planner and the unmatched skills of Bahamian wedding professionals who know their islands inside out.
Learn How at the WPIC Certification Course in The Bahamas
That’s why WPIC has partnered with the Bahamas Bridal Association to offer our in-person Wedding Planning Certification Course at the Warwick Paradise Island Hotel, October 15–19, 2025 (Package includes arrival on the 15th-19th departure).
As part of this program, you’ll enjoy:
- A full day of wedding site visits to some of The Bahamas’ most stunning venues, along with networking lunch sponsored by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
- The chance to connect directly with Bahamian professionals and learn first-hand how to work legally and effectively in the islands
This isn’t just training. It’s your gateway to becoming a wedding planner who truly understands how to work with The Bahamas, not just in The Bahamas.
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