Destination Wedding Boracay
Introduction to Boracay
For a tiny island in the archipelago of the Philippines, Boracay attracts tens of thousands of visitors to its shores each year. In fact, it is the country’s top tourist draw. Only 7km long and 1km wide, it’s home to a small population of about 30,000 locals, who mostly live off the tourism boom that’s hit the island since the late 70’s.
Speaking of which, Boracay only came into mainstream popularity in the 90’s. Before that, it was a favored destination for backpackers for its pristine beauty and rustic atmosphere, where electricity was nowhere to be found and enjoying the beach meant napping on a nipa hut (small cottage made of local materials) at mid-afternoon.
Originally the home of the Philippines’ Ati tribe, the first wave of tourists came to the island after German author, Jens Peter, called Boracay “paradise on Earth,” in his book about the Philippines, which was published in 1978.
Today, Boracay is known worldwide for being indeed “paradise on Earth.” The island consistently ranks on the top lists of travel magazines and agencies, such as Travel + Leisure, which gave it the honor of being named ‘Best Island in the World” in 2012. Conde Nast Traveler considered Boracay as the top in its Best Islands in the World list in 2014, as well as among its Top 10 Destinations to Watch in 2016.
With its powdery soft, immaculate white sand, and crystal clear, azure waters, it’s no surprise Boracay has made people the world over fall in love with its natural beauty. And with a highly developed tourist infrastructure, it’s no doubt that the island will continue to attract beach lovers all over the world for many generations to come.
Why Choose Boracay for Your Destination Wedding
The beautiful beaches of Boracay are all you need for the perfect venue to your dream beach wedding. Saying your “I do’s” at sunrise or sunset with the vast horizon as your backdrop is a fantasy only a few couples get to live out. In Boracay, your dreamy beach wedding becomes reality.
One might think that a wedding on a tropical island might be a logistical nightmare. But in Boracay, nothing is impossible. Hotels, wedding venues, and wedding planners abound in Boracay, being a favored destination for couples who wish to tie the knot in this idyllic destination. Whether you want to have an intimate wedding of two, or a grand celebration with 500 guests, anything you dream of can be made possible on the island.
For a Catholic wedding, Boracay has one Catholic church, which is the Holy Rosary Parish, which can seat 100 people. For the most part, couples enjoy beach ceremonies on the private beaches of luxury hotels, and have their reception on the beach, or inside a ballroom, or at the poolside. Some weddings are even held within private villas, where privacy and exclusivity are yours for the taking.
In terms of wedding coordination, Boracay also has its fair share of planners who are based on the island.
Best Time of the Year to Do a Wedding in Boracay
When choosing the date of your wedding in Boracay, the best time of the year definitely has to be between October to April. These are the months when the sun shines the brightest on the island, giving you the perfect weather to exchange vows on the beach.
Early morning ceremonies or right before sunset are the perfect time to hold your ceremonies. These are the times of the day when the weather is perfect to spend outdoors without it being too hot or humid.
However, these months are also the time of the year when tourists flock to the island to take advantage of the ideal weather. If you want to hold your wedding when there is less crowds, the lean months might be a better option for you. Hotel rates are also lower during low season, so you might get a better deal on your budget. However, the occasional rainfall might be a major hurdle to capture that perfect beach wedding scenario, so both seasons do have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages.
Most Popular Wedding Venues in Boracay
As mentioned, Boracay features several wedding venues and hotels that offer wedding packages and services to couples who wish to have a memorable wedding day or wedding weekend on the island. The most popular wedding venues boast of private luxury resorts that have ready-made wedding packages, or have a dedicated events planner to help you create your bespoke wedding. Here are the most popular wedding venues in Boracay:
1. Shangrila Boracay Resort and Spa
The ultimate luxury when it comes to beach resorts in Boracay, Shangrila offers 6 wedding packages where couples get to choose venues in the resort, whether it be a wedding on the beach, on the poolside, or on its landscaped gardens.
Located on a private cove with a 350 meter private beach, Shangrila gives couples privacy and exclusivity unlike any other.
2. Movenpick Boracay
Located on Punta Bunga cove, one of the most exclusive spots in Boracay, Movenpick offers 4 wedding packages for couples, with the capacity to accommodate a maximum number of 200 guests.
Should you wish to have a more intimate celebration, Movenpick also features a beach villa, where you can have a small gathering for your ceremony and/or reception. A dedicated events manager will also be provided when you decide to have your wedding at this 5-star resort.
3. Crimson Hotel
Crimson Hotel is home to luxurious accommodations and amenities with an enviable location in Boracay, Station Zero. It features a private cove, which makes for the perfect spot to seal your union as a couple.
The resort offers three venues for your wedding: on the beach, inside the Coral Ballroom with its glass walls and windows, and at their Events Pavillion.
4. The Lind Boracay
Offering world-class facilities, The Lind Boracay has consistently ranked as one of the top hotels on the island. Offering 5 venues to hold a wedding ceremony and/or reception, couples can choose between a wedding on the beach, at the poolside, at the gardens, at the ballroom, or at their Teal Room – a function hall that can seat 30 guests.
5. Sea Wind Boracay
If you fancy a beach wedding with more than 100 guests, then Sea Wind is the place to be as it features one of the longest beaches on the island. Located in Station 1 of the famous White Beach, Sea Wind features a dedicated website to cater to its wedding clients. They have several wedding packages to choose from, with one package being able to accommodate a celebration with a maximum number of 500 guests.
6. Discovery Shores Boracay
Travel + Leisure features this resort as one of the World’s Best Hotels, and it’s no surprise why. With beautiful architecture, exceptional customer service, and world-class facilities, Discovery Shores is the perfect wedding venue for the couple who wants to hold their wedding in a chic, tropical resort.
The resort offers 6 wedding packages, which are all customizable for each couple. Each package features complimentary amenities, as well as personalized services.
7. Asya Premier Suites
Offering 5 wedding packages, this luxury resort allows you to choose between different wedding themes, all with different venues and concepts. But if you want to have a completely bespoke celebration, you can also do so with ease and peace of mind as an in-house wedding coordinator shall be assigned to you for a stress-free wedding.
How to Reach Boracay
There is no airport on the island of Boracay, which means visitors will have to fly to the mainland and catch a ferry to the island. There are daily flights from Manila (the capital of the Philippines) to Caticlan or Kalibo airports, which are the nearest to Boracay,
Caticlan is more favored since it is only 3 minutes away from the Caticlan Jetty Port, which brings tourists to the island. Kalibo is about 45 minutes away from the port but is more favored for those traveling on a budget since flights to this airport are usually offered at lower prices.
When you arrive in Caticlan or Kalibo airport, you can hire a van, motorcycle, or car to get you to the Caticlan Jetty Port. From there, you will get on an outrigger boat (banca), which will bring you to Boracay in a short 10-20 minutes.
For those staying at resorts such as Shangrila or Crimson, these resorts have private speedboats that take their guests to and from the Caticlan Jetty Port.
Hiring a Wedding Planner in Boracay
Entrusting your wedding to a Boracay wedding planner or organizer who has experience in coordinating weddings on the island is the best decision you can make for your special day. Unless you have the time to spare to frequently visit Boracay prior to your big day, hiring a wedding planner who can do the organizing for you can rid you of stress and headaches.
Local planners are also adept to the ins and outs of the location, the vendors, suppliers, and all the tiny details that you need to make your dream beach wedding come true.
On your wedding day, the only thing you should think about is the love of your life and the beginning of the rest of your lives together. It shouldn’t be spent worrying about the catering, the band, the decoration, or your guests. Leave all of this to your entrusted wedding planner so you can have a memorable wedding day that’s spent enjoying the hours with the ones you love the most.