Sandals vs. Beaches Resorts for a Destination Wedding: Which Is Right for You?

If you’re comparing Sandals vs. Beaches resorts for a destination wedding, the choice probably feels overwhelming at first. Both brands sit under the Sandals Resorts International umbrella. Both use the same WeddingMoons wedding program. Both are all-inclusive Caribbean properties with gorgeous ceremony backdrops. So what actually separates them?

One single, structural fact. And once you know it, every other decision falls into place.

This guide walks you through costs, locations, package details, and the honest recommendation we’d give a close friend. If you’re early in the process, our full destination wedding guide covers the bigger-picture planning steps. But right now, let’s settle the Sandals vs. Beaches question for good.

The One Question That Decides Everything: Are Kids Coming?

Your guest list composition is the deciding factor, full stop. Sandals resorts are strictly adults-only (18+), while Beaches resorts welcome guests of every age, including infants, toddlers, and teenagers.

That’s not a soft suggestion or a vibe preference. Children are prohibited entirely at all 17 Sandals properties, as Sandals’ official blog makes clear. No exceptions, no workarounds, no “just for the ceremony” passes. If your brother’s three-year-old or your partner’s niece is on the guest list, Sandals is off the table.

Beaches, on the other hand, was built from the ground up for multi-generational travel. As Destination Wedding Experts notes, Beaches offers suites with up to three or four bedrooms that can house as many as 10 people, making it practical for families traveling together.

Here’s a quick way to think about it:

• Every guest is 18+? Sandals gives you 17 resorts across eight islands to choose from.
• Any children attending? Beaches is your only option within this brand family.
• Mixed group (some families, some couples)? Book your wedding at Beaches, and couples who want adults-only time before or after can stay at a nearby Sandals property.

That last option is more common than you’d think. Several Sandals and Beaches properties sit on the same island in Jamaica, making split-stay logistics surprisingly simple.

Sandals Resorts for Destination Weddings: The Adults-Only Experience

Sandals is purpose-built for couples, and that focus shows in every detail. Expect swim-up bars for two, private plunge pool suites, overwater bungalows with glass floors, and restaurants where you won’t hear a single “Are we there yet?”

Destination Wedding Eeze notes that Sandals operates 17 resorts across eight Caribbean islands: Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua, The Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Curaçao, and Saint Vincent. That geographic spread matters for your guests. More location options mean better chances of finding affordable flights, which can make or break attendance for a destination wedding.

What you get with Sandals for weddings:

• A personal wedding planning team assigned to your event
• Ceremony location with white Chiavari chairs and linen
• Bridal bouquet and boutonniere (dendrobium orchids)
• White fondant wedding cake
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
• Honeymoon dinner at a specialty restaurant
• Preparation of marriage license documents (government fees extra)

The standard package also includes a pre-recorded musical accompaniment for the ceremony, a gift registry service, and a wedding website, as Twinsburg Travel notes.

What about pricing? Per-night rates at Sandals generally run $300 to $500 per person, all-inclusive. The average destination wedding at Sandals costs around $17,000 with approximately 60 guests, as Destination Wedding Eeze notes, though couples typically spend between $6,000 and $15,000 on personalization add-ons beyond the base package. Costs vary significantly based on season, guest count, and specific vendors.

One important note: marriages at Sandals are legally recognized in the United States, as Destination Wedding Eeze confirms. Your resort wedding planner helps with all the paperwork. However, government marriage license fees differ by island and aren’t included in any package. Consult your local planner or the relevant country’s embassy to confirm current requirements.

Beaches Resorts for Destination Weddings: The Family-Friendly Choice

Beaches takes the same all-inclusive quality and adds everything families need to actually enjoy the trip. Think waterparks, certified nannies, Sesame Street character appearances, teen gaming lounges, and kids’ clubs organized by age group.

But here’s what surprises most couples: Beaches also has adults-only pools, restaurants, and lounge areas. The resort design, as Beaches’ blog explains, deliberately separates family zones from couple-focused spaces. Your ceremony can feel intimate and romantic even with 40 kids staying at the same property, because those kids are happily occupied elsewhere.

Beaches operates just three resorts on two islands: Beaches Negril (Jamaica), Beaches Ocho Rios (Jamaica), and Beaches Turks & Caicos (Providenciales). That limited inventory is both a strength and a challenge. The properties are exceptional, but they book up fast, especially during school holidays and peak wedding season.

Beaches Turks & Caicos is the standout. The property features a 45,000-square-foot waterpark, 10 pools, 20 specialty restaurants, and five architecturally themed villages, as Beaches’ official site details. It sits on Grace Bay, which Travel + Leisure has repeatedly ranked among the world’s best beaches. If your guest list includes children and your budget allows, this is typically the property we’d recommend for a Turks and Caicos wedding.

The family travel trend backs this up. Beaches’ Generation Cation research finds that 55% of families bring grandparents on vacations, and 70% of parents are excited by multi-generational travel. Destination weddings at Beaches tap directly into that desire.

Per-night pricing at Beaches generally runs $400 to $700 per person, depending on property and room category. Children ages 2 to 15 add roughly $37 to $44 per person per night, as the Caribbean Resort Guide notes. Kids under two typically stay free. Costs vary significantly based on season, guest count, and specific vendors.

WeddingMoons: How the Package Program Works for Both Brands

Both Sandals and Beaches use the same WeddingMoons program, and the tiers are identical across brands. The only difference is the guest experience surrounding the wedding itself (adults-only vs. family-friendly).

The complimentary base package, as Sunlover Travel notes, requires a minimum three-night stay and includes the ceremony setup, officiant, cake, basic florals, and a one-hour cocktail reception for up to 10 guests. You also receive a $200 credit toward photography or videography.

Photography is always an add-on. This catches many couples off guard. No WeddingMoons tier includes a photographer in the base price. Budget for this separately, or consider booking an independent destination wedding photographer who knows the property.

For couples staying six nights or longer, TravelPulse notes that additional gift credits valued at $1,500 are provided toward upgrades and enhancements.

Paid upgrade tiers scale with guest count:

The Bliss package ranges from $2,500 (up to 20 guests) to $3,850 (up to 50 guests), as Destination Wedding Eeze notes. The Epic package starts at $7,600 (up to 70 guests) and goes up to $13,900 (up to 140 guests).

For context, The Knot’s 2019 data pegged the average U.S. wedding cost at $33,900. Even a fully upgraded WeddingMoons celebration with add-ons typically comes in well under that figure, as Royal Treatment Travel notes.

One more detail worth knowing: a $250 surcharge applies for Friday and Saturday ceremonies at both brands. If you can do a Thursday or Sunday wedding, you’ll save that fee and likely get a quieter resort atmosphere.

Sandals vs. Beaches: Side-by-Side Comparison (Costs, Locations & What’s Included)

Here’s everything in one place. Bookmark this table and come back to it when you’re ready to make the call.

All costs are approximate and vary significantly based on season, guest count, and specific vendors. Check current rates before booking.

A few things jump out from this comparison. Sandals gives you far more location flexibility with 17 properties, which helps when you’re trying to find affordable flights for guests. If you’re figuring out how many hotel rooms to block for your group, Sandals’ wider resort network also means more availability during peak months.

Beaches costs more per trip when families are involved, but that’s because more people are traveling, not because the per-person rate is inflated. For couples without children, the per-adult pricing is actually comparable between the two brands.

Which Resort Is Right for Your Wedding? Our Honest Recommendation

Here’s our straightforward take, based on the hundreds of destination weddings we’ve seen planned through both brands.

Choose Sandals if:

• Every guest on your list is 18 or older
• You want a romantic, couples-focused atmosphere for the entire trip
• Location variety matters (17 resorts means more flight options for guests)
• You’re planning an intimate wedding or elopement for two
• You want to keep per-trip costs lower by limiting the guest experience to adults

Choose Beaches if:

• Any children will attend, period
• You’re celebrating with a multi-generational group (grandparents, cousins, nieces, nephews)
• You want built-in childcare so parents can enjoy the ceremony and reception stress-free
• You’re drawn to Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos (hard to beat that setting)
• You’re planning a blended family celebration or a second wedding where kids are central

Our specific property pick? If children are coming and budget allows, Beaches Turks & Caicos is the strongest choice. The property, as Beaches’ official site notes, accommodates weddings for up to 140 guests on one of the world’s most photographed beaches. The 858-room resort, per Caribbean Resort Guide, is large enough to absorb big groups without feeling crowded. And 20 restaurants mean your guests won’t eat at the same place twice.

If it’s adults-only and you want a Jamaica wedding, Sandals Montego Bay or Sandals Royal Plantation offer excellent ceremony settings at different price points. For something more off-the-beaten-path, Sandals Grenada or Sandals Saint Lucia deliver stunning backdrops with fewer crowds.

One creative approach we love: hold the wedding at Beaches so everyone (kids included) can celebrate together, then slip away to a nearby Sandals for your honeymoon. Same island, completely different energy. Your beach wedding checklist stays the same either way; only the venue changes.

Your Next Step

You now know the single most important question (are kids coming?), the real costs, what’s included and what’s not, and which property stands out for each scenario. The rest is about matching your specific guest list, budget, and style to the right destination.

Not sure where to start? Take our free destination wedding quiz and we’ll match you with the resort type, location, and planning resources that fit your situation. It takes about two minutes, and you’ll walk away with a personalized starting point instead of another open browser tab.

Your people are waiting to celebrate with you. Let’s find the right place to make it happen.