Belize Wedding Frequently Asked Questions

WEDDING FAQS

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Start your happily Ever After in Belize

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on our website, please feel free to contact us at any time and we will be happy to assist in any way we can. Please see our wedding services page for more information.
You magical moment takes place on our beautiful stretch of white sandy beach, while the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea offers a stunning backdrop.

One, which would be only yours! In other words, you have our full attention for your entire special day.

YES, your marriage is a legally binding marriage. You should inquire with your local government regarding name change procedures etc.

Usually within 3-4 weeks by mail.

A non denominational minister customarily presides over our wedding ceremonies but if you wish to inquire about having a non religious ceremony (justice of the peace) or a religious ceremony please consult with our onsite wedding planner.

Two witnesses are required for all ceremonies. If you are traveling alone and cannot arrange witnesses, we would be more than willing to assist.

We specialize is small destination weddings from intimate elopements to full blown weddings up the 45. We can also host slightly larger groups with the condition that the entire resort is booked and we can also assist in placement of the overflow in other resorts.

We suggest that you begin by looking at our standard wedding package available, after which time, we welcome you to contact us via info@portofinobelize.com. Because we are a small personalized resort, any special requests are always welcome!

At Portofino Beach Resort, we have our on site wedding coordinator who will be more than welcome assisting you with your wedding specifications.

Once you arrived in paradise, our wedding coordinator will be welcoming you here at the resort. Whether you are looking for a private, intimate, beachfront wedding ceremony or a family affair, our dedicated onsite wedding planner and creative team will help you plan and coordinate every detail of your beach wedding and turn your dreams into reality.

Traditionally, couples book their weddings at Portofino Beach Resort a year in advance. However, we can plan a wedding in a relatively short period of time depending on how elaborate you wish the ceremony to be.

Portofino Beach Resort offers one, very special, Honeymoon Suite featuring romantic luxury decor including an Emperor bed, special bathroom and furnishings fit for a King and Queen. Please see our honeymoon package for more information.

Yes, we are very keen on the minimum stay requirement. Weddings are not available during our Peak Season (December 22-January 5th).

Customarily, ceremonies commence no later than at 4:00 pm. This time is optimum for a combination of favorable sunlight and temperature and the sunset which occurs just over the ocean behind our resort. It also allows ample time for cocktail immediately after followed by dinner at 6:00pm.

To ensure the quality and timeliness of your experience at our resort we recommend that planning and execution of the planning is done by our onsite wedding planner. However, if you choose to have another wedding planner, you will still be required to pay the basic package fee and Portofino cannot be held responsible for any setbacks should they occur.

Yes, we do require a 50% non refundable deposit to hold the date for your wedding as we will be turning down any other requests. The final balance for our services is due 30 days prior to your arrival date.

You may reserve through our website at our secure real-time reservation system. To interact with our reservations department, please contact us.

Throughout the year, Portofino Beach Resort offers special promotional rates. In order to take advantage of these specials, please contact our reservations department via info@portofinobelize.com.

The majority of our clientele is couples. However, families are welcome at Portofino. Please check out the Portofino Beach Front Mansion, which can comfortable accommodate families and large groups up to 10.

At Portofino, each and every wedding is exclusive. Everything can be customized to your liking for additional costs. Bear in mind that all services must be contracted through our onsite wedding planner to avoid any confusion that may negatively impact the flow of the wedding.

Belize’s amazing photographers Olivera Rusu, Maya Papovic and Jose Luis Zapata capture some of the best intimate moments and have a selection of wedding pictures on their site of weddings at our Resort…they also customize packages to accommodate your needs.


Olivera Rusu: Leading the way in fine art photography in Belize, Olivera Rusu Photography is a high-profile photographer, based in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize Oli has the ability to turn the ordinary into extraordinary and her photography reflects the warmth, character and style of each of her clients. She spreads happiness wherever she go. An incurable romantic who loves and appreciates details, she aim to capture the love between you two, your feelings. Everyone can capture bodies, but she aim to capture your inner you, your affair with life, your emotions, relationships and all the intimate details from your day. To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail. It’s always the small details that make the big picture. We can guarantee you, Oli will capture the very best of your special day.

Maya Papovic: Is an award winning, internationally published Conch Creative photographer, known for her unique and beautiful images as well as her ability to turn a photo session into a fun and relaxing experience. Maya produces stylish photography with a creative and funky edge. 

Jose Luis Zapata: Is a Photojournalist with a taste for Fashion and Fine Art Photography. He specializes in wedding photography and considers his style to be a mixture of photojournalism and fashion photography. 

International well-known photographers who have been working with us are Terry GruberJOS Studios and Michael Steingard.

Just let us know your preference and package choice so that we can assist you in enquiring their availability.

You may wear any combination of a casual short dress and shirts, formal long dresses and suits and non high heel shoes. We do suggest light fabric considering our tropical temperatures which will make your day much more comfortable. Check our wedding photo gallery to see previous weddings at Portofino Beach Resort.

Unfortunately, we do not offer tuxedo rentals on the island. However, we can refer you to the local formal wear providers. Keep in mind, due to the Caribbean climates, you may want to consider a light weight alternative.

Yes you can if you wish. Most brides only bring small customized favors as there are custom laws that will require you to pay taxes and duties on these items and/or they might be confiscated if they are deemed as commercial items.

Yes, you may and we will gladly place them upon arrival in the rooms of your guests. Note, we have maps at our concierge desk available which you may use for your gift bags. As an added value, we would be more than happy to custom create your gift bags showcasing products made in Belize.

Wedding cakes can be done in many different designs based on your preference. Our baker offers a variety of flavors and fillings, from decadent carrot walnut, to tropical coconut pecan, and luxurious red velvet, to just name a few. When it comes to icing, both fondants and butter cream options are available. However, due to our extremely humid weather, we do not recommend fondant as it does not hold up well. To better assist, we ask that you send us your desired cake preference.

All flowers are seasonal. Our basic wedding package is inclusive of a tropical bridal bouquet and matching boutonniere. These are made up of tropical flowers such as red gingers, pink gingers, torch lilies, and heliconias. Upgrades are also available if you prefer to have exotic variations such as plumerias, hydrangeas, cally lilies, cymbidium orchids and much more.

On a special day like this, we can also arrange professional hairstylists and masseuses for you.

Our onsite Portofino Restaurant would be more than happy to custom create a menu incorporating your personal preferences. As for beverages, we have a full service bar that offers great wines and champagnes to delicious selections of drinks from the colorfully decorated tropical rum punch, margaritas to local beers.

Yes, we can arrange guitar players or DJs.

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