For the bride who opts for a destination wedding in Bermuda, the door opens on a variety of venues, from the small, intimate restaurant to spacious resort accommodations for hundreds of guests. So many options make Bermuda a dream come true for the prospective bride.

With opportunity comes responsibility to select the site most appropriate to the circumstances of your wedding. Many of the resorts and restaurants listed are available for the bride whose choice is based on the distinction and character and amenities of a given site.

These wedding sites are portrayed by size, from small and intimate to expansive and all-inclusive. Each facility claims a spectacular venue, which, being Bermuda, is legitimate. As for cuisine, exquisite dietary delights abound, whether fresh Bermuda fish or a cultural specialty. Chefs eagerly embrace the opportunity to create a unique dish or specific menu for your wedding.

The first five restaurant/resorts are small, catering to a guest list of fifty or fewer. The intimate nature of a small wedding is evident in these sites, with personal attention, a cozy atmosphere, and an intimate setting. If your wedding plans target a smaller gathering, these venues meet your needs.

64º

The new restaurant located in the Club of the Port Royal Golf Course is an oasis of tranquility, coupled with unique Bermudan hospitality, has been specifically designed with you in mind – to create the perfect end to a perfect day. Top chef Troy Smith is at the helm ready to create unforgettable culinary experiences that will be second to none. With succulent grilled steaks, fresh seafood and local home grown produce, the new 64º menu is set to impress. The floor to ceiling temperature-controlled cellar will showcase the world’s best wine, beer and spirits. Our open plan contemporary bar has taken the South Shore view to another level by incorporating dining inside as well on the patio terrace.

In addition, the clubhouse boasts restful lounge area and splendid rooms for private functions.

The Dining Room

The Dining Room is located adjacent to the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. It is owned and managed by Odilio and Natalie Angeli; who also own Ristorante Primavera and the Rustico Restaurant. The Dining Room is located where the Lighthouse Tea Room used to be.

Owner Natalie Angeli, explains a few features of this unique Bermuda restaurant. For a typical wedding, The Dining Room can accommodate 40 people inside, and a hundred outside. For the latter, the “ceremony would normally be outdoors, tented if required.” Regarding dietary specialties, Ms. Angeli notes, “We have a varied menu with cuisines from many countries, but our fresh local fish is excellent.” She considers The Dining Room to
be unique because, “We have arguably the best view in Bermuda, being at the highest point in the island. Apart from that, it would be our attention to detail and service.”

Pompano Beach Club

“The family owned and operated, 75 room Pompano Beach Club is an ideal venue for honeymooners due to its intimate atmosphere and dramatic oceanfront setting on Bermuda’s southwest coast,” according to the resort’s Managing Director, Tom Lamb.

“Pompano often hosts small destination weddings during the September through April time period.”

The resort offers wedding groups a high degree of personalized service, extensive recreational facilities, gourmet cuisine and comfortable ocean view accommodations. Pompano does not have published wedding packages, preferring to give custom pricing to brides and grooms based on the needs and requirements of each bridal couple Mr. Lamb adds, “Pompano has been Trip Advisor’s # 1 ranked Bermuda resort for five consecutive years
and prides itself on its hospitality, facilities and service. Many of their guests return to stay year after year.”

The website for 9 Beaches proclaims it as, “the unexpected Bermuda. You’re in for a first-class vacation experience, but it’s not fancy. Don’t even think about bringing a tie. But flip-flops are required.” 9 Beaches boasts water sports from kayaking to snorkeling and of course nine beaches, “even at high tide!”

“In terms of numbers at a wedding”, says Robin Gilbert, the General Manager, “we can take care of seventy-five people comfortably.” He continues, “With a wedding we have to keep an eye on the weather. We have a large permanent tent, which is fine for inclement weather. As for our menu offerings at a wedding we have to be aware of the likes and dislikes of the many invited guests. Generally the bride and groom prefer to offer
a buffet and we have many selections to choose from. We are always most happy to discuss other menu requests.” Of the ambiance at 9 Beaches, he says, “Our atmosphere is very casual for a very adventurous crowd. We’re not a five-star resort. Smart casual dress is fine, even bare feet!”

“Have a look at the website”, he says, “and see from the photos how wonderful the location is. Lots of information about weddings is on the website as well”.

Cambridge Beaches

Cambridge Beaches is a private, casual timeless retreat in a natural setting, featuring 94 individually decorated cottages, guest rooms and suites, including three luxury private pool suites and beaches on a private peninsula.

Cambridge Beaches boasts that it is, “perfect for romantics of any age. The best of Bermuda can be found here from private beach dinners for two to snorkeling jaunts by catamaran. There is something for everyone.” For the less energetic, one can putter on a croquet lawn, a putting green or relax at the Ocean Spa.

Michelle Forszt, Director of Sales and Marketing, discussed the virtues of Cambridge Beaches. “It specializes in small and intimate events and offers weddings with up to 50 guests.”

Cambridge Beaches offers dining service options both inside and out, in their Sky Deck, Mangrove Bay Room and Aquarian Baths Pool Deck. Mrs. Forszt notes, “Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa is not a typical large high rise resort; it is a timeless sanctuary of luxurious cottage accommodations, sparkling azure seas, endless views and beautiful beaches.” (It does not cater to children under sixteen.)

Fresco’s Group Catering – Restaurant and Wine Bar

Fresco’s Group Catering has three sites on Bermuda for fine dining. Their website claims, “We can host events in any of our locations or go off site to your favorite location. We cater wedding receptions.” Fresco’s encourage brides to “visit our website to view our fabulous dishes.”

Fresco’s Claudio Vigilante describes the cuisine: “our fusion style menu (featuring Mediterranean cuisine tempered with a twist of Bermuda), prepared by our gold medal winning chef. Enjoy your meal on our outdoor patio or in the intimacy of our dining room.” He goes on, “We can do 50 at an indoor wedding. The cuisine is Italian, with fresh, home-made pasta and fresh Bermuda fish.” He describes the charm of Fresco’s is in the setting:
“We are in the old wine cellar that has bolted ceiling and old wine artifacts on the wall.”

Opus defines itself as a ‘chic urban retreat’ where one may savor the finest European coffees, international teas or sample an extensive wine list in an atmosphere suitable for both a cafe and lounge environment, complete with a tapas menu and a walk-in wine cellar. Open daily from early morn to very late evening. It is the perfect place to celebrate with a bottle of champagne or signature drink. Opus is affiliated with Fresco’s Group of Restaurants and can cater your special event or house small gatherings.

Silk offers a blend of dietary delights from Bangkok Thailand, one of the more popular ethnic cuisines infiltrating the taste buds of connoisseurs of fine dining across North America. In Bermuda, Silk is the premier Thai restaurant, serving lunch and dinner through the week. Silk is affiliated with Fresco’s Group of Restaurants and is a perfect setting for rehearsal dinners.

For a mid-size wedding, four resorts, which easily accommodate a wedding guest list in the range of a hundred. These sites are personable, in that the staff develops a friendly relationship with guests, but the space is more roomy and pleasant for a mid-size crowd.

The Reefs

The Reefs, with one of the more exquisite of Bermuda beaches, has the “sole purpose to pamper its guests and put them perfectly at ease.” Their website promotes this small, luxury hotel as “the perfect place to relax and enjoy a romantic escape, or even to get married! Weddings and honeymoons are a favorite reason for staying at The Reefs.”

David Dodwell, Jr., Director of Rooms at The Reefs, discusses weddings. “For weddings, we can accommodate anywhere from an intimate ceremony for two or all the way up to 80. Your reception can either be inside or outside, although everybody wants to be outside overlooking our beautiful beach!”

“Dietary delights are superb,” he says. “We have a wide variety of food from Caribbean to traditional western cuisine in our three different restaurants.” Mr. Dodwell believes what sets The Reefs apart is the “high level of customer service, our gorgeous private beach, and the personal connection that our guests create with the property and staff. Guests really get to know the staff intimately and we have been a family run property for over
thirty years.”

Surf Side Beach Club Hotel

Surf Side is “a unique hideaway and peaceful haven overlooking the ocean on Bermuda’s famous South Shore. While guests can enjoy the personalized service they expect of a boutique hotel, they can also experience the amenities of a larger hotel, including restaurant and bar, beauty salon and mini-spa.”

General Manager Bryony Harvey goes on to explain that the Surf Side can accommodate up to a hundred guests for a wedding. That’s the “absolute maximum!” Generally Surf Side encourages an outdoor setting for the wedding ceremony.

The atmosphere is “casual and low key,” according to Bryony, and the dining room focus is primarily on “European cuisine.” As for specific sites for wedding, Bryony recommends, the “location of the wedding ceremony on our lower terrace close to the water and beach and our personalized service for wedding coordination throughout – one stop shopping!” Surf Side sounds superb: romantic and intimate, a perfect wedding site.

Aqua is located at the Surf Side Beach Club. This restaurant has arguably the finest view in Bermuda from its sunset cliffside terrace. When paired with divine cuisine and superior service, Aqua is a restaurant without par. One reviewer noted it had the most scenic sight in Bermuda, served excellent food and offered perfect service. The Aqua website refers to itself as “definitely good for romantic dinners.” A typical meal might begin with Bermuda fish chowder, with sherry, peppers and black rum. For a main course try black linguini with scallops, shrimp, clams and mussels, served in a light white wine. This restaurant is a diner’s delight.

Coco Reef Resort

Maleia Marsden is General Manager of Coco Reef Resort. For weddings, Coco Reef caters to small events, really small, like two people (!) up to a maximum of 120. “The majority of the time,” she says, “we only have one event at a time going on in the Resort, so the Bride & Groom get our full dedication ensuring them a spectacular day.” Coco Reef wants to ensure an ideal dining experience for their bridal couple. “Our Executive Chef is very
flexible and specializes in American / European Cuisines but has also done weddings with specialty foods such as Indian, Bermudian and even a full Vegan event.” Meals may be served inside, or “al fresco on Tamara’s Terrace which features panoramic ocean views over the swimming pool.”

What sets Coco Reef apart is, “because we offer a more intimate experience than the bigger Resorts. Our staff get to know each guest on a one to one basis and look after them like family. It is also easy to move about our Resort, for example, you do not have to take a shuttle bus to the beach, it is only a short walk down the hill. We are not a convention The website of Coco Reef expounds on the area: “Bermuda is an island of great intrigue and incredible beauty. Coco Reef Resort is set in beautiful tropical gardens with an unrivaled vista overlooking our exquisite beach and Bermuda’s famed turquoise water. It provides the ultimate Atlantic vacation in a casually elegant setting.”

With a larger wedding, more than 150 guests, three sites cater to a good-sized crowd. These resorts know how to manage a banquet hall, understand the logistics of crowd management, and pride themselves on meeting the wishes of the bride and groom in a grand setting, whether on the beach or in an expansive reception center.

Fourways

MiMi Belboda, Group Sales Manger of Fourways Inn, responded to our inquiry about weddings. “We can accommodate 245 people if we do set menu and 200 people if we do buffet.” She adds, “We are known for our French cuisine.” Ms. Belboda notes their Palm Garden area is protected from the weather and ideal for wedding ceremonies, while “our Rose Garden (is) outside for weddings.”

What sets Fourways apart, according to Ms. Belboda, “I would say the food, service and ambiance. We have a beautiful garden setting for a destination wedding, but most of our weddings are local.” Readers’ comments note Fourways is known for a peaceful, quiet atmosphere with an attentive staff. It is both charming and quaint, with a dose of historic charm, as the main inn was constructed in 1727.

Lido Restaurant

The Lido Restaurant is situated on the Sea Terrace of the Elbow Beach Hotel in Paget, located right above the beach and offering breathtaking views and sophisticated oceanfront dining with modern ambiance. The site boasts, “indoor and outdoor venues for all occasions, and the menus have an innovative mix of seafood specialties with Mediterranean touches. The restaurant is a popular, smart, casual choice for an evening of impeccable service, a superb wine list and stunning ocean views.” The restaurant is part of a larger complex of three operations under one umbrella, the others being a tapas and sushi lounge and an “on the sand” bistro style restaurant – Mickey’s, as well as an oceanfront private function terrace. Lido Complex is part of the larger Little Venice Group, which operates a number of Bermuda’s finest dining establishments.

Fairmont Southampton

“Fairmont is a leader in the global hospitality industry,” according to their website, “with a distinctive collection and a worldwide reputation for excellence.” As part of a large chain of hotels, “central purchasing ensures the same high-quality amenities are available to all guests wherever they visit.” The website concludes that “every Fairmont hotel an extraordinary place, and your stay, an extraordinary experience.”

Peter Frith, Director of Sales at the Fairmont Southampton, assists with wedding planning. “We have the ability to accommodate up to 800 people and to prepare gala events. We have many options for weddings of various sizes, but our average wedding is 100 – 125 people. We can have a wedding indoors or outdoors but about 85% of our clients request the beach. We can do the wedding right on the sand and with a purpose-built terrace, a concrete platform with lights, for the reception.” He goes on, “We are known for our wide variety of food and we pride ourselves in customizing whatever the bride and groom want.

We have over fifteen countries represented in our culinary staff. Our most popular comment is how fabulous the food is with such a superb international culinary team.”

The variety of venues makes it a challenge to choose the right site for a destination wedding in Bermuda. Each resort or restaurant has a special claim to fame, and is worthy in its own right. Word of mouth is helpful, but so is an examination of each venue to ensure their capability to provide just what you want and need to make your wedding special. We feel comfortable recommending any one of these resorts or restaurants for their services. A wedding is a unique opportunity to select the best of the best to make your day memorable in every way. These sites are ready to respond to your request.