Bimini Wedding Officiant | Bahamas Closest to Miami 2026
50 Miles from Miami • North & South Bimini • Resorts World — 2026

Bimini Wedding Officiant

Bimini is the closest point in the Bahamas to the United States — just 50 miles east of Miami. That proximity makes it one of the most practical Bahamas wedding destinations for couples and guests flying from the US East Coast. Glenn Ferguson is a Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer and WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner who travels to Bimini to officiate legal ceremonies. The marriage licence can be obtained directly at the Administrator’s Office on the island — no Nassau trip required.

The Bimini advantage: Just 50 miles from Miami with direct seaplane and ferry access. The marriage licence is obtained on the island. No Nassau detour needed. Glenn manages the complete process on Bimini and works independently of Resorts World Bimini’s event team.

★★★★★ 5.0 from 82+ couples • 200+ ceremonies • Out Island weddings since 2001

Bimini Wedding — Key Facts

Distance from Miami50 miles
Marriage licenceOn Bimini island
Licence fee$100
Affidavit (on island)$75 per person
Ceremony packageFrom $2,495
Travel from Miami30 min seaplane / 2hr ferry
Rating★ 5.0 • 82+ couples
💬 WhatsApp Glenn Call +1-(242)-395-8495
★★★★★ 5.0 • 82+ couples • 200+ ceremonies

Why Bimini

Why Couples Choose Bimini for a Wedding

Bimini sits at the edge of the Gulf Stream — deep, clear water that produces the vivid blue colour the island is known for. North Bimini is home to Resorts World Bimini, Alice Town, and most of the island’s accommodation. South Bimini is quieter, with protected beaches and the small South Bimini Airport. The island’s legendary connection to Ernest Hemingway, its world-class sport fishing, and its extraordinary proximity to Miami give it a character completely different from the rest of the Bahamas.

What Makes a Bimini Wedding Stand Out

  • Closest Bahamas island to the US — 50 miles from Miami
  • 30-minute seaplane from Fort Lauderdale or Nassau
  • Licence obtained on the island — no Nassau required
  • Resorts World Bimini — Glenn works independently of resort events
  • Gulf Stream water — vivid deep blue, exceptional clarity
  • Hemingway’s Bimini — legendary history adds character
  • Radio Beach — calm, clear, white sand
  • World-class sport fishing backdrop for marine-loving couples
  • Legal ceremony valid in USA, UK, Canada & worldwide
  • Convenient for US East Coast guests — no long-haul flight
Getting to Bimini

How to Get to Bimini for Your Wedding

Bimini’s proximity to Miami makes it the most accessible Out Island in the Bahamas for US-based couples and guests. Glenn advises on the best travel approach based on your group size and budget.

Seaplane — ~30 minutes

From Fort Lauderdale or Nassau. The fastest option. Spectacular views of the Gulf Stream. Limited seats — book well in advance for wedding dates.

Ferry — ~2 hours

Bimini SuperFast ferry from Miami. Daily service. Suitable for larger wedding parties. Comfortable crossing with food and beverage service on board.

Charter Flight — ~20–30 min

From Nassau, Fort Lauderdale, or Miami. Flexible timing. Good for couples already in Nassau combining a Bimini ceremony with a Nassau wedding trip.

Spring wedding in the Bahamas — Bimini beach ceremony

Best Places to Get Married in Bimini

North Bimini is where most activity is centred. The island is compact — roughly 7 miles long and half a mile wide — meaning every setting is close and logistics are simple compared to longer islands.

Resort

Resorts World Bimini Beachfront

Glenn works independently of Resorts World’s event team. Couples staying at the resort can book Glenn directly without purchasing the resort’s own wedding package — more flexibility, typically lower cost.

South Bimini Beaches

Quieter and more secluded than North Bimini. Accessible by water taxi from North Bimini. Good for couples who want a more private setting away from the resort and Alice Town activity.

Private Villa or Boat

Several private villa rentals on Bimini have beachfront access. Boat ceremonies on the Gulf Stream — anchored in calm blue water — are available for couples who want something completely unique.

Bimini Bay Area

The sheltered bay side of North Bimini offers calm water and a different character from the ocean-facing beaches. Popular for sunset ceremonies facing the mainland.

Vow Renewal — Any Setting

No licence or paperwork needed. Fly to Bimini and hold the ceremony the same day you arrive. Packages from $1,495. See vow renewal details.

Bahamas wedding photographer — Bimini beach ceremony
The Process

How a Bimini Wedding Works

The entire marriage licence process can be completed on Bimini. No Nassau trip. Glenn manages every step.

1

Book Glenn

WhatsApp Glenn with your date, setting, and guest count. He confirms availability and sends your full document checklist.

2

Travel to Bimini

Seaplane from Fort Lauderdale (30 min), ferry from Miami (2 hrs), or charter from Nassau. Glenn advises on the best option for your group.

3

Licence on island

After 24 hours on Bimini, Glenn accompanies you to the Administrator’s Office for the marriage licence ($100) and affidavit ($75 per person). Issued same day.

4

Ceremony & certificate

Glenn performs the legal ceremony at your chosen Bimini setting. Register signed on the day. Certificate and apostille handled from Nassau after you leave.

Complete Bimini Wedding Fee Breakdown

Marriage licence — Administrator’s Office, Bimini$100
Affidavit of single status — Administrator’s Office, Bimini (per person)$75 each
Certified marriage certificate — Registrar General$20
Glenn’s Bimini ceremony packageFrom $2,495
Apostille — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if needed)$120

All fees in Bahamian dollars (1:1 with the US dollar). Travel to Bimini is the couple’s cost. All wedding services subject to 10% Bahamas VAT.

US couples: A Bimini wedding is legally valid in the United States. For name changes, spousal benefits, and official US government purposes, you may need an apostille ($120 government fee) — Glenn arranges this from Nassau and ships your apostilled certificate directly to your US address.

“Bimini makes the most sense for couples based in Miami or South Florida who want a genuine Bahamas wedding without the full flight to Nassau. You can be on a Bimini beach in the time it takes most people to drive to a venue from home. The water there is extraordinary — the Gulf Stream runs just offshore and gives you that deep, vivid blue that most of the Bahamas can’t match. I work independently of Resorts World’s event team, which means couples staying at the resort can book me directly. The licence process is handled on the island. It is one of the most straightforward Bahamas weddings I do — the proximity to the US makes everything logistically simple.”

Glenn Ferguson, Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer
Glenn Ferguson
Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer • WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner • Nassau, Bahamas
BREA Licensed Bahamas Real Estate Agent, License #1247 • 200+ ceremonies • Licensed since 2001
★★★★★

“In 31 days’ time, Glenn managed to put together a dream Bahamas elopement for my wife and I. He was quick to respond, professional, and had a charismatic nature that always put us at ease. Glenn made the entire process, even on such a tight timeline, feel beyond easy.”

Kyle & Wife — Bahamas Elopement • Verified Google Review
★★★★★

“Glenn planned our wedding ceremony with about three weeks’ notice. He took care of every detail and guided us through the entire process. All we really had to do was get married. If you tell Glenn what you want, he will make it happen.”

Heidi — Bahamas Wedding • Verified Google Review
Bahamas wedding photography — Bimini ceremony
Frequently Asked Questions

Bimini Wedding — Your Questions Answered

Yes. A legal wedding in Bimini is fully valid under Bahamian law and recognised in the USA, UK, Canada, and most countries worldwide. The marriage licence is obtained at the Administrator’s Office on North Bimini — no Nassau trip required. Glenn Ferguson travels to Bimini to officiate ceremonies and manages the complete licence process on the island.
Approximately 50 miles east of Miami — the closest point in the Bahamas to the US mainland. The Bimini SuperFast ferry from Miami takes about 2 hours each way and runs daily. Seaplane service from Fort Lauderdale takes approximately 30 minutes. Charter flights from Miami or Fort Lauderdale take 20–30 minutes. This makes Bimini the most accessible Bahamas wedding destination for US East Coast couples and guests.
At the Administrator’s Office on North Bimini — no Nassau trip needed. After 24 hours of residency on Bimini, Glenn accompanies you to the office to apply. The licence costs $100 and is issued the same day. The Administrator’s Office can also prepare the affidavit of single status at $75 per person ($150 total for both parties).
Radio Beach on North Bimini (most popular — calm, clear Gulf Stream blue water, white sand); Resorts World Bimini beachfront (Glenn works independently of the resort team so no resort event package needed); South Bimini beaches (quieter, more secluded); private villa beachfront settings; boat ceremonies anchored in the Gulf Stream; and Bimini Bay-side for sunset ceremonies facing the mainland. WhatsApp Glenn for a recommendation.
Glenn’s Bimini ceremony package starts from $2,495, plus government fees: licence $100, affidavit $75 per person ($150 total), certified certificate $20. Minimum government fees: $270. Apostille adds $120 if needed. Travel to Bimini is the couple’s cost. WhatsApp Glenn for a full all-in quote.
Yes. Glenn Ferguson works independently of Resorts World Bimini’s event team. Couples staying at the resort can book Glenn directly as their Licensed Marriage Officer without purchasing the resort’s own wedding package — typically resulting in more flexibility and lower overall cost. Glenn handles the licence, ceremony, and certificate for all Resorts World Bimini ceremonies.
Yes. A legal Bimini wedding is fully recognised in the United States. For name changes, spousal benefits, and official US government purposes, an apostille may be required — Glenn arranges apostille processing in Nassau ($120 government fee) and ships the apostilled certificate directly to your US address. Given Bimini’s proximity to Miami, Glenn processes Bimini apostilles promptly.
Yes. Glenn officiates vow renewals in Bimini with no licence, no paperwork, and no government fees. The short journey from Miami makes Bimini an especially practical vow renewal destination for US couples who want a Bahamas setting without a long-haul flight. You can arrive on the morning ferry and hold your vow renewal ceremony the same afternoon. Packages from $1,495. See the vow renewal page for details.
Call or WhatsApp Glenn Ferguson — Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer and WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner — at +1-(242)-395-8495. Glenn travels to Bimini for weddings, manages the licence process on the island, and performs the legal ceremony at your chosen setting. He responds the same day with availability and a full quote.

💬 WhatsApp Glenn Now
Plan Your Bimini Wedding

Ask Glenn About Bimini

Tell Glenn your preferred setting, your date, and your guest count. He responds within a few hours with travel advice, a document checklist, and a full package quote for your Bimini ceremony.

Glenn Ferguson, Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer

About Glenn Ferguson

Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner BREA Licensed Bahamas Real Estate Agent, #1247 Licensed since 2001 200+ Ceremonies

Glenn Ferguson is a Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer and WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner based in Nassau, New Providence. He travels throughout the Bahamas for Out Island weddings — Bimini, Exuma, Harbour Island, Eleuthera, and beyond. He manages every aspect of Out Island ceremonies from the Administrator’s Office licence process to the ceremony itself and post-ceremony certificate. He holds BREA License #1247 as a Bahamas Real Estate Agent.

This page was written by Glenn Ferguson, Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer (Government of The Bahamas), WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner (Wedding Planners Institute of Canada), and BREA Licensed Bahamas Real Estate Agent — License #1247. All government fees are current as of 2026 and subject to change. All fees in Bahamian dollars (1:1 with the US dollar). All wedding services subject to 10% Bahamas VAT. © 2026 Wedding Officiant Nassau Bahamas — Glenn Ferguson+1-(242)-395-8495