Say “I do” to Bermuda – the pink sand paradise

The pink sand island paradise

By Lorie Steiner

Imagine dancing hand-in-hand along a pink-sand beach with the love of your life, while the tide kisses the Bermuda shoreline. This is where you’ll find true bliss, whether you’re here to take your vows, honeymoon or just escape to a heavenly island paradise. 

Welcome to Bermuda!

It may surprise you to know that Bermuda is not in the Caribbean. It’s in the North Atlantic, about 700 nautical miles from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. An aura of mystery surrounds the island nation, which is actually an archipelago consisting of seven main islands and 170 islets and rocks. It’s also the world’s oldest British Overseas Territory, with a small, English-speaking population of 65,000 and a unique blend of Portuguese, British, African and Caribbean heritage.

You’ll find an eclectic mix of neighbourhoods and natural wonders occupying Bermuda’s deceptively small 21 square miles, offering incredible things to see, do and discover. From bright blue ocean waves to the swirl of a Dark ‘n’ Stormy Rum cocktail (made with Goslings famous Bermuda rum!) to Gombey dancers whisking your cares away, the island delights with rhythms that stir the senses and flavours that feed the soul. 

Bermudian Wedding Traditions

When you come to the island to pledge your love, it can be even more special if you opt to include some of Bermuda’s iconic traditions in the ceremony.

Mystical Moongates: Bermuda’s limestone moongates – circular arches gracing gardens and parks – are more than just charming architecture. According to local lore, couples who step through a moongate hand-in-hand will be blessed with everlasting happiness. First brought to the island in the late 19th century by a sea captain inspired by Chinese garden design, moongates have since become beloved symbols of love, good fortune and a touch of island magic. 

Thursday weddings: The day of choice for traditional Bermuda weddings is a Thursday. In the past, the whole island used to close down at noon on Thursdays. While this is certainly no longer the case, some couples choose to honour the tradition by getting married on this day. 

Bermuda shorts: chic and comfortable, Bermuda shorts are a sartorial staple on the island and a great colour-coordinated option for groomsmen. 

Logistics

Getting married in Bermuda (whether a civil or religious ceremony) is quite simple compared to other international destinations. Couples file paperwork (up to 15 days ahead of the ceremony date) and receive a license valid for up to three months. You’ll see more details at gotobermuda.com/inspiration/article/getting-married-bermuda-what-you-need-know 

Why is Bermuda ideal for destination weddings? 

The island has long been a legendary honeymoon destination, but now more and more couples are choosing Bermuda as a place to tie the knot. Jamari Douglas, Bermuda Tourism Authority Vice President, Marketing, PR and Communications, offers insights into the many reasons that Bermuda is a beautiful choice for your island wedding.

“Bermuda offers unrivalled natural beauty and a distinct island charm making it an unforgettable locale for couples looking to tie the knot, along with their friends and families. If you’re planning a beach wedding, Bermuda’s pristine pink sand shores make a picture-perfect backdrop surrounded by sparkling turquoise water, dramatic coastal cliffs and kaleidoscopic sunset views. 

“For couples looking beyond the beach, landmark heritage sites like the Unfinished Church and Fort Hamilton are enchanting venues steeped in local history. And of course, the island is home to a number of elegant hotels, resorts and beach clubs that offer laid-back luxury and refined hospitality.  

“When getting married in Bermuda, couples also have the opportunity to incorporate some of our local traditions into their big day to make their celebrations feel more distinct and special. For example, groomsmen typically dress in colourful Bermuda shorts for a sophisticated look and, after their ceremony, couples can walk hand-in-hand through our iconic limestone Moongates – which are thought to bring good fortune to newlyweds on their wedding day.” 

Wonderful, whimsical venues

• Pink sand beaches: For those planning a beach wedding, what could be more romantic than a ceremony on blush pink sand? Bermuda’s iconic pink beaches are a favourite spot to tie the knot. 
• The Unfinished Church: This striking site looks like it came right out of a fairytale. Its unfinished state brings timeworn romance with soaring stone arches, a grassy floor and Bermuda’s blue sky for a roof. There’s no place on earth quite like it.
• Cathedral Cave at Grotto Bay Beach Resort is an impressive underground venue perfect for intimate ceremonies. The cave features a cool crystal-clear lake surrounded by limestone stalactites and stalagmites. The property also has a Natura Cave spa on site. 
• Fort Hamilton looms high on a hill overlooking Bermuda’s capital city of Hamilton and its harbour. Built in the 1870s to defend Bermuda from potential sea invaders, this fortress has found a new purpose: a truly grand Bermudian wedding venue with landscaped lawns, unmatched views, a romantic wooden bridge and dry moat lush with tropical foliage.
• Rosewood Bermuda offers a “green” wedding held on a private beach with eco-conscious touches like local, hand-tied bouquets made from wild foliage, an organic wedding cake with edible flowers and fresh produce grown in the kitchen garden. Couples can even plant their very own Bermuda cedar tree to commemorate their special day.

Why is the sand pink?

Pretty pink sand is a key part of Bermuda’s charm, and nature plays a big role. It all comes down to the presence of minute marine organisms called foraminifera; tiny single-celled creatures with calcium carbonate shells, similar to those of corals, mussels and lobsters. As these ‘forams’ succumb to wave impact or natural causes, their shells fall to the ocean floor. Eventually, they land onshore and blend with white quartz sand to create a delicate pink hue, which becomes even more pronounced in the sunlight.

Bermuda’s most famous pink sand beach is Horseshoe Bay Beach, boasting a spectacular shoreline and fun ways to enjoy a day in the sun, including island-style food, cold beverages, lounge chair and umbrella rental, snorkelling gear and more. 

For a more secluded and adventurous pink-sand experience, Warwick Long Bay features striking rock formations that provide excellent snorkelling opportunities. Enjoy getting there by hiking along a scenic nature trail from Horseshoe Bay, or you can travel by scooter or electric microcar.

On the South Shore, Church Bay has a pink-sand beach and is a top spot for snorkelling. Observe colourful parrotfish and angelfish in their natural habitat on the reef.

John Smith’s Bay, named after Captain John Smith, who met Pocahontas and crafted Bermuda’s initial map, is a prime spot to bask in the sun, while admiring its extensive pink sand beach.

Romance at the Pink Palace – oh, the stories it can tell!

An elegant escape for discerning travellers and romantics, Bermuda’s Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club shares its remarkable history:

“Fondly referred to by locals as “The Pink Palace”, the Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club opened its grand doors on January 1, 1885. At the time Bermuda had gained international recognition when Princess Louise, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, visited for a winter retreat and called it “a place of eternal spring.”

From the moment it opened, Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club was considered the gem of the island of Bermuda. With long shady verandas and a blue slate roof, the four-story building comprised 70 rooms, each equipped with gas lights, hot and cold running water and a five-inch mirror to allow hotel guests to primp before stepping out for the evening.

Thomas Cook Tours started to offer package tours out of New York to the Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club in Bermuda. Staff dressed in white jackets and waving pink handkerchiefs greeted luxury liners. As word got out, celebrities started to appear. Mark Twain, a regular at the hotel, loved to smoke cigars on the veranda while he signed autographs and recited poetry to his adoring fans. One wartime “guest” at the Bermuda hotel was said to have used its fish tank-lined Gazebo Bar as a motif in his novel.

In 1939, when the world went to war, Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club was under British Censorship and home to Allied servicemen. The hotel became an intelligence center and way station where all mail, radio and telegraphic traffic bound for Europe and the Americas was intercepted and analyzed by 1,200 censors, before being routed to their destination.

The Pink Palace has been the site of some of Bermuda’s most spectacular weddings since its debut 140 years ago. Today, the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is a newly refurbished 386-room urban resort overlooking the breathtaking Hamilton Harbour. She has famous and illustrious siblings, yet she remains the Grande Dame and oldest member of the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts family.” thehamiltonprincess.com 

What makes Bermuda such a fabulous getaway for visitors from the Greater Toronto Area?

As Jamari Douglas attests, “Bermuda is steeped in history and brimming with natural wonders and mysteries that are just waiting to be discovered. In addition to our stunning natural scenery and warm welcoming people, the deceptively small island is full of cultural attractions, outdoor adventures, globally influenced cuisine, world-class festivals and events, a vibrant art scene and so much more.  

“With direct flights from Toronto Pearson throughout the week via Air Canada and BermudAir – and a flying time of less than three hours – Bermuda makes the perfect getaway for travellers from the GTA. The island boasts balmy sub-tropical temperatures year-round and a range of unique experiences for every type of traveller.” 

The in-flight experience on BermudAir is a real treat from the second you step on board. One of the airline’s most distinctive features is its unique cabin lighting system. On flights heading to Bermuda, the lighting in the aircraft is pink, and on the way back it’s blue. The colour change mimics Bermuda’s local transit system, where pink indicates heading toward the city and blue indicates heading away from the city. flybermudair.com/en

Are you excited to say “I do” in fabulous Bermuda?  You’ll find all the help you need to plan your dream destination wedding at gotobermuda.com/plan/weddings-honeymoons