On 1st of August 2026 we begin our forever more, and we would love to do it together with you where it all started, in beautiful Barbados!
Here, we hope to give you all the information you might need – no matter if you are visiting Barbados for the first time, returning home, or just taking a Saturaday drive to St Peter.
We encourage you to embrace colour! Soft pastels, bold island brights, florals, blues, greens, yellows – all are welcome. The only shades we kindly ask you to avoid are red and white.
For ladies, please keep in mind that a significant portion of the reception will take place outdoors in the gardens of Colleton House. Wedges or block heels are strongly recommended to ensure comfort and stability throughout the evening. Elegant flats or dressy sandals are also perfectly appropriate.
For gentlemen, lightweight suits in breathable fabrics are ideal for the Caribbean climate, such as linen or cotton blends. Ties are welcome, but not required.
We hope that the collage below can be a helpful inspiration!
We would love to see you on the 1st of August 2026!
Please let us know if you are coming by the 30th of June 2026.
Questions?
If the information on this site does not answer your question, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via wedding@axelsonbrathwaite.com!
The most important gift to us by far is your presence, but if you want to give something a little bit extra, we have compiled some suggestions in a wedding registry, that you will find by clicking the button below.
We’ve put together a selection of accommodations across the island to suit different styles, locations, and budgets. Whether you’d like to stay close to the venue, be near the nightlife on the south coast, or treat yourself to something a little more luxurious, there’s an option here for you.
Our main three picks: The venue itself, nearby and cozy Sugar Cane Club or budget-friendly Time Out Hotel on the bustling South Coast.
Staying at Colleton House means immersing yourself fully in the wedding experience. This historic estate is surrounded by lush gardens, sweeping views, and timeless Caribbean charm. With only a limited number of rooms available, this option is best suited for close family and members of the wedding party who want to be at the heart of the celebrations from start to finish. It’s possible to get to Speightstown via public transport and a walk, but access to own transportation is advisable.
Nestled in the quiet hills of St. Peter just minutes from the venue, Sugar Cane Club is an adults-only boutique hotel. Surrounded by tropical gardens, the property offers spacious suites, a full-service spa, and a relaxed, wellness-focused experience. It’s the perfect choice if you’re looking to unwind, recharge, and enjoy a peaceful side of Barbados while still being conveniently close to the wedding. While the hotel is not directly on the beach, it’s conveniently accessible via a free shuttle, or – if you are so inclined in the tropical warmth – a 30 minute walk.
Breakfast included in the rate and all suites have a full kitchen available for your use (there are no kitchens in the garden view rooms).
A special discount code is available for our guests, please get in touch with us at wedding@axelsonbrathwaite.com before booking!
Located in the heart of St. Lawrence Gap, Time Out Hotel is a lively and affordable option for guests who want to experience Barbados’ vibrant south coast. Just steps from Dover Beach, this hotel places you within walking distance of restaurants, beach bars, nightlife, and water sports. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for a fun, social atmosphere and easy access to everything the island has to offer.
A special discount code is available for our guests, please get in touch with us at wedding@axelsonbrathwaite.com before booking!
Here you will find some of our budget-friendly picks.
A charming and laid-back property on the west coast close to Holetown, The Palms offers a relaxed, tropical setting at a more accessible price point. With its intimate feel and convenient location near beaches and dining spots, it’s a great option for guests who want a quieter stay without being too far from the action.
Perfect for extended stays, Worthing Court offers spacious apartment-style accommodations complete with kitchenettes and separate living areas. Located just across from the beach on the south coast, it combines comfort, convenience, and great value—especially for families or groups traveling together.
A relaxed beachfront hotel on the South Coast in Christ Church with a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and beautiful ocean views. Known for its casual charm, on-site dining, and easy beach access, it’s a great choice for guests who want a classic Caribbean stay without the luxury price tag.
If you are looking for a more upscale experience, here are some of our favourite recommendations!
For those looking to indulge, the Fairmont Royal Pavilion offers a refined beachfront experience on Barbados’ stunning West Coast. With elegant oceanfront rooms, impeccable service, and calm, turquoise waters just steps away, it’s perfect for a luxurious and relaxing island escape. We enjoyed a lovely staycation here in 2024 and we truly can’t recommend it enough!
A true island gem and Briar’s favourite hotel on the island, Cobblers Cove is known for its timeless elegance, exceptional service, and intimate atmosphere. This boutique hotel blends classic Caribbean style with understated luxury, offering beautifully designed suites, lush gardens, and a peaceful beachfront setting that feels both exclusive and welcoming.
A villa-style beachfront property offering spacious, beautifully appointed residences with full kitchens, large terraces, and stunning ocean views. Ideal for families or groups traveling together, it combines the privacy of a villa with the amenities of a resort, all on a serene stretch of Barbados’ west coast just south of Speightstown.
There are countless villas, apartments, and unique stays available across the island. Airbnb can be a great option if you’re traveling as a group or prefer a more private, personalized experience many homes come with pools, ocean views, and plenty of space to relax together.
If you are flying in from Sweden, both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic/SAS serves the island daily from Stockholm/Arlanda and Copenhagen/Denmark, usually with a transfer at London Heathrow.
Expect about 12 hours of flight time from Stockholm. Prices varies, but tickets are usually available from Stockholm for 8-15 000 SEK (round-trip). August might not be high season in Barbados – but it is in air-travel, so book tickets early!
As a EU citizen, no visa is required for travel to Barbados. You will need to fill out a form either in the airport at arrival (recommended), or online (within 72 hours of travel).
For transit through the UK you need to apply for a Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you travel (allow up to 72 hours for processing, but usually granted within minutes).
If connecting through the US as a Swedish national, you need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
All the major US airlines serve Barbados, with most flights via American and Delta to their east coast hubs, with tickets usually available from about 300-500 USD round-trip.
As a US citizen, no visa is required for travel to Barbados. You will need to fill out a form either in the airport at arrival (recommended), or online (within 72 hours of travel).
(* maybe with some commentary from Gunnar)
If you’re coming all the way to Barbados for our wedding we want to make sure you make the most of your trip, it’s a small island, (166 sq miles/430 km2 to be exact) but it’s filled some of the friendliest people you’ll meet, and about a 1000 ways to have to a good time. We’ve already gone over where to stay, and now we’ll just give you a brief overview of some of our favourite sites and attractions! If you want a more detailed itinerary for your time on the island feel free to send us an email at wedding@axelsonbrathwaite.com and we’d be happy to put one together for you!
If you’re planning to stay for more than a few days I would strongly recommend renting a car, or teaming up with somebody with access to one. While you can get to most places using the bus systems, this can be rather time consuming (depending on where you’re trying to go) and for many places the closest bus stop will be quite a walk away. Taxis can also be quite expensive. Uber is new to the island, but from what I understand, the pricing is similar to the standard taxi, although getting an uber should be considerably easier than finding a taxi if you’re not already in a central location. PickUp Barbados is a local alternative to Uber.
Popular car-rental firms include Drive-A-Matic/SunCars and Stoutes, and Renjam Rentals also comes highly recommended.
There are quite a few beautiful gardens in Barbados, and if you’d like to visit more than one I can recommend Andromeda gardens, on the east coast, and Welchman Hall Gully in St. Thomas, but my number one, definitely can’t miss, garden on the island is…
This garden is set in a natural gully and is absolutely packed full of beautiful tropical flowers you won’t find anywhere else on the island. The Garden has been carefully and lovingly curated by the owner of decades and it shows. To make the most of the experience, we recommend taking a picnic basket and making an entire evening or morning of it!
As you probably know Barbados is famous for it’s white sand beaches, but depending on where you’re planning to stay there are a few beaches you simply must try if to truly experience the island! All beaches in Barbados are open to the public – even ones in front of hotels or private villas, if you are so inclined. Access has to be provided by law, and is usually clearly marked (look for signs for “Public beach access” or similar).
Gibbs Beach – Secluded, usually quite private, beach with calm waters just south of Mullins. Accessed via marked footpath (Google maps pin), but no parking at the beach itself, so you will have to find a spot in the vicinity. There are some gaps (sidestreets) nearby that can be suitable.
Heywoods Beach – Your best bet if you want to be within walking distance from Speightstown. Long stretch of perfectly calm waters and the trademark Bajan white sands. Usually not too many people. Parking is available on-site (Google maps pin).
Paynes Bay – Long stretch of calm waters and long stretches of white sand. Located just south of Sandy Lane. There are multiple entrance points along the coast road (Google maps pin). Find parking in a side gap (side street) across the road.
Dover Beach – A teaming beach, usually with plenty of watersports. Right next to TimeOutHotel, if you happen to stay there. Lots of restaurants nearby. Facilities and life-guard available, and so also parking on-site (Google maps pin). Close to where Gunnar stayed his first time in Barbados, and he obviously fell in love with something…
Pebbles Beach – Part of the multiple kilometer long continuous stretch of pristine white sand beach along Carlisle bay. At Pebbles specifically, you will have a chance to see the race horses from the Garrison have a seabath at sunrise, a worthwhile sight and experience! In the bay you will also find opportunities for diving, snorkling, watersports. One of the busiest stretches of beach on the island in the winter, but in summer low-season its much less crowded. Facilities and multiple lifeguards along the beach. Parking is available on-site (Google maps pin). Along the same bay you will also find Brownes Beach, with another accessible area for parking (Google maps pin), right next to Gunnar’s favorite spot to grab a lunchbox for the beach, SweetToDeBone (Briar can not endorse as of yet).
Bathsheba – The location of our engagement shoot, so by now you have much of it already! But we promise, its even better in reality! A favorite spot for surfers, the waters are rough as with all east cost beaches, and swing is not recommended for the uninitiated, with exception to sitting in the small wading pools by the shore. Bathsheba has some impressive “floating” rock formations, and usually a strengthening breeze. You can park along the road (Google maps pin).
Bottom Bay – A secluded beach, accessed via a wingding stairwell and surrounded by high dramatic cliffs on all sides. Not recommended after dark, but beautiful and low-traffic during the day. Because of this, we would not recommend solo-visits. Parking is available at the top of the stairs (Google maps pin). Great for a adventure out, and full of iconic views! Also, the filming location of Netflix series Outerbanks. No facilities. Sometimes there is a man with a cocoanut stand, say hi! Currents can be strong, and caution is advised if swimming here, make sure to check the tides before planning your trip here, if swimming is the goal (it probably shouldn’t be).
Foul Bay – Located on the South-East coast, the feel here is completely different from the West and South coast beaches. Foul Bay is much less developed, with rugged cliffs on the sides, long stretched of less-touched sand and strong waves. Currents can be strong, and caution is advised if swimming here.
