Getting married? Win a just-launched contest, and you could tie the knot in the Bahamas -- for free.

Here's how: Through April 24, couples can upoad their entries -- either short videos or essays with photos about why they should win -- to the website www.www.bahamas.com/bridal-bailout.

Begining April 25, voting will open to the public. The 20 couples getting the most votes will be named finalists; a panel of judges will pick five winners from among the Top 20. Weddings will take place at these resorts: Old Bahama Bay by Ginn Sur Mer, Pelican Bay at Lucaya, Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, SuperClub Breezes and Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino.

Want a sure bet for your nuptials? Caribbean resorts large and small are offering special wedding packages and discounts this summer. Among them:

• Ritz-Carlton hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico are offering a complimentary wedding ceremony and complimtary three-night first anniversary stay when booking a wedding on their Reconnect packages; must be booked between April 1 and June 30, with the wedding held between May 1 and Dec. 20, 2009. www.ritzcarlton.com.

Among other resorts offering wedding packages are Rosewood Little Dix Bay, www.littledixbay.com in the British Virgin Islands (package include flowers, licenses and officient, $1,500); Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis, www.nisbetplantation.com (package includes champagne, flowers, massage, cake, photography, license and minister's fee, $1,595); and Elite Island Resorts in Antigua and the Grenadines, www.eliteislandresorts.com (complimentary wedding with a seven-night premium stay at one of its upscale all-inclusive resorts.)

-- JANE WOOLDRIDGE

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