Singer Beyoncé Knowles performs during an appearance on the NBC Today show in New York, Monday. - reuters

REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES)

Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z are planning on getting married in the Caribbean next week, it has been claimed.

The couple was overheard excitedly talking to record executives at New York's STK restaurant recently about a special "four-day" celebration on a yacht in St. Barts to mark the rapper turning 37 on Monday.

It has been suggested that the birthday bash is just a cover and insist Beyoncé, 25, and the hip hop mogul - who have been dating for four years - are actually preparing to tie the knot. A source told the New York Post newspaper: "Beyoncé is throwing Jay a four-day birthday party, but it's really a wedding."

Insiders say friends and family invited to the celebrations were told to have passport applications filed by last Friday so they could witness the pair exchanging vows.

The four-day party will begin on a luxury yacht before guests are ferried across to Anguilla for the wedding ceremony, which will take place at the five-star resort of Cap Juluca.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z reportedly visited the exclusive venue earlier this year and decided it would be perfect for their big day.