3 April 2014
Six couples share their magical Caribbean weddings and honeymoons, from barefoot on the beach in Barbados to an intimate tropical garden ceremony in Jamaica. By Amanda Statham
Stunning St Lucia
Mr & Mrs? Liam and Charlotte Dacey flew to St Lucia for their wow wedding.
Why St Lucia? We wanted to get married at a Sandals resort as we had visited some of the properties before and had seen how beautiful the wedding ceremonies were. We chose Saint Lucia because it was recommended by family and it has its own golf course.
Where did you wed? On the beach at the Sandals Regency La Toc Spa & Beach Resort. We chose the Vision In White package and added a few extras, such as a seashell aisle, through Sandals’ Your Wedding Your Style offer, which allows you to customize your big day.
What was the ceremony like? We invited 18 close friends and family to our beach wedding. They sat either side of our shell aisle on gorgeous white chairs facing the seafront. We took our vows under a chic white frame structure followed by canapés and Champagne for our guests while we had more pictures taken. It was extremely intimate and very charming.
Wedding day highlights? One of the highlights was the Vision in White package; it was so beautiful and elegant, exactly what we wanted – a white wedding abroad. The service was incredibly professional and whole-hearted and our wedding coordinator’s touch was so personal.
Honeymoon hideaway? We stayed at Sandals La Toc for a few days after our wedding but did manage to tear ourselves away from the resort for one day and take a boat trip to Martinique.
‘I do’ in Antigua
Mr & Mrs? Colin Waters and Anita Alli exchanged vows in St John’s on the island of Antigua.
Why Antigua? We chose Antigua because there’s a direct flight, it’s only eight hours away and good weather is pretty much guaranteed. We also wanted a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful scenery, so the Caribbean seemed ideal.
Where did you wed? We chose to marry at the Blue Waters Hotel in St Johns. We were joined by a small group of family and friends.
What was the ceremony like? Our wedding took place in a gazebo decorated with flowers, including a heart made of bougainvillea, next to the beach. It was a small, intimate ceremony; just what we wanted. After we’d exchanged vows, we had canapés and bubbly, followed by a candle-lit dinner on the patio overlooking the pool and beach.
Wedding day highlights? The amazing sunset really was the icing on the cake, it was spectacular and looks fantastic on our wedding photographs. The friendly staff, particularly our wedding coordinator Mandie who made the whole day run smoothly and even more memorable.
Honeymoon hideaway? We honeymooned at the same resort and were treated to a private sunset cruise. We also went to Shirley Heights, which has spectacular views over English Harbour plus a barbecue and calypso music.
Stylish in Jamaica
Mr & Mrs? Kevin and Christine Cook tied the knot in Negril, home to white sand Seven Mile Beach on the island’s stunning west coast.
Why Jamaica? We holidayed there in January 2012 and loved it so much, it seemed the ideal place for us to get married the following year.
Where did you wed? We married at Couples Swept Away Negril. There were four packages to choose from and we opted for the Sunset Wedding, which seemed suitable for our number of guests (11 family members) with a good selection of extras including upgrading the bridal bouquet with various flower and colour options, a variety of live music and choice of venues for the Champagne reception and wedding dinner.
What was the ceremony like? We married in the gardens as they are so beautiful and it’s much more private than the beach. The gazebo was decorated with voiles and tropical blooms and the ceremony was simple yet meaningful; we chose the music ourselves and had a reading from Solomon. Our Champagne reception took place on a veranda overlooking the gardens while a steel band played, followed by a photo shoot in the gardens and on the beach at sunset before final celebrations at Patois restaurant, where we had an area for dinner.
Wedding highlights? The whole day was a highlight! Having all our family there to be a part of our special day; drinking champagne on our room’s balcony before the wedding and then the informality of walking across the stunning lush private gardens to the wedding gazebo with the sun shining (you don’t get that in England!). The Champagne reception with canapés, cup cakes and a steel band was fantastic and, after a superb three-course dinner and yet more Champagne, we strolled back to our room along the beach in the rain. The end of a perfect day and the start of our honeymoon, without all the packing and travelling to do!
Kisses in St Kitts
Mr & Mrs? Pat and Sara Yearwood flew to St Kitts for their dream beach wedding.
Why St Kitts? We knew we wanted a beach ceremony so did lots of research, researched various locations around the world on the web (although we always had a preference for a Caribbean island). We fell for St Kitts because it offered variety, was less commercialized than other islands and we were impressed with the favorable reviews we read and the tours that were available.
Where did you wed? Cockleshell Beach, which we chose for its calm, clear water and golden sands. And being at the far end of the island and only accessible by car, it’s very quiet.
What was the ceremony like? We had a lovely late afternoon beach wedding, which was very small and intimate (we didn’t invite family and friends). Kantours arranged for an air-conditioned car to take us to the venue, a floral arch and an aisle of conch shells. A steel band soloist and saxophonist provided the entertainment and a photographer and videographer captured the moment, along with members of the Kantours team who witnessed our wedding. At the end of the ceremony we sipped Champagne and as the sun set in the horizon and had our first dance on the beach to our chosen music played by the saxophonist and steel pan soloist. We ended our special day with a romantic meal at the Great House on the Fairview Estate.
Wedding day highlights? To have the ceremony in such a romantic setting performed by a warm, focused and friendly pastor was just perfect. The celebratory meal locations were also outstanding and incredibly romantic. We returned home as Mr and Mrs incredibly relaxed and with wonderful memories and a wish to return the following year to celebrate our first year anniversary.
Honeymoon hideaway? We booked two weeks at Ocean Terrace Inn, where the staff made us really welcome. They were enthusiastic and excited about our wedding, even offering any assistance to help us get ready. They took photographs of us before we were taken to the ceremony and left us a congratulations card and chilled wine in the room for our return. The manager even asked the chef to prepare a wedding cake for us the following day - we felt thoroughly spoilt throughout our entire stay.
Barbados dream
Mr & Mrs? Natasha and Wayne Hunter honeymooned in Barbados on the island’s celebrity-magnet west coast. Why Barbados? We love the Caribbean and thought Barbados would provide plenty of glamour, sunshine and rum, and we were right!
Where did you stay? The Club Barbados & Spa, which was very chilled and right on the beach. Its location on the west coast is perfect for exploring the island, it’s also right next door to the famous Sandy Lane resort (celebrity postcode, civilian prices!) has gorgeous sunsets and the food was amazing.
What activities did you do? We swam with turtles, went rum tasting, took an island tour, enjoyed Oistins Fish Friday and were pampered in the resort spa (five treatments are included in the price of a seven-night stay if you book a spa suite category room, result!). And we loved eating at Enid’s restaurant in the hotel, which was traditional Bajan cuisine meets fine dining.
Honeymoon highlights? Hiring a car and touring the island at our own pace and swimming with turtles; it was a short boat ride from the resort and just magical.
Love on St Lucia
Mr & Mrs? Mark Calkin and Claudine Beaumont honeymooned between the Piton Peaks on St Lucia’s south coast.
Why St Lucia? We’d heard amazing things about St Lucia and I spent ages researching resorts and hotels until we finally settled on a destination which promised to give us the indulgence and luxury we were after.
Where did you stay? We stayed at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort on the southern part of the island in Soufriere. The resort was utterly spectacular; it’s nestled between the Pitons, St Lucia’s famous twin peaks which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. Mark and I spent a lot of time lolling on our cabana bed, drinking pina coladas by the pool and gazing out at the sea framed by these two imposing hillocks. Our villa was beautiful, with a four-poster bed swathed in mosquito nets, private plunge pool and a sun-kissed balcony. As soon as we arrived at the resort and were handed a cocktail we knew we were in for a great stay.
What activities did you do? Mainly eating and drinking (the food is fantastic!), but we did manage to drag ourselves off the loungers and do Aquaerobics in the pool every day and Mark did also go for a daily jog along the beach (while I read my book in the shade). We snorkeled around the foot of Gros Piton and took a Hobie Cat dingy out for a gentle sail around the bay. But mostly, we relaxed, spent time with each other and drank in the amazing views.
Honeymoon highlights? Sitting in our private plunge pool while a storm blew in over the Pitons was pretty incredible – being drenched by warm rain was novel. We had a couple of wonderful, romantic meals in The Great Room, where staff went out of the way to make us feel special – the staff at Sugar Beach were amazing, always happy to help and quick to refill your glass before you’d taken your last sip. We can’t wait to go back to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary.
