Photo by Elisha Orin
It?s always wedding season in the Virgin Islands, and whether you?re looking for a rehearsal dinner location or a venue with gourmet food for your bridal shower, a bachelorette party, or a wedding reception; we?ve got the inside track!
From an informal gathering to an extravagant black-tie affair, or something in between, there are dazzling wedding reception venues and fabulous menu options to meet your personal style and budget. And, the best part is: there?s no need to leave for your honeymoon!
St. John is a must for those seeking a true escape ??unspoiled beauty and breathtaking views await you if you choose to say your ?I dos? here.
In St. John, The Westin St. John Resort & Villas is set on a crescent-shaped beach on Great Cruz Bay and is surrounded by 47 lush, tropical acres. There are four dining and entertainment venues, 24-hour room service and seasonal entertainment. The quarter-acre fresh-water swimming pool with a pool bar, a Jacuzzi and a decorative waterfall is the largest in the USVI. The Spa at The Westin St. John Resort provides facials, body treatments and massage.
Activities abound with six lighted tennis courts, snorkeling, diving, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, parasailing, fishing, a full-service fitness center, jeep rentals, and hiking in St. John?s extensive Virgin Islands National Park, which covers 2/3 of the island.
Golf is available via ferry on St. Thomas. The charming port of Cruz Bay and the sleepy town of Coral Bay are nearby. The Westin St. John Resort & Villas boasts highly customizable packages that cater to the vibrant dreams of Brides- and grooms-to-be with lush accommodations and guest activities including spa services, on-site shopping, tennis, Westin WORKOUT center, Westin Kids Club? and Teen Arcade Center. Your wedding will be customized through The Westin St. John Resort & Villas? expert and on-site event planners with additional consultations from the Romance Department, ensuring the perfect Caribbean wedding experience. Guests interested in planning a wedding at The Westin St. John Resort & Villas receive local and expert planning assistance from the Romance Department through Starwood Hotels & Resorts. With a personal consultation from the Romance Department, the wedding specialists are the perfect partners for planning your special day. Your options for breathtaking vistas are endless.? An alfresco reception on the beautiful Palm Terrace Courtyard is a highly recommended option. Indoors, the soft lighting and elegant decor of their 3,500-square-foot grand ballroom are ideal for dinner and dancing for up to 200 guests. Smaller functions such as intimate rehearsal dinners and festive day-after brunches are perfectly at home amidst the resort?s joyful and relaxing atmosphere. Want private? The Westin St. John Resort & Villas? picturesque private beach, or amongst the lush foliage of the charming Garden Gazebo area, just steps from the water?s edge are there for you. The award-winning executive chef Roland Czekelius and his team of professional caterers are skilled in re-interpreting their creations to satisfy each party?s every taste and preference. Count on them for everything from festive buffets to formal sit-down dinners to custom wedding cakes and signature cocktails. The Westin St. John Resort & Villas also offers its very own easy-to-use bridal registry (in collaboration with the Starwood Caribbean Hotels & Resorts) that is exclusive to the experiences and activities available to honeymoon couples at the property.
One of the top destination wedding locations in the Caribbean, St. John Ultimate Villas offers a wide variety of vacation villas suitable for villa weddings, receptions, and other wedding get-togethers, from 2 to 125. Their unique and varied selection of St John villas can accommodate any or all of your bridal guests and family members, your wedding, reception, and even your honeymoon! Many of their villas can accommodate large families and groups for far less than staying at one of St. John?s hotels or resorts. Their spectacular villas include washers and dryers, you can cook in or order in, and have spa services come to you! At first glance, it may look like a big expense until you consider the cost of a nightly room at some of the first class hotels nearby. If you?re looking to have your wedding party and guests be within close proximity of one another, yet have all of the privacy and comforts of home, some of their villas are within walking distance of one another. The villas offer some of the most magnificent views on the island with complete privacy, and all the amenities you could ask for to make your wedding celebration comfortable and memorable. Impress your guests with a very simple, personal affair, or celebrate with an elaborate sunset wedding and feast catered by one of the renowned caterers on island in the privacy of your very own vacation villa on St. John. St. John Ultimate Villas is the perfect option if you?re looking to maximize your experience??weddings here can be personalized to fit your vision. Owner, Kristen Cox will work with you to assure that you have the very best of St. John?s local vendors, from caterers to baby-sitters. Once you?ve talked to her and let her know what you guest list looks like, Kristen will narrow down accommodations in a villa best suited to your needs and connect you with a choice of efficient event planners that will ensure your vision is realized without a hitch. For a wedding that is truly personalized and economical, consider St John Ultimate Villas.
Located on the summit of Maria Bluff on Great Cruz Bay, stands the luxurious Kismet, a vision of exotic beauty complete with Moroccan flair and secluded comfort. This unique villa is perfect for weddings with up to 60 guests and 12 members of your bridal party. You have the plus of personalizing everything exactly as you want it and have always envisioned it. You can pick your own vendors for d?cor, food, alcohol, music, everything! Kismet has 5,000 square feet of indoor space and another 6,000 square feet of outdoor space making it suitable for renting or leasing both for your relaxation during your Villa stay. Say ?I do? in their beautifully landscaped Central Courtyard, exquisitely set with Moroccan tiles and palm trees and the added attraction of the panoramic backdrop of the setting sun. A flowered path leading off the arcade directs you to the garden Gazebo, the perfect place for an early morning breakfast, afternoon tea or happy hour sunset, not to mention the perfect spot to say your vows. The formal Dining Room is a charming place for a small wedding reception with its magnificent multiple layered wooden ceiling, and gorgeous Moroccan tile floor. The grand dining table comfortably seats up to 8 for a casual dinner, but can also accommodate 12 for a scrumptious 7-course meal. A separate Kitchen entrance and pocket doors separating the dining room from the Kitchen enhance the dining experience as do the beautiful table settings, glassware and finely detailed glass and wood cabinetry. Should you desire, their Estate Manager would be delighted to make arrangements for you with one of St. John?s talented and creative chefs. Kismet will connect you with one of St John?s event planners to help you stay stress-free every step of the way!
In harmony with St. John?s unique island spirit and ambiance is Gallows Point Resort. Gallows Point Resort offers three stunning wedding locations, and they?re happy to recommend St John wedding coordinators to help you plan every aspect of your wedding at their tropical paradise. Or if you choose, their waterfront property also has three stunning wedding locations on their lushly landscaped grounds for your perfect island wedding, all with picturesque water views and gorgeous sunsets. If you are thinking about a small, affordable wedding, they?ve designed the ?Simple Wedding Package? with their favorite St John wedding affiliates who you will personally contact to arrange your details. This simplicity includes his and hers souvenir bathrobes, dinner for two at any Cruz Bay restaurant good for any time during your stay, and champagne and souvenir champagne glasses in your suite upon arrival. The Gallows Point ?Simple Wedding Package Details? will also be arranged for you with affiliates that you can book directly with: the Bride?s Salon Package (Massage, manicure, pedicure, make-up, and hair styled), a Bridal Bouquet and Groom Boutonniere, a Wedding Officiate, and a Photographer and Wedding Photo Package. What could be easier? They also offer honeymoon packages and vow renewal packages; because once you?ve been there you?ll want to find an excuse to go back. This distinctive and unique Caribbean resort offers you sweeping panoramic island views and boasts stunning sunsets from its very private and tranquil beachfront location on a lushly landscaped 5-acre tropical peninsula near Cruz Bay. Gallows Point Resort?s exceptional setting and tropical ambiance will exceed your expectations with their recent major remodeling initiative in their accommodations.
On St Croix, the rugged terrain, breathtaking scenery, and old world charm make it a perfect choice for your destination wedding??romance at its finest!
The Renaissance brand of resorts and hotels is well known for fine service and unique locations around the world. The St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa offers a lush and unspoiled setting at the base of a tropical rainforest. They offer an authentic Caribbean experience??white sand beaches and a truly memorable wedding experience where you can choose to have only the sand and the surf as your witnesses. Your certified Marriott wedding planner at the Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa will guide you through the planning stages making it stress free and even fun.
The Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort & Spa specializes in weddings of any size and theme?? from a casual beach party to an elegant sit down dinner. Their friendly and wedding-efficient staff will work closely with you to make your fairy-tale wedding happen seamlessly. Whether you are thinking barefoot and casual, or a storybook Caribbean wedding, the Carambola guarantees a memorable experience.
The Buccaneer is the Caribbean?s and Virgin Islands? longest running family owned resort. Founded in the 17th century, The Buccaneer blends historic and modern amenities with world-class service, providing the perfect destination for a variety of travelers. From three beaches, two pools, tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course, to its full service spa and salon, The Buccaneer offers something for everyone. The Buccaneer was recently named one of the top 30 resorts in the Caribbean by readers of Conde Nast Traveler in its annual ?Best in the World? awards.? From a centuries-old Sugar Mill to secluded Whistle Beach and more, The Buccaneer offers several stunning locations to celebrate your special day. They also offer wedding packages?? from their ?Elope to Paradise? (starts at 2 persons) to their Hibiscus Wedding package for 20 plus (max 100 persons), that ensure you?ll find the perfect fit for your upcoming nuptials. We suggest you check out their ??Sugar Mill? package ? the most unique??where you can ?Experience the Legend? with a romantic sunset wedding on the beach followed by an elegant candle-lit dinner reception in a centuries-old sugar mill (this package even includes His and Her sterling silver Cruzan bracelets!). Their experienced wedding coordinators have carefully crafted packages that will take care of every aspect of your special day to be as stress-free as possible. The packages are also designed to accommodate every bride?s preferences, with upgrade opportunities available.? Not only does The Buccaneer feature unique wedding packages, but they also offer romance packages for those on their honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary. From private lunches on Whistle Beach to in room couples massages; the packages are designed to take care of your every wish. Their Luxury Beachside Doubloons are the perfect accommodations for your special time as they feature four-poster beds, Italian marble floors, expansive balconies or patios with views of the Caribbean Sea as well as whirlpool tubs. The Buccaneer offers a complimentary full American breakfast buffet in their room rates that guests are welcome to enjoy each morning in The Terrace restaurant. The Terrace also serves as their fine-dining dinner option. Situated in an open-air setting with views of Christiansted Harbor and the Caribbean Sea, The Terrace features classical cuisines with Caribbean accents. Another dining option is their Martel Lounge located just across from The Terrace. With the bar opening at 4pm, enjoy St. Croix?s best sunset as you sip one of their vintage cocktails. The Martel Lounge also features a light fare menu as well. For lunch, there are beachfront choices??The Grotto Grill and the Mermaid. The Executive Chef at the Buccaneer will customize a menu that will be sure to please all of your guests.
Tranquility in paradise is what the Tamarind Reef Resort on St. Croix is all about. This intimate 39 room property (all with an ocean view and private patio/balcony) features full amenities including the picture perfect tree-lined beach for sun and shade photos, a brand new day spa for pampering before and after the ceremony, and the only on-site marina where the wedding party can embark on a sailing excursion after their vows or even get married a short sail away at Buck Island National Park. Food can be casual or elegant, served poolside in the open air Deep End pavilion restaurant or upscale in the fine-dining and award winning Galleon Restaurant overlooking the yachts at Green Cay Marina. Tamarind?s wedding coordinator and staff can customize the details to complement the Bride and Groom?s style, palate, and budget. And when the celebration is complete and it?s time to relax and enjoy ? there is no better place than Tamarind Reef Resort to spend time on the beach, kayak to Green Cay Island, snorkel the reef, play some tennis, explore the 100-acre Southgate Coastal Reserve, or snuggle in bed with a view to the beautiful Caribbean waters. Tamarind Reef is nestled into one of St. Croix?s most exclusive neighborhoods and located just 3 miles east of historic Christiansted.
The award-winning Palms at Pelican Cove is the perfect home-away-from-home on St. Croix.? Spread over seven acres of coconut palms and white sand beaches, guests at the Palms enjoy perfect ocean views from private patios or balconies in every one of their 40 rooms and suites. At The Palms at Pelican Cove, the staff shares one philosophy about weddings: No two are the same. In their 20 years experience hosting weddings on St. Croix, they have learned that the most memorable and truly special weddings happen when the bride and groom get to choose the perfect setting for themselves. The natural palm arches leading from the coconut palm grove to the shoreline is a popular spot to say I DO. And that moment can be timed to coincide perfectly with the sunset as your backdrop. Your first dance can be barefoot on the beach, with palm trees swaying to the beat of the music. The outdoor restaurant, bar and pool deck spill right onto the sandy beach. The perfectly located bandstand can showcase St. Croix?s local music scene as you?d like it – a DJ and your favorite songs, the tropical sounds of live steel pan drums, classic jazz, Caribbean reggae, salsa, or even a classical music ensemble. The Palms offers a wedding package and thousands of suggestions, but ultimately you may plan the wedding of your dreams. Your wedding team is none other than Julie Printy (General Manager) and her Assistant Manager, Dawn. If anyone can make the magic happen, these two can. The natural setting of The Palms Restaurant underscores the award winning flavors coming from the kitchen. The atmosphere can be dressed up or down, as you choose whether to dine al fresco by the sea or in the elegant dining room. Their chefs know well how to balance a menu with a combination of Caribbean inspired gourmet dishes and all American favorites like a good ole? char-broiled rib eye steak, for which The Palms has been voted ?Best Steak on St. Croix?. For just the two of you or 200 of your loved ones, at The Palms your wedding is about you.
Home to the capital of the USVI, Charlotte Amalie, the island of St. Thomas makes for a fun destination wedding spot. You?ll find an assortment of accommodations, resorts, villas, hopping nightlife and great shopping.
At the Sugar Bay Resort & Spa you?ll find all the right ingredients for the destination wedding of your dreams: white sand beaches, sparkling turquoise waters, and lush tropical landscape. The resort can help you realize your vision, whether it ?s an intimate beachside ceremony with swaying palm trees, the waves crashing on the shore, and the sand between your toes, or an elegant ceremony on the St. John Terrace, a charming rooftop gazebo overlooking St. John and the British Virgin Islands. Their wedding experts will work with you to bring every aspect of your dream to life, from guest accommodations to making sure your flowers and cake reflect your theme, style, and budget. The Sugar Bay Resort & Spa?s wedding experts plan hundreds of Virgin Island weddings each year. Not only is Sugar Bay Resort & Spa a great location for a St. Thomas wedding, it is also an excellent honeymoon destination. Newlyweds will enjoy the romantic beachside setting and can also plan activities such as a couple?s massage at Journeys Spa. The resort is near various St. Thomas attractions, activities, and entertainment venues too! Experience the distinctive flavors of the Caribbean at the all-inclusive Sugar Bay Resort & Spa. They feature several cuisine options including fine dining and casual fare and you?ll find everything from gourmet Caribbean inspired food to sports bar options available.
Room with a View Restaurant and Wine Bar is located at Bluebeard?s Castle, a charming centerpiece of historic Charlotte Amalie overlooking the harbor and town, which dates back to the 1600?s. Nestled in the center of this popular St. Thomas destination, Room with a View has been a favorite restaurant among visitors and residents alike for over 18 years.
A full-service restaurant, Room with a View also offers a private upstairs dining room which is comfortably air-conditioned and features spectacular, wrap-around views of downtown Charlotte Amalie and its harbor, cruise ships, sleek yachts, and breathtaking sunsets ? it truly has it all! The private dining room can accommodate 2 to 38 people, or more for cocktail parties. Guests may also choose to hold their special event in the main dining room, which seats up to 80 persons.
In addition to its lovely, serene ambiance and million-dollar views, Room with a View can make arrangements for soft steel pan music to accompany your special day and event.
Room with a View?s diverse and eclectic menu includes such specialties as rum-marinated pork tenderloin with banana chutney, fresh filet of local snapper with piccata sauce, and local Caribbean lobster Thermidor with filet mignon. Or savor shrimp and scallops with fennel sauce over linguine, duck ? l?orange, or tasty vegetarian dishes.
Winner of Wine Spectator?s Award of Excellence for fine wines and champagnes?every year since 2003, Room with a View offers one of the island?s most extensive selections from its expansive, climate-controlled wine room.
Bluebeard?s Castle Resort, convenient and centrally-located, is an ideal, romantic choice for honeymoons and accommodations for the wedding party, family and other guests. Imagine celebrating your wedding and reception with your guests, and then at the end of the evening, the convenience of walking to your hotel rooms under a starry, light-filled sky.
With the many private villas available in St. Thomas for destination weddings, as well as beaches, you may find yourself in need of a caterer since all the hotels and restaurants require you to use their on-site catering services. Look no further than Chef Larry Nibbs of Nibbs Catering, LLC. Chef Nibbs? tag line is ??cooking with a passion? ??and that he does! His seasoned skills and warm, gracious smile will make it easy for you to work with Chef Nibbs in coming up with just the right menu for your special day??whether its beautifully prepared simple fare (barbecue/fish-fry style) or the most elaborate haute cuisine, Chef Nibbs can make your ?dish-wishes? come true. Caribbean Lobster with Citrus Butter Sauce, Roasted Beef with a Merlot Mushroom Sauce, Jerk Season Breast of Chicken with a Mango Poultry Sauce, Vegetables Rice Pilaf, Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Medleys of Vegetables, Seared Tofu with Coconut Curry Sauce, and a Tossed Salad are some of the items on one of his most recent Caribbean wedding menus. Chef Nibbs works closely with couples and their wedding planners to tailor menus that will dazzle your guests. He specializes in Gourmet, American, & Caribbean cuisines and has over 21 years experience in making weddings spectacular!
Unsurpassed in lavishness are the British Virgin Islands that make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago. The boutique luxury property of Scrub Island Resort, Spa, & Marina, an exclusive private enclave just oozing Caribbean charm, is the perfect setting for a fairy tale wedding.. An intimate ceremony on a pristine beach, a cliff-side union with a commanding view of the Great Camanoe, or an elegant affair in their amazing ballroom ??all are possible at Scrub Island Resort. Their ballroom (the largest in the British Virgin Islands) can accommodate up to 210 guests and can be divided into three smaller spaces for more intimate gatherings. All who serve you at Scrub Island Resort, Spa, & Marina strive for perfection in every detail, whether it?s just the two of you or a large group. The options for wedding ceremony locations are endless at Scrub Island: Governor?s Point, Pavilion Beach, Marina Terrace, Marina Point, the Pool and Grand Patio, or Whale Watch Point. All these spots are unparalleled for saying ?I do? in Caribbean style!
Whether you choose St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix, or the BVI, your life together will be off to a magical start with the quintessential romantic beginning of a Virgin Islands destination wedding. You?ll find the comfort of the States coupled with the allure of the Caribbean, as well as enticing wedding feasts with a Caribbean flair that fits your style and budget.
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