St Thomas brides

[IslandLover]

MissE....you may have posted this and I missed it...but what kind of wedding is your 'dream wedding' in St. Thomas?

 

Im asking b/c I have done a lot of research, as have all of us here, and if you tell us "YOUR PERFECT WEDDING" we may be able to help out!!

 

I Finally, after 6 months research found a place where I can have a sit down dinner and dancing as my reception..dancing even on the beach....doesnt seem like a big deal right? But it was a HUGE task b/c I only have about 15-20 people so they always want to rent to the 'BIGGER' Weddings first...or as the Ritz said "we will let you rent it out 3 months b/f the wedding if a bigger party hasnt rented it out first"...Are you Serious!!??!!!

 

I have called a lot of restaurants, been on Trip Adviser, and have never been to any of these restaurants, but I can give you the feedback on who I have called, and the ones who have been AWESOME at responding, and the cost, ect.

 

Im just curious of what you invision as your wedding and reception..

 

If you give us that, we might can narrow it down

 

Amanda

[MissE]

Amanda,

First, can I just say thanks for caring at all?? People (outside of this forum) just don't understand how ridiculously difficult this is. I think I've realized I'm going to have to go up in my budget, because I'm darn-near getting laughed at all over the island. And I don't know how to convince Lloyd that we cannot get what we want for the budget we originally set. (We set the budget before we did the research, mind you).

 

What's funny, is that my dream wedding sounds like yours!! Originally I wanted a beach ceremony, but Lloyd doesn't want that (sigh). So now I'd like the ceremony on grass near a beach, or in a garden, gazebo, or with scenery. He doesn't like Villa Botanica, we love St Peter's Greathouse but its above our budget and the # of people (we'll only have 30-35), we don't think we want to rent out another Villa for a full week, we liked Mafolie's for a reception after a ceremony at Lime Tree Beach Grassy area, but not sure if we can afford to buy out the restaurant because we, too, MUST have a DJ!!

 

Other parts of my dream wedding (that I don't think is too extravagant) is an arch (if no gazebo), basic flowers, live instrument for the ceremony, maybe a few petals on the aisle, covered chairs.

 

For the reception, as I mentioned, DJ, plus a buffet dinner and open bar for an hour or two.

 

That's it!! We have so few people, but just enough to make a buffet at the Marriott WAY too expensive.

 

I've actually just stopped looking. I can't take it anymore, I'm so frustrated.

 

Thanks,

 

Erica

[sherri]

Miss E,

Are you using a wedding planner? That may be the way to go! By using a wedding planner, they often use certain sights that would fit the bill for you! Then you can still do as planned after the ceremony. Good Luck to you!

[futureeilen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissE Amanda, So now I'd like the ceremony on grass near a beach, or in a garden, gazebo, or with scenery. He doesn't like Villa Botanica, we love St Peter's Greathouse but its above our budget and the # of people (we'll only have 30-35), we don't think we want to rent out another Villa for a full week, we liked Mafolie's for a reception after a ceremony at Lime Tree Beach Grassy area, but not sure if we can afford to buy out the restaurant because we, too, MUST have a DJ!! Other parts of my dream wedding (that I don't think is too extravagant) is an arch (if no gazebo), basic flowers, live instrument for the ceremony, maybe a few petals on the aisle, covered chairs. For the reception, as I mentioned, DJ, plus a buffet dinner and open bar for an hour or two.

Erica - Have you checked out Villa Sunset? It's directly below my future in-laws' house (they literally share a driveway!) and the view is fantastic. It's listed as a location on Weddings the Island Way (so Sherri will know more than I do!). Here are a few pictures of it - click to the next page, it will say "Villa Sunset in St Thomas" at the bottom: Villa Botanica & Villa Sunset Wedding Locations in St. Thomas, USVI

I've been able to see a few weddings happen on the top deck of Villa Sunset, as we can see part of it from my future in-laws' deck. They looked beautiful! From the pictures, it looks like you could bring in a caterer for the reception. Or, it would be a really quick drive up the road to Mafolie's.

It looks like the rental fee isn't too outrageous but I have no idea on other costs! Just thought I'd throw it out there as another option.

[Melissa]

Does anyone know anything about Brewers Bay? We are getting Marrine in February and this is the beach my FI likes but I have not heard anything about this on here! Makes me a little nervous.

[futureeilen]

Melissa - I just did a quick search - here's some info: Best Beaches - U.S. Virgin Islands: Brewer's Bay Beach - St. Thomas USVI

 

I've never been to Brewer's Bay...but I just asked my FI about his opinion of it. Here was his response: "It's ok if you don't mind seeing planes land". So I'm guessing it's ok for a day at the beach, but maybe not the best for a wedding ceremony?

 

Edited to Add: Here's another website with info on Brewer's (scroll to the end): St. Thomas Source

[IslandLover]

hehe...your welcome!! Trust me I KNOW that St. Thomas isnt the easiest island to get married on...looking at all the other destination forums, St. Thomas is great b/c of it being US teritory, US dollars, language, airport...but tough b/c of the lack of AI and it really isnt as wedding friendly as I thought it would be...just takes a bit more work, but it can happen.

 

I agree, you DO need a wedding planner. Im with Angela at Paridise Bridal Consultants, and Bliss Island Weddings is also a popular choice...I can tell you that I have only heard GREAT things from both of them!!

 

Seriously, get a planner...I cannot tell you how wonderful and how much stress it takes off of you. They know the area, the best beaches, ect. For instance, I was going to do my wedding in the middle of a massive island party called Carnivale...now I have heard of this party before the wedding, would love to go to it, but do NOT want my wedding the same week(s)...if it wasnt for my planner, I would have booked dead center during the festival!!!

 

I have looked at both sites, and they both will work with you and help you a lot!!

 

Also, doing a reception at a hotel....$$$$$$ That is ALL they care about...again the wedding planner can tell you other places like Coral World, Villa Botanica, Old Stone Farmhouse, Room with a View....much better, more intimate than at a hotel.

 

I also understand about the budget, ours went way over...but I splurged on a photographer!!

 

If he doesnt want it ON the beach, and doesnt like Villa Botanica, check out the others above...There is a Gazebo at a few hotels..Whyndam, Ritz, Frenchmans Marriott....but again, added costs b/c of the hotel costs...maybe you can get married there and do a reception at Havana Blue like we are going to do...it is right at Frenchmans...!!!

 

Elizabeth from Havana Blue is AWESOME...and my WC already met with her and says it is awesome...can have a dinner and a band...choose your meal plan and liquor plan...done!! Just took a LOT of reasearch to find this place!!

 

ALSO..I wanted an arch, with flowers, isle runner, chairs with sashes...ALL of them I get from my WC..it is part of the package..and I can get a Steel Drum player right on the beach with a cocktail reception before we go to the real reception.....Im sure any WC can do this for you!!

 

Destination Weddings, Beach Weddings, St. Thomas Destination Weddings, St. Thomas Beach Weddings, Virgin Islands Destination Weddings, Virgin Islands Beach Weddings.

 

that is Angela's website...different packages, see what you want...she does personalized ones too....for instance, im bringing my own photographer, so that saves tons of money from a package..

 

HEHE...OMG I stopped looking for months b/c I was SO SO frustrated....Sounds like you and I have the same vision of a westernized wedding in the Caribbean, which takes some work!!! But It can be done...and get a WC....I swear, just at least talk to one and see if they can help you at all!!

 

Good luck....let me know if I can be of any help at all!!

 

Amanda

 

 

 

For the reception, as I mentioned, DJ, plus a buffet dinner and open bar for an hour or two.

 

That's it!! We have so few people, but just enough to make a buffet at the Marriott WAY too expensive.

 

I've actually just stopped looking. I can't take it anymore, I'm so frustrated.

 

Thanks,

 

Erica

[kristmass]

Hi all.....I'm trying to plan a more "traditional" wedding in St. Thomas as well.

I was wondering specifically if Amanda (or anyone else) would have any information on how a reception looks at havana blue? I was thinking of having my reception there. ...However, I am also open to any other suggestions, of course!!

Thanks!!!!!!

[LaCandleNY]

looking for help with st. thomas wedding also! help help. I dont want to get married on a public beach.

[sherri]

Hi LaCandleNY!

No need to get married in a public situation at all! There are many wedding companies that offer private settings as well! Places like Botanical Gardens, a private villa that you might decide to stay at, or Garden Terrace, and more. Your Coordinator can help with the perfect sight for you!

For the record, all beaches are public in the US Virgin Islands, so if you want a beach wedding, there would be no guarantee that there won't be someone else there!

Happy Planning!