The six day "feastable" includes gourmet dinners, wine tastings and culinary competitions.

If the way to you or your sweetie’s heart is through food, then this is the perfect week to be on on-island to experience the third annual, St. Croix Food and Wine Experience. Dubbed one of the best International Food and Wine events by  Forbes Magazine’s, the six day festival includes gourmet dinners, wine tasting, culinary competitions and, beginning this year, a golf tournament.

Celebrity chefs and vintners will team up with local islands chefs for a unique dining experiences at different restaurants and private homes around St. Croix.

On Thursday night over 50 restaurants, chefs and caterers will take part in the event that started it all nine years ago, A Taste of St. Croix. Over 1,000 visitors and residents will get to feast on dishes that make up the vibrant culinary scene on St. Croix.

Celebrity chefs call St. Croix home for the week. Pictured Rocco DiSpirito.

Whether you prefer Italian, Thai, Greek or West Indian cuisines, you’ll have plenty of delicious dining options while on St. Croix. If you are hoping for an intimate reception with fresh lobster or a buffet featuring locally grown goods, the restaurants and chefs on St. Croix can accommodate all of your needs.  We are fortunate to live on an island so rich in culinary talent. We may not have the dining options of New York City, but there isn’t much that the professionals on St. Croix can’t do. Need help with restaurant suggestions for guests or when planning your rehearsal dinner? No problem, just ask! We’re happy to rave about all the top notch dining options on-island.

Most every lady has been there – either as a bridesmaid dealing with a bridezilla, or as a bride disappointed by an uninvolved, unenthused bridesmaid. Neither party is necessarily to blame, but when the most important day in a girl’s life is at stake, the pressure is on for everyone to smile and everything to run smoothly. Miscommunication, false expectations, and feelings of burden or obligation, can call lead to shaky situations within bridal parties.

I have heard countless horror stories . . . I had a friend so embarrassed by her bridesmaid dress, that she carried a cocktail dress in her purse to change into the moment professional wedding photos were finished. A friend of a friend who was a graduate student at the time, had to set-up a yearlong payment plan with the bride’s family to repay them for the designer bridesmaid dress chosen for her by the bride. It goes without saying that in both these cases, the bride and bridesmaid were not the best of friends after the wedding.

As a recent bride and event planner turned wedding professional, I thought I would share some ideas on how to keep everyone happy and foster even stronger friendships after the wedding.

How brides can make their bridesmaids happy . . .

For my wedding in St Croix earlier this year, I included bridal party accommodations in my wedding budget. Footing the bill for a bridal suite not only lessened my bridesmaids’ travel expenses, but provided a slumber party-like environment for us to bond. On my wedding day, I offered to pay for a manicure or pedicure for each bridesmaid, so that we could get ready together in the resort spa.

Before the big day, I decided to make the dreaded bridesmaid dress a pleasant experience for all. I chose a fabric and color and let my bridesmaids choose the design of their dress through Aria. The cost of the dresses also came from my wedding budget. I had the dresses shipped directly to my bridesmaids, so that they could have them tailored to their liking. Since our ceremony was barefoot on the beach, I suggested a shoe type and color for the reception, and let my bridesmaids choose a pair from their closet collections. I made my bridesmaid gift their accessory, a hammered silver hook bracelet from Sonya’s Limited, the local company that originally began crafting the traditional island bracelet more than 40 years ago.

But the single most important thing I did as a bride to keep my bridesmaids happy was hire a wedding coordinator. SunCelebrations, the company I now coordinate with, executed my plans and took care of everything on my wedding day so that my bridesmaids and I could just relax and enjoy. In previous experiences as a bridesmaid, I had done everything from bleach outdoor chairs in the heat, to run last-minute beauty errands in the snow. I did not want my bridesmaids setting-up my ceremony or doing any of the dirty work (especially since they were on vacation too). Hiring a wedding coordinator was essential to keeping my wedding party happy.

What it takes to be a bridesmaid that remains friends with the bride after her wedding . . .

First and foremost, only say “yes” to a bride’s request to be a bridesmaid if you truly want to be a part of her big day. Particularly in situations where you’re a cousin or distant relative of the bride, you have the right to say “no thank you” upfront in a tasteful manner. Consider before agreeing if you really have the time and money necessary to devote to the wedding.

To maintain your sanity during stressful or frustrating times, remember that being a bridesmaid is an honor. By asking you to be part of her wedding, the bride is acknowledging that you have made a significant impact on her life. There are likely a handful of her family members and friends that are jealous they were not asked to be bridesmaids.

To not break the bank as a bridesmaid, consider making a gift for the bride. The couple will be overwhelmed with store-bought gifts from their wedding registries, so a handmade gift will stand out in a positive way. The most meaningful gift I received as a bride was a wedding keepsake box from my maid of honor. She simply covered a hat box with magazine cutouts of phrases and photos related to my wedding. The thought and time she put into it meant so much to me.

To keep the bride happy, try to plan ahead for a stress-free wedding day. Plan for the bridal party to get pedicures together at a spa, or participate in a calming activity like a yoga class. Surprise the bride with fruit and champagne to celebrate before the ceremony.

To stay organized, try creating an inbox folder for all wedding-related e-mails the bride and fellow bridesmaids send you. Put mailed invitations on your fridge so that you don’t have to bug the bride for times or directions on days of wedding events, like bridal showers.

Regarding the bridesmaid dress, try to happily wear whatever the bride asks you to. It boils down to a few hours wearing a dress you never have to wear again. Every guest is aware that your dress was the bride’s choice, so they will not judge you if it is a train wreck. Afterward, give your bridesmaid dress to a local Glass Slipper Project that recycles formals for girls to wear at school dances, who could not otherwise afford them. Just in case the bride ever asks, you gave the bridesmaid dress to a good cause.

In the end remember . . .

Brides: Don’t get caught-up in the silly details. Focus your attention on what your wedding is all about – you and your fiancé committing your lives to one another.

Bridesmaids: It is only one day, so just give it to the bride and enjoy.

The walk down the aisle from the movie Father of the Bride (photo property of Touchstone).

“Are you crying Dad?” I asked, as he tried to hide it at our rehearsal dinner.  I had only seen my Dad Jack cry once before in my life, when our dog died.  I had just handed him a thank you note and gift, a pen engraved Father of the Bride.  That movie had been special to us since I was a little girl, so it only seemed right to include a quote from it in my note.  As George (Steve Martin) walks his daughter Annie (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) down the aisle, he thinks:  This was the moment I’d been dreading for the past six months.  Well, actually for the past 22 years.

My walk down the aisle with my Dad Jack on Carambola Beach (photo by my Aunt, Sandy Smith).

In the hustle and bustle of a wedding, brides and grooms often forget to say “thank you.”  Not because they’re ungrateful, but simply because weddings are a whirlwind.  It is important to take a moment to express appreciation for those making your wedding day possible, like your parents and wedding party.  Not to mention important vendors like your officiant and all the guests traveling to see you say “I do.”

Reverand Koopmans holding our hook bracelets before we exchanged them as part of our ceremony (photo by Quiana Duncan).

For destination weddings, couples often opt for thank you gifts and favors that tie-in their destination.  Personally, I selected original St Croix hook bracelets from Sonya’s for my bridesmaids.  If worn with the hook closed to others, it means your heart is taken and vice versa.  The bracelets looked beautiful worn all-together by the bridal party during our ceremony.  My husband Greg and I also gave each other hook bracelets when we exchanged wedding rings, so it made the bridesmaid’s gift all-the-more meaningful. 

Our guest welcome bags included chocolates from local shop Steele’s Smokes & Sweets, as well as small bottles of Cruzan rum with drink recipe cards attached.      

A few elements of our guest welcome bags, including chocolates from Steele’s Smokes & Sweets in Christiansted (photo by my Grandma, Dorothy Paviolo).

The thank you notes you include are often as or more important than the gift you give.  Consider the following recommendations for writing them:

• Handwriting your notes is a must.
• Invest the time or money to make or purchase stationary.
• Consider typing out what you want to say first to avoid sloppy spelling or grammar.
• Think about something you could only say to the person you’re writing to.  Be it an inside joke or a meaningful memory between the two of you, try to weave it into what you write.
• Don’t just say thank you for the [blank].  Tell the recipient why the gift is meaningful to you or what your plans are for it.  For example, in thanking someone for a monetary gift, tell them you are placing the funds into savings for your first home.      
• The sooner you send, the better.  If you can bring thank you notes and gifts to the wedding, even better.  Etiquette guru Emily Post says thank you notes should be written within three months of the receipt of a gift. 

Thoughtful favors and welcome bags will certainly be appreciated by your guests.  Here are some suggestions on what to give from the knot guide to destination weddings:

• Local food, drink or candy delicacies
• CD from a great local musician
• Beach towel, sunscreen, flip-flops or visor
• Luggage tags personalized with each guest’s name and address
• Photo albums they can fill later with pictures from the trip
• Small stack of postcards from the destination (pre-stamped so guests can write friends back home) 

Take your time, be creative and you’ll be sure to give unforgettable thank you notes and gifts!

Traveling to your destination wedding with gifts and favors can be overwhelming, especially with items that can break or melt.  Let SunCelebrations take care of gifts and favors for you.  Say “thanks” to your guests with customized welcome bags and favors that express your style and incorporate island flair. We offer everything from embroidered beach towels and personalized luggage tags, to local chocolates and rum.  SunCelebrations can provide ideas, place /pick-up orders, assemble and deliver welcome bags (including printed itineraries) for your guests to enjoy on-arrival at their hotel, or place favors at your reception. We also offer thank you gifts for parents of the couple and wedding party.

Cindy, Captain Miles Sperber (owner of Caribbean Sea Adventures) & Ashley

Soon after, my boss Cindy and I had just spent a long Saturday working a wedding.  So she nicely shifted our weekend to Sunday/Monday and arranged for us to sail to Buck Island and snorkel with Caribbean Sea Adventures.  Because we provide concierge services to clients of SunCelebrations and Vacation St Croix, it is important for us to be in-the-know on island activities and be able to make recommendations from personal experience.  Cindy and I ended up rushing just to make the boat that morning, so I had no time to stop into a scuba shop and again toted the kid’s snorkel along.  Luckily, Caribbean Sea Adventures had the boat stocked and I was able to borrow a good one.

Scuba Cindy heads to the ocean floor

Cindy, a former crew member on Big Beard’s sails to Buck Island, was an excellent guide during our snorkel.  Although we spent part of it pelted by rain, it was calm underwater.  We saw vibrant fish, gorgeous coral and a host of barracuda.  Because Buck Island is a marine park, it is well marked with underwater signs.  Some note the snorkeling path, others caution that touching coral kills it, while others denote types of coral commonly found on the reef.  Cindy and I shared a laugh about a question she often received while leading snorkel tours of tourists, “why wasn’t there a squirrel fish right next to the squirrel fish sign?”

Ashley & Cindy - A great day at the "office"

Next stop was Chenay Bay for a beach barbeque.  Just as we pulled up to the resort and we were finishing our rum punch, I accidentally knocked Cindy’s cup off the stern of the sailboat.  Not wanting to litter, I dove in after it.  Since the cup was clear and impossible to see underwater, I decided to make amends with Mother Ocean by picking up other pieces of trash on the shallow bottom. 

Ashley explores the reef at Buck Island Reef

A great day with Captain JP aboard Wavedancer

I was delving down for what looked like a sock when nearby I saw . . . a snorkel!  Partially covered by seaweed, but otherwise I had found a pristine, adult snorkel by US Divers. 

Another opportunity to snorkel came up not long after.  Our friend Chuck, owner of The Palms at Pelican Cove, invited us to join him for a night snorkel off the shore near his home.  While we practically had to drag Greg and Cindy to get in the ocean at night, all of us were excited to see what nocturnal creatures would be out.  We happen to pick a night with a strong ocean surge, making it next to impossible to swim.  We managed to see and touch a couple of amazing things – a sea star and sea cucumber.  A few fish looked panicked by the crazy current, but for the most part everything was in-hiding. 

Barracuda!

Chuck said that of the 250 plus snorkels he’s taken off the Palms beach, the conditions that night were the worst.  A sign we should probably have accepted – when sea life is swimming for cover, you probably should be too!  However, it was a great experience for the three of us to get accustomed to the ocean at night for future snorkel and scuba diving adventures. 

Complementary rum punch hits the spot after snorkeling!

Lessons learned:

• Use pool toys in pools, not oceans.
• Take “professional development” days off with your colleagues.
• Care for the earth and enjoy when a good deed comes back to you.
• Appreciate the kindness of new friends.
• Take adventures that push you out of your comfort zone.
• Watch for signs, in the ocean and in life.

The first is something that’s near and dear to my heart (I’ve done some volunteer work with sea turtle conservation) – the release of a rehabilitated hawksbill sea turtle who was injured last year at one my favorite beaches – Sandy Point.  Sandy Point Wildlife refuge is one of the few truly pristine beaches left in the Caribbean.  It is only open from 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday from roughly October through the end of April.  Why, you ask… Well, because it is critical nesting habitat for the endangered leatherback sea turtle and heavily used for nesting by our local hawksbills and greens too.  It seems that this unlucky girl was minding her own business, laying her eggs in the sand when she was happened upon by a group of feral dogs.  Sadly, her front flippers were so mauled that eventually one had to be amputated. 

A group of volunteers aid in the release of a rehabilitated sea turtle on St Croix

However, the wonderful biologists of US Fish & Wildlife that monitor the wildlife refuge found her, brought her to local veterinarian Paul Hess at Island Animal Clinic, who stabilized her, and then they enlisted the help of The Turtle Hospital, a non-profit institution on Marathon Key where she spent a year gaining strength and rehabilitating.  Yesterday, with the help of American Airlines, who donated her flights both ways, and the many friends she has gained along the way – our little sweetie was returned to her native St Croix and released into the waters of Sandy Point.  A success story made possible by kind people who volunteered time and resources to do the right thing in our community – a true reason to celebrate!  For more information read the full article here

Another thing that Crucians are celebrating today is the passing of legislation to ensure that Cruzan Rum stays here on St Croix.  Cruzan Rum has been produced on the island of St Croix for over 200 years by the Nelthropp family.  While they don’t own the brand anymore – they still run the plant and make the run that not only becomes Cruzan Rum, but also the base rum for many other brands as well.  In fact, only 25% of the rum they produce is branded as Cruzan - the rest is sold as “bulk rum” and is used as the base of other rum products.  Its that good.  Recently, our government entered into a 30-year deal that was the driving factor in bringing a new state-of-the-art plant to produce rival Captain Morgan rum to St Croix.  Last night, the legislature passed a similar bill that gives a similar 30-year deal providing bonds backed by rum tax rebate monies.  It also allows for the development of the plant and to bring it up to EPA standards.  (It had been grandfathered out of certain requirements in the past which effectively had allowed it to release untreated effluent into local waters).   So, I’m celebrating the fact that Cruzan will remain Crucian… and they are going to clean up their act in the process!

Ashley Bouzianis April 09 Bride and SunCelebrations Marketing/Event Coordinator

 *Announcing an “Ask Ashley” FREE conference  call to answer all your questions about destination weddings from a bride who has been there.  Please plan to dial-in Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST Click here to register!  Already have questions in mind?  Feel free to e-mail your questions beforehand (ashley@suncelebrations.com).

“So where is paradise?”  Hundreds of strangers asked my husband Greg and I as they walked up the driveway  of our moving sale in Texas earlier this year.  “St. Croix!” we happily replied.  

After taking several trips to our paradise and getting married on-island, we thought selling most of our belongings before moving to St. Croix would save on shipping.  So we held a “moving to paradise” garage sale (complete with palms trees on our signs scattered around town), listed our stuff on Craig’s List or eBay and hit consignment stores.

We gave our remaining items to charities.  Our DVDs went to a veteran’s hospital, while my stuffed animal collection went to less fortunate children in Central America.  So far we have yet to need or want a single item we let go of (not even the two-thirds of my shoe collection I swore I couldn’t live without)!

Just as our three-day moving sale sold out in a matter of hours, everything about our move to St. Croix has fallen perfectly into place.  From jobs to living situations, the stars have aligned in our favor!  First and foremost, my new job as marketing /event coordinator of SunCelebrations.

Since my first phone consultation with SunCelebrations owner Cindy Clearwater, I was confident we were two peas in a pod.  She’s a smart, savvy, no-nonsense business woman, which is precisely what a bride wants in a wedding coordinator!  With my background in events,  public relations and marketing, I set a high bar for the job.  After a call and correspondence, I decided SunCelebrations was the right fit to coordinate my wedding.

Reviewing the details of the ceremony

Cindy’s first in-person activity with our wedding party was the ceremony rehearsal.  She began giving instruction and as some side conversations continued among our large and social group, she stopped to get everyone’s attention in a polite but assertive manner.  Perfect!  Someone else to say the things that need to be said for our wedding to run smoothly, without me being labeled a dreaded “bridezilla!”

To all bride-to-be’s, I cannot tell you how priceless it is to be free of stress on your wedding day.  My husband and I actually got to sit down and eat dinner just like the other guests at our wedding reception (which I have heard from countless brides is a rarity)! 

Getting my hair done for the big day

On my wedding day, my job entailed getting pampered at the Carambola spa and taking in every moment with complete confidence the details were taken care of.  Not by my bridesmaids or family members (they were on vacation too), but by competent and experienced professionals.  Our wedding day was perfect!

So days after the big day, my new hubby and I met Cindy for happy hour at Fort Christian Brew Pub in Christiansted and told her we were considering relocating.  Moving to paradise was something we had talked about since we first started dating!  Cindy mentioned that I may be a good fit for her SunCelebrations team, which was just the jump start we needed to start seriously planning our move.  Ever since, she has been an invaluable resource and friend during our transition. 

Manicured nails are a must for perfect wedding pics!

Now that we’ve settled into a place on the east end of the island and Greg is also working,  I’m ready to  dive into destination weddings.  I look forward to working with SunCelebrations, a business I truly believe in.  Cindy is an incredibly talented event planner who is only limited by the fact that she can only be in one place at a time.  I am confident my first-hand experience as a destination bride combined with my event planning background will lend itself well to SunCelebrations.

October 2009 Issue featuring article "St Croix: A Virgin Isle to Call Home"

 This month’s issue of Caribbean Travel & Life magazine features an excellent 6-page article on the prospect of moving to St Croix.  The author turns out to be a friend of a friend and, as a result, many of the faces and places in the article are familiar to me.  Well that and living on a rock that measures 6 miles (at its widest point) by 24 miles, you get to know most places and faces.  Its perfect timing, because this is also the month that April 2009 St Croix Wedding clients, Ashley & Greg, move to St Croix!

The article highlights some of my favorite places and really gives a good view into our island lifestyle. 

The opening 2-page photo of Christiansted Harbor and the seaplane is simply breathtaking.  Its overlaid with the interior title “Bohemian Rhapsody”.  I guess that is a good description.  The island definitely has a bohemian feel, particularly for the expats or what locals call “Continentals”.  Here, life is a little less materialistic, a little slower.  Acceptable “business casual” attire includes shorts and flip flops.  We savor meals, slowly.  We sit back and enjoy life.  We take the time to connect with our friends and lend a helping hand when needed.  We hit the beach on a regular basis.  And most importantly, we develop a strong sense of community.  Life is good.

Whether you are interested in moving to St Croix or just visiting, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this month’s magazine.  You can even download it to your computer for only $4.99  The article includes hightlights and info on Buck Island, Zebo’s Wine Bar (one of my favorite hang outs that features an amazing menu of locally grown organics), The VI Sustainable Farm Institute  (another favorite place of mine), Restaurant Bacchus (yep you guessed it, I love this place too … and owner Natalie Collins also does bridal hair for us!), a high-adrenaline Jeep Tour to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools, and hands-down my favorite spot for St Croix weddings - Carambola Beach Resort & Spa  (if you’re interested in staying there, be sure to contact us for our discounted rates!).  Truly, it’s a great read and reminded me just why I live here in America’s Paradise.

Ashley & Greg wed at Carambola Beach April 2009. photo (c) Quiana L Duncan

It also reminded me that Ashley & Greg will be here soon!!!  They’re taking the plunge and moving from Dallas to St Croix after having fallen in love with the island while planning their St Croix Destination Wedding.  Ashley & Greg were lucky enough to make two scouting trips to the island during the planning process.  With a background in PR and events, Ashley did most of the planning herself and hired SunCelebrations to step in and coordinate her wedding day with our Week of Wedding Planning Package.  This gave both Ashley & Greg the opportunity to not only have the wedding of their dreams, but to also spend time with their guests and ENJOY their day.  Ashley had a detailed vision and specific guidelines for what she wanted.  By communicating that vision in detail to us, we were able to ensure that she was relaxed on her wedding day and able to simply focus on getting dolled up and walking down the aisle.

After working with Ashley on her wedding, I had thought to myself, “Wow, I would love to have her on my team, she’d make a great wedding planner”.  So, when she told me that it was official that she and Greg were moving to St Croix, I offered her a position as an outside consultant.  Ashley will be joining our team at the beginning of October and will bring to the table a fresh perspective as a former destination bride herself!

Stay tuned for more on Ashley’s move to St Croix and an upcoming chance to participate in a free conference call  ”Ask Ashley” open to our clients and perspective clients.  Contact us today for more information!

New Apartment Color Pallette

I’ll be using the sandy beige for the main walls in the living room, with the blue for accenting this really cool “alcove” where I’ll put a bookshelf and chair for a little reading nook.  Furniture is beige and accented with bright, tahitian patterned pillows in blue, teal and coral.  The kitchen will be a soft bamboo green with white cabinets and appliances.  The office will have the same color scheme as the living room with the end wall in the blue & the closet painted blue inside as well. (left open with shelving for supplies).  The bedroom will be the beige with a bright coral accent wall.  Ahhhh the best part of living in the Caribbean is that playing with color is totally acceptable.

… Now to motivate myself to get painting – eek!

Beachy Brides:  Even if you are having a casual beach wedding, you don’t have to give up on that formal dress you’ve always dreamed of – just be sure that the dress suits the environment.  Most weddings on St Croix happen about an hour before sunset, and though its breezy, its still quite warm on the beach.

Dos:

• Choose strapless, spaghetti straps, halter or wide straps – show some sun-kissed skin!
• Choose natural fabrics like silk or light and flowing fabrics that breathe like chiffons.
• Think about sophisticated, classic and sleek lines.
• Pay attention to the back of your dress – ornate backs, beadwork, open-backs show a little skin and look beautiful in pictures. 
• Check out Dessy.com’s Destination Wedding Dress Trend Report http://www.dessy.com/wedding-planner/dress-trends/  or check out their  Destination Wedding collection http://www.dessy.com/wedding-dresses/
• Have a bridesmaid or family member practice bustling your dress in advance.  Every dress bustles differently, and those darn little eyehooks can be hard to find.  Have someone practice bustling your dress a few times and be sure to have them on hand before the first dance to hook you up.
• Kick off your heels.  Heels just don’t work on the beach (they don’t work well on lawns either).  There are so many options today when it comes to flip flops – from beaded and bejeweled to flips that leave a “just married” imprint in the sand.  You can even accessorize your feet with some foot jewelry.  Be sure to keep your foot attire in mind when fitting your wedding dress – you’ll want it to not drag on the ground when you are barefoot.  Fun idea:  Have a beachy spa day with your bridesmaids and treat yourselves to pedicures.  The day before your wedding, have them help you paint an exotic Henna stain on your feet.  You can get kits and ideas (be sure to practice in advance) here:  http://hennatattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/henna%20kit
• Have a second dress. This is a growing trend that we really love.  Have a second white, less formal, lighter and more comfortable dress for after the formalities (usually once photos are done following cake cutting).  You’ll be cooler and so much more comfortable when you change and it will signal to your guests that the party has really kicked in.  True Celebrity-style!
• Make sure your bathing suit matches the line of your dress!  There is nothing worse than big bright tan lines on your wedding day!  Be sure that the bathing suit you wear on the beach matches the line of your dress.  And give that same direction to your bridesmaids!!
• Wear TONS of sunscreen.  The sun in the tropics is strong.  Tank tops and other shirts can also create those dreaded tan lines, so before your wedding day, be sure to be kind to your skin.  Drink lots of water, wear at least a 30spf and reapply, reapply, reapply, reapply.  This goes for your groom and wedding party too!  Photoshop can fix your photos if there is a mishap, but try to avoid it in the first place!
• Accessorize!  A simple and elegant piece of jewelry can really set off your wedding dress.  Consider a local piece of jewelry – St Croix is known for its amazing jewelry artisans. 
  

  ib design "Circle of Life" collection

  You can incorporate larimar (the azure blue Caribbean stone) for your “something blue”, pearls or other beachy elements.  We’ve even had couples exchange “Crucian Bracelets” as part of their wedding ceremony!  For apres ceremony, paper parasols will keep the sun off add a little flare to your pics.

• Some of our favorite jewelers on St  Croix are
  ib design (Kenny Chesney wears one of Whealon’s St John bracelets!)   , Sonya’s (creator of the original St Croix Hook)  and Crucian Gold
• Looking for some real bling?  Consider renting jewelry for you and your bridal party from Adorn Brides
  

 Don’ts:

• Wear a long train – dragging your train down the beach is sure to pick up “hitchhikers” (pieces of seaweed, stones, etc) as you walk down the sandy aisle.  Choose a chapel length or short train if you really can’t go without.
• Get burned!!!  I can’t stress this enough.  Sunscreen and the shade are your friend.  Burns not only look bad in your pictures, but they are uncomfortable and unhealthy.  Don’t ruin your wedding day by being over enthusiastic with tanning and neglecting good skincare!

A cool Groom is a happy Groom (groomsmen too):  I can’t stress enough that you should not only think about the look and feel you want for your wedding, but also how your wedding party will feel wearing it.  Consider the heat and humidity at a beach wedding and also consider whether your reception will be al fresco, dining outside under the stars, or will it be in an air-conditioned venue. 

Dos:

• Again, choose natural fabrics and avoid synthetics.  100% Cotton and linen breathe keeping your guys cooler, more comfortable and preventing excessive sweat stains.
• If you really want your guys in suits or tuxes, keep them in linen or cotton light summer-weight suits.  Consider having them wear short sleeve linen shirts underneath so that after portraits, they too can get comfortable.
• Consider cotton shirts with ties.  They still have a smart, clean look but are cooler than jackets.
• Guayaberras.  Guy-a-whos?!  Guayaberras!!  Traditional Latin American linen wedding shirts.  These shirts are usually embroidered down the front and were traditional wedding attire in hot, steamy climates.  The look beautiful on the beach and are the perfect touch for a casually, elegant beach wedding.  Try matching the embroidery thread to your wedding colors for an extra pop of color.
  

  white linen Guayabera

• For a fun, casual style wedding, have your groomsmen wear tropical-style shirts in the same pattern or for a little extra fun, have them pick out their own. 
• Have your guys go barefoot or wear nice leather sandals.  These can still look smart with a formal suit.  (just be sure to leave out the socks!)

Don’ts:

• Expect your groom and/or groomsmen to keep jackets on for the reception.
• Don’t forget about the heat!  Choose synthetic fabrics like rayon.
• Don’t leave your groomsmen standing on the beach for half an hour waiting for you.  Plan your hair & makeup preparations carefully, giving yourself plenty of time to avoid running late.   Sweats stains will creep into your wedding photos.
• Resources:
  http://www.theguayaberashirtstore.com/ 
  We LOVE Tommy Bahama:  http://www.tommybahama.com/TBG/Men/Wedding.jsp  
   

photo (c) Kelly Greer Photographer

For the Bridesmaids:

  Again, light weight, no more than 2-layers and natural fabrics are ideal.  Think bright colors or jewel tones inspired by the natural surroundings.    Also think about the type of flowers you would like them to carry.  I think that flowers that contrast with the dresses pop and look stunning in pictures – think bright orange & reds with a turquoise or deep blue dress.  Or lime-green cymbidium orchids against a navy dress.  If you’re getting married in the tropics, there’s no need to be afraid of color!

 

Dos:

• Give your bridesmaids direction with color, but allow them to choose a style  and neckline that flatters their figure.
• Choose colors that pop and compliment your theme.
• Remind your bridesmaids to wear a bathing suit that matches the neckline of their dress!
• Give your bridesmaids the gift of sunscreen!
• For more casual beach weddings, consider giving your girls some color direction, but letting them go and pick out their own sundresses.
• For a more dramatic look, consider long, flowing, chiffon gowns in your theme colors.
• Accessorize your gals with simple pendants that compliment the neckline of their dresses.

Don’ts

• Go too formal.  There’s a reason you are having a beach wedding!
• Forget to have fun! Don’t let the stress of “the perfect wedding” take the fun out of planning.  Keep your inner bridezilla at bay.
• Resources:
  We love the fun, colorful patterns of Lily Pulitzer http://www.lillypulitzer.com/
  J.  Crew’s style and fabrics are great for tropical weddings  http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Wedding.jsp

 For your guests:  Be sure to give your guests at your Destination Wedding a little direction too so that they pack just what they need.  For island elegant, semi-formal weddings specify that gentleman should wear jackets and ties, ladies in gowns or cocktail dresses.  For more casual weddings suggest button down shirts for men and sundresses for the ladies.  To incorporate your guests into your theme – recommend a color for guests or request that all gentlemen wear tropical shirts.  We’ve even done weddings where the bride & groom requested that everyone wear flip flops and the invitation included a note that there would be a “best flip flop” parade and contest at the reception.  Guests had a blast coming up with some really unique footwear.  How fun is that?!

Remember, if you’ve already chosen to have a destination wedding, you’re already “thinking outside the box”.  Have fun with it and keep the comfort of your wedding party and guests in mind when planning.  They’ll thank you for it and you’ll all enjoy yourselves that much more!

 Sun & Smiles,
Cindy

all photos courtesy Kelly Greer Photographer and Quiana L Duncan Photography

Special thanks to Kelly Greer Photographer and Quiana L Duncan for their amazing photos!  All weddings above are from our previous SunCelebrities (TM)!

In the mean time, I’ve been working hard no the newly enhanced website as well as new planning tools for our brides and grooms!  We’ve been diligently investigating new services and products that are in keeping with the great customer service and value that we expect from all vendors who works with us.

One of the services that I recently came across and partnered with is one that i’m really excited about!  AdornBrides.com  – did you see the Sex and the City movie?  Its kind of like Bag, Borrow or Steal (the service that Jennifer Houston used to rent her expensive designer bag)  that was featured in the movie – but instead its for fine jewelry!  You really can look like a celebrity bride at a reasonable price … and your bridesmaids can too!  They have free style consultations and a great collection of jewelery

… And the best part – our clients get a 10% discount!  Promo Code PVGXKZ21 AND if you book more than 4 mos in advance there are even deeper discounts.  For destination brides – they will ship to you in the states before you leave, you send the jewelry back in the boxes provided when you return.  How easy is that?!

Visit our website for more details on how to rent fine jewelry

… and remember renting is repurposing and a “greener” practice!