IslandLover

NurseMorgan- We stayed at Caneel Bay...it was amazing!!! It is rustic, there are mosquitoes so bring lots of spray. There are no TVs in the room, and the bar closes early...however those were the only 'negatives'. We LOVED Caneel Bay!!! It was Caneel Bay that set the stage for what my husband and I have been doing the last 4 years...traveling!!! Caneel gave us that 'travelers bug' that people talk about b/c the service there was so amazing and over the top..we had never been treated so well. I absolutely loved the fact we were right on the beach...fell asleep to the waves and walked right out to our own beach and it felt like we were the only ones there, just steps away from the little cottage!! The water is warm and clear and you can snorkel right there!! We saw a few turtles just off of the beach..it was amazing!!! At the end of our trip we went over to the Westin, what a dissapointment, we wanted to turn right around and go back to Caneel...the intimacy and service at Caneel was just outstanding and private and romantic. The beach was amazing and pure. I highly recommend it!!!

Hey all, First Congrats to all of you and have FUN planning your destination wedding….we made it fun and it was a BLAST! Our wedding was May 9, 2009 in St. Thomas. It took me so long to write a review b/c we are about to do a 2nd honeymoon in Italy in 5 days, AND just bought a house…we have been so busy, and I wanted to make sure when I write this review that Jean-Marcus (JM) gets all the credit he deserves….b/c HE ROCKED! Just talking to JM here on the forums and with planning things out, I felt like I knew him forever, he is very outgoing, friendly and has a great humor. I had a wedding planner in St. Thomas, and she was awesome, but I wanted a photographer who had a little more artistic, photojournalistic and unique style than what came in the package. At first, I was really hesitant to have a photographer come from across the country (Seattle to Caribbean) and thought it was really unrealistic. I struggled with it for weeks! I was looking around and I just kept going back to JM’s photos, I was just so impressed. At first, I said “no we can’t do that, it would be crazyâ€â€¦.but then after 2 weeks of seriously thinking about wanting JM as our photographer and how much I loved his work, I couldn’t sleep one night, I woke my FI up (who I had been constantly telling about JM for weeks)….I said “I just have to have JM as our photographerâ€â€¦Ron said OK immediately…prob b/c I kept talking about how much I loved JM’s work and seriously Ron loved his work too! Pre Wedding: JM is so fun to work with, very laid back. And he always responds to emails very quickly…I never had to wait days to have him answer questions. Even a few months b/f the wedding, when I was freaking out, he always responded right away…I swear he carries his computer on him all the time! He totally put my mind to ease. When you book JM he comes for as many days as you want, and photographs as much/little as you want. It is basically unlimited photos. Day 1: We didn’t have any plans but dinner, JM came out, met the family and really just got to know everyone. He is so outgoing that everyone just took to him and love him right away. At first my family was like “your photographer is from where? And why?†That lasted until they met him…they LOVED him… Day2: Pre wedding welcome lunch at the hotel and dinner on a boat. It was awesome…again, we wanted really laid back, and wanted everyone to have fun and they did…JM was like a part of the family…he just fit right in and got along with everyone. Day 3: Wedding Day- JM met me early for me to get hair/makeup, had awesome ideas for a ‘first look’ with my FI so we could do pre wedding pics at the Ritz. As Im getting ready, he was SO much of a help… Im not kidding you…he helped out so much..my wedding was super small and last minute things that needed to be done, he was such a great help and eager to do so We did pre wedding pics, then drove to the ceremony at the beach. It rained but JM took all the chances he could get to get great pics when the sun peaked through At the same time, he was always helping out, either with me or the guests….totally awesome…I seriously don’t know what I would have done without him there. Keep in mind, as outgoing as he is, he was totally professional the entire time. Day 4: TTD Well, we didn’t plan to do a TDD, but the day b/f the wedding decided to buy a ‘used’ dress from the Wedding Coordinator. SO glad we did….OMG it was amazing. First I must say JM insisted he be there for him to help me pick out the best dress for the TDD shoot…..he didn’t have to do this, but he did. He met us at the hotel room, I tried on dresses, he examined them, gave his opinion, and it was so cool he took the time to do that….he wanted me to have the best dress for the shoot….shows how much he really cares about his work! We had the TDD on St. John, Trunk Bay…which was a special place to JM anyway b/c his father had visited there many years before and had such great things to say about the beach. The TDD was awesome…I was WAY more relaxed and they are such AWESOME Pics…the sun was out, and he is so artistic, he had so many ideas….aside from the Posed shots that most photographers do…, just so unique and artistic! JM came up with an idea, he wanted to do a pic with umbrellas, and we searched long and hard for some white ones, but only found blue….the blue of our wedding…so we used them. EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE LOVES the umbrella pics…I have had people ask if they could have them to just put up in their house b/c it is so amazing….Im not kidding!....but I won’t tell you the secret of how he got this awesome shot JM was amazing, he was like a photographer, wedding coordinator, supporter, friend throughout the entire time, while still professional. He was kinda the life of the party at times, so engaging to all of our guests…when we didn’t know what to do at times b/c of the craziness, he was there to direct us during the wedding…he has had so much experience that he just KNEW what to do and when to do it! At the end of the wedding Everyone said “JM was great†they just loved him and wanted his contact info right away! They at first questioned why I would send a photog across the country to do the pics before the wedding, then they said “we know exactly why you picked himâ€! Our pics are awesome….so awesome I don’t know how Im going to choose a photo book…Im still trying to pick out thank you cards….I am in awe of the pics…it is going to take me some time. One last note…since JM lives in Seattle and we live in CA…we are actually thinking about having him come and photograph our first childs Bday…no plans for preg yet but I feel like he is “MY†photographer for any event we do in the future. I also know I gained a friend during this… But for those of you who just want ‘a photographer’ and no personal relationship, JM is up to that too…he Is so versatile and very professional…but a Hell of a lot of fun to be with! Im too tired to post pics…I hope JM can respond and post pics… Night shifts are tough so I really want you to see some pics and see how awesome he is….but Ive been up over 24 hours and need to sleep. JM…we love ya! Manda and Ron

I posted this at another spot but I wanted to give you guys the info too!! Hey all, First Congrats to all of you and have FUN planning your destination wedding….we made it fun and it was a BLAST! Our wedding was May 9, 2009 in St. Thomas. It took me so long to write a review b/c we are about to do a 2nd honeymoon in Italy in 5 days, AND just bought a house…we have been so busy, and I wanted to make sure when I write this review that Jean-Marcus (JM) gets all the credit he deserves….b/c HE ROCKED! Just talking to JM here on the forums and with planning things out, I felt like I knew him forever, he is very outgoing, friendly and has a great humor. I had a wedding planner in St. Thomas, and she was awesome, but I wanted a photographer who had a little more artistic, photojournalistic and unique style than what came in the package. At first, I was really hesitant to have a photographer come from across the country (Seattle to Caribbean) and thought it was really unrealistic. I struggled with it for weeks! I was looking around and I just kept going back to JM’s photos, I was just so impressed. At first, I said “no we can’t do that, it would be crazyâ€â€¦.but then after 2 weeks of seriously thinking about wanting JM as our photographer and how much I loved his work, I couldn’t sleep one night, I woke my FI up (who I had been constantly telling about JM for weeks)….I said “I just have to have JM as our photographerâ€â€¦Ron said OK immediately…prob b/c I kept talking about how much I loved JM’s work and seriously Ron loved his work too! Pre Wedding: JM is so fun to work with, very laid back. And he always responds to emails very quickly…I never had to wait days to have him answer questions. Even a few months b/f the wedding, when I was freaking out, he always responded right away…I swear he carries his computer on him all the time! He totally put my mind to ease. When you book JM he comes for as many days as you want, and photographs as much/little as you want. It is basically unlimited photos. Day 1: We didn’t have any plans but dinner, JM came out, met the family and really just got to know everyone. He is so outgoing that everyone just took to him and love him right away. At first my family was like “your photographer is from where? And why?†That lasted until they met him…they LOVED him… Day2: Pre wedding welcome lunch at the hotel and dinner on a boat. It was awesome…again, we wanted really laid back, and wanted everyone to have fun and they did…JM was like a part of the family…he just fit right in and got along with everyone. Day 3: Wedding Day- JM met me early for me to get hair/makeup, had awesome ideas for a ‘first look’ with my FI so we could do pre wedding pics at the Ritz. As Im getting ready, he was SO much of a help… Im not kidding you…he helped out so much..my wedding was super small and last minute things that needed to be done, he was such a great help and eager to do so We did pre wedding pics, then drove to the ceremony at the beach. It rained but JM took all the chances he could get to get great pics when the sun peaked through At the same time, he was always helping out, either with me or the guests….totally awesome…I seriously don’t know what I would have done without him there. Keep in mind, as outgoing as he is, he was totally professional the entire time. Day 4: TTD Well, we didn’t plan to do a TDD, but the day b/f the wedding decided to buy a ‘used’ dress from the Wedding Coordinator. SO glad we did….OMG it was amazing. First I must say JM insisted he be there for him to help me pick out the best dress for the TDD shoot…..he didn’t have to do this, but he did. He met us at the hotel room, I tried on dresses, he examined them, gave his opinion, and it was so cool he took the time to do that….he wanted me to have the best dress for the shoot….shows how much he really cares about his work! We had the TDD on St. John, Trunk Bay…which was a special place to JM anyway b/c his father had visited there many years before and had such great things to say about the beach. The TDD was awesome…I was WAY more relaxed and they are such AWESOME Pics…the sun was out, and he is so artistic, he had so many ideas….aside from the Posed shots that most photographers do…, just so unique and artistic! JM came up with an idea, he wanted to do a pic with umbrellas, and we searched long and hard for some white ones, but only found blue….the blue of our wedding…so we used them. EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE LOVES the umbrella pics…I have had people ask if they could have them to just put up in their house b/c it is so amazing….Im not kidding!....but I won’t tell you the secret of how he got this awesome shot JM was amazing, he was like a photographer, wedding coordinator, supporter, friend throughout the entire time, while still professional. He was kinda the life of the party at times, so engaging to all of our guests…when we didn’t know what to do at times b/c of the craziness, he was there to direct us during the wedding…he has had so much experience that he just KNEW what to do and when to do it! At the end of the wedding Everyone said “JM was great†they just loved him and wanted his contact info right away! They at first questioned why I would send a photog across the country to do the pics before the wedding, then they said “we know exactly why you picked himâ€! Our pics are awesome….so awesome I don’t know how Im going to choose a photo book…Im still trying to pick out thank you cards….I am in awe of the pics…it is going to take me some time. One last note…since JM lives in Seattle and we live in CA…we are actually thinking about having him come and photograph our first childs Bday…no plans for preg yet but I feel like he is “MY†photographer for any event we do in the future. I also know I gained a friend during this… But for those of you who just want ‘a photographer’ and no personal relationship, JM is up to that too…he Is so versatile and very professional…but a Hell of a lot of fun to be with! Im too tired to post pics…I hope JM can respond and post pics… Night shifts are tough so I really want you to see some pics and see how awesome he is….but Ive been up over 24 hours and need to sleep. JM…we love ya! Manda and Ron

OMG JEAN-MARCUS....am I crazy or what? Good lord, that is what an overnight shift does to you after 24 hours awake! Im So Sorry...and you have such a cool name, how could I F that up? If anyone on here knows how I can edit my post, let me know...if not, I will re-post again...with the CORRECT name :0

Hey all, First Congrats to all of you and have FUN planning your destination wedding….we made it fun and it was a BLAST! Our wedding was May 9, 2009 in St. Thomas. It took me so long to write a review b/c we are about to do a 2nd honeymoon in Italy in 5 days, AND just bought a house…we have been so busy, and I wanted to make sure when I write this review that John Marcus (JM) gets all the credit he deserves….b/c HE ROCKED! Just talking to JM here on the forums and with planning things out, I felt like I knew him forever, he is very outgoing, friendly and has a great humor. I had a wedding planner in St. Thomas, and she was awesome, but I wanted a photographer who had a little more artistic, photojournalistic and unique style than what came in the package. At first, I was really hesitant to have a photographer come from across the country (Seattle to Caribbean) and thought it was really unrealistic. I struggled with it for weeks! I was looking around and I just kept going back to JM’s photos, I was just so impressed. At first, I said “no we can’t do that, it would be crazyâ€â€¦.but then after 2 weeks of seriously thinking about wanting JM as our photographer and how much I loved his work, I couldn’t sleep one night, I woke my FI up (who I had been constantly telling about JM for weeks)….I said “I just have to have JM as our photographerâ€â€¦Ron said OK immediately…prob b/c I kept talking about how much I loved JM’s work and seriously Ron loved his work too! Pre Wedding: JM is so fun to work with, very laid back. And he always responds to emails very quickly…I never had to wait days to have him answer questions. Even a few months b/f the wedding, when I was freaking out, he always responded right away…I swear he carries his computer on him all the time! He totally put my mind to ease. When you book JM he comes for as many days as you want, and photographs as much/little as you want. It is basically unlimited photos. Day 1: We didn’t have any plans but dinner, JM came out, met the family and really just got to know everyone. He is so outgoing that everyone just took to him and love him right away. At first my family was like “your photographer is from where? And why?†That lasted until they met him…they LOVED him… Day2: Pre wedding welcome lunch at the hotel and dinner on a boat. It was awesome…again, we wanted really laid back, and wanted everyone to have fun and they did…JM was like a part of the family…he just fit right in and got along with everyone. Day 3: Wedding Day- JM met me early for me to get hair/makeup, had awesome ideas for a ‘first look’ with my FI so we could do pre wedding pics at the Ritz. As Im getting ready, he was SO much of a help… Im not kidding you…he helped out so much..my wedding was super small and last minute things that needed to be done, he was such a great help and eager to do so We did pre wedding pics, then drove to the ceremony at the beach. It rained but JM took all the chances he could get to get great pics when the sun peaked through At the same time, he was always helping out, either with me or the guests….totally awesome…I seriously don’t know what I would have done without him there. Keep in mind, as outgoing as he is, he was totally professional the entire time. Day 4: TTD Well, we didn’t plan to do a TDD, but the day b/f the wedding decided to buy a ‘used’ dress from the Wedding Coordinator. SO glad we did….OMG it was amazing. First I must say JM insisted he be there for him to help me pick out the best dress for the TDD shoot…..he didn’t have to do this, but he did. He met us at the hotel room, I tried on dresses, he examined them, gave his opinion, and it was so cool he took the time to do that….he wanted me to have the best dress for the shoot….shows how much he really cares about his work! We had the TDD on St. John, Trunk Bay…which was a special place to JM anyway b/c his father had visited there many years before and had such great things to say about the beach. The TDD was awesome…I was WAY more relaxed and they are such AWESOME Pics…the sun was out, and he is so artistic, he had so many ideas….aside from the Posed shots that most photographers do…, just so unique and artistic! JM came up with an idea, he wanted to do a pic with umbrellas, and we searched long and hard for some white ones, but only found blue….the blue of our wedding…so we used them. EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE LOVES the umbrella pics…I have had people ask if they could have them to just put up in their house b/c it is so amazing….Im not kidding!....but I won’t tell you the secret of how he got this awesome shot JM was amazing, he was like a photographer, wedding coordinator, supporter, friend throughout the entire time, while still professional. He was kinda the life of the party at times, so engaging to all of our guests…when we didn’t know what to do at times b/c of the craziness, he was there to direct us during the wedding…he has had so much experience that he just KNEW what to do and when to do it! At the end of the wedding Everyone said “JM was great†they just loved him and wanted his contact info right away! They at first questioned why I would send a photog across the country to do the pics before the wedding, then they said “we know exactly why you picked himâ€! Our pics are awesome….so awesome I don’t know how Im going to choose a photo book…Im still trying to pick out thank you cards….I am in awe of the pics…it is going to take me some time. One last note…since JM lives in Seattle and we live in CA…we are actually thinking about having him come and photograph our first childs Bday…no plans for preg yet but I feel like he is “MY†photographer for any event we do in the future. I also know I gained a friend during this… But for those of you who just want ‘a photographer’ and no personal relationship, JM is up to that too…he Is so versatile and very professional…but a Hell of a lot of fun to be with! Im too tired to post pics…I hope JM can respond and post pics… Night shifts are tough so I really want you to see some pics and see how awesome he is….but Ive been up over 24 hours and need to sleep. JM…we love ya! Manda and Ron

Hey guys, Im back from our wedding an honeymoon in St. Thomas and St. John!!!! Freakin' awesome!!! Had a WONDERFUL WC....Angela, and our photog Was THE BEST....Jean Marcus!!!! He kept us all sane Anyway, Im trying to get pics together to show you guys Lots of info to share!!! Full details coming soon!! amanda

That picture FREAKIN rocks!!!!.. Im so glad we found the umbrellas. I think the blue was so cool and worked out well. I want to tell everyone on here how AWESOME you were and we had a BLAST with you..!!! Thanks for posting the pic for everyone to see.... Ill write more soon, b/c everyone deserves to know how much fun we had with you and how much our guests loved you!!!!....we cannot stop bragging about you to everyone we meet here.....!!! THANKS!! Amanda and Ron

Hey guys Is anyone printing up a wedding day timline to put in the OOT bags? I was wondering if someone could show me what they did or give me some creative ideas? thanks

I posted a review on this a while back when we went to St. Thomas. It is a nice place, defiantely great if you want AI.... Bads were that you have to either walk a long hill/steps to get to the beach or take a shuttle bus, which is really hard to get in an out of, but still it comes often...takes you to the pool and beach area. The beach is very rocky, you will need watershoes until you get out past the rocks... My guests are staying at Frenchmans, and also has shuttle busses to the beach, the beach at Whyndamm is very small and rocky but they do have activiites. and the pool is great. good luck

OHHHH...i think i finally figured it out...uploaded it to visa with 'excellent' resolution....i should have them printed in a few days....THANKS MORGAN!!!

OH loved this review...you guys figured out what I knew from the begining..he is awesome!! I actually had another photographer booked with my WC...but seriously couldnt sleep b/c I just LOVED JM!!!...I was very hesitant at first to fly someone down, someone I didnt know, havent met....but seriously, I had to have HIM as my photographer.... So...canceled my other Photog, and talked to JM....NOW he is coming to my wedding in May in St. Thomas. I felt really bad for the other Photog for like....a second....then realized that Photog is the most important part for us...and Im SO excited now..and I know he is perfect for us...I cannot WAIT!!! *HUGS* JM! I owe you a *HUG*....you really helped me see that it isnt the number of people there but who really wants to be there matters!! Thanks

In Vista Print, how do you know what your resolution is? Ive been working on this for like 6 hours strait and finally have it uploaded to VIsta, still says resolution is too low...how do I know what it is exactly? thanks

Hey guys, need some advice....LOVE this post, and have the background saved at PPT, but how do I add text to it...and then do I just print it to Vista print? Anyone who can give me advice, I need it FAST...wedding is in MAY!!!

I havent been here in FOREVER...so just wondering how I can post pics of my STD's...I have some awesome pics to post and would love to share them, but I cant remember how to post. Thanks

Hey! Ive been MIA for a while, my Boards were a few days ago so I had to put them over wedding planning. Now, I have 6 months till St. Thomas wedding and remember hearing about getting TAs here. Not sure if I need one, but I know there is one for the Caribbean, but dont remember who it is!!! Does anyone know? The economy is so bad that it looks like a lot of people are backing out coming but just in case I would like a TA. Thanks all.

Hazel..... I was married before...Im still young, marriage lasted 3 months..but our Honeymoon was at Atlantis. We are young, LOVE nightlife, busy things to do, we lived in Chicago for years, so we know about congested places, but holy S$*&!! These are my thoughts: First off: Atlantis:::::: WAY TO BUSY...AND TEENS EVERYWHERE....seriously, it was great b/c it was our honeymoon but the Best part was being AWAY from the resort..... It is so freaking busy there you feel like you are in Orlando at Disney World...This was early June...Teens everywhere!! Now if you are a Teen fine...but if you are over 21....NO NO NO!! Great resort overall, has everything there that you want...but OMG how freaking overcrouded..more for Families...seriously!! NOT Romantic at all, b/c you are dodging all the freakin teens just walking down the halls...eveyone is younger than you...and I was 25 at the time!! Go With Caribbean!!! You have SO MANY places to go with a little bit more travel..romatic, beaches are WAY WAY better, I will NEVER go back to Atlantis!! If I went back, it would NOT be there, it would be a more private place... ....but if you want beautiful waters, privacy, awesome beaches, look into the USVI....US dollars, English, NO passport....really it is one of the many reasons we are getting married in St Thomas! EASY for your guests..well as easy as you can get for a destination wedding. Sounds like Atlantis was out of price range...look at a villa...you need a wedding coordinator...they are way cheaper than in the US.. Paridise Bridal Consultants Angela is who I am with....b/c she has EVERYTHING in a package....if you want flowers, dress, tux, chamagne, everything is there..and she is GREAT...Lives on St. Thomas and even met w/her parents....we are using a different photog b/c we want a specific type of photog, everything else is hers....check her out!! If you want really cheap, then USVI may not be the best...you may need to go to St. Lucia, Mexico, ect...cheaper...but NOT US territory...so you have to think about your guests and what they are willing to sacrifice! Is it just you 2? Then St. John... or St. Barts...family, you have to consider travel time and other things.. Hope this helps! Amanda/MandaAt

Hey there, Ive never been to the Westin in St. John, but I have been to MANY westins and they are some of my favorite hotels. On St. John, the beach is man made, so that is a downfall, AND there are a lot of families. So very popular but not overly romantic as from what I hear Caneel Bay is on St. John, which is were we may end up staying for our Honeymoon.....Im still torn b/c I LOVE the MODERN look of the Westin, would like to know more about Caneel Bay which is MUCH larger, with some of the most beautiful beaches on St. John....7 beaches actually!! The Ritz on St. Thomas ROCKS....we love it there...if you email me I can pull up some pics for you. This is where we are staying for the wedding. Mostly St. Thomas b/c it is easier for our guests....it is amazing! They have their own catamaran, beach activities, and well, it is the Ritz....I cannot wait to stay here!! Problem with Ritz...$$$$$ if you want a wedding there. Now my FI and I are both doctors, and cannot pay what they want for a reception. Minimum of $5000 on reception ONLY and IF it is not sold out to another huge corporate event first, then if not, you wont get the spot until 3 mo b/f the wedding....I cant wait that long. Now this is for a spot where you can have dinner/dancing, ect. You can always just have dinner there and it will be cheaper....just depends on what you want...you have to call and talk to them. Hope this helps Amanda

Wow, crazy cheap for the Westin. Does anyone have any advice for honeymoon either at the Westin vs Caneel Bay after our wedding in St. Thomas?

Caneel Bay is the only other big resort I know on St John. Would love to know what you think of the Westin vs Caneel Bay...we are going there for our Honeymoon!!

I just realized I didnt answer your question to 'Which Island'!!! We decided on St. Thomas b/c it is most convientient for guests, to get to St. John, and less popular St. Croix, you need a ferry/boat. Also, more restaurants, things to do, shopping on St. Thomas. If you looking for a secluded, private, away from the crounds and untouched area with awesome beaches, then St. John is your bet. This is where we are going for our honeymoon. It really depends on what your looking for. we are renting a catamaran to take guests to St. John one day.

Look down at my post from May, I wrote alot about my trip and hotel reviews about St. Thomas. FI and I are staying at the Ritz. Other family staying at Frenchman's Reef and others at a Villa. We are getting married at Magen's Bay using Angela from Paridise Bridal Consultants. We will get married on the beach followed by a reception at Havana Blue. HB is located at the Morningstar Resort of the Mariott on the beach! If you wanted you could also use Frenchmans Reef's several restaurants and terraces for your reception, depends on how many people, most have a minimum of 25 people for Frenchmans Reception rooms/Terrace. If you go with Angela, you can also have either a cocktail hour or full reception on the beach with a covered area. Other reception ideas: Villa Botanica, Old Stone Farmhouse, Aquarium, Blackbeards Castle or a Popular option of a Villa!!! Hope this helps. Look back at old posts, theres good information there.

At my hotel most likely!!!

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

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- No Beach Wedding? So sorry!! you could always have a reception at the beach!! KIM- Looked into Havana Blue and Elizabeth is GREAt!! Think we may just get the Pravado room like you suggested...I like the atmosphere a lot Now Im trying to decide b/t Oceana and Havana Blue What did Havana Blue have to say about having dancing and a DJ to you? Thanks