While perfection is realistically unattainable, continually striving for it is not only doable but a must if you want to improve the world in your own unique way.

Our mission here at Weddings By Oceans is to help you create the destination wedding of your dreams and, more importantly, provide you (and your guests) the assistance you need to actually enjoy the process of planning it!

We know we’re making the world a better place when we hear the proclamations of satisfaction, happiness and gratitude from our Beachside Brides, Grooms and their guests upon their return!

Based on the most current feedback in how we can better accomplish our goals, we’re very pleased and excited to announce some upcoming changes at Weddings By Oceans:

1. Restructuring to serve you better, including 2 new Cyber Maids of Honour!
2. A new & improved website with enhanced features to assist you even further in planning your destination wedding, including an online `guest registration/booking form’ so your guests can conveniently and easily block their space with your wedding group. (coming very soon!)
3. Stronger industry partnerships which allows us to offer you trusted products and services, more incentives, bonuses, deals, and overall, more value for your dollar! You still have access to all the hotels that Canadian tour operators list as options, but our exclusive group of preferred partners have our complete confidence in delivering on your dream.
4. After June 1st, 2010, all our Beachside Couples will be eligible to receive a Wedding Group Kit containing essential goodies to make your life easier as well as some handy items for your invited guests.
5. Extended office hours and for those on even tighter schedules, evening and weekend appointments are now available with proper advanced notice.

That’s not all! We know there’s more we can do but we need your help. Would you take 5 minutes to take our online survey? Your answers will remain completely anonymous and used solely for the purposes of improving our services even further.

Thank you to all those who’ve shared your opinions with us already – we value your feedback. For everyone who has taken the time to read this post and for all those who complete our survey, we appreciate hearing from you, too!

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Special thanks to our Beachside Bride and her Groom, Danielle and Tony, for contributing this gorgeous Trash the Dress photo!

Trash the dress photography was started when a photographer from Las Vegas named John Michael Cooper, was shooting non-traditional wedding photographs of brides after the wedding ceremonies.

He first used the term “trash the dress” in an online article he wrote about some of his unusual photographs. Some are now calling it `Rock the Frock’.

For more information on this intriguing and beautiful (yet fairly destructive) new wedding custom, check out these articles:

• Trash the Wedding Dress? (Source: MSN.com)
• Planning a Trash-the-Dress Photo Shoot (Source: Suite101.com)

For a chance to win a FREE destination wedding shoot which includes a creative shoot day, like Trash the Dress, you can enter our contest until June 30th, 2010. Click here for more details.

Tip for a trash the dress photo shoot: If you’re worried you’ll ruin the dress, buy a second, less expensive one. Believe it or not – Sears has pretty decent affordable selections!

So Readers, do you love or hate the new `trash the dress’ wedding custom? Share your opinions in the comment section below.

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Before we offer you the latest promotion, here is a recap of our other effective offers:

1. Kick Back While You Wait for Your Flight
2. Free Mayan Riviera Wedding Packages (exclusive offer by Gourmet Inclusive Karisma Properties)
3. Free Riu Destination Wedding Packages

In honour of St. Paddy’s Day, we thought we’d add more gold to your leprechaun’s pot (destination wedding fund):

Transat Holidays and Nolitours is offering a $300 savings (per couple) for the Bride and Groom if booking a group with a minimum of 30 adults before March 31, 2010 for travel from May 1, 2010 completed by November 30, 2010.

Here are the terms & conditions:

• A savings coupon is required and can be used towards any Nolitours or Transat Holidays ITC South Program excluding Florida, and can be combined with an Early Booking Bonus or other promotional offers.
• Valid on group bookings of 30 passengers or more, coupon becomes invalid if group numbers drop below 30.
• $300 savings apply to the Bride & Groom only.
• One Savings Coupon per booking.
• Book by March 31, 2010 for travel May 1 to November 30, 2010.
• Regular groups terms and conditions apply.
• Savings coupon is non-transferable, non-refundable if lost or stolen and cannot be converted into cash.
• Original savings coupon must be submitted by the Travel Agent to the Toronto Groups Department with the requested information fully completed on the reverse side of the coupon, before the final payment period.

With savings like these, it’s easy to afford your dream beach wedding! Contact one of our Cyber Maids of Honour today and we’ll help you make your destination wedding dreams a reality.

From all of us at Weddings By Oceans, “Cheers and Happy St. Paddy’s Day!”

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On Monday, March 1, the world watched the romance continue as Jake and his two remaining bachelorettes explored more of the lush island of Saint Lucia on the season finale of Season 14 of The Bachelor.

While some of us here at Weddings By Oceans may not be in favour of Jake’s choice of bachelorette, we unanimously agree and enthusiastically respond,  “I do!” when asked, “Who loves Saint Lucia?”

Awarded “World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” for the past several years by the World Travel Awards, Saint Lucia was the ideal setting for the season finale.  We watched the two couples discover new romance by basking under the Caribbean sun, sailing into a champagne sunset and cuddling beneath the starry sky.

“Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, making it perfect for couples looking to honeymoon, get married or simply getaway,” said Louis Lewis, Director of Tourism for Saint Lucia.  “It gives Saint Lucians great joy to have a show about romance, love and happiness featured on our island.”

Jake’s Journey for Love

Arc De Ciel, a wonderful five-bedroom resort between the Pitons, is where the final two bachelorettes met Jake’s family. The Pitons, located in the picturesque southwest of the island, are the iconic symbol of Saint Lucia and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Eastern Caribbean.

Jake and Tenley sailed the clear, warm waters of Saint Lucia’s west coast on Kingdom Yachts, while taking in the white sand beaches lined with gently swaying palms and the dramatic volcanic topography.

After their sail, they spent a night in a stunning, new luxury villa nestled within in the embrace of the island’s World-Heritage listed Pitons at The Jalousie Plantation resort. Established on more than 100 acres of magnificent rainforest, The Jalousie Plantation is without question set in one of the most spectacular and romantic locations in the world – the Valley of the Pitons.

Jake and Vienna  explored the Sulphur Springs, which is situated at one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes near the town of Soufrière. The couple ended their romantic date by checking into a suite at Anse Chastanet, a 600-acre estate with two beaches.

The Anise Chastanet

Tropical weather, welcoming accommodations and unexpected adventures await the couple taking this trip.

Weddings By Oceans has sent several groups to this property for destination weddings. The personalized service and attention to detail can only be surpassed by the friendliness of the staff and Karon, the wedding coordinator and wife of hotel-owner, Nick Troubetzkoy.

For those with a larger budget, we highly recommend this property.

Who Will He Choose at Jade Mountain?

After the final dates, Jake prepared to make one of the most difficult choices of his life while at what is easily one of the most impressive properties we know – Jade Mountain;  a luxury resort built on the side of a mountain, rising majestically above the beachfront resort of Anse Chastanet.

This award-winning resort is a cornucopia of organic architecture, celebrating the island’s stunning scenic beauty, and offers one of the world’s most mesmerizing experiences. With the fourth wall entirely absent, Jade Mountain’s sanctuaries are stage-like settings where one can embrace the full glory of Saint Lucia’s Pitons, and of course, the Caribbean Sea.

Visit www.stlucianow.com for more information about the legendary island nation of Saint Lucia. If you’re interested in Jade Mountatin or Anse Chastenet for your destination wedding, contact us for 2011 rates!

About Saint Lucia
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the eastern Caribbean archipelago. The “Helen of the West Indies,” Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival. Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties.

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How did throwing confetti become a wedding custom?

Because the main purpose of marriage was to produce children, ancient peoples showered the new bride with fertility symbols such as wheat grain. The Romans baked this wheat into small cakes for the couple, to be eaten in a tradition known as conferriatio, or “eating together”. The guests then threw handfuls of a mixture of honeyed nuts and dried fruits called confetto at the bride, which we copy today by throwing confetti.

Destination Wedding Tip: Many hotels and resorts do not allow you to throw confetti. Instead supply your guests with bubbles!

Why do brides wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” to their weddings?

According to wedding tradition, the bride wears something “old” to remind the couple of the happiness of the courting period. She wears something “new” to represent the hopeful success of the couple’s new life together; something “borrowed” to symbolize the support of friends; and something “blue” because it’s the colour of fidelity. If a bride wears a single girlfriend’s garter, it will improve that girls prospects of marriage.

Destination Wedding Tip: Many destination wedding brides are incorporating “something blue” into their theme to compliment the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. We have seen this in a sash worn by the bride, the bridesmaids’ dresses and as part of the flower arrangements.

Why do bridegrooms have a best man?

In ancient times, most marriages were arranged and so the groom wasn’t always the bride’s first choice. The man she favoured would often swear to carry her off before or during the wedding. To avoid this, the groom stood on the bride’s right to keep his sword arm free and would enlist a warrior companion to fight off the rival if he showed up. This companion was, in fact, the “best man”.

Destination Wedding Tip: To avoid delays at airport security, don’t travel with a sword!

Special thanks goes to our Beachside Bride, Samantha, and her Groom, Filipe, for their testimonial and sharing their beautiful wedding photos with us in this post!

Do you have any questions about having a destination wedding? Contact Weddings By Oceans, your cyber maids of honour!

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Following the recent amalgamation of TUI (Signature) and Sunwing, we would like to share with you some upcoming changes at Sunquest (Thomas Cook Canada) with Riu Hotels & Resorts.

Riu has advised us that they will be making certain hotels available to The Sunwing Group in Canada going forward. For the winter 2010/11 season, the portfolio of Riu’s Caribbean and Mexican hotels will be split between Thomas Cook Canada and The Sunwing Group.

Weddings By Oceans has enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with Sunquest and Riu Hotels. We are very proud of our achievement as one of Canada’s leading Riu supporters in Canada. We plan to fully support both companies as we continue to sell Riu properties.

Thomas Cook Canada (Sunquest), is pleased to have secured their strategically important Riu properties in our high-performing destinations for next winter:

Aruba – Riu Palace Aruba
Nassau ( Bahamas) – Riu Palace Paradise Island
Costa Rica – Riu Guanacaste
Los Cabos (Mexico) – Riu Santa Fe
Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) – Riu Vallarta
Cancun & Playa del Carmen (Mexico) – Riu Cancun, Riu Palace Mexico, Riu Tequila, Riu Playacar
Jamaica – Riu Palace Tropical Bay, Riu Ocho Rios
Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) – Riu Palace Macao, Riu Bambu
Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) – Riu Bachata, Riu Mambo
Florida (Miami – South Beach) – Riu Florida Beach

Sunquest assures us that:

“Scaling back our Riu relationship gives us a significant amount of flexibility, and we now have an opportunity to complement our high-performing Riu properties with a broader portfolio of exclusive product. We are very excited about our product line-up, and we’re especially pleased with the new properties we’ve been able to secure, which fit our strategy of offering quality and exclusive products, representing excellent value for money.”

Weddings By Oceans is excited to see more exclusives come our way from Thomas Cook Canada next season!

We have not yet received official word from Signature/Sunwing (Sunwing Travel Group), however we speculate that they will be given Riu Palace Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Riu Palaca Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos, Mexico) and Riu Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen, Mexico) to name just a few of the remaining Riu’s up for grabs next winter.

We are hopeful that with the addition of Riu to their program, the Sunwing Travel Group and Weddings By Oceans can continue to support this fabulous chain of properties.

“Weddings by Oceans has worked closely with Riu Hotels & Resorts and I am happy to say that they have always conducted themselves professionally. They sell many weddings with us and we have confidence in their ability to sell our product. In the few years Weddings By Oceans has been selling Riu they have already risen to one of our top agencies and is a Riu Partner Club Gold Member (highest level of sales).” Nova-Lee Black, Riu Resorts Representative – Canada

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Recognized as one of the most romantic places on the planet, the legendary island of Saint Lucia serves as the ideal setting for the final dates of “The Bachelor: On The Wings of Love.”

From cruising the coastal waters to exploring the lush landscapes, Saint Lucia offers Bachelor Jake Pavelka and the three remaining bachelorettes the tropical escape of a lifetime.

What happened last night?

Jake whisks his potential future wife away to Saint Lucia for exciting daytime excursions and unforgettable overnight memories. Each date is filled with emotion and anticipation as Jake learns what his future might be like with each potential mate. At the end of each evening, the Bachelor presents each bachelorette with an invitation to spend the night in a special fantasy suite at Cap Maison, an elegant luxury resort and spa located in the north of Saint Lucia.

Jake and Tenley Explore Historical Properties on Island

For his date with Tenley, the couple take a helicopter ride over the lush tropical scenery of Saint Lucia to view the beauty of the iconic Piton Mountains. After landing at the Balenbouche Estate, the couple enjoy an idyllic picnic with stunning views. Offering complete tranquility and authenticity, The Balenbouche Estate is a historic Caribbean plantation guesthouse located in the southern town of Soufrière.

The two continue to relish their alone time with an intimate dinner at The BodyHoliday LeSPORT, a world renown spa resort located on the beach. Specializing in rejuvenation and relaxation, LeSPORT provides an award-winning dining experience with local and organic fare to help unwind after an exhilarating day.

Jake and Gia Indulge in the Local Island Flavors

Adventure is the focus of the second outing where Jake takes Gia on a fishing trip to Gros Islet. Situated on the cusp of the Rodney Bay Marina, Gros Islet is a colorful fishing village full of island life. The couple delight in the possibility of catching a variety of indigenous sea life like blue marlin, king fish and yellow fin tuna, as they bask under the hot Caribbean sun.

The boating excursion is followed by a casual jaunt through the markets where local vendors offer tourists a variety of handmade memorabilia, spices and foods. After the sights and sounds of the bustling bazaar, Jake and his bachelorette trek to Pigeon Island for a private beach picnic. A 40-acre islet connected to Saint Lucia’s west coast, Pigeon Island is a beautiful nature park which reflects a thousand years of history.

Jake and Vienna Experience Sailing the Caribbean Sea

After the adrenaline rush of fishing, Jake and Vienna are able to unwind with a chartered ride on the Brig Unicorn. “The Brig,” as she is affectionately called, is instantly recognizable as one of the yachts used in such blockbuster movies as Pirates of the Caribbean and Roots.

Photo courtesy of Roy, sourced from Picasa web photos.

Aboard the vessel, visitors have the chance to tour the fishing villages of Anse la Raye and Canaries before reaching the town of Soufrière to see the Diamond waterfalls and Sulphur Springs.

Although Jake is having a spectacular time, he is apprehensive as he realizes he has to eliminate one of the women he has fallen for at the rose ceremony the next night. The natural splendor of Saint Lucia makes Jake’s decision even harder as he must say goodbye to one bachelorette and send her home without his heart. Jake and his bachelorettes settle in at either Cap Maison or LeSPORT where they are able to share their true feelings in a private retreat.

Rose Ceremony: Passionate Decisions at Private Luxury Property

Set atop a private ocean-front bluff with panoramic sunset views, Cap Maison is the ideal setting for the traditional rose ceremony. The award-winning property is located in Saint Lucia’s Cap Estate, a secluded section running along Smugglers Cove beach and a preferred choice for discerning guests. The tranquil estate set the stage for a heighted sense of emotion as Jake endured the painstaking process of selecting his final two bachelorettes.

Why St. Lucia for Your Caribbean Destination Wedding?

Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival.

Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties. For more information about the island of Saint Lucia, contact Weddings By Oceans at 866-764-2933 or click here to visit our website.

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Punta Cana is home to fragrant coconut groves, lush rainforests, limestone caves and many natural glories to behold. Its beaches are among the best in the world; stretching adjacent to a beautiful sea with 7 different hues of turquoise waters.

The Dominican Republic (DR) shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and there have been several inquires from clients with regards to the impact this may have on their upcoming travel.

The DR Ministry of Tourism is assuring visitors that all of its cities, tourism and resort areas are conducting normal business operations:

“The DR government, consulates and embassies are also working diligently with international communities to provide earthquake relief for Haiti. Millions of Dominicans have donated time, money, supplies and expertise to help Haiti in these critical hours of need,” said one statement.

All of the tourist areas, hotels, resorts, airports and seaports are open and receiving visitors. The DR experienced NO damage from the earthquake or its aftershocks.

Major tourism regions, including Punta Cana and La Romana on the east coast, as well as the popular destinations on the north coast, are welcoming tourists from all over the world, says the ministry.

• All of the DR’s eight international airports are open.
• All Of the DR’s cruise terminals and seaports are open.
• All of the DR’s  beaches, hotels, resorts and tourism businesses are conducting normal business operations.
• The DR did not experience any damage from any aftershocks that occurred in Haiti.

Wedding By Oceans would like to wish all of you who are preparing to depart in the upcoming weeks for the Dominican Republic a wonderful trip. We will see many of you there, as we are escorting several destination wedding groups.

If you’re interested in a Dominican Republic destination wedding in Punta Cana, please contact us.

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Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco on the west coast of Mexico. It is the land of tequila and mariachis. It offers world famous fishing, antique browsing, golfing, dining and nightlife.

And just 15 minutes from downtown is Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa where I had the pleasure of staying for 7 nights from January 25th to Feb 1st with my husband Laurie.

With the Sierra Madre mountains as a backdrop to the golden sand beach, this property sits in a private and secluded cove on one of the 40 beautiful beaches along Banderas Bay.

Picture courtesy of www.honeymooners.ie

From the moment we were greeted at our arrival, we were impressed by the surroundings. We were located in the Preferred Tower in a Junior suite offering ocean views, private terrace (698 sq. ft.), located on the 2nd floor adjacent to the Sunset Grill Restaturant.

In addition to the breathtaking views, the Preferred Tower offers:

• Private Preferred Lounge
• Concierge service
• Daily continental breakfast service in the lounge
• Afternoon hot and cold hors d’œuvres, desserts & liquors in the lounge
• Complimentary newspaper in room every day (English)
• Free computer access in room and Preferred Lounge
• Upgraded mini bar service and bath amenities

Restaurants

No reservations required! No line ups, no hassels. Ahhh…

The food in each of the 5 restaurants exceeded our expectations. We particularly enjoyed Mexican breakfast (chilaquiles), at the World Cafe but you must ask for these to be specially made and the cevice and mahi mahi at the Sunset Grill in the late afternoon with a bottle of wine.

The hotel had a Mexican Night with food stations set up on the pool deck, and we were serenaded by Mariachis while browsing the vendors stalls set up on the perimiter. It was a great evening. We also enjoyed the Managers Cocktail Party and the Fire Show. Most other nights were spent sippin’ really good house wine on our terrace watching the moon reflecting off the ocean.

The Portofino offers a variety of Italian entrees. Laurie recommends the lamb. I couldn’t decide what to have from the extensive menu so requested a special pasta be made to order – which was delicious. It is also the same pasta I usually order at home – how lazy can I get on holiday???

Room service

Always quick and arrived hot (if hot food was ordered), which was a lovely surprise!

Tip: Check out the “moonset” at about 5:00 a.m. and enjoy some room service and watch this amazing wonder of nature.

Activities

While the resort offers many activites, to be honest we spent most of our time just lazing on the beach or the terrace with a cool drink and a great book. The waves were quite strong during the week, and the red flags were out, but it was amazing to watch as the waves crashed the shoreline!

Tip: Brides and Grooms, be sure to ask me about a top secret location on the property to get away from it all during your week!!!

Another Tip: Bring binoculars. There is a pretty good chance you will see dolphins not far out from shore. We were also fortunate to be travelling at a time when the whales are in Banderas Bay, and a couple of them were spotted during the week from our balcony.

We were hoping to see the baby Caray Green Sea Turtles released, but the eggs (protected by fencing in the cove), had not hatched yet.

Good Bye Dreams…Hello Hotel Hortencia

After 7 days at Dreams we moved downtown to the Romantic Zone where we checked in to the  mexican owned and family run Hotel Hortencia for 3 days.

This is a typical budget hotel located right in the heart of it all. It is a great location for walking the historical town of Puerto Vallarta and is just blocks from the beach, minutes to Rio Cuale and a brisk hike up the hill to Gringo Gulch, which is located behind the town church.

One of the main reasons for going downtown for a few days was so I could spend time with my old friend Katy. Katy and I were roomates in Ixapa 22 years ago and haven’t seen each other since that time. She has been living in Puerto Vallarta for years. She took us to visit Boca de Tomatlan, the Marina and golf course areas, Chicos Paradise (but it was closed), visited a new hotel/condo complex and restaurant, then out to dinner at a local seafood restaurant called El Bacalao (on Calle Badillo),  owned by a Canadian woman and her husband.

On our own we walked the Malacon (boardwalk) several times. We discovered the Cultural Centre in the Rio Cuale which was interesting, and we ate delicious empanadas from the bakery on Calle Badillo, as well as great tacos al pastor at Panchos Takos, also on Calle Badillo. Dee’s Coffee was as good as any I’ve had here, with super extra foamy cappucinos! Yummy!

We wandered the cobblestone streets of town often, then one morning we climbed steep steps up to Gringo Gulch where we peeked around corners and down lanes at the villas that cling to the hillside.

Zaragoza Street is famous for it’s former residents Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton… big whoop – but the houses and area are really worth a look!

Tip: Take a spa day…

While walking from the Malacon back to the hotel one afternoon, we met RuthGarcia Osio, owner/manager of the new “Ha Spa“. She gave us her spa menu and invited us to visit if we had time. The very next day happened to be the rainiest day Puerto Vallarta has experienced in 15 years. Now that can only mean one thing – Spa Day!!!

We called Ruth and arranaged 2 – 90 minute massages, 2 facials and one manicure for less than $150US total! The spa is clean and the staff friendly. English is spoken. George was excellent, and gave me a Theraputic Massage. Anita worked on Laurie who enjoyed a Relaxing Massage.

Check them out at www.haspapv.com and don’t wait for a rainy day to visit!!!

Would I recommend Puerto Vallarta as a destination? Si!

Have you been to any of these places Megan has mentioned in her review post? We want to know your opinion of Puerto Vallarta! Please leave your comments.

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This recent visit to Antigua was our best yet!

The picturesque town of St. John’s is filled with shops and restaurants right beside the pier. As we walked this very busy port, we couldn’t help but notice the great vibes!

The local market was pretty empty (due to a weekday) but Megan found some reasonably priced sunglasses and I found some water to rehydrate under the hot sun. Tip: while in the Caribbean, it’s a good idea to dress appropriately and limit your alcohol consumption.

If you find yourself wandering St. John’s looking for a bite to eat, Big Banana Pizzas in Paradise is definitely worth the pause. Thanks, Art!

We found the tourist office and made arrangements for a driver for the day, to allow us to conduct our site inspections and have a good look around. After some “island gridlock” we made our way to Shirley Heights. There are incredible views here and even Eric Clapton’s house (it’s rumoured to be his rehab place, Crossroads).

At least it’s not Mick Jagger’s house. Every island in the Caribbean claims to have one of Mick Jaggers houses!

From there, it was a goat-infested drive to Nelson’s Dockyard. This is the perfect stop to make for history buffs or anyone interested in beautifully restored sites of the past.

The Admiral’s Inn is on-site, a charming little hotel right in the Dockyard itself. The principle buildings here include Fort Berkeley, built in 1704 to guard the dockyard entrance in English Harbour; the 1855 Naval Officers House (now the naval yard museum including Nelson’s room) and the Officers Quarters (now shops and a restaurant), the 1789 Copper and Lumber Store (now The Admiral’s Inn), Cordage and Canvas Store and the 1778 Boat House and Joiners Loft.

Then it was off to site inspections.

We stopped in to Carlisle Bay – wow! We were met by General Manager and had a full inspection with Maria. A wonderful, unpretentious resort with an amazing spa and a quiet, calming atmosphere. They also utilized the “door seashell” where clients would put the seashell outside of the room for a “do not disturb” indicator.

Pretty amazing what $950US per night can get you, and of course that’s just for the room!

We then headed over to the Jolly Beach Club – nice property and a great beach. This resort is all-inclusive which is unusual for Antigua.

We then scooted over to Sandals and inspected the resort which was undergoing renovations at the time. The construction will double the size (at least) but provides good support for the local economy. There were hundreds of locals working there.

A quick drive back to St. John’s where we went for pizza at Big Bananas. The best pizza in the Caribbean! We ordered a medium but got a large instead, half American and half Mexican chicken, which was way too big but too good to send back.

We got three slices to go and upon returning to the boat put that in the cooler for Pinney’s Beach in Nevis the next day.

What an amazing, satisfying and fulfilling trip to Antigua! Do we really have to leave?

Are you ready to visit Antigua? If you’d like to hear more about the Caribbean and Antigua, or discuss what it will take to have your destination wedding there, please contact one of our destination wedding specialists here at Weddings By Oceans.

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