What are overwater bungalows?

Carlie: One of the most romantic getaways is an over-the-water bungalow and not all of the bungalows in the world are the same as you have locations Caribbean, Mexico, Tahiti, Fiji, and the Maldives. Let’s dive into the top overwater bungalows in the world. The Sandals Resorts bungalows are all adult, all-inclusive, private car transfers included from the resort, boat ferry included for Sandals Royal Caribbean located in Jamaica and more. If you are considering a over water bungalow be sure to read more about these romantic escapes in the Caribbean.

Check out this video about Sandals Resorts and what is included - 

Tell us all about the overwater bungalows in the Caribbean!

Carlie: Over the Water Butler Honeymoon Bungalow — these spectacular over-the-water bungalows offer an unmatched connection to the Caribbean Sea and deliver complete immersion with fine turquoise waters and rich marine life below. Every bungalow captures the height of luxury with hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, custom crafted king-size beds adorned with soft linens and plush pillows for the ultimate sleep experience. Each bungalow is also equipped with a smart TV and a large ceiling fan to stay cool while enjoying fresh Caribbean breezes. The spa style bathrooms are equipped with his and hers sinks, a large backlit mirror adorned with mosaic tile, and a walk-in rain shower. Outside, your private patio is equipped with an extended sun deck, outdoor shower, sun loungers, and a bistro set for two. Couples can also admire the beauty of the ocean from their private outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tub for two or over-water hammocks. Inside, glass floor panels and lit water ensure you can enjoy undersea views any time. These bungalows also boast Butler Elite service, which handles every detail of your vacation with unobtrusive grace, and 24 hour in-room dining to complete your over-water vacation. Bungalow guests will also receive the following additional inclusions: Exclusive in-room dining and in-room dining menu. Personal airport greeting. Expedited immigration. Private transfers to and from the airport in chauffeur-driven luxury car. Welcome gift, including branded tote and towel set. Glass floor inside your room. You don’t even need to step outside to appreciate the Caribbean’s best crystal-clear waters. With ‘sea-through’ glass floors, you can experience the ocean from the comfort of your luxurious villa. Lit water ensures you can enjoy the sea anytime day or night.

Sandals Grande St Lucian, Sandals South Coast and Sandals Royal Caribbean 

Are all of the overwater bungalows the same or are there various options?

Carlie: The Sandals over-water- bungalows layout of the rooms are the same. Except one location at the Sandals, Royal Caribbean has a private pool and the size of the bungalows are larger than the other bungalows. What makes all the bungalows different is the destination and each resort has something slightly different to offer.

Resort Highlights

• Best beaches
• Unlimited food & drinks
• 8 world-class restaurants
• 5 bars with unlimited premium liquor
• Private offshore island
• Over-the-water bungalows
• Enjoy all amenities at nearby Sandals
• PADI^® certified scuba diving
• Unlimited water sports
• Red Lane^® Spa
• Free Wedding stay of 3 nights or longer 
  
  

Sandals Exclusive Personal Butler Service

Your wish is our command. With the uncompromising attention of a personal butler trained to the highest standards by the elite Guild of Professional English Butlers, you will be pampered throughout your stay in extraordinary ways. From unpacking and packing your luggage, attending to your wardrobe, serving a glorious breakfast on your terrace, and many more surprises, a Sandals Suite complete with your own personal butler, is the ultimate indulgence. More on Personal Butler Service here.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about overwater bungalows in the Caribbean?

Carlie: Cost for the bungalows on average cost $1661 per person/per night. Lot of our clients will book split stay, staying first few nights in a swim up room or private pool suite and enjoy activities and excursions on the island and then stay the last few nights in the bungalow. The bungalows are so perfect that you never want to leave the room so staying split stay you can enjoy excursions and then relax in the bungalow.

See more blog articles about Sandals La Toc. 

Or click below to request a complimentary vacation consultation with The Sand Lady

Sandals Grande Antigua is best known as "World's Most Romantic Resort" of the Sandals Resorts. This resort is located on the most famous beach, Dickenson Bay. The Sandals Grande Antigua explore the Caribbean Beachfront Village, a charming seaside garden oasis graced by meandering pathways, majestic palms and cooling Trade winds. Then step into a realm of chic sophistication where European grandeur unfolds from the hillside to villas-by-the-sea at the Six-Star, all-suite Mediterranean Oceanview Village. Come relax on silky-soft, pure white sands and let the warmth of the Caribbean fill your senses.

Check out this video about the resort and then read on for more detail.

Antigua is a very lush and tropical island in the Caribbean. Famous for its 365 white-sand beaches located along its winding coastline, Antigua is the perfect destination for beach bums. Discover the island’s secret coves and mysterious cliffs from the comfort of Sandals adults-only all-inclusive resort in Antigua and you don’t even have to carry your wallet around. Food, drinks, water sports, and world-class entertainment are all included, always unlimited. 

Sandals Grande Antigua 

How far is Sandals Grande Antigua from the airport?
Sandals Grande Antigua is located on a 20-minute drive from V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU). This means you can enjoy the resort without losing too much time on the road! Transfers to and from the resort are included in your booking price.

Is Sandals Grande Antigua all-inclusive? 
Yes, Sandals Grande Antigua is an adults-only resort, designed for couples in love. Featuring enchanting fire pits, secluded spots and private pools, Sandals is the place to be for a romantic getaway. 

 Does the resort have private plunge pools? 

Sandals Grande Antigua features Rondoval Suites and Mediterranean Butler Villas with private plunge pools. The Mediterranean Butler Villas even come with a private whirlpool.

What is Antigua best known for?

Antigua is known for its 365 gorgeous beaches, carnival celebrations starting at the end of July, sailing, the beautiful view from Shirley Heights and much much more. All of which you will be able to enjoy from the comfort of your Sandals Resort in Antigua!

Resort Highlights

• Best beaches
• Exquisite Honeymoon suites with plunge pool villas
• Butler Service
• 6 Pools
• Free WiFi for all guests in the room and all common areas
• 11 Dining options 
• A magnificent Red Lane Signature Spa (spa services are at an additional cost)
• 7 Bars all included
• Free Wedding stay of 3 nights or longer 
  
  

Exclusive Room at this Resort

Sandals Exclusive Personal Butler Service

Your wish is our command. With the uncompromising attention of a personal butler trained to the highest standards by the elite Guild of Professional English Butlers, you will be pampered throughout your stay in extraordinary ways. From unpacking and packing your luggage, attending to your wardrobe, serving a glorious breakfast on your terrace, and many more surprises, a Sandals Suite complete with your own personal butler, is the ultimate indulgence. More on Personal Butler Service here.

More on this Destination

Visa & Passport Requirements
All travelers will require a valid passport. No visa requirements when traveling an a passport issues by the United State. Please check for any other necessary visa or documentation requirements.

Average Temperatures
Caribbean temperatures are warm year-round. Daytime average: 82°F, 28°C. Nighttime average: 72°F, 22°C.

Dress Code
Resort casual by day, resort elegant by night. So while the sun is up, your shorts, tank tops, swim suits, short-sleeved shirts, sundresses and light slacks are the perfect attire. As the sun sets and you set out to enjoy the evening, proper attire is required (although elegant dress shorts are permitted in some restaurants).

Safe Deposit Boxes
Safe deposit boxes are included in every room. Guests with jewelry and/or cash are advised to store all valuables in safe deposit boxes as Sandals cannot be held responsible

WI-FI Coverage and Internet Access
Most public areas of the resort offer wireless Internet access. So do many of the rooms. All guest rooms are wired with an in-room Ethernet jack for Internet access. Simply connect to the network and charge the service to your room. 

Scuba Diving
Top-of-the-line equipment for scuba diving is included for certified divers; however, you're welcome to bring your own. You must remember your diver certification cards to enjoy full diving privileges. If you have any contra-indications to diving you must have a doctor complete and sign the physician section on the medical questionnaire form before you will be allowed to dive at any of our resorts.

Tips and Gratuities
Tips and gratuities are strictly prohibited for all staff except personal Butlers & Spa Therapists. In the event you wish to tip your Butler or Spa Therapist, it will be greatly appreciated but under no circumstance will a tip be required or solicited.

Private Car Service
Private Car service from  Airport to Sandals Grande Antigua is available at an additional cost. Just ask me!

See more blog articles about Sandals La Toc. 

Or click below to request a complimentary vacation consultation with The Sand Lady:

Sandals Ochi in Jamaica is one of the trendiest most exclusive spot in Ocho Rios of the Sandals Resorts. This resort has a stylish beach party by day and the hottest outdoor lounge in the Caribbean at night. The Ochi Beach Club is the place to see and be seen, with a beachfront pool and a bar you can swim up to. This resort offers seven waterside restaurants to choose from.

Check out this video about the resort and then read on for more detail.

Montego Bay, Jamaica - Sandals Airport Lounge

Sandals Resorts boasts an exclusive Arrivals Lounge at the Sangster International Airport in Jamaica.  The lounge has interior seating for 50 guests. Guests are welcomed into the spacious, comfortable, air-conditioned Lounge after clearing Immigration and Customs, where they are offered a choice of rum punch, water, coffee tea and fruit punch.  There are also bathroom facilities and guests can relax in the Lounge by watching one of two 50” flat screen televisions while waiting for their bus transfer.  

TRAVEL TIP- take a yeti and take a beverage to go for your drive to the resort from the airport. 

Sandals Ochi Resort is recognized as the trendiest most exclusive spot on the side of paradise.  

Every inch of this Caribbean all-inclusive resort speaks the language of love and guests can choose from 16 palate pleasing Global Gourmet^® restaurants and seven creative bar concepts. Golf lovers will enjoy free greens fees and complimentary transfers at golf courses. 

Why Choose this Resort?

If you like to be immersed in glamour in a setting that is as posh as a paradise movie set, you will love Sandals Ochi for your Jamaica and spa vacation

Resort Highlights

• Hottest and Trendiest Beach Club
• Exquisite Honeymoon suites with plunge pool villas
• All- Butler Village
• Golf course, which offers complimentary green fees Upton Estate Golf and Country Club
• 105 magnificent freshwater pools,  suites with private plunge pools and suites with swim- up pools
• Free WiFi for all guests in room and all common areas
• 16 Dining options 
• A magnificent Red Lane Signature Spa (spa services are at an additional cost)
• Latitudes overwater bar, 11 Bars all included
• Caribbean First Speakeasy
• Serenity Over-the-water Wedding Chapel

Exclusive Room at this Resort

Sandals Exclusive Personal Butler Service

Your wish is our command. With the uncompromising attention of a personal butler trained to the highest standards by the elite Guild of Professional English Butlers, you will be pampered throughout your stay in extraordinary ways. From unpacking and packing your luggage, attending to your wardrobe, serving a glorious breakfast on your terrace, and many more surprises, a Sandals Suite complete with your own personal butler, is the ultimate indulgence. More on Personal Butler Service here.

More on this Destination

Visa & Passport Requirements
All travelers will require a valid passport. No visa requirements when traveling an a passport issues by the United State. Please check for any other necessary visa or documentation requirements.

Average Temperatures
Caribbean temperatures are warm year-round. Daytime average: 82°F, 28°C. Nighttime average: 72°F, 22°C.

Dress Code
Resort casual by day, resort elegant by night. So while the sun is up, your shorts, tank tops, swim suits, short-sleeved shirts, sundresses and light slacks are the perfect attire. As the sun sets and you set out to enjoy the evening, proper attire is required (although elegant dress shorts are permitted in some restaurants).

Safe Deposit Boxes
Safe deposit boxes are included in every room. Guests with jewelry and/or cash are advised to store all valuables in safe deposit boxes as Sandals cannot be held responsible

WI-FI Coverage and Internet Access
Most public areas of the resort offer wireless Internet access. So do many of the rooms. All guest rooms are wired with an in-room Ethernet jack for Internet access. Simply connect to the network and charge the service to your room. 

Scuba Diving
Top-of-the-line equipment for scuba diving is included for certified divers; however, you're welcome to bring your own. You must remember your diver certification cards to enjoy full diving privileges. If you have any contra-indications to diving you must have a doctor complete and sign the physician section on the medical questionnaire form before you will be allowed to dive at any of our resorts.

Tips and Gratuities
Tips and gratuities are strictly prohibited for all staff except personal Butlers & Spa Therapists. In the event you wish to tip your Butler or Spa Therapist, it will be greatly appreciated but under no circumstance will a tip be required or solicited.

Private Car Service
Private Car service from  Airport to Sandals Ocho Rios is available at an additional cost. Just ask me!

See more blog articles about Sandals La Toc. 

Or click below to request a complimentary vacation consultation with The Sand Lady:

Whether you are planning a large, elaborate event for many guests, an intimate gathering for a few close friends or a private ceremony for bride and groom, Sandals and Beaches resorts offer all inclusive destination weddings packages to suit any budget and most any bride's style. The Sandals WeddingMoon® is your customized all inclusive destination wedding and Caribbean honeymoon package.

 
The Sand Ladies are Certified WeddingMoon® Specialists by Sandals. We are highly trained by the Sandals Wedding Department to guide couples through the wedding planning process and ensure that their destination wedding experience is exciting and fun. As your WeddingMoon specialist, my job is to walk you step-by-step through designing your custom destination wedding, coordinate your guests' travel, and plan your romantic Caribbean honeymoon.
 
[This is the first entry in a 4-part blog series on the Sandals WeddingMoon®. Here I will talk about planning steps for "Before the Ceremony." Then, in subsequent posts, I will talk about designing the ceremony and reception in "Your Wedding, Your Style," "Your Wedding Day" and "The Honeymoon." This blog series is intended to give a general overview of the many options Sandals offers through the WeddingMoon® product and show how a Sandals or Beaches all inclusive destination wedding can fit most any style and any budget. It is not intended to be a complete guide to planning your destination wedding. That's where I come in! So at any point, please click the Plan My Wedding link on this web page to send me a note and request your complimentary all inclusive destination wedding consultation.]
 
Before the Ceremony

Planning your trip
The first step is to decide at which resort you want to get married and to book the bride and groom's stay. There are 20 different Sandals resorts and 3 Beaches resorts spread across 10 islands of the Caribbean. I have personally visited each one, and I will take time to get to know you and your unique preferences. Then I will recommend a couple of the resorts that I think best suit your style and personality. Depending on whether there will be children attending the wedding and how involved they will be with the wedding party, I will suggest whether the bride and groom stay at a Sandals resort or a Beaches resort. The wedding ceremony will take place at the resort where the bride and groom stay. Wedding guests may stay at a different Sandals or Beaches resort if necessary. So, first we will choose your resort and your travel dates, and we will book your trip. Sandals only requires a $400 deposit to book the trip.

Scheduling your ceremony
Next, I will book your ceremony day and time. Each of the islands have different requirements for how long you must be on the island before you are allowed to marry. I will go over these requirements with you, and we will determine what day and time you would like to have your wedding. Then, I will work with the Sandals Wedding Department to secure your ceremony time. Each resort only schedules one wedding per hour to ensure that you will have the staff's full attention. You may choose to hold your wedding ceremony during the very romantic twilight (just before sunset) hour. Sandals does charge a small premium for this frequently requested ceremony time, but it is the perfect way to ensure your wedding photographer catches some photos of your gorgeous dress against the brilliant colors of the Caribbean sunset.

Designing the ceremony and reception
There are several methods to choose from for designing your Sandals wedding ceremony and reception. Your wedding day at Sandals can be as customized as you wish. I will explain the design options in my next blog post.

Traveling with a group
If you will have wedding party members and/or wedding guests traveling with you, your group may qualify for special perks and amenities. Depending on the number of rooms booked in your group, the bride and groom could receive a complimentary room upgrade, manicure for the bride, massage for the groom, upgrades to the wedding reception and more. Sandals will also include perks for the wedding group members such as private group check-in, pre-wedding group celebration dinner and a commemorative gift for each member of the group.

Whether your group is large or small, you can turn the stress of coordinating your family and friends' travel arrangements over to me. Please, give me any preferences or requests that you have regarding where your family and friends stay. Then, just tell your family and friends to call The Sand Lady to make their arrangements to attend your wedding.

Registering your trip
You may also want to take advantage of a travel-related bridal registry website. Once you have planned your trip, you can register it just like you would register for home goods at a retail store. You will register for items such as monetary contributions toward your trip as well as "extras" that you would like to add to your Sandals honeymoon. You may choose to register for off-site tours such as a sunset catamaran cruise, horseback riding on the beach or zip lining through the jungle. Or you might register for spa treatments such as a couples massage. You can even register for a private candlelight dinner for two under the stars. Whether your friends and family will be able to attend your wedding or not, they can contribute toward your honeymoon.

Look for the next entry in this blog series "Your Ceremony, Your Style." It is all about the many options for designing your unique destination wedding at Sandals or Beaches. If you're considering a Caribbean destination wedding, just click below to let me know that you'd like more information on how we plan your dream wedding!

Caribbean destination weddings are popular for a lot of reasons. Many brides dream of getting married on the beach. And if you go through a Certified Destination Wedding planner like The Sand Lady, a destination wedding can be much less stressful and time consuming to plan than a local wedding. You will work with one wedding "vendor" - me - rather than several vendors for flowers, catering, etc. 

Here are Four Reasons to Consider a Destination Wedding at a Sandals Resort:

Your Wedding. Your Style.

Sandals offers an array of colors from which to select your color palette. Your wedding can be as customized as you like. You can select from dozes of floral options, cake designs, ceremony and reception decor, entertainment and more to design the perfect celebration that reflects your personalities and style. For brides that prefer a professionally designed theme, Sandals offers 5 gorgeous designer themes to choose from. More on ceremony and reception design options here. 

$1,000 WeddingMoons Credit

Sandals resorts is currently offering a $1,000 credit to give you more choice and flexibility when designing the perfect Caribbean destination wedding. This limited time promotion includes $500 wedding credit to use towards your customized destination wedding and $500 honeymoon credit to use on items to enhance your honeymoon such as renting a private beach cabana, a catamaran cruise, honeymoon highlights video, etc. 

Special Inclusions for Wedding Groups

For brides and grooms who want to celebrate with friends and family, Sandals offers lots of extra inclusions to enhance the group's time together and to reward the bride and groom for celebrating their marriage with Sandals. Wedding groups of 5 or more rooms may earn a special group cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres and signature cocktail, private pre-wedding celebration dinner for the group, complimentary plated wedding reception, manicure and pedicure for the bride, massage for the groom, and more. 

Gift Registry

Create a Gift Registry filled with memories to cherish for a lifetime. Your Sandals gift registry lets you create a wish list to make your destination wedding and honeymoon unforgettable. From a romantic couples massage by the sea, to an adventurous horseback ride on the beach, or an upgrade to a luxurious Love Nest Suite.

Read more about the destination weddings that we plan at Sandals resorts as well as real Sandals weddings here. 

Or click below to request your Complimentary Destination Wedding Consultation with The Sand Lady. There is never any fee for our service or obligation for the consultation. Let's get started planning your dream wedding!

[This is the second entry in a 4-part blog series on the Sandals WeddingMoon®. Previously, I talked about planning steps for "Before the Ceremony." Here, I will talk about designing the ceremony and reception. In subsequent posts, I will describe "Your Wedding Day" and "The Honeymoon." This blog series is intended to give a general overview of the many options Sandals offers through the WeddingMoon® product and show how a Sandals or Beaches all inclusive destination wedding can fit most any Bride's style and budget. It is not intended to be a complete guide to planning your destination wedding. That's where I come in! So at any point, please click the Plan My Wedding link on this web page to send me a note and request your complimentary all inclusive destination wedding consultation.]

Your Wedding, Your Style

Sandals and Beaches resorts offer 3 basic methods for designing your wedding day. These include the Free Wedding, several Predesigned Wedding Themes, and Your Custom Wedding.

The Free Wedding
Did you know Sandals and Beaches resorts offer a free wedding with qualifying stay? That's right. You buy your honeymoon and Sandals gives you your wedding day. The Beautiful Beginnings Package is a great option for an intimate wedding day or a couple on a tight budget. Currently, the only requirement is that your honeymoon be booked for 6 nights or longer, and you will be required to pay minister and government documentation fees.

Predesigned Wedding Themes
Sandals predesigned wedding themes are a great option for the bride who has a general idea of what her wedding day should look like, but she does not have the time or the desire to fuss with planning lots of details. Leave it to the expert! Sandals commissioned Martha Stewart to design 6 wedding themes. The first one is the complimentary Beautiful Beginnings wedding above. The remaining 5 are depicted below. The prices for these weddings start at $1700 and include the wedding ceremony and reception for the bride and groom plus 6 guests. Additional guests can be added. Currently, Sandals will also give you a $500 wedding "credit" toward your wedding theme.

Your Custom Wedding
Sandals has recently revealed the totally custom Your Wedding, Your Style wedding designer option. You can start by choosing a color palate for your wedding. You may choose any combination of up to three colors from 10 color options. Then, you will choose form literally 100s of ceremony and reception decor items. You can add special ceremony music, live reception entertainment, spa packages and more to complete your custom destination wedding. Below is just a few examples of the types of items that you may choose from to create your dream wedding.

Whether you want to plan each detail of your all inclusive destination wedding, if you need someone to handle the details of arranging for one of the predesigned wedding themes or even if you're loving the idea of a free wedding, all you need to do is click below to let me know that you'd like more information on how we plan your dream wedding!

Look for the next entry in this blog series "Your Wedding Day." That entry will discuss Sandals on-resort wedding department staff, what to expect when you arrive on resort, choosing your ceremony location, and capturing your wedding day memories.

SANDALS RESORTS’ LUXURY INCLUDED® SANDALS WEDDINGMOON SPECIALIST TRAINING 

According to Gary Sadler, Senior Vice President of Sales at Unique Vacations Inc., the worldwide sales representative for Sandals Resorts, relying on a CSS travel agent who is also a Sandals WeddingMoon Specialist, is one of the best ways that the Bride and Groom can get the most out of their Caribbean Wedding or Honeymoon experience.  “Vacations are memories in the making,” said Sadler.  “You don’t get a second chance to celebrate the perfect wedding or honeymoon. It has to be just right. Certified WeddingMoon Specialist agents such as Carlie to help us to match customers to their ideal Caribbean experience. We congratulate them for participating in our workshop, and wish them the very best.”

Jessica and Justin got married at Sandals La Toc on September 17. More on their intimate beach wedding in St. Lucia here. 

Then began the honeymoon of their dreams in St. Lucia. 

One of the most exciting things about a destination wedding at Sandals is that your honeymoon starts the moment you say, "I do." Jessica and Justin enjoyed their first meal as a married couple at La Toc restaurant, which serves authentic French Cuisine with white glove service at dinner. 

Jessica describes Justin as a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy. She was ecstatic that he absolutely loved his very sophisticated meal at La Toc. After a very romantic dinner, the honeymooners returned to their suite to find that their butler team had drawn a bubble bath, iced some champagne and decorated to celebrate their marriage. 

Jessica and Justin stayed in a dreamy honeymoon suite - the Sunset Bluff Honeymoon Oceanfront One Bedroom Butler Villa Suite with Private Pool. These signature LoveNest suites sit atop La Toc's romantic Sunset Bluff and offer unrivaled views of the sunset over the ocean from their private pool. 

Of course the newlyweds spent time taking in the scenic views from their private pool, and Justin even discovered a new favorite local beer. When its all included, you're free to try new things! More on Sandals Discovery Dining program here. 

Jessica took this picture of the Sunset Bluff from Sandals La Toc's beach.

St. Lucia is a beautiful, adventurous island. I alway recommend that clients traveling to St. Lucia book at least one tour to see more of the island. Jessica and Justin went on and all day excursion that allowed them to explore some of St. Lucia's rich history in a fishing village by the sea, view the world-famous Pitons, discover tropical waterfalls and bathe in the mineral-rich Sulfur Springs mud baths. 

Jessica and Justin's tips to St. Lucia Honeymooners

- What NOT to miss: "Stay at one - Play at three. There are three Sandals resorts in St. Lucia, and they are just a short ride on Sandals included transfer to visit each one. La Toc was no question the perfect resort for us. Thank you Kali! But we loved dinner at Gordon's on the Pier at Sandals Grande St. Lucian. The food was fabulous and the over-the-water dinning experience was so romantic." 

- What I would have changed: "Bring a 'throw away' swim suit for the mud baths. The sulfur stained Justin's suit kind of orange. totally worth it, but next time I would bring and old suit that I don't plan to bring home."

Click below to request your complimentary WeddingMoon or Honeymoon consultation with The Sand Lady.

When I first started working with Jessica and Justin, they wanted to plan a honeymoon in Jamaica or St. Lucia. They dreamed of a romantic getaway with a nice mix of relaxation and island adventure, and they wanted a special honeymoon suite. I made a couple recommendations on each island to suit their requirements and explained the major differences between the rooms and resorts that I was suggesting so they could make a final decision.

As sometimes happens, when next I spoke with Jessica, the couple had become slightly overwhelmed by the prospect of planning a traditional, local wedding with lots of family and friends to please. She wanted to know more about the Sandals WeddingMoon®, which is a destination wedding + honeymoon all in one package. I told Jessica that because they were already planning a 6 night honeymoon, they could add the Wedding to the Moon at no additional cost, and I would lead her through each painless step of planning the ceremony and reception. After consulting with Justin, the decision for an intimate island wedding was made, and after a 2 hour lunch date, we had planned their destination wedding and honeymoon at Sandals Regency La Toc in St. Lucia. 

I always recommend that honeymooners - and especially those getting married on resort - book one of Sandals Love Nest Suites. These suites are Sandals most romantic, intimate accommodations, and staying in a Love Nest Suite makes for a very special, unique honeymoon experience. Jessica and Justin chose the Sunset Bluff Honeymoon Oceanfront One Bedroom Butler Villa Suite with Private Pool at Sandals Regency La Toc. 

This room boasts one of my all-time favorite views in the Caribbean - enjoyable from your own private plunge pool. Sitting atop Sunset Bluff, this suite has a beautifully decorated separate living room and bedroom with plenty of space. The veranda is large and the view of the ocean and the sunset is stunning. Open the sliding glass doors in your bedroom to enjoy these romantic views right from your four poster king size bed. Stone floors, mahogany furnishings, and vaulted ceilings make these suites cozy and inviting. 

I always make sure my WeddingMoons couples receive VIP treatment. Upon arrival in St. Lucia, Jessica and Justin were driven by a private driver and luxury sedan from the airport to the resort. Their personal butler met their car at the resort and escorted them directly to their honeymoon suite. The next day, they met with their on-resort wedding coordinator who confirmed the details of the wedding ceremony and reception. They had a champagne cake tasting and selected a cake flavor. A local attorney met with them in the resort wedding office to finalize the legal marriage documents. The wedding coordinator took them on a full tour of the resort grounds, and Jessica made the final decision to hold the ceremony in the wedding gazebo overlooking the beach. Then, they were off to relax and play until it was time for their wedding, which was scheduled for 4pm two day later.

Each island does has its own legal documentation and residency requirements for weddings. St. Lucia requires the bride and groom arrive on the island 3 business days before there wedding ceremony. However, as in the case of Jessica and Justin's wedding, the couple may choose to pay a documentation expedition fee in order to get married sooner. But as Jessica would tell you, don't fret about the details! Contact The Sand Lady to take care of all of these things for you. It is my job to know the details and present  you with the options. 

 

On the wedding day, Jessica had her hair and makeup done in the spa on resort. She said this was a great way to relax before the wedding. Her partial up-do was beautiful, and she was happy to see that the spa used makeup products by MAC. Once her hair and makeup were complete, her female butler Trisha drove her back to the suite to get dressed. Jessica was happy that Trisha was there to help her with her bridal gown. Before the wedding, as they got to know their butler team of Trisha and Sydney, Jessica and Justin decided to ask that they stand as witnesses to their marriage. 

Jessica and Justin's wedding theme is the Beautiful Beginnings complimentary wedding ceremony and champagne reception. They also used Sandals in-house photography and videography services. 

Jessica's Tips to Brides
- What NOT to miss: "Sandals Personal Butler Service was absolutely amazing. I was SO GLAD we had this for our destination wedding. It made everything so relaxed and stress-free on the wedding day, especially."
- What I would have changed: "Justin said he was kind of nervous and anxious waiting for wedding time. I was in the spa - all relaxed. He was hanging out by himself. He is not a spa guy. If your groom would enjoy a massage, then I'd say schedule that for that time that you're apart before the wedding. For him, if I'd realized this would be the case, I would have just gone ahead and scheduled the wedding to be earlier in the day. When you're planning your wedding, you might be thinking more along the wedding time of a traditional, local wedding. Once you're on island time, there is not much difference between 11am and 4pm!"

Check out Part 2 of this blog series for the rest of Jessica and Justin's WeddingMoon story.

Click below to request your complimentary WeddingMoon consultation with The Sand Lady.

WeddingWire, the nation's leading online wedding marketplace, is thrilled to announce that The Sand Lady from Royal Travel has been selected as a winner of the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2013 for Best Travel Agents!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism.The Sand Lady’s selection as a Bride’s Choice Award 2013 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews.  While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences planning their honeymoon or destination wedding with The Sand Lady. Our Wedding Wire reviews are available here.

The WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2013 are given to the top local wedding vendors in more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on professional achievements from the previous year. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients.  As a Bride’s Choice Awards winner, The Sand Lady is highlighted within the WeddingWire Network, which is comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.

“Each year, WeddingWire looks forward to celebrating the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Network,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Now in its fifth year, the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program continues to recognize  the elite wedding professionals who exemplify a commitment to quality, service and professionalism. These businesses were chosen by our bridal community for their responsiveness and dedication to their clients over the past year. We are honored to recognize The Sand Lady for their impressive achievements within the wedding industry.”

We are thrilled to be one of the top Travel Agencies planning honeymoons and destination weddings in the WeddingWire Network of sites, which include leading wedding sites such as WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. We value all of our clients and truly appreciate the positive feedback that helped us earn the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2013.

To learn more about the Bride's Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com/brides-choice-awards.