Get Married on St. John – DIY Island-Style Wedding
In the first installment of Get Married on St. John, I shared all you need to know about St. John wedding locations, obtaining the needed documents and permits for your nuptials, and advice on hiring a planner.
But there’s more. If you decided to hire a wedding planner, they will ensure that every detail is lovingly looked after. However, if you are a DIY bride or groom, there is more to plan if you want your cherished day to go smoothly.
Bookmark this page as your guide to the important vendors you will need to create a flawless St. John wedding.
As excited as you are about finding the perfect location, keep in mind that the wedding site isn’t the only cherry on the top of this cake. No, it’s just the beginning of putting all the right things together to create your dream wedding.
So walk with me as we imagine the possibilities…
Imagine walking down to Trunk Bay Beach as a million butterflies go crazy in your stomach. You’re in total awe as you begin down an aisle made from palm leaves, each side lined with white and pink bougainvilleas strung with sea shells and starfish decorations. As the clouds shift the sun illuminates your bouquet to reveal little gem stones on starfishes that are placed among the blooms.
You notice the canopy. Your eyes fill with tears as you see all the minor but perfect touches like strings of transparent stones hanging along the curtains or even the colored coral placed at the foot of the canopy’s bamboo legs that match the color of the bougainvilleas.
Your guests are seated in clean, beautiful, white chairs with sheer sashes placed in perfect alignment as they form five crescent rows.
Can you now begin to imagine what you will need to create this day?
Well, I hope your answer is yes, because it’s time to get into the fun of decorating for your event. The colors that you have chosen for your wedding will be incorporated in different decorations like the aisle, flowers, wedding cake, etc…
Here is a list of the items you will need for your ceremony:
- Chairs
- Aisle (optional)
- Wedding Arch (optional)
- Bouquet
- Corsage
Suppliers for Ceremony Needs
Where can you find a place that offers all the supplies for these possibilities? Here are just a few on St. John and St. Thomas:
website: St. Thomas Weddings by Blue Sky Ceremony
(340)642-0195
What is offered: Aisle, Canopies & Chairs, Beach Receptions, Cake & Sweet Treats, Custom Ceremonies, Flowers, etc…
website: St. John Catering and Mathayom Private Chefs
(340)777-5464
What’s offered: Chairs, Tables, Linens, Napkins, China, Silverware, Glasses, Chair Covers, Chafing Dishes, Air Pots, Drink Dispensers, Coolers
website: Passion Fruit Chefs
(340)777-1234
What’s offered: Bar ware, Beverage Decanters, Cake Plateau & Service Set, Chaffing Dishes, Chiavari Chairs, Folding Chairs, Chair Covers & Ties, Chargers, China, Coffee Urn, Coffee, Carafes Coolers, Flatware, Napkins, Serving Trays, Tables, Tablecloths
These are my picks for the best suppliers for all your ceremony and/or reception needs.
TIP: Designate someone to keep a count of all rented items to ensure everything is returned on schedule.
Flowers
I believe in being playful with your bouquet. I remember planning one wedding where the bride’s colors were silver and purple. The first thing I thought of was the prettiest purple flower I’ve ever seen?
You guessed it, an orchid.
So, that was agreed on. But did we want a traditional bouquet or something unique? The bride and I decided on doing something unique that represented her personality. We had the florist create a cascading bouquet in the shape of a heart using purple cymbidium orchids.
The looks on our faces when we got the bouquet on the day of the wedding was priceless. The flowers were breathtaking!
Not only are flowers used for the bouquet, but also for the corsage, the aisle, and even in your arch if you choose to have one. If you are having a traditional wedding in a church, flowers also play a major part in decorating. Let’s not forget the reception!
This all means one thing, finding the florist that best suits you. Here are some of the best:
website: East End Flowers
(340)779-2619
What’s Offered: Centerpieces, Bouquets, Flower Arrangements, and Floral Pieces for photoshoots, or any occasion.
website: Blooming Things
(340)-775-0373
What’s Offered: Centerpieces, Bouquets, Floral Arrangements.
website: Roses Too
(340)776-2720
What’s Offered: Centerpieces, Bouquets, Flower Arrangements, and Floral Pieces for photoshoots, or any occasion.
All of these companies have been around for at least several years, if not decades, and are known to provide excellent service. Check out their websites and their reviews, see what others have to say.
Catering
If you are having a reception or a small gathering after your ceremony, you may want to look at the options for catering. I mean, who would want to cook on their own wedding day! Okay! We are going to act as if I never said that.
Listed below are some of the top options for catering on St. John. They all offer their own exquisite flavors and signature dishes that are not only delightful to the taste buds but also to the eye.
website: St. John Catering and Mathayom Private Chefs
(340)777-5464
TIP: Not only does St. John Catering and Mathayom Private Chefs offer amazing food, they are the only caterer that has their own event venue at the Windy Level. Choose one of their wedding packages and the banquet hall with bar and outdoor dining area with gardens are no additional charge.
website: Passion Fruit Chefs
(340)777-1234
website: East West Catering
Phone (340)693-9343
Restaurants for Receptions
You may also decide to go another route and have your party at a restaurant. Many restaurants allow a buyout for a wedding reception. If you decide to do so, it’s important that you create a written plan and vision statement. This will allow the restaurant to tell you what can and can’t be done.
website:Â The Terrace
Cruz Bay, St. John
(340)714-6169
Elegant outdoor dining, superb food and a sea view
website:Â Ocean 362
Cruz Bay, St. John
(340)776-0001
Elegant outdoor dining with a sunset sea viewÂ
website:Â Rhumb Lines
Cruz Bay, St. John
(340)776-0303
Garden courtyard
website:Â Ocean Grill Restaurant
Cruz Bay, St. John
(340)693-3304
Garden courtyard
website:Â Waterfront Bistro
Wharfside Village
Cruz Bay, St. John
(340)777-7755
Open air dining with sea view
website:Â Indigo Grill
Coral Bay, St. John
(340)776-4433
Garden courtyard
Again these are just a few of the many options this little gem called Love City has to offer. So big or small, just a few people or maybe a whole lot, there is definitely something to suit you.
TIP: It is very important that you are clear when it comes to all these aspects of planning your wedding. Clear communication and ensuring that everyone understands and agrees on the same thing will help in your day go smoothly. Writing it down helps in lighten the load.
After all, we are planning one of the biggest days of your life!
Photo credit for “Big Show” and “Couple Kissing” Greer Rivera.
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Tags:weddingsAbout Gyasi Liburd
I have a wide breadth of experience in all facets of the tourism industry. I’ve worked in the villa management business, the ferry business, the retail business and now for one of the biggest grocery store businesses on St. John. I’ve learned that in a second its possible to meet the greatest people you will ever meet on the planet. Everyone has a story and I love hearing them all!
I hope to share my stories and experiences as a Virgin Islander and give you a glimpse of what its like to live and raise a family here. Please ask me questions in the comment sections and I’ll do my best to get back to you quickly.
