My best advice is to use the Search function available on the board. Be sure to type in a specific topic and set the search date to "all dates". You'll get great information on every subject you mentioned.

Good Luck - Have Fun!

We bought snorkle equipment before we went for very reasonable prices at Bass Pro Shop (depends on where you live but I think lots of places sell moderately priced equipment) and brought it with us so we didn't have to worry about renting. It packed easily and we didn't like the idea of breathing through someone else's equipment... maybe that's just me. Try to find a mesh bag to carry your equipment in... the water drains out and it is wonderful when transporting your equipment (rented or not) after a snorkle trip which, by the way, you are going to LOVE. You'll never want Turkey again... you'll want to spend all your Thanksgiving's in St. John!!!!

Thanks for the advice--I appreciate it...yes, I do plan to go snorkeling & I'm not real comfortable with renting either. The first time I ever saw Caribbean blue water I was hooked, and it still takes my breath away. We haven't booked lodging yet, plan on staying in the Rendezvous Bay/Chocolate Hole area. We have it narrowed down to a handful of places...a part of my wants to stay somewhere REALLY nice, as my parents are in their early 60's & 70's, and may spend quite a bit more time there....I plan to be in the water most of the time! We also plan on cooking a fair amount of our meals at our place, as my other half should b a chef--- he loves to cook!
Well, thanks again, if you think of anymore useful info please feel free to advise...
Take care,
Amy

Okay, now I'm just curious.... where is the wedding going to be???

Honestly I don't know, but I just called & left my brother a voice mail to find out. His fiance' & her parents go to STJ annually, and he went with them last year. I do know they are not staying at a big resort, but instead renting a home/villa for a few weeks on the southern shore of the island. Will write again when he calls me back!
Amy

Ok, my brother (the groom) just called me back. They have someone who is going to marry them, but they still aren't sure where. They want to get married on "the beach" at sunset. The person who is going to do the ceremony suggested Hawksnest, Honeymoon, or Cinnamon beach. They want the "Most Beautiful Sunset" ...any suggestions? While we're there my "unofficial" fiance' & I may buy our wedding bands/engagement ring...any suggestions there are also appreciated.

Hi Amy,

I can't tell you what the sunset looks like from these beaches (I'm not there at that time) but Hawksnest looses the sun first (and quite early - approx 4:30) - so even though (obviously) it is still light ,the beach is not "in" the sun so to speak and therefore I don't think you will see a "sunset" in the traditional terms. Cinnamon is a beautiful beach and you will be able to have a space all to yourself (as it is so big) - can't tell you what the sunset is like but the only thing that might be a problem is the wind. If it is a windy day (even slightly) the wind at Cinnamon whips the sand up something fierce - but again beautiful there (actually I was engaged on that beach 🙂 ) Honeymoon is probably my favorite beach on STJ but it is quite a long walk down the trail for all the guests (unless Caneel will arrange transportation for you) but as it is one of Caneels beaches I don't know if there would be a fee involved (they only allow one wedding per day at Caneel) but you would need to check it out with the Caneel directly.

As far as your wedding bands are concerned - what are you looking for? traditional or something different. You can purchase great wedding bands that are "made" up of the symbol of St John - might be fun but let us know what exactly you have in mind, but here are a few links to the "St John Wedding Bands" that can be found at many stores on island.

http://stjohnjewelers.com/petroglyph.htm
http://pattongold.com/weddings.htm

Good luck.

Pia

There is one day sail I will recommend if you want to meet a wonderful Captain for a snorkeling adventure. It is Captain Phil on a sailboat called The Wayward Sailor out of Cruz Bay. I would make reservations as soon as you can for this since you are traveling on a holiday weekend. For more details on the trip you could search for my trip report from April 2006. Here is a link to Captain Phil's web site:

http://www.waywardsailor.net/snorkeling_sailing/index.htm

Have a wonderful time.

But you can have your turkey, too! My extended family & I had one of our most memorable Thanksgiving dinners ever on St. John a few years ago. Took a little pre-planning -- our rental agent was wonderful in helping us order the turkey & all the "trimmin's", fresh cranberries, yummy pie, sweet potatoes,etc. The turkey roasted while we went to the beach, then we came home & ate all the traditional stuff, in our swim suits, on the deck with it's glorious view.

My husband and I got married in May on Trunk Bay at sunset. It was great and I would do it again in a heartbeat!!

Is the reception going to be held at the beach as well? If so, you'll want to make sure it's done at a beach that has facilities, and Honeymoon doesn't. Hawsknest has a newly redone pavilion and restrooms, but it has also become the most crowded beach since the renovations, in my opinion.
As for your engagement/wedding bands, I would highly recommend Palm Jewelers at Wharfside. My boyfriend and I have been working with them and could not be happier. When we initially started looking, we visited several jewelry stores before deciding to go with them. They have been very patient with us, and are very helpful and good at explaining jewelry and diamonds, which we both know nothing about. They also have an in-house jeweler, which is a plus.