I don't know what frenchmans does for weddings. I have seen Sapphire weddings....very nice ceremony location, as you know. As for the resort, I would pick Sapphire over Frenchman's because I prefer the Caribbean style beachfront location as opposed to elevators and the big hotel feel of Frenchmans. Morningstar, at Frenchmans, seems more like what I prefer, but I haven't stayed there. Are you looking at Morningstar Villas or the Frenchman's Hotel?

As for the weather, the report will say rain every day. It means nothing. There may be a brief early morning shower that passes in a few minutes. That is what the weather report is picking up. It's very normal. The weather is beautiful for the rest of the day. Even when there is an afernoon shower, it lasts a few minutes and the sun comes back out...or the sun stays out while it rains (sunshower) for a few minutes. Most people won't even move from their beach chairs while they catch a few drops to cool off in anticipation of the sun being back on full blast in a few minutes. Stop looking at weather reports for the VI, it's useless.

I just got married in St Thomas a few weeks ago! We got married at the Grand Bay Palace Resort, we had some guests that stayed at the Sapphire but we didn't get to see the resort. They said the beach there was lovely. We had a wonderful time, I worried about the weather as well, but had a perfect day. The rain is very sporatic, and the wedding coordinators deal with this everyday. Ours told us that if there is a raining cloud overhead we'll merely wait it out. The weather moves quickly there, so unless it is a complete wash out of a day, which is possible no matter where you get married, you will be all set. Late spring is theoretically a little rainier than the winter months, but it is usually very quick passing with plenty of sunshine in between.

I agree with Steff. I prefer more of the caribbean feel and Sapphire definatly does that in addtion to that I also prefer the beach at Sapphire. '
I actually had my wedding at Secret Harbor which also has a lovely beach. Not to confuse you even more!
Don't worry about the weather-it's always beautiful in paradise.

I am also planning my wedding in St Thomas at the end of May. I have talked with several wedding coordinators and they all confirm that rain showers last 15 - 20 minutes and not to worry.

If you have not already booked your wedding, you may also check out Weddings the Island Way. The wedding coordinator there is terrific and has been extremely helpful. Their website also shows the different locations where they can perform the ceremony.

Good luck to you!

Hello Sheena,

For weather information check out https://www.vinow.com/usvi/weather.php
You are right we have a hurricane season and our unofficial "rainy season" coincides with the hurricane season as tropical storms often times bring rain. October, November, September, August are the rainier months based on stats for rainfall, in that order. And in 5th place is May. However the advice mentioned is accurate; we don't typically have days or weeks of rain pouring down. If it rains its usually a brief passing tropical shower; usually in the morning and sometimes off and on during the day.

Frenchman's Reef does a nice job with weddings. They have a gazebo in a small garden setting set up. Sapphire is nice but I find the point where they hold the weddings to be windy.

How old are the kids? And would you be in Frenchmans or Morningstar?

--Islander

Hey there, I am getitng married at The Marriot next week! Are you getting married there the end of this month? If you'd like to chcat that would be nice. I would like to talk with other brides who have gotten married there. Maryann [email protected]

Thanks so much for all your feedback and help! To answer some of the questions--we will be there next May 2005 but good luck to you next week MaryAnn--give me a trip report when you return!

After looking at the responses and some of the other message boards I think i tend to agree with the Sapphire as the place to stay. Seems to have everything for our families and I would much rather have the carribean feel than the big hotel glitz. Same reason we are looking at Caneel Bay for the honeymoon the week after (if we can afford it!).

I have heard many people comment on the wind factor on Sapphire's outlook. We'll probably end up booking at the Sapphire and then hiring a separate wedding coordinator and just find another location on the island. Anyone have any experience with Blackbeard's beach? I like the idea of the grassy area behind the beach rather than right on it and I'm also a little weary of Magens Bay being too crowded.

I would also consider using Frenchman's just for the wedding if they let you do that if you aren't staying there.....so much to think about. 🙂

Thanks again for the input!!

I'm getting married in STT in Sept and recently visited quite a few resorts before picking a place... including Sapphire where I stayed for a few days. The beach was absolutely great, but I had several problems with the reservations there, along several other people I noticed while spending time at the front desk. Also, I'm not sure about how reliable the wedding planning is... I got mediocore recs from one person who had a wedding there a few years ago. They forgot to tell them some critical info on licensing and messed up a few other more minor things. I went with Marriott because hopefully I won't have to worry about the booking for 40-50 people and the wedding arrangements. I didn't feel like I had much chance for things going smoothly at Sapphire. Plus the beaches are public so you can always crash Sapphire any time you want. BUT it is a nice resort and if you do have it there, just double/triple check reservations and everything else! One other place that I almost went with is Bolongo Beach Resort...friendly (NOT a strong point with Sapphire either) and nice resort and good restaurants. They also have a catamaran at the resort for sunset sails.

MaryAnn - Looking forward to your comments on Marriott!

Monica

Monica - Did you get a chance to look at the Westin on St John? They too have a catamaran there for sails if that is what you are interested in, and the grounds/gazebo are very nice. We had our reception on one of the catamarans and thoroughly loved it. www.adventurervi.com Our wedding was held elsewhere (Hawksnest Beach) and nobody else was on the beach but our guests. We loved the grounds of the Westin though - had our engagement pictures taken there four months prior to the wedding. 🙂 Just another idea to keep in mind if you haven't finalized your decision.
~ Mandy

Hi Mandy - Yes actually I did consider the Westin and have had it suggested by others also. I stayed there 1 night a few yrs ago - it's definitely nice. The main reason I decided against it was due to 40-50 people coming in for the wedding, and the added confusion of getting them the St John. If we started off in ST Thomas originally it wouldn't be a problem, but many of them are already making a few plane transfers and haven't been to St Thomas before, so would be a little difficult. We'll definitely be visiting St John though - thanks for the suggestion!

Monica

Monica - totally see your point! We had 19 for our wedding, but it was on a cruise... Most had never left the US before, or cruised, and one couple had never flown before!! I definitely felt like a mother hen that week! The easier, the better! 🙂
~ Mandy