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First of all, thanks to everyone on the messageboard. I was able to make educated choices and I set up a great trip based on the information everyone provided.
STJ was our choice for our destination wedding and honeymoon. I planned the wedding to happen on my birthday--best birthday yet--and I can say that since I've now had 40 of them. Birthday connisseur, here, hullo. They talk about fairytale weddings and pally, this was one. It was all donkeys and rainbows, more about that later.
Recommendations:
Beforehand: To you brides--totally lose that extra 50 pounds. You will thank yourself. You'll look hot, you'll turn heads, you'll feel better. Also, research, research, research. Informed choices make easy living. Once you get there, relax, let your coordinator do her stuff....
Wedding Coordinator: Ceremonies of St. John, Stacy. Best bet. Stacy is personable, well-connected and runs the show while maintaining a low-key demeanor. Good girl, call her. She'll make your dreams come true. Emmanual Jaggernauth was our minister, set up through Stacy. We met with him beforehand, good man. His recommendations for the vows made us feel they were custom written for us. He even threw in "on this day, the occasion of your birthday." during the ceremony, nice touch. he made the ceremony, it was really sacred and intimate. Perfect.
Ceremony: Trunk Bay, sunset. I checked out some of the beaches before the ceremony and Trunk--very wide, plenty of space. Do sunset, all the daytrippers will be gone. There were two joggers insisting upon making an appearance, but it just added to the merriment. ALSO GET THE STEEL PAN DRUMMER. Can't stress that enough, the music is lovely on the beach before, during and after when you are getting your pics taken. And if you get married on your birthday, the drummer (his name was Lem, good man) will play "Happy Birthday" and everyone will sing to you. Money. If you are lucky, a donkey will be foraging the visitor area and afterwards a rainbow will appear. Silly. Also, get professional photography. You'll thank yourself later. We had one friend come down, bear witness and shoot ceremony video. Great choice, lots of personality.
Accomodations: Do the Villa. We rented Sunset Pointe, Awesome STT/Cruz Bay view, completely set up, very spacious and a little dip pool. Carefree Getaways set up everything--they were really good to us, sent over a little welcome package that first day. Sent some great websites to check out beforehand, totally helped out, excellent communications. Paco got us set up. Invite him to stay for a snack after he gets you settled and he'll give you his recommendations. Good man. Duke him for me.
Transportation: Do not skimp. Jeep Wrangler, hardtop--careful driving in rain--slippery. Also, go slow, take it easy. Beach will still be there, the locals will thank you.
Attire: To the brides: check out after-season formal gown sales. Picked up a white formal halter dress that looked tailor-made, $50. If you do a beach wedding, you can forgo silly shoes. I had white flipflops. Bring down a slightly more casual white frock for your after wedding dinner at 8. Bring two good binkinis. Cover up your suit by wearing light cotton skirts (two or three) and a couple of light cotton tops. Bring or buy wide brim straw hat for your face and you are top drawer through town. Bring two lightweight comfy slacks and light longsleeves--it gets cool at night. Tevas will get you through.
Go Do: do the trails, they will lead you to great beaches, plus you can work off the food and alcohol. Snorkel, snorkel, snorkel--bring your own and splurge on the dry-snorkel. Will totally make Waterlemon Cay easier--it was choppy when we went, but you've got to snorkel it, money. Don't neglect Coral Bay area and visit Sweets 'cause the man is just nice and will laugh as your friend tries to body surf the waves. Matter of fact, most likely we will stay there next time, if we don't do BVI. Really nice. GO TO THE BATHS. You're almost there, don't blow it--eighth wonder of the world, no one overexaggerates. That was the only organized tour we took--Stormy Petrel. It was fun, Tia pours the drinks strong and Galen is just silly fun. We broke in our wedding bands scrambling over the rocks and the 12 foot jump into the bay was a good end. I wanted to do the ferry at our own pace, but the ferry don't run on but certain days. Besides, the tour handled customs for us, so it made it way easier. So this is a great way to do the Baths in one day, which is nice and we had that going for us.
EAT: I came with two men who knew their way around a kitchen. I ate well. We ate our wedding dinner at ZOZOs, excellent osso-buoco, even better martinis. We ate at a mexican Margarita place and I won't go into it. Total show and the locals hmm-mm and shook their heads when told. Had Cuzzin's on STT before heading over to STJ, very good--MUTTON. Had to come back Monday to pick up the marriage license, full breakfast at Gladys, recommend. Skinny Legs burger--nice, but the build-up was more. Best eat: Last day--got up early, left villa, snorkeled Waterlemon. Cleaned-up for travelling at Trunk Bay. Hungry, we drop-off the jeep rental, and head over to Panini Beach. Had martinis, pear-walnut-gorgonzola salad, and Carribbean lobster club--split the lunch and totally duked the waitress. money. Otherwise, ate and drank at Chez Sunset Pointe--shout out to Mattie for the scoop of vanilla ice cream in my birthday morning coffee. I'll vacation with you anyday, boyo. Ladies, the man can handle a knife. G-man, you do light up my weber and your drinks are strong. Glad to be your wife.
Extras: When you see the totally hot rash guard, buy it or ask for it as a birthday gift. You'll wear it all the time and get compliments. Plus it will save you a nasty snorkeling sunburn. Wear it under your sweater on the way back so you can keep smelling the island.
ADVICE: Americans, when it rains, don't run for cover. Chances are you are wet anyway. Besides, the British laugh at you. I know, I was laughing at you all with an excellent older chick on the back of the boat during the BVI day trip. It rained 2 inches Sunday and we snorkled Little Lameshur Bay. Couldn't care. Also, for laughs, tune into the Weather Channel in the evening.
Thanks, again, everyone. I don't have a website to post pics. Happy to receive email from anyone looking to get more info.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Best wishes for a long and happy marriage. It got off to a great start!
Pamela
Great report. Lameshurs are the best kept secret. Enjoy.
Great review Connie. Congrats and all the best.
--Islander
Thanks, again--was looking forward to posting my report after reading so many. Hope it nudges a few in good directions. Everyone has a fish that got away story and eating a Chris Cody meal is mine. I tried, pally, but I couldn't get the planets to align. Next time, completely.
--c
What is the "totally hot rash guard" you refered to?
There's a snorkel rent shop in the same area as Panini Beach with surfwear on the side. If you go in there, you can't miss it pally, the puppy is on display and lights up the wall. Its all hawaiiana-on-hunter s. thompson--brown, teal, acid yellow hibicus crazy glory. If you got a chick, $50 will make you immortal. Trust.
Hello Connie,
Can you explain what your saying. Having a hard time reading your post. We elders aren't up to speed with short cut talking.
Thanks,
Lol
Grace
But what is it?
No worries, Grace and Dale.
Rash guard is a shirt, either long or short sleeve. Mock-turtleneck top, polyester. Made to wear for surfing, to protect your belly from developing a rash when sliding around your board and gives you a second skin to peel back when you hit coral. Like leather for bikers. For male or female, but mine is definite girl cut. Wannabe chicks like me wear them snorkeling to protect from getting a sunburn (I glow in the dark) and keep warm (nice when scampering around inside the Baths). Mine is short sleeve. It looks great on and I had many inquiries as to where I got it. The design is an explosion of color and hawaiian stuff--hibiscus flowers, palm trees. Maker is Speedo.
Wish I could remember the shop's name. It sat right behind a bar and a couple doors down was Panini. Tourist shops right next to the ferry. They rented everything and had a yellow lab dog (want to return my next life as that dog) that takes naps on the floor (careful!) after he swims in Cruz Bay. We were there because our friend, Mattie needed snorkel gear, which he immediately lost at Leinster Bay, but G, my husband recovered it (man of many talents). THAT was a day. Mattie now sticks to surf.
It was a birthday gift, a fine one. If you gift someone a nice rash guard ($50 is price of item) like that, you should expect to hear praise sung in your name, making you immortal. G, my husband, still receives impromptu kisses. Good man, knows value.
Pally, my friend. Puppy, the rash guard or referred item.
The name of the shop is Low Key Watersports. Right at Wharfside.
Hello Connie,
Thank you for the explanation!! Your right it sounds perfect for snorkeling. Hate getting sunburned on my back.
Grace
Connie
I read an Australian accent to your posts. Am I right? If yes, how do you rate VI to 'Down Under'.
Thanks, mspohlman--could not remember--too good a time. Silly, since it seems everyone wore Low Key gear. Rash guard, Grace, word to the wise, indeed.
sorry, pally, completely EC mainlander, just travel with the reprise of Frank, Dino and Sammy at the Sands. I was dubbed Betty, as in Lauren. So when I say pally, its Hoboken-style, but my prose loses something in the messageboard trans. Show.
Will say your reefs beat our paltry shores.
