in heaven Spice up a wedding abroad with a little romance, Caribbean-style, writes Katie McGonagle
DESTINATIONS JAMAICA | WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS
d
ream weddings in the Caribbean are supposed to consist
of gently lapping waves, a soft sea breeze and the chance to say ‘I do’ with sand between the toes, right?
Or so I thought, until Ashalee, wedding coordinator at Sandals Montego Bay, explained many couples who want a ceremony at the beach actually change their minds and opt for a garden wedding when they arrive. Surely the beach is what they
come for, I wondered, until I stepped into one of the tucked- away tropical gardens to find a wedding gazebo draped in flowing, blush-pink chiffon, white blooms on the sides and chairs adorned with rose-coloured satin for the bride and groom. Waiter Kirkland, decked out in a wedding uniform of white gloves and ivory waistcoat, appeared with a tray of mai ‘tie the knot’ cocktails – part of a signature cocktail list exclusive to weddings, which also includes the playful ‘mint to be’ mojito.
After a few minutes in these
tranquil gardens I could see why some might prefer the peace and privacy here to the sea and sand of the beach. Either way, they’re getting all the benefits of a destination wedding, from guaranteed sunshine and hassle-free arrangements to a honeymoon that starts the moment they’ve said their vows.
WEDDING PLANNER When couples arrive, they head to the Wedding Lounge – a dedicated space showcasing options for decor and dining, plus a hair and make-up salon – for a one-and-a-half-hour consultation about their big day. One of the hotel’s three-strong wedding team then walks them through each possible location around the resort, including the gardens, indoor chapel, two beachfront gazebos and the big-ticket draw – the Over-the- Water Serenity Wedding Chapel. It’s no surprise the overwater chapel has been a big hit since it opened earlier this year,
²
travelweekly.co.uk 5 DECEMBER 2019 45
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
