- IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SANDALS RESORTS -
Saint Lucia, a country so beautiful it's been referred to as the The Helen of the West, has it all: lush mountains, ocean views, impeccable weather. Dreaming of nuptials that would incorporate all their favorite landscapes, this couple found Sandals Grande Saint Lucian on Rodney Bay to be a perfect fit.
Moving from Florida to Texas and back again while dating. An epic proposal atop the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska. A dream destination wedding on the vibrant isle of Saint Lucia. As a couple well-versed in travel, Katelyn and Shane had a clear vision for their destination vows — and they found the ideal resort to make it happen.
When Katelyn and Shane began their search, the goal was to keep the wedding small and intimate. They wanted a place that was budget-friendly, close in proximity to the United States, and felt like a vacation with a wedding mixed in. Naturally, an all-inclusive made the most sense. As residents of Florida, the couple also wanted more than a beachfront backdrop, and Katelyn, who is a New Hampshire native, wanted to incorporate the rise and fall of the mountains. When they finally found Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia, it was exactly what they were looking for. Friends and family had a chance to enjoy the resort at their own pace, without needing an itinerary. The staff welcomed everyone like a part of the Sandals family. Food, drinks, and activities were unlimited. Most important of all, the couple’s incredible wedding planner effortlessly executed all the details, giving Katelyn and Shane plenty of time to relax and explore the island.
"Saint Lucia is such a beautiful island," says Katelyn. "We hiked Pigeon Island, went on a mud bath and waterfall excursion, took a sunset catamaran cruise, and went scuba diving the day after our wedding."
After capturing solo shots together, Katelyn and Shane made their way back to the resort's Overwater Wedding Serenity Chapel for the ceremony. "We fell in love with the Overwater Chapel," recalls the couple. "The beautiful scenery and architecture allowed for simple décor."
A glass-panel aisle, lined by white chairs and simple floral arrangements, led to the front of the chapel where two glass vases framed the couple. White drapery fluttered in the breeze along the roofline, adding a softness that didn’t take away from the natural scenery. Eucalyptus leaves, white roses, hydrangeas, and other touches of greenery made up the floral aesthetic for the day.
Surrounded by unobscured views and 27 close friends and family members, Katelyn and Shane couldn't have dreamt a better time or place to exchange vows.
After the ceremony, Katelyn and Shane decided to keep things simple with an extended cocktail hour. The two worked alongside their wedding planner to choose a variety of light hors d’oeuvres followed by a cocktail menu. Mini sliders, Mac and cheese bites and conch fritters (a fan favorite of the evening) were notable flavors from the evening. As for signature cocktails, the pair chose a Spicy Watermelon Margarita — a refreshing combo with a bit of heat as a nod to Shane’s favorite type of food.
The wedding cake, adorned in succulents, teal florals, and verdant leaves, was a final touch on the perfect celebration — and a cohesive continuation of the ceremony look. In place of a traditional reception, the couple surprised guests with local fire dancers. A dynamic and dazzling 45-minute spectacle, the performance gave everyone a front-row view of the action and had the group up on its feet for a limbo dance. To close out the evening, Katelyn and Shane relocated to the resort pool with their guests for added quality time and to recap the day’s events over drinks. "Our favorite moment was having our friends and family all together with us,” says the couple when looking back on what made the weekend unforgettable. “Everyone who was there was a friend from the beginning of our relationship or from before. They were all our longest friendships. We had all our favorite people there."
- kklein's blog
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