All You Need to Know to Plan Your Wedding in St. Thomas
Planning your Wedding in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
St. Thomas is a beautiful location for a destination wedding. With lush foliage and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, your guests will have an amazing time in St. Thomas. For US Citizens, St. Thomas is one of the easiest islands for you to visit – As a United States territory, Passports are not required for US Citizens, English is the national language and the currency is US Dollars.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
There are not a lot of all-inclusive options in St. Thomas. This adds to the beauty and charm of the island. There are a few chain hotels on island, such as the Ritz and Marriott. There are also plenty of private condo and villa rentals for an unforgettable stay. Rentals range from studios to luxurious 9 bedroom villas large enough to fit your entire wedding party.
WEDDING LOCATIONS:
You will find the perfect wedding venue in St. Thomas. Choose from one of several gorgeous beaches, rent out a restaurant for your private event, charter a boat at sunset, or step back in time at the sugar mill ruins and other historical monuments. There are also several wedding villas, some with private beaches and massive decks to host your ceremony and reception.
ST. THOMAS WEDDING VENDORS:
St. Thomas is home to several amazing wedding vendors ready to make your destination wedding truly amazing. Find experienced, local wedding planners, caribbean bands, dj’s, photographer, florists, transportation, officiants, bakers and more on island. With St. Thomas’ diversity and options, it is best to work with local vendors who know the island and can ensure a perfect wedding day.
Since the island is not overrun with chain hotels, a lot of weddings are “a la carte”. This allows you to plan your day, the way you want to. This makes for a unique celebration that you will never forget. Plan your ceremony at Pretty Clip Point on Sapphire Beach, a stunning natural jetty where you can see the turquoise ocean for miles. Then hop on a catamaran or sailboat for a sunset cruise reception. Or follow up your beach ceremony with a private event at one of the delicious restaurants on island. Either way, you will want to leave it to the local vendors to help plan and execute the perfect wedding day.
To start planning your wedding, browse through these local vendors in St. Thomas at BeachyBride.com or contact us at love@beachybride.com and we can put you in touch with our trusted vendors on island.
GETTING AROUND:
St. Thomas is a small island, at 32 square miles. However, it is filled with steep hills and windy roads. There is no interstate or highways like we are used to stateside. Taxis are available at the airport and throughout the island. If you find a taxi driver that you like, ask for their card and they will usually be happy to transport you around the island during your stay. Taxi rates are set and are per person. Taxi fares can get costly if you are travelling with a group. Renting a van may be a better option for the budget conscious.
If you decide to rent a car in St. Thomas, there are a few things you should be aware of. Although a US Territory, they do drive on the left side of the road. It takes some getting used to, but many tourists choose to rent a car to explore the island’s beauty. Also, there are only a few main roads, so it is not too difficult to find your way around. Service can be spotty on the island, so you may not want to rely solely on your phone GPS. Be sure to grab a map at the airport before heading out. The St. Thomas airport has several rental car companies including Budget and Avis. There are a few others off site that will pick you up and take you over to the agency.
THINGS TO DO:
Your wedding will be one epic event! So what will you and your guests do the other days?
- Ah, the Beaches
- Party like a local in Red Hook
- Leave a day to explore St. John
- Explore the British Virgin Islands
- Go Shopping!
You can do as little or as much as you want in St. Thomas! There are so many amazing beaches and coves, that you could visit a different one each day of your trip, and still not visit them all. Some of our favorites include Magen’s Bay Beach (order a whole pizza at the food hut… you will thank us later), Cowpet Bay (Sunday brunch at Caribbean Fish Market and then lounge after a few mimosas), Sapphire Beach (be sure to check out the Sunday Beach Parties), Lindquist Beach (this is your time to pack a lunch and enjoy pure bliss) and Secret Harbor (a hidden gem. It may be difficult to find parking so get there early).
Red Hook is on the east end of the island where you will find a lot of tourists and locals, alike. There are great restaurants at every corner from Mexican, seafood, sushi, Italian, pizza, Thai, and burgers, all within walking distance. A stop into Red Hook is never complete without a visit to Duffy’s Love Shack, a true staple on the island. Dance for ladies night and be sure to order a fun souvenir cup to bring home after your travels.
Be sure to plan at least one day and head over to St. John. Hop on a ferry in Red Hook or downtown Charlotte Amalie. You will arrive in Crux Bay, St. John in about 30 minutes. Taxis await to bring you to your destination. You can also walk around the shops or grab a bite to eat at the waterfront restaurants before heading to the beaches or hitting up the hiking trails. Our favorite beach spots include the world famous Trunk Bay, a postcard perfect beach with an under water snorkel trail. You can rent snorkel gear and other items at the dive shop. They also have food for purchase and plenty of showers and restrooms. There is a small entrance fee and you can not bring glass bottles. They will check your coolers. Another favorite is honeymoon beach. You can take a taxi to Caneel Bay where a golf cart awaits to drive you the secluded beach. You can also walk if you are ok hiking. There is a small dive shop and bathroom area.
After a long day after the beach, our favorite place to stop is Mongoose Junction for a little shopping. Greengo’s Cantina is great for Mexican. After cool air conditioning shops, we like to head to Margarita Phil’s for a GIANT TO-GO Margarita for the walk back to the ferry. A day at St. John is like no other!
One of the best things about St. Thomas is it’s proximity to other Caribbean islands. You can charter a private or public boat or take a ferry over to Tortola. Our favorite way to see the BVI’s is to charter a private boat, if your budget permits. That way you are on your time and can choose your own itinerary. Either way, be sure to check out the Baths at Virgin Gorda. Devil’s Bay is true paradise. Another must do in the BVI’s is a trip to Soggy Dollar, where your boat will pull in and you have to swim to get to this fun filled island, lined with funky beach bars and tons of fun! By the time you get to the bar, you will realize why it is called “Soggy Dollar”!
A trip to St. Thomas is not complete without a day downtown for shopping. There are two main areas to shop, downtown Charlotte Amalie and Havensight Mall/Yacht Haven Grande. Downtown, you can find the flea market with the blue tents and plenty of deals to be had. Take a walk on Main Street for deals on gorgeous diamonds and jewelry. Explore the high end shops at Yacht Haven Grande and find discounted liquor and souvenirs at Havensight.
St. Thomas is a perfect destination for your wedding. The ease of US guests to attend, the breathtaking beaches, the laid back vibe and fun atmosphere, will have you and your guests wanting to go back every year. Whether you choose to stay at a resort or private villa, your wedding trip will be epic and memorable.
Thinking of renting a villa? Here are a few of our favorite Wedding Villas in St. Thomas:
Sand Dollar Estate – Overlooking Magen’s Bay, this 9 Bedroom sleeps up to 24 and has space for up to 65 wedding guests to attend the festivities in the private villa.
Villa One Perfect Day - Another Villa overlooking Megan’s Bay, this 9 bedroom, 9.5 bathroom sleeps up to 26 people and offers a beautiful infinity pool.
Villa Windsong – An affordable but smaller option with 6 bedrooms, this East End Villa will sleep up to 12 people.
Whether you decide you want a simple wedding on the beach or a luxury bash in a private villa, the charm and beauty of St. Thomas will create memories and bonds to last forever.
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