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St. John Weddings
When you think of a Caribbean wedding, what comes to mind? Turquoise water as far as the eye can see, palm trees swaying in the breeze, seashell covered barefoot beaches, and small hideaway bars with steel drum music? If so, then St. John is as Caribbean wedding as it gets. St. John is like a hidden gem in what can sometimes feel like an over-commercialized, tourist-laden Caribbean. With only two full-service resorts on the whole island and two-thirds of the island designated national park, it remains the quintessential getaway, making it a dream destination for your romantic wedding.
Why St. John is the perfect place for your destination wedding
If you are dreaming of your own secluded beach, a private villa to host your wedding guests, or a luxury resort to attend to your every need, St. John is for you. Although St. John is a U.S. territory, it feels like a whole other world. Since it does not have an airport on the island, visitors must take a four-mile water ferry or boat trip from St. Thomas to arrive. This makes St. John just far enough out of the way to avoid all the hustle and bustle of other Caribbean Islands. The two full-service resorts, the Westin and Caneel Bay, offer luxury accommodations and wedding planning and coordination services. Or, many wedding couples choose to rent a St. John villa for their wedding. St. John has many private wedding villas available for weekly (some nightly) rental. And, this is becoming an increasingly popular way to both stay on the island, and host an intimate wedding and reception. Did we mention the sunsets and small roadside restaurants in Cruz Bay? Most wedding couples brag that after a week in St. John, they felt like a local. Pair this with the fact that you can still use your U.S. currency to pay for everything and that your marriage is instantly recognized in the U.S. since it’s a U.S. territory, and St. John is tough to beat as a wedding destination.
Why you might want to pass on St. John for your destination wedding
If you and your wedding guests love the nightlife, want to stay at an all-inclusive resort, or need to keep travel to a minimum, you might want to skip St. John for your destination wedding. Part of St. John’s charm as a wedding location is its “out of the way” feel, which means there aren’t a lot of late night dancing options. Also, public transportation is virtually non-existent and taxis are a bit expensive, making getting around the island tough. Unless, of course, you rent a car; convertibles are the norm! One last thought, St. John, like most Caribbean islands, is in the hurricane zone in summer months, so pick your wedding date carefully.
Still dreaming of a St. John wedding? Here’s some information to help you plan:
Map of the Caribbean Islands & St. John:
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Quick facts:
Island Population: Approximately 4000
Capital: None, but the principal town is Cruz Bay
Size: 19 square miles
Language: English
Religion: Protestant, Roman Catholic, other spiritual beliefs
Official Currency: U.S. Dollar
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time or Eastern Standard Time (note, they do not adjust for daylight savings in the summer, so in the summer they are on Central Standard Time)
Transportation:
St. John most easily (and inexpensively) be reached by you and your wedding guests by flying into St. Thomas and taking a 20-minute ferry ride to Cruz Bay. The ferry leaves from Red Hook, which is a 45-minute taxi ride from the St. Thomas airport. Once, in St. John, you’ll most likely want to rent a car to explore the island and attend to final your wedding planning.
Marriage requirements:
Since St. John is a United States territory, it enjoys a simplified marriage license process compared with some destinations. You will need to complete a marriage application, and follow an 8-day waiting period before getting married. But don’t worry, you can send in your application before arriving in St. John. Marriage application and licensing fees run about $100 U.S. For more information, call the Territorial Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands Ministry of National Security & Justice at 340-774-6680.
For the most up-to-date information on St. John wedding requirements, visit: http://www.usvitourism.vi
When’s the best time to get married in St. John?
St. John has an average temperature of 80 degrees F, with the warmest months in the summer. The island’s southern beaches tend to be milder, making them an ideal location for a beach wedding. Remember that hurricane season runs from late spring to late fall. If you are committed to getting married to the Caribbean, check out Aruba as a wedding destination, which rarely gets hit by hurricanes because of its southern Caribbean location.
Websites with additional wedding and destination information:
St. John’s official tourism website: http://www.usvitourism.vi/ |
