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St. Thomas Wedding Customs
Cultural Traditions and Customs in St. Thomas
The culture of St. Thomas is a mix of Caribbean and American influences. You’ll find American fast food restaurants on one corner and local restaurants selling boiled fish on another. The blend of cultures that is present in St. Thomas makes it a unique place to visit and hold a destination wedding. Visitors who want to have an exotic vacation can do just that in St. Thomas and anyone who requires the creature comforts available to them in the US can find everything they need right here on the island.
Music and Dance
American pop and rock are popular in St. Thomas but you’ll also hear plenty of Caribbean musical genres such as calypso, reggae, steel pan, and soca. Quelbe is a style of folk music native to the Virgin Islands. Musicians play in what are known as “scratch bands”, using gourds and washboards to make the sounds that characterize Quelbe music. Cariso is a style of Trinidadian folk music that is popular in St. Thomas. The lyrics of cariso are typically insulting and satirical by nature. A folk dance called the bamboula, which was brought to St. Thomas by African slaves, is also very popular. If you are planning a destination wedding when Carnaval is taking place in St. Thomas, look out for the mocko jumbies. Mocko Jumbies are dancers dressed in colorful costumes who walk on stilts. The word “jumbie” refers to spirits.
Superstitions
The people of St. Thomas are very superstitious. They like to tell stories, especially about jumbies. Stories about jumbies are used as cautionary tales to tell children. According to island storytellers, jumbies can be found just about anywhere. They are often blamed for hurricanes and other bad occurrences. The local people surround storytellers, who usually tell their tales at night. One popular character that often appears in these stories of jumbies is Bru Nansi, a witty and wise man that looks like a spider. A form of voodoo is also practiced on the island.
Politeness
People in St. Thomas and in the Virgin Islands in general are known for their politeness. A simple “hi” or “hello” is not sufficient when greeting a local in St. Thomas. You should always say good morning, good afternoon, or good night to friends and strangers alike.
Food and Drink in St. Thomas
The food of St. Thomas consists of influences from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Popular foods in St. Thomas include curry, fish soup, stewed oxtail, callaloo soup, rice and beans, salt fish, meat pate, and fried plantains. Usually the best cooks in St. Thomas are older women in the community. The food is delicious but it’s pointless to ask a local for a recipe since nobody follows recipes when cooking in St. Thomas.
Rum drinks are very popular in St. Thomas. The Virgin Islands are well known for Cruzan Rum, which is manufactured in St. Croix. Health drinks are also common in St. Thomas. Seamoss is a drink made of boiled seaweed, milk, and spices and Mauby is a drink made with mauby bark and spices. Other healthy drinks you can find in St. Thomas include peanut punch, bush tea, soursop punch, and pumpkin punch.
Flowers in St. Thomas
Beautiful tropical flowers abound in St. Thomas. Some flowers you’ll find here include frangipani, allamanda, heliconia, bougainvillea, oleander, hibiscus, and flamboyant. These colorful, beautiful flowers can be used in centerpieces and arches to add an elegant touch to any destination wedding ceremony. The tropical flowers in St. Thomas are fragrant and vibrantly colored.
If you want to have a Caribbean wedding in a location that contains familiar elements yet remains completely exotic, St. Thomas is an excellent choice. With its blend of American and Caribbean influences, its breathtaking natural beauty, and its vibrant customs and traditions, St. Thomas is the perfect spot for destination wedding couples who want to experience a unique culture and enjoy a romantic getaway in paradise. |
