Once you decide to get married, the dreaded word budget creeps into all of your discussions.  Everyone wants the best value for one’s money.  It’s only normal to want the best for what you can afford.

When couples decide on a destination wedding to help them with the budgeting of their wedding they get not only more bang for their buck but a life time of memories.

Destination weddings seem very foreign (pardon the pun) to anyone who has not experienced or heard about them. So let me take a min here to explain the concept of why some couples want one.

Budget is not always the reason but for a good portion of couples it is at least one of the top reasons.

Weddings in the U.S. mainland average $27000.00.  For just one day, not counting the honeymoon.

Smart Money’s magazine stated a theory that only those who really love you, will travel for you, which means a destination wedding is one way to avoid paying $175 a head to feed the coworkers and business contacts many couples feel obligated to invite to local weddings. Destination weddings also make a lot of sense for couples whose families and friends are scattered around the country (or even the globe). After all, if most of the guests are going to travel anyway, why not get married in a place that’s a vacation for all?

Smaller weddings allow couples to budget for extras, more lavish settings and receptions.  Whether it is a reception on a moonlight private charted boat or a beach reception set with tiki torches, white sand and crystal settings.  It can be a dream wedding come true.

Brides still can wear the formal wedding dresses and have flower bouquets that rival any big city florist.

Here when having a St Thomas wedding or a St John wedding, cakes and receptions can be as formal as at the Ritz or as informal as the beach pig roast. It can be a table set for two at a romantic beach or for 100.  Thats the beauty of a destination wedding there are no rules.

But the words of buyer beware also is heard here.  Getting married in a non-U.S country may pose legal problems down the road with you having no recourse in a foreign country.  Also passengers that have  cruise ships  weddings are often charged 50 to 60% more money than port wedding planners.  That’s a lot  for a lot less in value and wedding elements that make up a ceremony and or reception.

So couples that want to get married and have a wedding that dreams are made of, should shop around. Then come here to the U.S Virgin Islands. You will get better scenery, the weather is better and you are surrounded by people who you really want to make you happy.  What could be better?

St Thomas wedding set up at Megans beach