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Tag-Archive for "st. john"

International Weddings. Author: Feb 05

This is a first for me,  three international weddings so far this year and its only February.  I don’t  know if it has to do with the dollar and its value  or that the Virgin Islands is wedding capitol of the universe  but for what ever reason, I like it.

This last wedding was so romantic.  A couple from Roma, Italy.  The ceremony took place in St. John and was attended by me the Officiate, a Limo driver and the photographer as witnesses .   The Bride was bi-lingual English and Italian.   The Groom was a bit more challenged on the English side.  

They declined an option of having a translator available during the ceremony.  So how it worked was,  the Bride would translate for the groom.  It was really very sweet.  It also got me to thinking ,  The ceremony is really  a formal promise in front of witnesses.  But its what’s  in your heart, that really counts.  The look of love and devotion in the grooms eyes really said it all.

I spoke the vows very slowly, and he repeated after me correctly but I doubt that what ever he said did not match what his heart was saying.  

They are on the way back to Italy today and I am on my way to the Lt Governor office to get the apostilles signed to make every thing legal. 

But somehow I think it was  made legal in their hearts long ago.

Category: Virgin Island Weddings  | Tags: , , , ,  | Comments off
People of the Virgin Islands and there about. Author: Feb 03

In my lifetime, I have met thousands of people. CEOs of major corporations, entertainment celebrities, politicians . . . you get the idea. A multitude of smart, funny and interesting people have enriched my life, and have, in turn, made my life that much more interesting. Since moving to the Virgin Islands, that list has expanded tremendously. The rich blend of numerous cultures and ethnic groups make visiting and living in the Virgin Islands an experience that I relish as much as the sun, sand and water.
People living, working and visiting the Virgin Islands have so many anecdotes to tell, and I would like to introduce them from time to time in this blog. Interesting ones, like the man who makes a living doing boat and people salvage, colorful characters, like the artist who makes a living showing the world our islands through paintings or photographs, salty dogs, like the owners who live onboard boats that are moored around the islands, soulful ones, like the guy who plays guitar and sings like a pro but isn’t; my list could go on and on. I would like you to meet the ones who contribute to island flavor and local color in their own, unique, and sometime off-beat ways, not just a select group of elite politicians or well-known island folks. Plenty has already been written about them.
Just be forewarned, I can plan a wedding without missing a detail, but when it comes to writing, take my stories for what they are. I’ll leave the polishing to my editor, when I can find one. I also welcome any comments and or contributions to my blog. So if you have something you would like to say or write about the Virgin Islands but don’t want a blog, send it to me. Just keep it positive, family friendly and interesting.

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Deborah mcDonald Author: Dec 14

Hello,

My name is Deborah McDonald but my friends call me Deb.

I would like to take this time to introduce myself with the question I get asked most often.

Why have I made the Virgin Islands my home?

Prior to moving to the Virgin Islands, I had worked as a Customer Service Manger for 18 years in a major corporation, located in the states. Due to a merger my job was being eliminated. 

I moved to the Virgin Islands for a six month vacation. That was over 7 years ago. I’m still here and loving it.

I love the culture,  the many ethnic groups,  and the way of life.   Most of all I love the water, sun, sand and my job.

I started Planning Perfect Island Wedding Day with the idea to create a memorable and fun day, not only for the bride and groom, but their families and guests as well. I had been officiating wedding since 1972 in Minnesota.   In the Virgin Islands I wanted to create a company that could provide affordable wedding coordination services to people of all cultures and backgrounds.

I wanted to have a business built with quality and integrity.

Growing up in the family restaurant business, along with College and my career in the corporate world. I have developed management, business, and customer service skills along with the determination to work the details to achieve magnificent weddings from ordinary ones.

So with two dogs, a Parrot and my car. I made the drive from Minnesota to Florida.   My car went on the boat. The dogs, (Sarah and Rosy), parrot (Ludwig) and I got on the plane. It’s over 7 years later and and I can’t image moving back.

I knew what I wanted to do; I just needed to convince the rest.

Whew! What a concept. Transparent pricing and exceptional customer service.

It took a long time to gather just the right vendors and professionals together. It took just as long before they realized I was not doing some smoke and mirrors trick. Perfect Island Wedding Day was not only publishing their pricing on its web site but really, really not taking a kick-back or bonus for doing business with them.

I got puzzled and sometime hostile looks from competitors with questions of “But why, this is St. Thomas, people don’t expect it here, so why start it here?”   Guess I was setting higher standards than what they wanted to archive.   Needless to say they are not working for or with me.

What do I get out it?   My fee is an 18% charge to your balance.   My service is to consult with you for your perfect wedding agenda.   From the simple to the most elegant celebration, our expertise will allow you to fully experience the bliss, the joy and the excitement of your wedding day.

In other words we make sure all of the coordination is done and your wedding goes off without a hitch (pardon the pun).

So welcome again to my web site.   I look forward to any comments or questions you may have.

This blog  will contain island interest and folk lore, restaurant reviews, interesting people I have met in addition to weddings past and present.

Deb McDonald

Never hesitate to hold out your hand; never hesitate to accept the outstretched hand of another.

- Pope John XXlll

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