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Tag-Archive for "weddings"

Beach Wedding location in St.Thomas Author: Jul 02

What about getting married and or a reception on a boat!!!

When talking to bridal couples from the U.S. the first question asked is which is the best, pretties, most private location to get married on St.Thomas or St.John in the Virgin Islands?

While all of the beaches here are rated the best in the Caribbean for water, sand, sky and sun.  They do tend to get a bit busy.  Especially if picking a wedding date during high season.  December through March.

Cruise passengers abound on all the popular beach locations.  From the time the cruise ships dock and they can catch transportation, to 4:30 and its time to get back to the ship. Each and every beach within a taxi drive of the docks will be busy.

Most people are respectful of a couple and the bridal party standing on the beach saying vows.  But there are always the people that just wanna watch and join in the festivities.  Weddings are happy times are they not? Who would not want to be congratulated by Mr and Mrs Swimsuit from east town USA or Joe Speedo from swank Ville?

But if you are a couple, that want to enjoy a private occasion with family and friends. In addition to the anticipation of pictures of pristine waters and white beaches without  sun burnt Joe public in them. Your best option is getting off  the ship or leaving the hotel and getting on one of the chartered Catamarans.

Enjoy your guest and special day aboard a private charter. You can realize your dream of your toes in the sand ceremony, but just in a more private setting.  It does not take long to go from dock side to a beach setting of sand, warm water and sparse people.  You can still have the formal dress with arch, flower petal aisle and settings every bride has dreamed of.  So what is the catch you ask?  Well price for one.

Half day charters which include open bar and light snacks can run anywhere from $100.00 per person to with full lunch and open bar to $160.00 per person. When you compare those prices to a venue rental and food its really a no brainer.

 What is really spectacular  is the sunset cruise. Watch the sunset while visiting with your guest after a beach ceremony from your own charter.

 Ceremonies are priced separate from the charters and can be held on the beach or on the boat.  Possibilities are endless.  Compared to a reception at an enclosed hotel hall or sharing the beach or restaurant with fellow cruise ship passengers it’s a steal.

Best part, there is no worry about traffic, taxis or transportation of guest.  Pick up and drop off is right at the cruise ship dock or hotel.  Let the Captain and crew worry about schedules and getting everyone back to the ship on time.  This is your time, your day, and your memories.

Speaking of memories, the pictures taken on a sunset cruise is enough to last a life time

From Cruise Ship to Catamaran its that easy

Have the ceremony and reception without leaving the boat as it wanders past secluded islands and national parks.  See dolphins and sea turtles.

Toast your special day with rum punch or champagne.

Dock the Catamaran at a beach or have the ceremony on board

Dock the Catamaran at a beach or have the ceremony on board

Have pictures taken on the beach and on the boat, dance with live steel pan or bring your iPod.

Toss flowers off of the bow to celebrate a long happy marriage.

It’s your day to celebrate the way you want with the guest you want and not a bunch of strangers.

If this is something you would  like to check into call or email Deb@beachweddingsbydeb.com  We have custom made packages to fit your perfect wedding day.

Beach wedding with Catamaran Reception

Beaches are less croweded and receptions more private on the cat.

Category: An Island Moment, General, How to pick a photographer, sailing, St Thomas wedding packages, vi wedding packages, Virgin Island Weddings, Wedding tips  | Tags: , , , , ,  | Comments off
First step in creating a wedding budget. Author: Mar 08

Which came first the chicken or the egg?   Unless you, the bride knows what to except for prices, how can you set a realistic budget for a wedding?

Yet most( but not all) Wedding planners do not like to put time into consultations with a bride, unless they have a clear understanding of what can be spent.

Luckily the Brides these days have the benefit of the Internet.  Google is a girl’s best friend.

Websites carry a wealth of information on pricing , local customs and expectations.

A good website should include pictures of previous weddings along with choices of different types of weddings and or ceremonies.

They should have several examples or packages that go a long way in learing what cost are.  I always tell my brides that the packages are there for them as a guide and by no means a end all choice.  Every package can be up graded or down graded.

Look for a website  that give  information freely that you are looking for.   Check out the question and answer pages.  Really read, what is on each page not just the pictures. 

You may not be able to price your wedding down to the chair covers but you will get a good idea of  what to expect to pay.

Flowers, cake, venues, photography, catering prices can all be gleened off of  websites within your area.  Remember pricing varies from area to area.  When you are searching investigate websites that are within the region you picked to get married in.

Its important to note here,  that even within regions, pricing may vary.  What sounds good in print may not be the best quality.  So  even if a website gives rock bottom pricing the old adage you get what you pay for stands true.

Take notes and have fun its your day.

Category: Destination wedding vendors, St Thomas wedding packages, Wedding tips, What to know when planning a destination wedding.  | Tags: , , , ,  | Comments off
Beach Weddings by Deb and Gary Felton Studio 18.3 Photography. Author: Aug 05

Beach Weddings by Deb and Gary Felton Studio 8.3 Photography has teamed up to create St.Thomas and St. John wedding packages that are of a high end value and quality. These  packages are for the discerning couple that understands and want to focus on good photography. It’s for couples that know how quality wedding pictures can capture the beauty and emotion of their day in a unique way. 

Gary Felton’s Studio 18.3 wedding pictures are not only essential but are priceless in value of memories and are worthy of becoming a part of your family’s history. You will not find any wedding package with this quality of photography anywhere, in other words, we not only give good photos, our photos are more than just technically correct they are special.

Add this to the Beach Weddings by Deb’s special touch and you will have a day that will exceed you expectations.

So by joining together  Beach Weddings by Deb and Gary Felton has created a world class wedding package of exceptional value. Not only will you have the opportunity to get a DVD with high resolution negatives but a8x12 Custom Graphi Album.

Graphi Studio Albums are a timeless storybook of your perfect day. These albums are hand crafted in Italy using Graphi’s patented continuous page binding system with every page opening flat and having a perfect panoramic view. The books come in many formats from 8 x12 but can be upgraded all the way up to 16x 20 and are truly works of art.

With service and quality like this why would anybody trust thier memories to anyone else?

Check out our pricing and view images on both Gary Feltons http://viweddingphoto.com/ and Beach Weddings by Deb http://www.beachweddingsbydeb.com/  Then reserve your wedding date.

Category: How to pick a photographer, st thomas photography packages, Uncategorized, Virgin Island Weddings, Wedding tips  | Tags: , , , , , ,  | Comments off
How to write the wedding ceremony and vows? Author: Mar 01

One of the most common questions I get asked by wedding couples is “How much freedom will they have in helping to create the ceremony?” Its certainly understandable, many wedding packages come with pre-set wedding vows. It is easier to have the same ceremony for each couple.
But it is my belief that something so special as your wedding, the tone and feel of the ceremony should be set by the wedding couple. The vows and ceremony is one of the most important contracts couples will be entering into. Just as much thought and effort should be spent on the ceremony as on the decorations, theme and flowers .
Your wedding ceremony can be, and should be personally designed, but it should also be an expression of worship, reflecting joy, celebration, community, respect, dignity and love.
Tradition dictates the ceremony to be :

    OPENING WORDS OF THE OFFICIANT
    THE GIVING IN MARRIAGE (optional) or Who gives the woman to be married?
    AN OPENING PRAYER OR READING OR POEM of any denomination.
    DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE
    WEDDING VOWS
    SECOND READING OR SONG
    EXCHANGE OF RINGS OR GIFTS
    CLOSING
    This could be a poem, a prayer, or a sanctioning of the marriage. It is generally the “final thoughts” of the officiant.
    DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
    INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE.

An important role of the Wedding Officiate is to guide and help you in writing you ceremony.
The ultimate goal is for you to have a personable, happy event.
The officiants at Beach Wedding By Deb take this goal to heart and will help you as much or as little as you desire.

Category: Virgin Island Weddings  | Tags: , , ,  | Comments off
A St. Thomas Wedding. Author: Feb 16

Last week, I performed a wedding for a couple in their mid-forties. The bride was divorced with two children and the groom was widowed with one child, a young lady of 14 years.

The groom’s daughter requested to do a reading during the ceremony to help blend the two families.  Both bride and groom agreed.  She told me they were not privy to what she chose and prepared her diction and tone for days before the ceremony.

The piece she chose to read was given to her by her mother before she died of cancer. It was her mother’s favorite quote.

This is what she read.

“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.  Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.  Love your life, perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life.  Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

 Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.  Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place.   Show respect to all people and grovel to none.  When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.  If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.   Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.  When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.  Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”       Tecumseh   Shawnee Chief.

I think it has just become my favorite quote.

Category: Virgin Island Weddings  | Tags: , , , , ,  | Comments off
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

Category: General  | Tags: , , , , ,  | Comments off