Hemingway Inspired Destination Wedding

Today I was reminded of one of my favorite weddings on Captiva, Florida at South Seas Island Resort.

Jen and Des designed some their own decorations for this very Hemingway themed wedding.

Des, the groom, wore a personalized tie clip. I love his style! 

 Jen and Des on the boardwalk to Captiva beach, behind Chapel by the Sea. 

The Muller's captured this traditional wedding photo on the sand dunes making it a little less traditional!

Chapel by the Sea is known for their traditional sea glass blue pews.

Just married!

The bridesmaids wore sophisticated, but beach perfect, strapless, knee length, turquoise dresses.

Instead of a typical guestbook the bride and groom used a Hemingway coffee table book and asked guests to leave notes under the images. 

 The vintage labels above the card box and guest book were collected by the bride during the months we were planning her wedding.

For seating, the groom used titles of Hemingway's manuscripts & made an authentic looking covers.

Each title was actually the name of a guest dining table.

Under each title he put the guest's names. 

 The bride and groom collected several 

antique, Hemingway themed items to display at their wedding for decoration.

 Des designed all the paper details including the table name, menu cards, and place cards.

  

To make the reception feel a little less traditional-been there-done that, we used longer rectangular Kings tables that sat 8-12 guests each.  These are great for low and long centerpieces like these.

The bouquets included roses, succulents, and green viburnum.

We love what Floral Artistry created for the table centerpieces.

Including the fruits made it very island authentic. 

For more images from this wedding, check out our real wedding pinterest board

A wedding in the US Virgin Islands (Married in a Synagogue)

Just because you're planning a destination wedding, it doesn't mean that you can't still have the traditional wedding ceremony that you've always dreamed of.  The US Virgin Islands have some of the oldest and most incredibly beautiful synagogues and churches that I have ever seen.  All are rich in history and grandeur in the most feel good ways.  Seriously - you just feel good in these places.
In St Thomas I visited St Thomas Synagogue(Charlotte Amalie St). This synagogue is the oldest in the contiguous United States! When marrying at the synagogue, the signing of the ketubah and the bedekken are also included in the services.

Aren't the dark mahogany woods and blue cushions on the benches perfect for a Caribbean wedding? What makes it even more island...the sand floors!  You can read more about the theories of the sand floors here.

As you know, wedding ceremonies can't take place until after sunset on Saturdays.  All the more reason to have a chandelier lit ceremony.  The center chandelier uses REAL candles.

For information on getting married at this hystoric synagogue, email mina.synagogue{at}gmail.com
For great information on the US Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com.  Its a great resource for gathering information on having a destination wedding on St Thomas or St John.

A wedding in the US Virgin Islands (Caneel Bay, St John)

If you're looking for a destination venue that offers everything that you would have in a luxury resort and at the same time the the most relaxed, unplugged and "away" you've ever felt; The resort at Caneel Bay is a place that I would highly recommend that you check out.

  Located on the island of St John, this resort boasts so many of these to die for views

The cottages are so un-hotel.  Love this about Caneel bay.

Beach front cottage?  Yes please.  Imagine waking up here and taking the 6 steps down to ...

 THIS.  Actually, this is the ceremony location.  Not that its any less disappointing.

At the top of the hill near the ruins (yes, real ruins) there is the estate house.

Courtyard of the estate house

Dinner in the ruins?

Or a tented reception?

Maybe move inside...just for dinner.

For great information on the US Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com.  Its a great resource for gathering information on having a destination wedding on St Thomas or St John.

A wedding in the US Virgin Islands (Ritz Carlton, St Thomas)

This past summer I had the pleasure of touring the US Virgin Islands to scout for a few great wedding venues and fun destination wedding excursions & activities.  Boy did I ever hit the jackpot! Here is my first post in the series, highlighting The Ritz Carlton on the island of St Thomas.

The Ritz Carlton St Thomas is spectacular.  There are several outdoor and indoor waterfront locations to choose from for all your weekend events.  I especially loved the wedding gazebo that seemed to hang over the super blue waters of the Caribbean. The resort is also an easy drive in and out of town (shopping & restaurants) and to/from the airport.

One of the many outdoor dining areas overlooking the waters and surrounding islands.

Perfect for a welcome reception, wedding reception or farewell brunch.

The courtyard of the lobby building.  Whats cool about it - there aren't any interior walls!  Everything is open air.  So beautiful.
For great information on the US Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com.  Its a great resource for gathering information on having a destination wedding on St Thomas or St John.