Storybook Weddings

By Elise Donovan

Some fall in love in an instant. Others grow into it over time. However love comes, the picturesque British Virgin Islands with its spectacular array of 60 islands, islets and cays has some of the world's best settings for your wedding.

Love at First Sight
“It was love at first sight,” says Eric of Tonya. Her pretty smile and engaging conversation captivated him and in that moment he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. For Tonya, there was something about the tall, handsome man. “It’s just one of those things you can’t put into words,” but she too knew that he was “the one.”   

Inseparable from then on, they made plans to marry within a couple of months. For the South Carolina natives in their mid-40s, their second time around had to be special and match the awesomeness of their love. They eloped on a seven-day mini-cruise excursion with ports of call in Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda. A BVI wedding planner, who they contacted with their wish list, arranged everything, from selecting the beach, the time, the minister, the photographer and obtaining the licenses, the flowers, dinner and wine. All they had to do was show up.

Arriving at the lovely Savannah Bay in Virgin Gorda, they were awed by the beach’s blue crystal waters, pearly white sand, pristine state and seclusion. “It was the most beautiful place to get married,” says Tonya. With just the two of them, the wedding planner, the preacher and the photographer, they said their “I do's” with the sunset and the waves as the backdrop.

Later “the most beautiful moon you’ve ever seen” shone as they enjoyed their dinner at the Bitter End Yacht Club. Photographer Amanda Baker captured all their precious moments. “She must have taken a thousand pictures. They’re very original and artistic. You can see how much we love each other,” says Tonya.


Friends Fall in Love
Washington, D.C. political duo Thomas and Corinne were coworkers and friends for a year before they started dating. Their courtship went from “a friendship to mutual respect, admiration, deep love and a partnership,” says Tom.

For their nuptials, they wanted a traditional Catholic wedding with the white lace wedding gown, bridesmaids and groomsmen and all their family and friends around. Corinne, a former communications director for the White House, and Thomas, a former deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, were used to planning high-profile international events under the Bush administration. The young couple felt confident that they could successfully plan their own destination wedding with invited guests from all over the United States, the United Kingdom and Czech Republic.  

The destination, of course, was the British Virgin Islands. The BVI was special to them because it was where they took their first vacation together and where Tom’s parents ran a sailboat charter company over 30 years ago. “We fell in love with the islands and decided we wanted to get married there. The people were so warm, friendly and genuine.”  

The morning ceremony was held at the stunning Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in East End and the evening reception at the beach at lovely Myett’s, where most of their guests stayed along with other hotels in charming Cane Garden Bay. The do-it-yourselfers still welcomed the generous help they received from the parishioners at Mary Star of the Sea and from the staff at Myett’s. “They made the day so special for us — they really took it to heart. They went above and beyond to make the day perfect for us,” says Corrine.

“I can’t say enough about Myett’s,” says Corrine. “Val and Kareem [the owners] felt like part of our family — they worked so hard with so much joy on their faces. They really transformed the place with gorgeous flowers, white tablecloths, candles…” That night was also the night of the supermoon, the fullest and closest moon of the year. As the moon glistened over Cane Garden Bay beach, they toasted their nuptials and danced the night away.

Capture the Moments
Your wonderful wedding memories can be captured by experienced BVI photographers who specialise in making the pictures tell the story. And, if you require extra wings to get to your special location in the BVI, Fly BVI will get you there.

Capture the Moments
Documents, license and applications, see Marriage Applications.

Virgin Portraits
The Allamanda Gallery
124 Main Street, Road Town, Tortola
Tel/Fax: 494-6680
E-mail: amanda@virginportraits.com
Web: virginportraits.com
Virgin Portraits has been providing professional photography services in the British Virgin Islands and other Eastern Caribbean Islands since 2000. Specialising in destination wedding photography, children’s and family portraits, as well as Caribbean landscape and tropical floral images, photographer Amanda Baker showcases her work both online and in the Allamanda Gallery — a full-service photographic art gallery located in the heart of Road Town, Tortola. Please visit Amanda’s website and blog at virginportraits.com for samples of her work and more information about Virgin Portraits.

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