You could name-drop dreamy wedding destinations for days – Italy’s sun-drenched coastlines, Mexico’s effortless warmth, Greece’s cliffside views, Bali’s lush serenity. But with so many breathtaking choices calling your name, it’s only natural to wonder if the people who plan and witness destination weddings for a living have one destination wedding location they hold above the rest. Is there a region that truly stands out, even among professionals who spend their days immersed in romance, travel and celebration?
That’s exactly what we set out to find in our recent Ultimate Weddings Guide. And the answer we got wasn’t just confident – it was heartfelt. The Caribbean has long been the gold standard for destination weddings – one part nostalgia, one part scenery and entirely rooted in the magic of the region.
Why the Caribbean is this wedding expert’s dream destination
When we asked Marsha-Ann Donaldson, Sandals Resorts International’s corporate director of weddings & romance, what her top destination wedding locale was, she took a minute. “Wow, that’s a tough question to answer, it’s like asking me to pick my favourite cocktail on the beach.”
But for Donaldson, one place above all others is close to her heart.
“The Caribbean is filled with so many jaw-dropping backdrops, from our white-sand beaches and lush gardens to beautiful cliffs overlooking the sea,” she notes.
“I say ‘our’ because I am from Jamaica, so I’m just a tiny bit partial to the region. But seriously, the Caribbean is stunning, and there’s no shortage of adventure or romance to make your destination wedding unforgettable.”
As champions of love, Sandals is known for its overwater chapels, a signature for the brand, Donaldson says. With stunning locations in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, these chapels offer 360-degree panoramic ocean views and a glass floor aisle, creating an unforgettable setting.
“I do have a particular soft spot for the brand new overwater chapel at Sandals Royal Bahamian, located in Nassau, Bahamas,” says Donaldson. “It’s the largest one we have and nothing beats the blue waters of the Bahamas.”
And another shoutout from Donaldson: “The stunning overwater chapel in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, our newest destination, which is the hidden gem of the Caribbean. And for those who don’t know which one to choose, I can say that they’re all fabulous.”
Imagine saying ‘I do’ floating above the crystal clear Caribbean waters. Now that’s a destination wedding to remember.
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