MY ESCAPE TO ST LUCIA

Despite the rough year that 2020 was, I was incredibly fortunate to participate in a travel advisor familiarization trip to Sandals Grande St. Lucian on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia in November. These trips are key learning opportunities for travel advisors where we are given extensive tours of the resorts and meet with management about all the updates concerning the travel experience at these luxury properties.  Since travel was pretty much nonexistent during this time, we were able to truly enjoy the resort, the beach, the pools, the restaurants, and all the activities offered at this stunning resort.  

Sandals resorts are made for couples!  I do not think I have ever seen so many honeymooners together at one time.  Even during the pandemic, couples were getting married and going on their honeymoons.  Another segment of guests consisted of Destination Wedding groups.  In fact, there were FIVE weddings on Saturday when we were there.  What I loved about watching them was that they ranged from just the bride and groom to a small group of family and friends to much larger gatherings.  The resort can accommodate any size of event and make it romantic, beautiful, and truly special.

Wedding Locations
Locations range from a romantic spot right on the beach to the wedding chapel, to the pier, to gazebos on the beautiful resort grounds. In fact, there are more than eleven wedding spots at the resort, so couples are sure to find one that fits them perfectly!
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It was so much fun to see happy people celebrating around the resort and their happiness was contagious.  While we were dining at Gordon’s on the Pier, the fine dining restaurant at the resort, we saw a wedding group dining together, having a wonderful time and afterwards posing for group photos.  I thought how fun it would be to celebrate with your closest friends and family on an idyllic island that way.  We also saw a wonderful post-ceremony dinner and party on the pier with elaborate dancers and fire-eaters providing entertainment for the wedding group.  This was a showstopper as far as wedding celebrations go!
 

​It’s Easy to Get Married in St. Lucia
In St Lucia there are no residency requirements for legal weddings!  Below are the documents that you will need to have a legal wedding:

• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Divorce decree (if an applicant has been divorced). Note that the original or certified copy should be presented as proof.
• A death certificate (original or certified copy) of the spouse (in the case of a widow/widower)

A marriage license and notary fees cost approx. $125 or the same day cost is $200.

​Dreamy Accommodations
As far as accommodations go, for honeymooners or anniversary trips, the overwater bungalows offer luxury at its finest!  They have glass floor panels so you can enjoy the marine life below, private patios with outdoor showers, outdoor tranquility tubs, and of course, butler service to handle any request you might have. 
 
The Rondoval suites are also exquisite with private plunge pools, Jacuzzis, hammocks, and outdoor showers.  The interiors are equipped with full bars, luxury bathrooms with Roman soaking tubs and walk-in showers.  These romantic suites have flow-through living and sleeping quarters with four-poster king-size beds and flat screen tv’s.
 
I stayed in the honeymoon swim up suite which was very nice and easier on the budget but still a great choice.  I loved stepping into the lagoon pool right outside my sliding back door for a swim before getting ready for cocktails and dinner.  My room had a four-poster, king-size bed, a cozy seating area, flat screen TV, and a fully stocked bar.  The location was excellent as we walked a few steps out of our building (room #2102) and were on the gorgeous resort grounds with the pools and restaurants at our feet and just beyond that the beach.  

St Lucia Travel Tips
No travel blog is complete without travel tips, so I am including them here. 

• This resort is at the north part of the island so the transfer from the airport which is at the southernmost point takes about an hour and a half.  If you suffer from motion sickness at all remember to take Bonine or something similar, to combat the symptoms.  
• Another option is to take a helicopter from the airport which is about 15 minutes in the air.  This is also a great way to take in some incredible views.  I can set this up for you very easily and will give you this option during our consultation.
• When reserving your seats on the airplane request to sit on the left-hand side of the plane to get the best views on the approach.  You should get an incredible glimpse of the famous Pitons as you come into land towards the east.  Then on your return flights, try and sit on the right-hand side for similar reasons.

If you are planning a destination wedding or vow renewal at a Sandals resort, you will be delighted at the offerings these resorts have to make your special event that much more memorable. As a Certified Destination Wedding Consultant and Certified Sandals Specialist, I work with my clients to make sure they know everything that is available to them, from the choices of stunning locations for their ceremony, to the photographer options, to the ceremony packages. These can range from a complimentary ceremony to one with many amazing add-ons including rehearsal dinners, cocktail parties, upgraded floral arrangements and after ceremony dinners with elaborate entertainment options. If you can dream it, I can plan it!
 
Contact me to help you choose the right resort and plan your dream destination wedding, honeymoon, vow renewal, anniversary trip or “just because” getaway!

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