Guest: Marsha-Ann Donaldson | Corporate Director of Weddings & Romance, Sandals Resorts International
One of the biggest reasons couples are embracing smaller weddings is intentional spending and meaningful experiences. That’s why elopements and micro weddings are becoming one of the biggest trends in the wedding industry. Couples are getting conscious about how they add value to their union, choosing intimate celebrations that prioritize connection over crowd size.
Rather than allocating the majority of their budget to a large one-day event, couples are asking themselves an important question: What actually matters most to us? And for many of them, the answer is simple: a beautiful setting, an intimate ceremony, time together, and a memorable honeymoon experience.
And Sandals and Beaches Resorts are making it easier and more affordable than ever with their “Your Weddings On Us” offer.
What Is The “Your Wedding On Us” Offer?
Marsha-Ann Donaldson, Corporate Director of Weddings & Romance at Sandals Resorts International, breaks it down:
“We truly believe in love. We believe in marriage. We know how to make ‘I do’ in paradise truly unforgettable.”
Here’s how it works:
When couples book seven nights or more at a Sandals or Beaches resort in a qualifying room category, the resort includes the Sweetheart Wedding package at no additional cost.
The package includes several elements couples would normally need to plan separately, including:
- A dedicated wedding planning team
- Wedding documentation assistance
- A ceremony setup
- Champagne toast
- Hors d’oeuvres
- A two-tier wedding cake
- Pre-recorded music for the ceremony
Couples can also add optional upgrades such as photography, entertainment, or elaborate décor if they want to personalize the celebration further.
The goal is simple: make the planning process easier so couples can focus on enjoying their wedding experience.
What’s Included in the “Sweetheart Wedding Package”
When you book 7+ nights in a Club or Butler category room:
Wedding Ceremony:
- Dedicated pre-arrival and on-site wedding planning team
- Picturesque Ceremony including officiant
- Celebratory wedding cake
- Orchid bouquet and boutonniere
- Private cocktail reception plus more
Resort Experience:
- All-inclusive dining (unlimited, no reservations needed)
- Premium spirits and wines
- Water sports, land sports, scuba diving
- Nightly entertainment
- Exchange privileges at nearby Sandals and Beaches resorts
Optional Add-Ons:
- Hair & makeup trials and wedding day services
- Spa treatments (bonus 15% discount for pampering before the big day!)
- Photography packages
- Upgraded ceremony locations
- Additional guests/family packages
What Makes a Destination Wedding Different
Another reason destination weddings are gaining popularity is the experience factor.
Traditional weddings often last only a few hours. Destination weddings, on the other hand, turn the celebration into an extended experience for the couple and their guests.
At Sandals and Beaches Resorts, couples can celebrate their wedding over several days by incorporating welcome cocktail parties, group excursions, beachside dinners, island adventures, and relaxing spa days. So instead of a single evening of celebration, couples and guests enjoy multiple shared moments together. This transforms the wedding from an event into a shared vacation experience.
Micro Weddings Are Here to Stay
While traditional weddings with large guest lists will always exist, the rise of micro weddings shows no sign of slowing down.
Micro weddings typically include 20 guests or fewer, allowing couples to focus on the people who have been most meaningful throughout their lives.
This smaller guest list often creates a more relaxed atmosphere and allows couples to spend quality time with each guest.
According to Marsha-Ann, the key message for couples planning a wedding is simple:
Do what feels right for you.
Some couples will want a big celebration. Others will want an intimate moment with only their closest loved ones. Neither approach is better, it simply depends on the couple’s priorities.
Why Couples Are Choosing Caribbean Elopements
- Intimacy Over Everything: “At the end of the day, you have to live with one another,” Marsha-Ann says. “Sometimes too many individuals live to please all family and friends.” The happy medium? Elope to the Caribbean, then throw a cocktail party back home to celebrate with everyone else.
- Budget Conscious Without Sacrificing the Dream: Instead of spending $30K+ on a stateside wedding, couples are choosing to:
- Put money toward a down payment on a house
- Cover moving expenses
- Invest in their honeymoon experience
- Still have their dream wedding, just more intimate
- Ease of Planning: “We take care of the planning so that’s one thing out of the way,” Marsha-Ann explains. “The whole notion that planning a destination wedding feels stressful? We want to alleviate that. You bring your two hearts and allow us to do the rest.”
A destination wedding isn’t just about the ceremony, it’s also about the location. Sandals and Beaches Resorts places a strong emphasis on Caribbean culture and experiences, which adds another dimension to weddings hosted there.
Couples and guests can enjoy activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling, golf and water sports, catamaran cruises, cultural excursions, and local Caribbean cuisine. These experiences allow couples to immerse themselves in the destination while celebrating their wedding.
Guests can also explore the island, making the trip an unforgettable vacation.
The Caribbean Experience
Marsha-Ann emphasizes that Sandals and Beaches Resorts appeal to all five senses:
- See: Waves rolling in, lush greenery, powdery white sands
- Hear: Birds chirping, island rhythms, ocean sounds
- Smell: Aroma of jerk seasoning, tropical flowers, sea air
- Taste: Caribbean fusion cuisine, local treats, fresh flavors
- Touch: Sand between your toes, warm Caribbean breeze
There are also special ceremonies available, like the sand ceremony which is available for intimate or large weddings and the symbolic tree planting ceremony (Jamaica & Turks only—roots steeped in love!)
Marsha-Ann also recommends packing for a purpose and giving back while you celebrate. Many couple are choosing to give back through the Sandals Foundation.
Instead of traditional wedding gifts, guests can “Pack for a Purpose”, bringing supplies for the communities Sandals and Beaches serve throughout the Caribbean.
“Nothing is bound,” Marsha-Ann says. “Allow your mind to be elasticized on what we can do.”
How to Book “Your Wedding On Us”
3 Easy Ways:
- Call: 1-877-SANDALS
- Contact your travel advisor
- Visit: www.Sandals.com/weddings
Requirements:
- Book 7+ nights
- Club or Butler category room
- See website for full terms and eligible resorts
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Bring Friends & Family?
Absolutely! The Sweetheart Wedding Package is designed for up to 10 people so you can have an intimate elopement (just the two of you) or bring your closest circle of friends and family. Sandals and Beaches Resorts also offers packages for micro weddings where the bride and groom want to celebrate a larger close-knit crew.
Some of the items your guests can enjoy at your destination wedding include:
- Welcome cocktail party (bring everyone together, break the ice!)
- Group excursions (catamaran cruises, tours, adventures)
- All-inclusive resort access
- Witness your ceremony in paradise
Why Sandals and Beaches Resorts for Your Elopement?
Planning: They handle everything so you can relax, Pampering: Spa, salon, and all-inclusive luxury, Paradise: 19 Caribbean resorts across 9 islands, Value: Wedding ceremony included with honeymoon stay, and Customization: Personalized to your preferences
As Marsha-Ann says, “We plan and we pamper. We’re the P&P team. You absolutely deserve it.”
Final Thoughts: Ready to Say “I Do” in Paradise?
Leave the guilt at home. Choose the wedding that feels right for YOU. Whether it’s just the two of you or a small group of your favorite people, Sandals and Beaches makes Caribbean elopements and micro weddings affordable, stress-free, and absolutely unforgettable! Call: 1-877-SANDALS
Sponsored by Sandals and Beaches Resorts
