Guest: Marsha-Ann Donaldson | Corporate Director of Weddings & Romance, Sandals Resorts International
When you picture a Caribbean wedding, what comes to mind? Beautiful seas, powdery white sand, palm trees swaying in the breeze?
That’s part of it, but Marsha-Ann Donaldson, Corporate Director of Weddings & Romance at Sandals Resorts International, wants you to know there’s SO much more to a Caribbean destination wedding than just the beach.
“When you think Caribbean, I want you to think vibrant colors,” Marsha-Ann says. “Shades of crimson when it’s sunset. Blue skies, fluffy white clouds, azure blue waters. Vibrant colors with the flowers, the flora, the fauna. And beyond the seas, we also have the beautiful backdrop of the mountains, the rolling hills, the lush greenery.”
The Diverse Caribbean Backdrops Available at Sandals & Beaches Resorts
Depending on the island that you choose, you can look forward to beautiful Caribbean backdrop offerings that will elevate your wedding in a magical way. Note that the resort backdrop available to you depends entirely on the island and specific resort you choose, for example, the expansive coastal beaches at Sandals Negril, or the lush garden and mountain views at Sandals Halcyon or Sandals Grande St. Lucian.
1. Expansive Coastal Beaches
For couples seeking a sense of limitless space, the Caribbean offers iconic locations like Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica. These expansive coastlines provide a long, beautiful backdrop of white sand and blue sea, making them perfect for larger wedding parties or those who simply want the feeling of the open sea at their ceremony.
2. Intimate Scalloped Coves
If privacy and seclusion are your priority, the region is home to numerous scalloped and cove beaches. These smaller, two-mile stretches of sand offer a much more intimate setting, creating a private feel that is ideal for elopements or small family gatherings where the focus is entirely on the couple and their closest loved ones.
3. Lush Garden and Mountain Views
Beyond the coastline, the Caribbean landscape includes vibrant garden settings and dramatic mountain vistas. Locations like Halcyon in St. Lucia provide “secret garden” vibes with lush greenery, rolling hills, and tropical flora. The backdrops are extremely picturesque, allowing for a diverse range of wedding styles.
What Is “Made of Caribbean”?
“Made of Caribbean” is the Sandals & Beaches Resorts ethos, which simply means authentic Caribbean culture infused into EVERY detail. The goal is to be able to represent who Sandals & Beaches Resorts are and the authenticity of what the Caribbean brings. Here is how they achieve that:
1. Locally Inspired Menus
Your wedding feast won’t just be a meal, it will be an authentic Caribbean culinary journey. “Made of Caribbean” means infusing your menu with the unique, bold spices and Caribbean flavors of the islands. Imagine guests savoring Caribbean fusion dishes, tasting authentic jerk chicken, and experiencing local ingredients that tell the story of the destination itself. It’s an immersive dining experience designed to reflect the region’s vibrant culinary spirit.
2. Vibrant Island Decor
Forget muted, generic decorations; your wedding ambiance will be bursting with the Caribbean’s natural splendor. This authenticity is expressed through vibrant island decor. From stunning floral arrangements featuring native ginger lilies and torch flowers to tablescapes defined by bright coral tones and rich tropical colors, every design detail is curated to reflect the lush flora and fauna, making your celebration feel like a true extension of paradise.
3. Rich Musical Entertainment
Set the celebratory mood with the unforgettable soundtrack of the islands. “Made of Caribbean” brings rich musical entertainment, ensuring your event flows to the rhythm of the region. Picture a sophisticated cocktail hour accompanied by the smooth, melodic sounds of a steel pan band, or a reception where guests can move to the infectious beats of Jamaican Reggae or traditional Junkanoobands from the Bahamas. This island rhythm is the very heartbeat of the Caribbean, woven into your special day.
4. Cultural Excursions
The experience of “Made of Caribbean” extends far beyond the wedding day itself, turning your celebration into an immersive vacation through carefully selected cultural excursions. Whether you and your guests embark on a romantic catamaran cruise across azure waters, explore the magical depths of a rainforest, taste local flavors at a jerk shack, or seek adventure with ATV rides and horseback riding, these activities allow everyone to dive deep into the spirit and tapestry of the Caribbean.
How “Made of Caribbean” Shows Up in Your Wedding Details
The Wedding Planning Journey:
Marsha-Ann calls it a “journey”, because it’s about more than just one day. It’s about the entire experience.
Questions your wedding planner will ask:
Colors:
- “What color do you want to express your wedding in?”
- “Do you want coral tones? Vibrant Caribbean colors?”
Flowers:
- “Would you like a tropical arrangement?”
- “Do you want ginger lilies, torch flowers, centerpieces synonymous with the Caribbean?”
Entertainment:
- “Do you want a fire dancer?”
- “Steel pan band for cocktail hour?”
- “Reggae or cultural music for dancing?”
Food:
- “Do you want local flavors integrated into your menu?”
- “Jerk seasonings, Caribbean fusion dishes?”
Pre-Wedding Events:
- “Would the guys want an ATV bike ride or horseback riding for a bachelor party?”
- “Would the girls want spa treatments with tropical Caribbean scents?”
“There is so much to offer from the moment they’re planning the journey to the actual pre-wedding celebration event to the wedding day itself and beyond,” Marsha-Ann says.
Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties… Caribbean Style
Forget Vegas. Forget the bar. Welcome to Caribbean celebrations:
For the Guys:
- ATV bike rides through the jungle
- Horseback riding on the beach
- Rum and Games Night with cigars and dominoes
For the Girls:
- Spa day with tropical Caribbean scents
- Catamaran cruise with champagne
- Beach relaxation with friends
Why this works: “Going elsewhere may require so much more planning and coordination,” Marsha-Ann notes. “At the very least, your friends and family are also getting a mini vacation experience. They’re going off to the jerk shack, doing water sports, immersing themselves in what we’re able to offer.”
“Make sure that as a part of your planning journey, you’re not limiting your experience to just focusing on the wedding,” she urges. “It needs to be fun, memorable, exciting, experiential. It needs to be a story that’s told beyond the day.”
The Sandals & Beaches Wedding Planning Team
“Many times, if you think of a destination wedding, folks automatically will clutch their chest and think, ‘Oh my goodness, this could be stressful,'” Marsha-Ann says. “And we want the opposite to be true.”
How the team works:
Pre-Arrival:
- Dedicated wedding planning team (6-12 months out)
- Works with you on every detail
- “Talk to me like I’m your bestie,” Marsha-Ann says
- Shares colors, entertainment, songs, tablescape ideas, ceremony setup
Upon Arrival:
- Resort wedding team receives your entire plan
- Works with you from arrival → wedding day → honeymoon
- Delivers on everything you’ve been planning
One-Stop Shop:
- You DON’T need to contact external suppliers
- You DON’T need to talk to entertainers directly
- “We are the one-stop shopping pleasure. Leave it with us. Express that dream.”
Legal Support:
- All weddings recognized everywhere in the world
- Sandals & Beaches Resorts handle all documentation processing
- You just provide the pre-required documents
- Certificate generated in the timeframe designated by each island
“Tell us the dream, show up on the resort, allow us to make the dream come true,” Marsha-Ann says.
Nature’s Vow & Eco-Conscious Wedding Practices: Sustainability Meets Romance
Sandals & Beaches Resorts Nature’s Vow wedding inspiration combines romance with environmental responsibility. Born from the beauty of the Caribbean, this eco-conscious wedding look is rooted in the lush canopies of the islands.
Currently available in:
- Jamaica
- Turks & Caicos
What are the Eco-Conscious Wedding Practices?
Symbolic Tree Planting Ceremony:
- Two sets of soils come together to nourish one small tree sapling
- A tree is later planted in your honor
- “Years to come, that to me is a legacy of love,” Marsha-Ann says
- Contributes to a canopy of trees over time
Sustainable Décor:
- Repurposed elements
- Reusable potted plants instead of fresh-cut flowers
- Local artisan designs
- Souvenir options from local makers
Give Back:
- Donate your wedding garments (gowns, tuxedos, and bridesmaid dresses and suits) after the ceremony
- Proceeds from the sale of these items support local food scarcity programs
Traditional Options Still Available:
- Sand ceremonies (still very popular for beach weddings!)
- Choose what fits your vibe
Test Drive Your Wedding
Sandals & Beaches Resorts offers a Test Drive Program for couples considering a destination wedding.
How it works:
- Sandals & Beaches Resorts qualify you and match you to the right resort
- You get to visit and experience the property firsthand for a special rate
- Meet the team, see the venues, feel the vibe of the resort, taste the cakes, and more
- Make your final decision: “I wish to say ‘I do’ at Sandals or Beaches “
Why Choose Sandals & Beaches Resorts for Your Caribbean Wedding?
1. Scenic Backdrops Beyond the Beach
While we all love a good beach moment, the Caribbean has so much more to offer. Sandals & Beaches Resorts doesn’t just stick you on the sand; you can choose from lush tropical gardens, rolling hills, or even dramatic mountain views. With 19 resorts across nine different islands, you can find a spot that feels uniquely “you,” whether you want that endless ocean horizon or a secret garden vibe for your ‘I do’s.’
2. Authentic Island Vibes
The “Made of Caribbean” approach is all about keeping things real. Instead of generic wedding decor and bland food, your big day is infused with actual island culture. We’re talking about menus packed with local spices, vibrant floral arrangements using native plants like ginger lilies, and a soundtrack of steel pans or reggae that actually feels like the destination you’re in.
3. Your Own Wedding Bestie
Planning a wedding from a different country sounds like a nightmare, but Sandals & Beaches Resorts basically give you a professional best friend to handle it. You get a dedicated planner months in advance to hash out the details, and once you land, the resort team takes over the heavy lifting. They even handle the annoying legal paperwork, so you can focus on your tan instead of document processing.
4. Weddings That Give Back
If you want your celebration to feel meaningful, their Eco-Conscious Wedding Practices are a game-changer. You can have a symbolic tree planting ceremony as a “legacy of love” that benefits the islands with an actual tree later planted in your honor . Plus, they offer ways to support local artisans or even donate your wedding garments after the ceremony to help out those in need on the islands. It’s romance that actually does some good for the environment and the local community.
5. A Full-Blown Vacation for Everyone
The best part about a destination wedding is that it’s not just one day, it’s a whole trip. Your bachelor or bachelorette parties can be ATV rides or spa days with tropical scents, and your guests get a mini-vacation out of the deal. Since it’s all-inclusive, no one is stressing about where to eat or how much drinks cost, making the whole experience feel like one big, easy celebration.
6. Your Wedding On Us Package
One of the biggest reasons couples choose Sandals and Beaches for their destination wedding is the Your Weddings On Us promotion. Here is how it works: you book 7+ nights in a Club or Butler category room, and your wedding ceremony is on them! Your ceremony, celebratory cake, champagne toast, ceremony setup, and more, all included when you book your honeymoon stay. This way, you get to combine your wedding AND honeymoon into one incredible Caribbean experience without the massive price tag!
Final Thoughts
Ready to turn your dream wedding into a tropical reality? Getting started is easier than you think! There are 3 ways to do it:
- Call: 1-877-SANDALS
- Contact your travel advisor
- Visit: https://www.sandals.com/weddings/packages
Whether you’re curious about the “Your Weddings On Us” offer, hunting for the latest promotions, or are ready to book a Test Drive trip to find your perfect resort match, the Caribbean is waiting for you!
Sponsored by Sandals & Beaches Resorts
