St John is a beautiful island located in the US Virgin Islands. Though it is the smaller of the US Virgin Islands, the beauty is unparalleled. Since many of the beaches are located in the National Park, they are mostly untouched and pristine. This means that, while they are a beautiful place to explore during the day, most of the beaches do not have resorts or nightlife. While this is a cherished quality to many, some prefer the all-inclusive resort life that other destinations offer.
I like to tell my clients about the qualities of St John before discussing wedding details to make sure that this destination is what they are looking for. While a “toes in the sand” wedding can be an option for some groups, many of my clients prefer the unique venues that the islands offer, using the ocean’s beauty as their backdrop.
Photography by Crystal Gwenshon
Imagine hosting your family and friends at a private villa with the turquoise waters and islands all around. A typical wedding week on St John can consist of 4-5 days of events for your guests to enjoy. Some examples include a welcome party, beach barbecue with cocktails, pool party with live music, rehearsal dinner, Sunday brunch, and of course the wedding day.
While a large wedding week may seem like a fun option for some, we also get many requests for elopements and micro weddings. I always tell my clients that the best thing about the Virgin Islands is that you can do it YOUR WAY! Think about what is important to you… not what other people tell you is important. We can help with anything from a ceremony with only the bride, groom and officiant, or add on all the bells and whistles to make it a grand experience for the two of you. An elopement doesn’t mean you have to limit yourselves.
Photography by Autumn Annice
One more important factor to keep in mind when considering the USVI is your guest count. Remember that the islands are small, therefore many businesses cannot accommodate large groups. Keeping your guest count at or below 50 people will allow for many choices in venues and vendors. While there are some options for up to 100 guests, this large of a group will greatly impact your choices and budget. Destination weddings are not only for you to be able to celebrate your love in a magical setting, but also to share more time with those people that are closest to you. It is common for couples to have a second, larger reception back at home after the wedding to celebrate with your extended friends and family. This is a great time to share the professional photos and videos from your wedding.
The most common question couples ask when considering St John is pricing. I always tell clients to budget $500-600 per guest for everything you’ll need on the wedding day (e.g.- food, beverage, photography, flowers, music). This does not include your invitations, wedding dress, travel or wedding planner. Accommodations can run anywhere from $250-$800 per room/ per night. Airfare can cost $400-700 round trip, of course this varies from state to state and time of year.
Photography by Linds and Max
St John is a very beautiful island to visit and explore. It is US territory (passports not needed if flying from the US) and is very safe. There are many beaches to visit, snorkel and paddleboard. Popular hiking trails exist all over the island, many have historical ruins to explore, as well. The laid back culture of the island is always welcoming… make sure to give a friendly smile and “good morning” or “good afternoon” to people that you meet. Remember that “island time” is a real thing, so relax, take a deep breath (and maybe a rum punch or painkiller), and soak in all that the
islands have to offer!
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