Today’s wedding from St. John was sent to us at our friends over at Island Style Weddings (thanks Mary + Leah!). Jon and Mary traveled from Maryland to the USVI with 33 of their nearest and dearest to celebrate on the beach for their big day! We asked the couple how they landed on this location. “The location was selected because we have been to St. John twice together and it is our favorite place!! We also think Trunk Bay is the most beautiful beach we have ever seen.”
The decor of the event, the bride was inspired by their natural surroundings. “Since we were getting married in the islands on the beach I wanted bright colors. We started with the color of the bridesmaid dresses and then everything fell into place. Jon and I as a couple prefer earth tones and that’s where the natural colors for the table settings came from.”
Along with the natural colors of this event were pops of bright coral from the bridesmaid dresses and of course, vibrant flowers in the bridal bouquet.
We often ask couples what they remember most from their day and for these two – it was the ceremony. “Jon says the most memorable moment was when I walked down the aisle. I think the most memorable moment was during our ceremony when our officiate had us walk to the edge of the water and briefly take in the view just the two of us. The wedding day goes by so quickly and you feel like all this stuff is happening around you, so it was refreshing to take a “time-out” from the day and ceremony to have a minute to ourselves and realize that our moment has finally arrived.” Love this idea!
As for wedding day hurtles? What did they experience and how did they deal? Well, in the tropics anything goes when it comes to the weather! “It rained the morning of our wedding and then poured from 4PM to 5:45PM and our ceremony was supposed to begin at 5:45PM on the beach. Jon and I discussed our options earlier that day, specifically if we wanted to go with the backup plan and get married inside, and we decided that rain or shine we were going to get married on the beach!! Right as I was getting out of the limo the rain miraculously cleared in time for our ceremony and we had an amazing sunset.”
Wedding planner, Mary Bartolucci shared a bit about this darling couple’s big day as well. “Lace, peonies and lots of love were all part of Mary and Jon’s Island Style Wedding. They began their week with a beach BBQ for their guests at Hawksnest Beach. Day 2 was a full sailing, snorkel and island hopping day about the 50 ft sailing vessel Kekoa to Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands. Their rehearsal dinner was held at Ocean Grill, a garden restaurant whose house made dessert are Mary’s favorite.
On the wedding day, Mary, escorted by her Mom and Dad walked down the aisle to the gentle sounds of Canon in D played on steel pan by Lemeul Callwood. Later the guests dined on a gourmet meal of local mahi mahi or filet.
Toasts, well wishes hugs and kisses were plentiful though out the evening. It was a magical evening for all!”
We can’t get enough of these beautiful colors on the reception tables! Love how celebratory the design feels!
And what wedding day would be complete without the bride having a little fun with her wedding cake photos?!
Clearly a great time was had by all!
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Destination Wedding Photographer: Alain Brin of Blue Glass Photography
Wedding Vendors: Ceremony and Reception Design + Decor, Planning + Coordination + Officiant: Mary Bartolucci and Leah Burris of Island Style Weddings, Welcome Party BBQ: Hawksnest Beach – USVI National Park, Day Sail to British Virgin Islands: aboard Kekoa, Rehearsal Dinner: Ocean Grill, Hair and Makeup: Michelle Collins and Colleen Kramper, Ceremony: Trunk Bay, Reception: The Waterfront Bistro, Flowers: Jessica Aubain of Roses too Flowers, Guest transportation: James Penn Taxi, Bridal Party Transportation: Love City Limo, Ceremony Music: Steel Pan by Lemeul Callwood, Reception Band: Caribbean Groove Band, Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas, Wedding Dress: Stella York at Amanda Ritchey Bridal, Bridesmaid Dresses: Allure Bridals, Groom/Groomsmen: Jos. A. Bank, Invitations and Save the Dates: Wedding Paper Divas, Wedding Cake: Queen of Tarts, Guest accommodations: Westin St John
