Deciding to have a Caribbean destination wedding came easy to Jamie and Michael, mostly because the couple felt that “home is a feeling we get when we are around each other, family and loved ones.” So, traveling to a foreign land to exchange their “I do’s” was an exciting trip they couldn’t wait to experience.

Always trust your gut when it comes to choosing the perfect destination for your wedding. “We had the opportunity to vacation at Caneel Bay through a work incentive trip about a month after our engagement and fell in love with the island immediately,” says the bride. The couple still gave other locations an opportunity to “wow” them, but nothing filled their hearts the way the Caneel Bay, in the Virgin Islands, did. “We love to travel and there was nothing more amazing to us than the enchantingly lush island of St. John, where two-thirds of the island is comprised of protected national parks.”

The couple also felt it was important to keep their special day as intimate as possible, so their guest list was on the smaller side. They “only [included] family and close friends who knew [them] both as a couple.”

Jamie and Michael expected issues to arise when getting their guests to the island and accommodating their gusts needs. The bride said, “St. John’s is a small island, so it does not have an airport. Our wedding planner was amazing and helped put our worries to rest, by coordinating all of our guests’ ferry schedules.” Mary Bartolucci, the couples wedding planner, has valuable knowledge of the islands and has experience working for luxury hospitality chains. “She was so good that if any issues arose she resolved them and never worried me by bringing them to my attention,” says Jamie. “I only learned about her remarkable ability to handle these curve balls from others when they complimented me on my choice to have such a composed and resourcefully clever wedding planner that could handle such obstacles. She helped curate my dream team of vendors who operated like “Oceans Eleven” effortlessly.”

When looking back on their decision to have a destination wedding the couple has no regrets. Jamie says, “I believe we spent around the same amount of money as we would have if we were married stateside, maybe a little less.” We asked the couple what their favorite moment of the day way. “Taking a moment to ourselves during dinner to take it all in. Watching our guests and love ones enjoying themselves and thinking just how lucky and special we were to have this moment.”

Venders: Photograph: Blue Glass Photogrpahy, Ceremony/Reception: Turtle Bay Point at Caneel Bay, Wedding Planner: Mary Bartolucci of Island Style Weddings, Florist: Roses Too, Hair & Makeup: Grapevine Salon, Gown Designer: Johanna Johnson,Stationery: Avie Designs, Cake: Caneel Bay, Groom’s Clothes: Ted Baker, Bridesmaid Dresses: BCBG and BHLDN, Videographer: Palm Wedding Films.