Bad News
We had our first meeting on Friday. Well that’s not bad news, that was great.
We had a presentation from Shri Lildharrie the Global Travel Director of The Knot. Actually that was amazing!
The bad news is Barbados is not ranked as a honeymoon or destination wedding option. No ranking at all. Not even ranked last – just not listed.

It is estimated that 1 out of every 4 weddings is a destination wedding in the US so this market is important. Last year the leading location for destination weddings was the USA (so perhaps Barbados is competing with Miami and Maine) but this could be attributed to the contraction in the global economy and the ongoing recession in the US.

Historically the leader, and currently a very close second, is the Caribbean. Listed in the mix are various Caribbean destinations with Jamaica leading the pack as the most popular wedding destination with other destinations including The Bahamas, St. Lucia and Cayman. Barbados – no where to be seen.

I know Barbados has so many options and most requirements in place that create the backdrop for a beautiful wedding and a fabulous honeymoon. But it’s a mystery to me that needs decoding why this is not common knowledge.

Villas in Barbados are typically private homes, which are put into a rental pool and usually managed by a realtor. Villas in Barbados can be single dwellings or some condominium units are termed villas. Requests for weddings at a villa are in high demand, however, parties or weddings held at villa are usually by permission from the owner. Most 3-4 bedroom villas will not allow events surpassing 30 persons, due to concerns about damage to their property.

There are some larger villas and estate houses which can facilitate larger wedding parties.

There are a few villas with beachfront access, and they come with a high price tag. Many times the villa will not allow hosting weddings unless the owner knows the couple and gives permission.

The appeal of the villa is usually a luxury experience, privacy, personal house staff (butler, cooks, maids), and several of the villas, while not on the water, feature amazing views of the coast. The appeal of the villa for a wedding also addresses a venue and some of the accommodation requirements for the trip.

Villas can be booked with any of the major real estate on the island. It is essential to work with an experienced planner to assist with a villa wedding to manage issues like noise permits, catering, tenting and other logistics.

For some couples, the only thing blue for their wedding is the financial impact on the day of their dreams.   Many couples are still planning the day of their dreams but with a little caution and creativity, they are making the process manageable and affordable.

1. Cut your numbers – the greatest cost is attached to your wedding is feeding your guests.  The simplest way of reducing your wedding overheads is to reduce your numbers.  Certainly in Barbados, your options for venues increase as your headcount decreases.  Focus on inviting those who matter to you most.

2. Incorporate more DIY – this should be in the areas where you or those close to you have a skill or a talent.  Your wedding should still exude class and good taste (so don’t be a guinea pig for a budding florist) but leverage on a friend who is talented and has produced wonderful programmes in the past or created pretty centerpieces.

3. Simplify your menu – you may be horrified at the thought of macaroni pie (popular Bajan staple of macaroni and cheese baked) at your wedding, but it is comfort food and several of your guests will probably enjoy it.  Many times the exotic descriptions provided by the caterers and restaurants do not live up to the visual images that come to mind when selecting your menu.  A simpler menu with tasty food will make your guests happy and keep a realistic balance on your budget.

4. Ceremony/Reception combo – if you are not set on saying your vows at a church, seek a venue that you can do both your ceremony and reception.  The saving is on your transportation and travel (making this an environmentally-happy option).  For this to work, ensure your venue can provide enough chairs for both the ceremony and reception so that you do not incur the rental cost.   Also check that the venue offers a covered area for your reception so you won’t have to rent a tent.

5. Consider a Morning Wedding – breakfast menus are more cost efficient and the bar bill can be kept at a reasonable rate because the consumption of alcohol will be greatly reduced.

6. Use a Professional – Don’t compromise on your photography (your lasting memento of your wedding day) or your make-up (poorly applied it shows in your photos).

Share your tips to shave and save for a wedding in a recession.

IMPRESSIVELY HISTORIC
Codrington College

Christopher Codrington III (1668-1710), the benefactor after whom Codrington College is named, was a Governor General of the Leeward Islands.    He left portions of his estate to develop a college.  The College was officially opened on September 9, 1745.  It began to offer degrees in Classics as well as Theology, but has concentrated on theological studies since 1955.  
This historical site has been the backdrop for classic and fairytale weddings where couples can work with a coordinator to create their own vision.

Farley Hill
Spectacular scenery from the view on the hill, mahogany tree forest and the ruins of a mansion set the stage for one of the most beloved attractions on the island.  The Farley Hill house began in 1818 and eventually became home to Sir Graham Briggs, a wealthy British planter and legislator.   The house was used in the film Island in the Sun in 1965, but was subsequently destroyed by fire. Farley Hill was officially opened as a national park by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1966. With landscaped gardens and panoramic views, many couples looking for a unique venue have hosted their reception here.

LAVISH LIFESTYLE
The Yacht Club at Port St. Charles

With luxury yachts at berth and views of the beaches, The Yacht Club at Port St. Charles Yacht Club offers an upscale yet island-casual elegance to a wedding reception. This exclusive community can accommodate intimate wedding parties providing a setting that just breathes opulence.

 
Lion Castle Polo Estate

Polo in Barbados dates back to as early as 1884.  Since then Barbados Polo has grown into an international polo destination with the addition of three new fields one of which is the Lion Castle Polo Estate.  For a wedding with an air of sophistication, many couples have opted for holding their reception (and even their ceremony) at this affluent venue.  The rental includes use of the clubhouse and the grounds for the elegant affair.

There are so many hidden gems for wedding options in Barbados, too many to list, so couples should contact a certified wedding coordinator to explore the many options.  And of course there is also the beach…

(Footnote – Soulmates Barbados has coordinated weddings at each of the venues listed.)

Often, we forget the many choices that are out there when someone selects Barbados as their wedding destination.  There are so many places that our little island competes against, yet those of us who live here feel strongly that the experience on our island is like no other.  If you want a unique and magical destination you should come “home” to us in Barbados.  Over the next few weeks I will highlight some of the things that makes Barbados the best destination in the world for weddings and honeymoons.  (If I leave anything out, be sure to post it!)

Miss Andrea Mitchell & Dr. Jamel Donnor recently flew from the United States to Barbados, for a whirlwind, wedding weekend accompanied by eighty of their closest friends and relatives. The couple exchanged their vows in an intimate ceremony at the St. James Parish Church, officiated by Reverend Wayne Kirton, which included the African-American tradition of jumping the broom.

The guests were then transported to the Fairmont Royal Pavilion, to a lavish cocktail party with steel pan music by Terry “Mexican” Arthur. The event flowed into The Palm Terrace Restaurant where the festivities continued with a lively, but elegant dinner reception, featuring interludes of dancing between courses.

Andrea & Jamel Donnor

A missing element from the evening was the absence of guest gifts. Andrea & Jamel asked their wedding coordinator, Sue Morris of Soulmates Barbados, to assist them with finding a local charity. They decided to make a donation in lieu of wedding favours and selected the Services Alliance for Violent Encounters (SAVE) Foundation. The SAVE Foundation is a non-profit organisation with an exclusive focus on addressing the incidences of domestic violence.

L to R- Mrs. Andrea Donnor, Dr. Jamel Donnor, Liesel Daisley

At a welcome party held at the Boatyard on the day before the wedding, Andrea and Jamel made a monetary presentation to chairperson Liesel Daisley.

L to R:- Liesel Daisley (SAVE Foundation), Dr. Jamel Donnor, Mrs. Andrea Donnor, Sue Morris (Soulmates Barbados)

Visibly moved, Ms. Daisley thanked the couple. “I think it is very commendable what this couple … has done for a local charity. They definitely understand the true meaning of love, because love gives. They have started their marriage off on a very good note by giving to those who have had been deprived of love.” She stated that the donation would go directly towards counseling victims of domestic violence on the island.

I know of a couple that took a proactive approach and rescheduled the wedding by a week when the flights first ceased. All the vendors, bar one, were able to accommodate the change. Their biggest fallout would be that a few guests had already arrived and may have to leave before the new wedding date.

I have learnt of another couple still in the UK and their story is still being written. Their venue is heavily booked and an alternate wedding date could not be found to accommodate their plans. Their option is to have a civil wedding in the UK, take their honeymoon as planned, and then come to Barbados for a second wedding/reception.

What are the lessons that the volcano can teach us?

Brides & Grooms –
Be prepared to handle challenges as a team making your decisions together.

Don’t panic about the unexpected, but just be prepared to deal with it as some weddings don’t always go according to plan.

Laugh about the challenges together – they will make your wedding story unique and a great story to tell friends and children about.

Get married anyway – even if it is not the wedding that you first imagined, if at all possible, don’t postpone the start of your life together. Love, life and time are too precious to put on hold.

Vendors –
Have a contract or agreement that clarifies how you handle your responsibility in the instance of an Acts of God.

Be flexible – work with your client to give them options and solutions, even if it diminishes your profit.

Have a heart – come up with solutions to help your client. It’s a once-in-a –lifetime situation for them and if you experience any stress by it, imagine how your client feels.