weddings Archives - Go Travel STL

Why should Sandals St. Lucia be your next stop?

April 11, 2019 By Susan Robson

Why should Sandals Grande St. Lucia be your next vacation stop? First, consider that guests enjoy the All-Inclusive Luxury Vacation in the most gorgeous tropical & beach settings! Does that get your attention? Add to that: Best Beaches, Unique Gourmet Dining, Premium Spirits, Premium wines, Padi-certified scuba diving included, entertainment, championship golf, unmatched service, and finally, stay at 1 and play at 3 (or more) resorts!

Sandals Grande St. Lucia

St. Lucia is a magical island offering panoramic bay views and the best beaches in the Caribbean. This gives one the feeling of complete island seclusion – you are in a world by yourself. Towering Piton mountains and fern-frilled jungles bring about a complete sense of relaxation. Sandals Grande St. Lucia builds upon that feeling and gives you the ultimate vacation experience. For this reason, it is probably my favorite Sandals Resort on St. Lucia. The beach here is long, the drinks steady, entertainment entertaining, and the soft breeze amazing! The swim-out rooms and romantic Rondoval Suites make it an ideal honeymoon hot spot. The main pool area is very lively and winds around through the room buildings, like a ribbon of water.

Why should Sandals Grande St Lucia be your next vacation spot? The resort offers an endless supply of restaurants with delicious food options, recreation and amenities along with some of the BEST diving available, anywhere in the Caribbean. The best hiking is a trek up to Fort Rodney, on the peak just beyond the resort (club concierge will act as your guide on the hike). And, with the free inter-Sandals shuttle service, there are up to 27 restaurants and numerous beach options available between the three Sandals resorts in St. Lucia. Dinner reservations are required at some restaurants, so be sure to plan ahead and contact the concierge or a butler for dining options soon after arrival.

One note… because of location, getting to this resort can be a bit bumpy and the transfer time is approximately ninety minutes+. If this a concern I recommend a helicopter tour to/from the George F.L Charles Airport. This flight to the north is one that you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Sandals Halcyon up next!

Susan

What are the Most Romantic Properties in Riviera Maya?

May 31, 2015 By Susan Robson

What are the most Romantic & Gourmet Inclusive properties in Riviera Maya? Recently, I was thrilled to be able to complete site visits of all of the El Dorado properties in Riviera Maya, Mexico. These properties are among the most romantic hotels in the world, as recognized by Forbes.com, and can be attributed to the exclusive & luxurious services, for couples only, on the properties. To intrigue you, think about a beach and pool butler, exclusive swim up suites, and unforgettable, gourmet ala carte restaurants, serving only the freshest of fresh, from El Dorado’s own greenhouses, to tempt your palate with every single bite!

El Dorado Seaside Suites is just 1 hour and 30 minutes from the Cancun International Airport (it’s probably best to pay the extra for Non-stop transfers). The resort features a new 2015 lobby, hosts guests in 380 rooms on the property, and serves guest meals in 6 + 2 open air restaurants (no reservations, except at 2). Most impressive is that El Dorado has it’s own greenhouses and growing fields for all of the garden fresh vegetables, herbs and ingredients used to prepare their succulent dishes and delectable entrees. Lobster has an up charge of $50…small price for this gourmet delight! On the property is the famed “coconut nursery”, where 7,000 plants are nurtured and grown, then replanted on the properties. A swim-up bar is found in the main pool, but the real attraction is the swimmable beach. Guests can swim way out to the reef, and snorkel and kayak if they choose. Entertainment is not in short supply here, with daily shows at 9:30 p.m., and the main bar stays open until the wee hours of 2 a.m. A beachfront jacuzzi junior suite would be my recommendation for the perfect romantic getaway at this sophisticated All Suites resort for adults only.

An unforgettable, romantic getaway, the El Dorado Maroma, a boutique resort, quietly boasts just 99 suites, four international restaurants, and three bars for it’s guests. By the fall of 2015, 56 over-the-water villas will be complete to give guests even more options. Travelers have been requesting the “Bora-Bora” type accommodations, and now, El Dorado comes through! At this sophisticated and impressive location, guests can swim & snorkel, or in the next moment, ride camels or horses! Maroma Beach cannot be beat! Like on the other El Dorado properties, Maroma accesses the main greenhouse for it’s vegetables, herbs, and ingredients. You can easily see why this astonishing Gourmet Inclusive concept creates an unforgettable experience! All room categories receive butler service for the pool & beach. My recommendation for room category is the Mi Hotelito Beachfront suite or the Infinity pool jacuzzi suite. Do take note, though, if you choose the Presidential villa as the accommodation, you receive 1 complimentary dinner cooked by the Chef in YOUR room. How awesome would that be? The Catholic Wedding chapel at Maroma can accommodate up to 100 guests. Would this be the perfect size for your wedding?

Located just 30 minutes from the Cancun International Airport, is the well-known, El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Casitas Royale. Guests will find the ultimate in luxury and comfort at this spectacular beachfront resort. A total of 478 rooms are located on the property, divided into villas, casitas, and suites. Featuring gourmet inclusive at it’s seven ala carte’ restaurants, a culinary theatre, premium beverages at the 17 bars and lounges, personalized service at every turn, and 13 swimming pools, you just can’t be pampered more! With many choices for room categories, my recommendation would be the Oceanfront jacuzzi junior suite, or go all out for one of the Individual casitas, located directly in front of the ocean. Bali beds are available on a first come, first serve basis. Kayaking and snorkeling will be so much fun when the artificial reef is completed. Biking is also offered at the resort. El Dorado Royale has so many wonderful locations for weddings – 8 on the beach, 2 garden, and 1 sky wedding location.

Take just a minute to view one of these videos: El Dorado Spa Resorts

If you would like information about any of these El Dorado properties, take a few minutes to fill out my Perfect Honeymoon finder, and I’ll receive your information to review before I get in touch with you. Thank you for taking the time to read about these fabulous resorts!

Susan

Want to Get Married…in Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, or the Dominican Republic?

December 8, 2014 By Susan Robson

Many couples ask me…How do couples get married in Mexico, Jamaica, or the Dominican Republic? It turns out, Destination Weddings are as easy as P.I.E.S. (popular-inexpensive-easy-stress free). Because of the romantic, tropical and sea beauty of the Caribbean, it is a popular and favorite choice for destination weddings. But, brides and grooms do need to know the two kinds of ceremonies, and then make the best choice for themselves.

What type of ceremony? There are two types offered…legal (civil) or symbolic.

Symbolic ceremony – I’ll start with the easiest of the two. Picture this ceremony as a “performance”, and remember that it doesn’t change anyone’s marital status. Most couples decide to “legally” marry in the USA prior to their destination wedding celebration, primarily because of the foreign requirements to have a legal ceremony (these will follow). The resort the couple chooses will: 1. tell them how many days they need to be present to assist and direct planning, 2. give the couple wedding package choices, and 3. coordinate & orchestrate the wedding. Couples can “individualize” their wedding by including wedding traditions, and stylizing every aspect to suit their personalities and likes. All of this is coordinated via email & phone calls through the travel agent, wedding coordinator, and the couple.

Civil or Legal ceremony – Generally, there are basic requirements in all foreign countries that remain somewhat consistent, but they will vary depending on the country. For purposes here, generalizations will be given and every couple should contact the Consulate in that country for specifics and to verify all facts and details.

1. Pre-wedding blood tests & possibly chest x-rays done in the wedding location. Documentation: 1. notarized copy of birth certificates and letters stating single status – these need to be translated in the language of the country. 3. 1 – 3 business days waiting period & 2 – 4 witnesses with valid id’s (varies by country). 4. Copies of any divorce decree or death certificate of a previous spouse. 5. Passports & copies.

The legal ceremony is conducted in Spanish by a Judge and translated into English by the wedding coordinator. The wedding certificate translation is at a cost of about $150. In the USA, the State Dept. requires that all wedding certificates from ceremonies in foreign countries, have the Apostille Seal. This can be completed by the wedding coordinator (boy, this person is busy), and is then sent and delivered to a U.S.A. address approximately 90 business days after the ceremony. Registration of the marriage certificate in a couple’s home country should be done once it is received. A wedding planner can be hired in the destination to assist with getting all of the required documents and paperwork complete. Often, a resort’s wedding department can provide information, as well. There are many details to this legal ceremony, so consider contacting the Consulate in the country of the destination wedding. Another general listing of the needed documents and waiting/preparation days for legal weddings:

Documents Needed Waiting/preparation days

Passports and birth certificate Bahamas – 1 day Dominican – 3 days
single status proof Mexico – 2 days
At least 2 witnesses Jamaica – 1 day
registration fee – approximately $300

Do you still have questions? Your travel agent and wedding coordinator can assist you to find the right answers. If you are now ready to begin looking at and planning your destination wedding, please go to www.GoTravelStl.com and begin by filling out the Perfect Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Analysis.

Look for my next blog…Planning a Destination wedding.

Susan