A small island in the Eastern Caribbean, St. Lucia has an unusual beauty that can make any wedding a little more magical. Of course, many who get married on the island are coming from another country, so specific logistics must be catered to, and dedicated wedding teams and wedding packages offered at many hotels are available to make the planning of your special day as seamless as possible. When it comes to choosing that perfect setting for your momentous occasion, we share our top 5 picks in the paradise that is St. Lucia.
Ask anyone on the island about Nick Troubetzkoy’s Jade Mountain, and you’ll get an “ohhhh yeah, Jade Mountain” — as in, that’s a popular resort and one of the poshest places to stay. If you want a colorful and energetic yet peaceful spot to celebrate your special day, Jade Mountain offers that and so much more. The open-air resort stacks up high on the already-high mountain, giving it a modern, ultra-luxury, tree-house feel. It boasts a restaurant, a spa and personal plunge pools with specially designed glass tiles in every room so you can indulge yourself. Wedding coordinators are on hand to do just about anything you want for your nuptials. Want to arrive via helicopter? That can be arranged, as Jade Mountain has a helipad. Celebrate your wedding on the Celestial Terrace with phenomenal views of both Soufriere and the Pitons — you’ll find yourself on top of the world in St. Lucia.
For a simply beautiful wedding with a rustic feel, head to Ti Kaye, where a perfect balance of nature and comfort creates environmentally conscious rustic luxury. About a 1- to 1 1/2-hour drive from the Hewanorra International Airport, the resort is located above the private and pristine Anse Cochon cove. It’s nestled into the hillside and has easy access to one of the best snorkeling beaches on the island. Whether you say your vows at the beautiful open-air restaurant, Kai Manje, which overlooks the cove, or down at the beach, Ti Kaye has several options for your ceremony and reception. A wedding coordinator is on staff to help you plan every detail, and if you’re a wine lover, be sure to take note of Kai Manje’s wine cellar and 2 Wine Spectator awards.
Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort
Matt Damon booked this entire new-old resort — situated on 100 acres of an 18th-century sugar mill between the 2 Pitons and right on the ocean, offering a sublime beach with even more sublime views — to renew his vows. And, as a St. Lucia resident told me, if there were a drawing held for any resort on the island, the locals would be swarming for Sugar Beach. There we have it — the votes are in favor of Sugar Beach, regardless of whether you’re honeymooning, getting married or just looking for a luxurious vacation. Understated yet elegant and comfortable, Sugar Beach is a splurge you won’t regret. Pristine luxury describes this resort to a T, from its ultra-white country villas to the personal butlers exquisitely buttoned-up in their super-crisp, brightly clean and — you guessed it — white attire to the sugary white beach after which it is aptly named. A wedding team is there to ensure you get everything you want on your special day, and hardly anything is impossible here. With the absolutely perfect accommodations, the beach, the view, a spa and a hair salon, as well as your pick of 3 restaurants and 4 bars and lounges to celebrate in, Sugar Beach will have everything you need and more.
Cap Maison Villa Resort & Spa
Cap Maison’s Mediterranean-style villas and well-manicured lawns on the north end of the island offer a quiet and private setting, whether you’re looking to tie the knot or celebrate your honeymoon. This property has a number of options when it comes to where to have your ceremony. Anything from a candlelit dinner to an intimate ceremony can be carried out right on the water on Rock Maison (which even features a zip line for Champagne bottles). Smugglers Cove beach can accommodate a wedding on the sand, or it can just be a great snorkeling venue for honeymooners. And the Cliff at Cap restaurant, which serves up delicious local cuisine, offers awe-inspiring sunset views and has plenty of space to eat and dance.
Boucan Hotel & Restaurant
Do you love chocolate as much as you love your other half? (Or even a little more? We won’t tell.) What better place to say “I do” than on a 140-acre working cocoa plantation? Situated on Rabot Estate, one of the oldest cocoa plantations on the island, Hotel Chocolat’s Boucan Hotel & Restaurant makes a picturesque — and tasty — location for your wedding or honeymoon, thanks to the lush greenery of the rain forest, the colorful hues of jungle flora and the movie-worthy views of the Pitons. Book the entire boutique hotel, which includes 14 rooms, with the “Hotel Takeover” package, and dedicated wedding teams will be on hand to help with anything and everything you need. A reception at the Boucan Restaurant will serve up dishes infused with cocoa in one way or another, with the stunning backdrop of the Pitons, and don’t leave without commemorating your wedding day by grafting your own cocoa tree together.
