By Denise Bennerson, PhD

St. Croix is a tropical island in the Caribbean. It consists of 84 square miles and is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The people in St. Croix are called Crucians. The language is English which is sometimes spoken in dialect.  St. Croix is a melting pot of many people from across the world. We have experienced the influx of many people who come to St. Croix and once they visit they don’t want to leave. Often times, they feel a sense of healing and relief.

St. Croix’s climate year round resembles summers on the US mainland. There are two main towns Christiansted on the east and Frederiksted on the west. In St. Croix there is a four lane highway, know as Melvin H. Evans Highway. Remember to drive on the left side of the streets. In addition to airport arrivals, St. Croix is a calling port for many cruise ships.

Numerous couples come to St. Croix to get married. One reason is that it is a beautiful island where a passport is not necessary for U.S. Citizens. Additionally, the people are warm and inviting. After your wedding, honeymoon on St. Croix, there is plenty to do: dining, dancing, scuba and snorkeling in the crystal clear blue waters, Eco tours, hikes, visit historical and cultural sites, as well as the tropical rain forest.

A wonderful and appropriate time to get married in St. Croix is during the Crucian Christmas Festival which is held in late December and early January. During that time there is a vibrant display of Crucian culture at its finest. Another exciting time to consider is during The Agriculture and Food Fair usually held in February during President’s holiday weekend. Reserve your hotels, villas, restaurants and cars early. During these times, space is very limited.

All in all, any time of the year is the perfect time to get married or just visit St. Croix. Once you visit, you will want to come again and again and may even consider staying.

Denise Bennerson is an award wedding photographer with Homeland Collections Portrait Gallery in St. Croix. Denise is also the publisher and Editor of Elegant St. Croix Caribbean Weddings. You can contact her at homelandcollections@fastmail.fm or 340-772-2386. See some of her work at www.homelandcollections.com

Photo: St. Croix beach. Photo courtesy of Denise Bennerson.

By Wayne Gerard Jr.

It all started when I told my girlfriend, Heidi Henry, now turned wife I was going to buy her an $800 ring as a joke. The reply to the joke was “you’re not putting a cheap ring on my finger and it has to take up space.” At that point I thought how can I set up buying/making rings at a decent price without her knowing what I was planning?

So I called up some friends and we went ring shopping. Our first stop was the Tropical Bracelet Factory to see my regular jeweler Gautam Vaswani.

After looking at a few designs of rings, my friends helped me come up with an interesting concept. They told me since I’m a Rastafarian, why not come up with a Rastafarian concept. So I started to think of the Lion of Judah and the Lioness and how they could be incorporated into an engagement ring and both wedding bands.

Based on my knowledge, the lion is known as the king and the lioness is known to take care of her family. The designs of the rings entailed a lot of detail which made my jeweler excited to take on such a unique project.

So much thought was put into the placement of the diamonds and gems, that I received calls from Gautam while at home.

My answers to Gautam were limited because my wife to be would be right next to me. I told my jeweler that my girlfriend worked with her hands a lot, so the diamonds and gems were placed so they would never fall out. The lioness design was done as the engagement ring with diamonds for eyes and a marqueecut diamond in the mouth.

The wedding band was in the shape of a tiara that would be placed directly on top of the lioness’s head, with the colors of the Ethiopian flag that is also a symbol for Rastafarians. The lion and crown were made as one ring which also incorporated the colors of the Ethiopian flag: red, yellow, green, black and rubies for eyes and a diamond in the mouth to match the lioness.

My vision was to have a custom made one of a kind rings which Gautam did a beautiful and beyond exceptional job. The last thing on the list was to pop the big question which I’m happy to say was a memorable “yes”.

Photo top left – Wayne and Heidi’s wedding bands. Photo top right – Wayne and Heidi. Photo middle – Wayne and Heidi outside of St. John’s Episcopal (Anglican) Church (Established 1760) in St. Croix. Photo bottom – Heidi’s engagement ring.

All photo courtesy of Denise Bennerson.

By Randy S. Germain

Your wedding dress is a special commodity to your wedding. You should say yes to “The Dress” six to nine months before the wedding. There are many bridal salons on St. Croix where you can select a recognized designer’s wedding dress. If a designer’s dress is not in stock, they can order one for you. Thinking outside the box? There are wedding dress designers on island who will make you the perfect dress from the cultural to the traditional design.

As you are aware, brides come in various shapes, sizes and or course, different ages. So in choosing and selecting your wedding dress, take the opportunity and pamper every dimension of your body. You need to confirm and conclude that the dress which you have chosen is in fact the right color, material, texture and the perfect fitting for you. When you look good, you feel wonderful.

On that special day in your life, all attention will be focused on you the “Bride.” That glamorous and sophisticated dress that you have chosen will be the talk of your wedding day. Be happy, feel worthy and gracefully wear it. After all, it is your wedding day.

Photo top left: Beautiful model bride Shanneka Spanner with dress, veil and bouquet from Sandy’s Bridal & Special Occasions.  Hair Design and accessories from Hair Unlimited. Photo top right: Our beautiful bride Veronn Benjamin on her wedding day by the Eliza James-McBean Clock Tower in Frederiksted.

Photos courtesy of Denise Bennerson.

By Judy Bain

After the Bride’s dress the next secret aimed at wowing the wedding guest is the cake and the Cake Topper. Starting almost a century ago it is said that cake toppers originated not only to be the crowning glory of the bridal cake, but also to be the visual declaration of the couple’s love for each other.

Hence the traditional couple, in bridal wear, a top the multiple tier cake holding hands, kissing or being carried over the imaginary threshold. Presently, this is no longer the case. Couples are expressing their customs, culture, life interest and hopes for the future in those figures that grace the top of the wedding cake.

Created out of a variety of materials, cake toppers are poised to become an important part of the mementos of the wedding as more couples choose custom made toppers to reflect their personalities or common interest. Avid golfers request golfing toppers, dancers are pleased with dancing couples, musicians and chefs all gracing the tops of the cake. The monogram topper is also popular, in which the names or initials of the couple are used in a designed background.

One unique company if commissioned to produce the topper, requests pictures of the couple, because they specialize in making the likeness of the couple in the figurines that are carved or molded.

Ethnic toppers are fast entering the market, with designers catering to the various cultures of the bride and groom. In some cultures the groom also has a cake. Cake toppers for the groom’s cake could become a fad. Whatever your choice there are artists willing to make your dreams come true.

Another consideration is location. If you are planning an island get away, such as St. Croix, wedding on the beach or in the ruins of an eighteen century great house, then your cake topper can reflect sea life in the first instance or bridal figures in eighteen century costumes in the second. Even cultural figures of the island culture might fire your imagination, creating topics of discussion among your guests.

Sometimes if a couple wish to share the humorous side of their relationship; the cake top is the ideal place. The groom trying to run away from the bride is sometimes used; two love birds building a nest with the male bird doing all of the work. A tradition could evolve where brides use a topper that was used by her parents, creating a linage.

We at Caribbean Cultural Dolls pride ourselves in providing unique cake toppers made in St. Croix for your wedding cake. They are beautifully hand woven and the colors complement any wedding idea or theme. Contact us at 340-277-1266 information and other creative ideas.

Photo Left: Bride and Groom Motorcycle cake topper courtesy of  Afonso Lima. Photo Right: Bride and Groom Beach cake topper courtesy of Roger Kirby.

By Geri Simpson

After living and coordinating many weddings on this beautiful piece of Heaven on Earth for 18 years, it’s no wonder it is easy for me to still feel like St. Croix Virgin Islands is home. It is a cinch for me to recommend to brides looking for someplace different to hold one of the most memorable events in their lifetime, their wedding. Additionally, St. Croix is for grooms looking to book a tropical honeymoon to someplace other than the usual places. After all I landed there as a travel agent/wedding consultant and didn’t leave until I had to.

St. Croix is an easy place to recommend because, first of all for US citizens, St. Croix is fully recommended because it is in fact a territory of the United States of America, there’s no passport needed,

which makes it easy to invite folks who may not have one or have the time to obtain one. Then there’s the transportation factor. It is an easy reach from most major cities either through Miami, New York, Atlanta or San Juan. The language is English, even though it’s with a lilt, the US dollar is the currency and there is no shortage of venues.

Otherwise, it is just as much Caribbean as any of the other islands, and you can get that feeling easily since it is a melting pot of nationals from the other various Islands, Denmark, the mainland USA, the Middle East and other parts of the globe. St. Croix having been under seven flags offers more than you may have heard of. Of course, you’ve heard of St. Thomas, it’s the sister island.

St. Thomas and St. Croix are almost like two different worlds. St. Croix is the larger of the two, not as crowded due to fewer cruise ships, fewer mountains, lots of wide open spaces. There is still the shopping, casino gaming, spas, people to see, places to go and things to do.

For a destination wedding, you can choose by the seashore of course, but there’s also the old sugar mills for a unique setting, the botanical gardens, on a boat out on the water, in a church and of course in or on the grounds of one of the beautiful hotels or landmarks.

You can really spice up your reception by incorporating some of the many island traditions such as including a “black cake” (a little like a fruitcake or spice cake), add a steel band or old time scratch

band, a mocko jumbie (stilt walker) to lift the bride to the heavens, include seashells and tropical flowers in your theme, and if marrying out on the beach, there’s no need for high heels, sandals or barefeet will do.

On St. Croix, you can find everything you need for your wedding and arrange it ahead of time. Everything from your marriage license, an officiant, photographer, florist, baker, transportation, catering and much more to enjoy.

Geri Simpson has been in the travel/hospitality industry for over 30 years. She has also served as a wedding and event planner, owned a restaurant and holds numerous industry certifications. The name of her company, the NolaCaribe
Connection, was born out of the many similarities she found in the Caribbean and her hometown, New Orleans, LA.  Currently, she produces a monthly newsletter showcasing those similarities in the culture, foods and music of the same name. You can contact her at nolacaribe@aol.com or 504-909-1318. Find travel information at www.nolacaribeconnection.com

Photo: Historic Frederiksted Town on the Waterfront. Photo courtesy of Denise Bennerson.

By Rosemary Gribbin

The Starfish Patisserie opened on St. Croix in January 2008 and quickly became known for elegant wedding cakes, outstanding pastries, decadent desserts, gourmet paninis, rich luscious cakes, pies, tortes, fresh brewed espressos, cappuccinos, frozen drinks and homemade gelatos.

The Starfish is a family business owned by Dennis Gribbin and his son, Patrick. Dennis brings his twenty years of pastry experience to the Patisserie. He was the award winning pastry chef for the Virgin Islands Culinary Team and won several awards for his pastries and desserts at the Taste of St. Croix.

The Starfish was also voted Best Bakery and Best Desserts on St. Croix for the past three years. Patrick, a native-born Virgin Islander, graduated from the Florida Culinary Institute in April, 2008 with a degree in

International Baking and Pastry Arts and is the master cake creator and decorator at the Starfish.

Together they bring a level of excellence and quality in pastries, desserts and cakes never seen before on St. Croix. At the Starfish Patisserie, we understand that your wedding day must be perfect. With that in mind, we guarantee that your cake will meet all of your expectations and be absolutely perfect for your perfect day. Your wedding cake should be a unique and special expression of your love on your wedding day.

We take the responsibility of creating your wedding cake very seriously at the Starfish. We often ask our clients to bring a photo of their perfect cake so we can duplicate it exactly. We guarantee that we can match colors, style and design exactly to your specifications so there are no “surprises” on your wedding day. We maintain high standards for our cakes and assure every client that their cake will meet and/or exceed their expectations!

If you are arriving a few weeks before the wedding, we can do a personal consultation. At that time, we will plan your cake together. We also offer cake tastings so you can personally select your flavors for that special day. You can also email us with a photo of the design, all of the details and we can take it from there. We will work with your schedule to insure that everything will be exactly as you have always dreamed it would be.

If you’ve chosen St. Croix for a destination wedding, we can create a memorable cake with a beach theme with white chocolate starfish, sea shells, sea urchins and coral reef as decorations. We can also create a sugar mill cake or a sand castle or even a pirate ship, depending on the setting!

At the Starfish, we like to also honor and recognize the groom. After all, he is an important part of this special day! We can create a “groom’s” cake that is a reflection of who he is and what he likes.

We understand that your wedding day is exciting, but it can also be a little hectic. So we offer a delivery service and set up for your cake.

Wishing you the best of all things wonderful during your first year of marriage, we offer, as our free gift to you, a re-creation of the top tier of your wedding cake on your first anniversary!

Ask anyone on St. Croix where to get the best cakes and pastries, and they will readily tell you: “the Starfish!” Starfish Patisserie is St. Croix’s premier cake and pastry destination! We welcome you to come in and taste the difference!

Top photo: Beach wedding cake, Topsy Turvy wedding cake, Patrick Gribbin decorating a cake.
Photo right – Orchid wedding cake

Photo bottom – Cup cake tree.

All photos courtesy Rosemary Gribbin.

By Denise Beazer

Florist Denise Beazer, owner of By Special Arrangement Florist, on St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands feels that flowers are one of the most important parts of a wedding ceremony. We recommend the use of fresh flowers for the wedding ceremony because they reflect light causing the floral arrangements to stand out, while artificial flowers have a tendency to draw in the light making them appear flat in pictures.

For a destination wedding, the flowers accent the beauty of the warm turquoise waters, the powder soft sand beaches and picturesque historic mills and great houses. These are the perfect back grounds to create and capture life long memories.

Will your wedding be whimsical, elegant or romantic? Your choice. Your florist can custom design your bouquet, alter, table centerpieces and arrangements to incorporate any personal mementos that you may want to include such as seashells, lockets, or broaches.

As soon as you pick your colors and the mood and tone your trying to convey, you’re ready to consult with your florist. You should call your florist in advance.

We recommend one year before elaborate weddings and 6 weeks for simple weddings. And set a time convenient for both parties; please be on time in most situations your florist has put other time sensitive projects on hold to accommodate you. Please remember that 2 weeks before Mother’s Day, Christmas or Valentine’s Day are not appropriate for consultations.

Have an idea what type of flowers you want, your florist can guide you on what flowers work best. We are in the tropics and certain types of flowers don’t travel well or do well in the heat.

You should bring pictures of the ceremony area and the reception hall so we have an idea of what types of arrangements will give the most bang for the buck. You should bring a list of how many people are in the wedding party and what type of floral accessories you would like them to have i.e. boutonnieres, corsages, bridesmaids’ bouquets etc. Flowers needed for the ceremony and a guest count so you know how may tables you need centerpieces for.

The time line for Destination Weddings are the same as local weddings and the bride can communicate with their florist through email. Please make sure to send lots of pictures. Remember that pictures say a thousand words. It is also important that you remember that we are on an island and availability of any special decor or accents you may need may have to be ordered from off island.

Ask about our local flowers, when in bloom they can be incorporated in most designs and are less expensive than flowers ordered from away, and the colors are vibrant. My personal favorite is the Flamboyant or Royal Poinciana, but the bougainvillea is pretty as well. Don’t feel overwhelmed by all the planning that needs to be done; when you get a head start on things it’s much easier. Last but not least, enjoy yourself it’s your day!

Photo courtesy of Denise Beazer.

By Burton Peterson

Chef Burton Peterson’s culinary and hospitality journey began more than 35 years ago. As a food connoisseur, Chef Peterson delights in creating dishes that satisfies the most complicated pallets. Chef

Peterson’s culinary style has been influenced by his diverse experience both locally and nationally.

He has worked in prestigious hotels and restaurants to include the Waldorf Astoria in New York, The Buccaneer Hotel, Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort and the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino. Top Class Catering has served many weddings, Government House and other venues on St. Croix.

Top Class Catering remains the pride of Chef Peterson and his wife Deborah, who takes exceptional pride in each dish created while ensuring that every patron receives the highest level of satisfaction. Their  children Okerah and Okeisha, and grandchild Amiah are also involved.

Top Class specialty dishes include: Puerto Rican style roast pork, Caribbean lobster prepared to your  specification, poultry prepared a variety of ways; local Caribbean fish, Crucian roast goat or stewed goat, pumpkin soup, fish soup, kallaloo, bull foot soup, peas soup, baked macaroni and cheese, stuffing, seasoned rice, tarts, cakes, and a hosts of other Caribbean and Hispanic influenced dishes.

Chef Peterson and his very competent staff at Top Class Catering is available to host your most memorable events and special occasions including weddings, parties, proms, graduations, seminars, beach parties, and business gatherings. We can serve a dinner for two or more persons. Chef Peterson and his staff will ensure your satisfaction.

Visit TopClassCateringVI.com and contact Chef Peterson of Top Class Catering at 340-690-9544 or 340-773-0632. We set the standard! Enjoy yourself, it’s your day!

Photo courtesy of Burton Peterson.

By Annamaria Heyliger-Hector, CWS

It is your happy day; you are putting on one of the biggest events of your life! An officiant is any qualified individual who presides over the ceremony. This individual must be ordained by a recognized religious body, university/college, seminary, city officials and acknowledged by the court. The role of the officiant varies from wedding to wedding.

The duty of the officiant is to assist you with your ceremony; you can write your own or use one that is appropriate for your special moment. This is a very serious stage in your life and also one that must follow the law as outlined in the state or territory. Each wedding ceremony is unique and the couple and environment is highly considered when agreeing to perform the ceremony.

Sometimes an officiant is called up to be a spiritual leader, counselor, confidant, etc. Nondenominational officiants who are not connected to particular religion or traditions allow the freedom to blend any cultural of religious influences that are important to the couple. The support of the officiant is important in making the couple feel comfortable. Keeping the love and commitment at the forefront will balance the couple spiritually and emotionally.

When selecting an officiant, it is important that the person not only have the required qualifications but the personality that will make things flow smoothly. The role of the officiant is to accommodate your wishes, offer guidance on the ceremony, environment, ensure that all of the legal requirements are met, attendance at the wedding rehearsal, meeting with the other professionals and finally making sure that the paperwork is filed with the court in a timely manner. With all that said, once everything has been decided a contract must be executed so that the role of the officiant is clear and the stage is set for the event.

A meeting with the wedding coordinator is important so that everyone understands the importance of the ceremony and any rituals. These include sand, dance, fire, rose, medallions, poems, glass breaking, unity candles, blessings, etc. Timeliness is important to the flow of the wedding so it begins with the ceremony being on time. If it is a large bridal party a meeting should be held with members of the family and friends regarding protocol so that everyone is in their right place at the right time.

Most officiants will be invited to attend the wedding rehearsal and should use this time to familiarize themselves with the members of the wedding party. This is a good time to make any last minute adjustments and develop a better bond with the couple and minimize any difficult family and/or other relationship stressors.

All eyes will be on the couple and the officiant so it is important for the officiant to wear the appropriate attire for the ceremony. An officiant must be able to speak clearly and be well organized.

As a certified wedding special/ event planner and officiant, I embrace couples of all faiths, cultures and traditions. I am the connection between you and your guests for the fabulous ceremony and I want everyone to go away with a feeling of love and great memories of the special day. I am really looking forward to your ceremony!

Contact Annamaria Heyliger-Hector, CWS at 340-513-1971 for questions about choosing your officiant in St. Croix.

Photo: Elegant wedding couple Renise and Floyde James at their wedding, Point Udall St. Croix’s Millennium Monument. Photo courtesy of Denise Bennerson.

By Randy S. Germain

Whether you choose to receive the vows of the sacrament of matrimony in a church, a synagogue, a mosque, a chapel, on a beautiful hill top, on a boat, or through the courts, no matter where you choose – the experience of a destination wedding or the traditional old fashion home town wedding, a marriage License must be obtained.

On St. Croix, marriage license information is available through the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands’ website. Visit the Superior Court District of St. Croix to file for your marriage application.

A marriage packet consist of a fact sheet information, marriage application for a license and certificate of marriage will be given or forwarded to you, a $100.00 nonrefundable fee for application is required.

There are no requirements for a physical examination or blood test. Your marriage information should be completed in its entirety: full name, age at last birthday, Social Security number, date of birth, nationality place of birth, usual residence, name of parents and previous marital status.

Before the issuance of any license to solemnize a marriage, the applicants are required to personally appear before the Clerk of the Court to be examined under oath as to the information provided in the application is in fact true. If you desire to have your marriage ceremony performed by the Judge of the Superior Court a fee in the amount of $400.00 is required.

In accordance with the Virgin Islands Code, marriage is declared to be a civil contract which may be entered into between a male and a female. Presently, ceremonies are performed on St. Croix on

Wednesdays at 9:00 am. All fees are to be paid to the clerk of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. The Marriage License is $100.00 and the Marriage Ceremony is $400.00.

When all is said and done and the last balloon has disappeared, you should show gratitude and appreciation to your guest. As a token of appreciation, please do send thank you cards.

For more information visit www.VISuperiorCourt.org or call 340-778-9750 ext. 6636.

Visit the Superior Court office at RR1 9000 Kingshill, VI, 00850

Randy S. Germain is a Writer, Tax and Business Consultant, Arbitrator and former Deputy Commissioner of The Department of Public Works. Contact Randy at randy@fastmail.fm  or 340-772-9841.

Photo: Our romantic couple Veronn and Masi Benjamin near the Eliza James-McBean Clock Tower in Frederiksted. Photo courtesy of Denise Bennerson.

By Annamaria Heyliger-Hector, CWS