| | | | | collection of villas each sleep up to 6 persons and |
| With more and more couples opting to escape the | | | | have their own swimming pool and daily housekeeper, |
| high costs and stresses of a large and elaborate | | | | and are the ideal option for accommodating wedding |
| wedding, which is often expected, particularly in families | | | | guests who travel out to share the couples special |
| that come from an Afro Caribbean background, the | | | | day. Costs start from around £658 per adult for a 7 |
| trend of getting married abroad is an increasingly | | | | night stay inclusive of flights and transfers for 6 |
| popular one - with the Caribbean still topping the list as | | | | persons sharing a villa. For a low key wedding, the |
| one of the most popular locations for an overseas | | | | gardens of the villa can provide the perfect setting for |
| wedding. | | | | a private ceremony performed by a minister, followed |
| Many fall in love with the idea of the tropical setting | | | | by a barbecue or buffet reception with a selection of |
| and backdrop, which make for the most romantic of | | | | local dishes provided by a caterer. Or for a more |
| wedding photos, but on investigating the possibilities | | | | formal affair, the couple can hold their wedding |
| further, find they are overwhelmed on where to start | | | | ceremony and reception at one of he island’s most |
| in trying to arrange the kind of wedding they | | | | popular seafront restaurants, The Seahorse Inn. A |
| envisaged. | | | | beachside ceremony can be followed by canapés |
| Traditionally many of the couples who travel to the | | | | & champagne whilst photographs are taken at sunset. |
| Caribbean to get married have come from a | | | | Guests can then move up to the restaurant to enjoy a |
| European background, and have opted to travel alone | | | | private reception party where a menu of their |
| or with just a couple of additional guests to | | | | choosing is served for larger wedding groups, or for a |
| accompany them, and therefore their requirements | | | | smaller wedding party tables can be booked and |
| have been met perfectly by the set wedding | | | | guests can select from the A la carte menu. |
| packages that many hotels offer. These wedding | | | | Entertainment can be provided in the form of a local |
| packages tend to be fairly inflexible offering a set | | | | band or DJ. |
| itinerary, location or menu. However, with more couples | | | | Based on a Wedding Packages with ceremony |
| of color also wishing to join the throngs of couples | | | | inclusive of all the legal arrangements, minister’s fee |
| marrying in an exotic Caribbean location, the wedding | | | | and services of the personal wedding co-ordinator, |
| packages arranged through most holiday companies | | | | with extras such as a bouquet, groom & |
| do not generally cater for their needs. They are looking | | | | bestman’s buttonholes, photographer, and reception |
| for something a little different and more personalized. | | | | party for 20 guests inclusive of 3 courses and a two |
| This need has been recognized by one travel | | | | tier wedding cake, wedding costs start from approx |
| company. Culsen Travel is an independent travel | | | | £1,200. |
| company that specializes in Caribbean villa holidays. | | | | For a more private and elaborate wedding, how about |
| The company is owned by a couple who have had | | | | getting married in your very own villa surrounding by |
| firsthand experience of marrying in the Caribbean. | | | | acres of tropical gardens. Culsen Travel have a range |
| Two years ago they traveled to the island of Tobago | | | | of villas in Jamaica that provide the most idyllic venue |
| along with 40 guests and enjoyed not only a | | | | for a large wedding. Many of these villas permit a high |
| wonderful wedding day but a memorable large family | | | | number of guests for weddings, but charge a small per |
| holiday. “Having experienced getting married in the | | | | additional wedding guest fee for those attending |
| Caribbean ourselves, we appreciated that it can be | | | | wedding but not residing at the villa to compensate for |
| very difficult to find anyone who caters for this kind of | | | | the additional work that the villa staff will do, and wear |
| specialist area. Many couples would like the option of | | | | and tear on the villa & grounds. Spyglass Hill is a |
| taking a large number of guests with them and | | | | popular choice for a villa wedding. Accommodating up |
| perhaps having the kind of wedding they would have | | | | to 19 persons in a beautiful property that is spread |
| had here, but in a Caribbean setting, and at a fraction | | | | over 9 acres of lawns and tropical gardens, and has a |
| of the cost, but most holiday companies do not cater | | | | main house with 4 bedrooms, and 4 additional |
| for this kind of wedding party”, says Director of | | | | bedrooms divided between two cottages situated |
| Products & Sales, Stephanie Morson. | | | | within the grounds, the villa is fully staffed and well |
| Culsen Travel have therefore established themselves | | | | equipped to take care of the needs of a wedding |
| as a travel company who can recommend the | | | | party who wish to be accommodated together in a |
| perfect alternative accommodation on the island of | | | | spacious deluxe property with a large private pool and |
| your choice for any number of persons within your | | | | separate plunge pool and staffed with cook, butler, |
| group - specialising in villas which range from 2-9 | | | | maids & night watchman. |
| bedrooms, and having viewed each on of them | | | | The wedding, with up to 75 guests permitted, can take |
| personally. As a fully bonded operator, they can also | | | | place in the villas’ own bridal gazebo located within |
| take care of your flight and transfer arrangements too, | | | | the gardens set against a backdrop of a stunning |
| but they are also able to take care of all your wedding | | | | ocean. Guests staying at this villa can expect to pay |
| arrangements, from the ceremony, right through to the | | | | from £933 per person for flights, accommodation & |
| reception – complete with all the trimmings with the | | | | transfers, inclusive of staff gratuities. A budget of |
| assistance of their on-island personal wedding | | | | around £4,000 can cater a wedding for up to 40 |
| co-ordinators. “The weddings we arrange are | | | | guests inclusive of location fee, decoration of venue, |
| many and varied, therefore we do not offer any set | | | | floral bouquet for bride & bridesmaid, set up for sit |
| packages. Unlike most hotel wedding packages, we | | | | down reception including waiting service, a 3 course |
| aim to offer a more tailor-made wedding so couples | | | | meal, a local bar & DJ for the evening, plus the |
| feel that their wedding day is unique and special. We | | | | services a minister & photographer for the ceremony, |
| also aim to cater to all budgets.” | | | | all legal fees and the services of the wedding |
| Giving some examples of some of the types of | | | | co-ordinator to oversee all events. However, weddings |
| weddings they can arrange: | | | | can be catered for considerably less for a more |
| For those on a more limited budget they recommend a | | | | casual buffet style reception, depending on the |
| stay in Tobago at one of their Seashell Villas. This | | | | couple’s wishes and guest numbers. |