If you ever needed a sign that a destination wedding is a great idea, consider Madison and Billy’s wedding at Sandals Grande St. Lucian it! With help from Carlie at 2 Travel Anywhere, the two escaped the city and headed to the beach to have the most gorgeous wedding day. Their ceremony was held in an over water chapel with a dreamy garden reception post-nuptials. Everything about this celebration is true wedding bliss and we’re so excited for you to see it all through the eyes of St. Lucian photographer, Jelani Le’ Bourne.
Madison + Billy
Sandals Grande St. Lucian ~ Over Water Chapel & Garden
Guests ~ 16
Budget ~ $10,000 – $20,000
How did you guys meet?
Madison: We met back in 2016 through a mutual friend that he was roommates with. My best friend at the time told me that Billy thought I was cute. I had no idea who he was so being the millennial I am, I looked him up on social media and then we exchanged numbers and the rest is history.
Tell us about your engagement!
Madison: I left for a year doing internships to become a dolphin trainer . I did one in Bermuda and then one in St Thomas . When I was coming back home from my internship in St Thomas , he was waiting for me at the airport and proposed . We were engaged in January 2020 and got married last weekend!
What was the vision for your wedding?
Madison: At first it I wanted a forest wedding but then when we decided on a destination wedding and saw the over water chapels with glass floors I knew that’s what I wanted. I was still able to incorporate greenery into the venue and chose a garden to have my reception.
What was your theme and what inspired it?
Madison: Garden/beach. Before deciding to do a destination wedding I wanted a forest themed wedding so I was able to incorporate some greenery into my venue.
What details were used to create your theme?
Madison: We had a green arch with white flowers that matched my bouquet which was also green and white. We also did all white tables and chairs with garland .
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Madison: I splurged on photography/videography and a s’mores beach bonfire the night before the wedding. I saved on food since the guest count was so small and on party favors which I just skipped because most people throw them away and a DJ. I made a playlist on my phone and brought my Bose speaker at it was perfect.
What words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Madison: It really is about what you want. You can’t please everyone and it’s okay to be a little selfish. It’s your day and you have to do what makes you happy. For me personally we chose not to have a bridal party and it was just us two standing up there. It’s non traditional but I think it was one of the best decisions.
Can you share any special moments or highlights from your wedding day?
Madison: I didn’t think Billy would cry but he did and i thought it would be so hard to write our own vows and say them but it was one of my favorite parts.
What an incredible day! Congratulations Madison and Billy! Huge thank you to the both of you along with 2 Travel Anywhere for sharing this destination wedding at Sandals Grande St. Lucian!