Jen

My fiance' and I are planning to get married sometime between next february and may. we are bringing a small group of family with us. we are looking for a secluded resort that will be a very special setting to get married at. We don't want the typical hotel wedding with onlookers and would love to get married on the beach. We have been considering Peter Island, Biras Creek, Cap Jaluca, Ladera and Galley Bay. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! We are overwhelmed by the choices and would like a beautiful carribean wedding!

Julie

The answer to this will depend to some extent on what type of overall island experience you are looking for. St. Lucia (where Ladera is located) and Anguilla (Cap Jaluca) are pretty different islands. Anguilla is flat and dry--not much in the scenery department except beautiful beaches. St. Lucia is gorgeous--mountainous and lush--but not known for its beaches. Be aware that Ladera doesn't have a beach at all, although the setting has absolutely breathtaking mountain and water views. Caneel Bay on St. John is another option you might want to consider. St. John is secluded and offers a combo of both great scenery AND great beaches.

Stuart

I can only comment on Biras Creek--it's where I went for my honeymoon. Its a magical place!! We loved it so much we told a friend and she and her husband got married there. We didn't attend but she has nothing but great things to say about Biras as well. Biras is very atypical and you will not feel as you are on display for other guests.

Kay

Jen: <BR> <BR>I am putting in my vote for Ladera on St. Lucia. My husband and I spent our honeymoon there last summer and the island and ladera are stunning. There is NO other hotel like Ladera. I ahve great pictures of Ladera and St. Lucia on my web site as well as my full trip report www.seashelltravel.com

Kathy

Hi Jen <BR> I have heard wonderful things about all your choices, but have myself only been to Biras and Galley Bay. They are both wonderful places but for the money I would choose Biras for a wedding and honeymoon. It is more secluded-you can only get there by boat-but there is still lots to do if you choose to do it. The food at Biras is just wonderful and the atmosphere very relaxed. I agree with the word magical from another post, it is that special. Also the staff are great and will make your wedding very special.

Joel

I'd opt for Biras in a heartbeat. Perfect for the beach wedding: never ever crowded, sumptuous deep bay with mountains on either side crashing into the bay, crystal white sands... <BR>Seclusion? Absolutely. You can only arrive/depart by boat. Very Gauguin. The main building is like a castle out of JRR Tolkien and has very open rooms with terrific 360 degree views at different levels as you wend your way up the long walk to the summit of the "castle", where a wedding could be conducted (noted that one took place while we were there). Would be good for a small group of, say, 20. Terrific restaurant. Best in the islands, imo. All in all, the epitome of romantic settings and the travel is not bad. We fly to San JUan, catch a 30 min flight to Tortola where we're met by the boat capt. who takes us direct to Biras.

Jen

Thank you everyone for your responses!!! It seems like a lot of people have great things to say about Biras. How are the amenities (showers etc)? On one of the message boards someone posted a message that almost made it sound "rustic" and "camplike". To me, it looks beautiful and magical, but i just want to make sure!!! It also sounds like Biras is getting better reviews than Peter Island, so I am considering narrowing down the choice between Biras and Cap Jaluca. Everyone has been so helpful!!!! Any additional comments are greatly appreciated!!!

Karen

I have started to answer several times but each time got stuck. Which would I choose? <BR>Biras is lovely and the swimming beach would be an ideal location for a wedding but since that beach is three quarters of a mile from the rooms, I wonder if your guests and you might find that a bit of a problem. Of course, bikes are provided but in wedding gear ... The other beach by the rooms is also lovely but not the typical "tropical" beach with the tourquoise water, etc. It too would make a lovely setting. O am sure that Biras must have an alternative for transportation and you would need to speak with them to see what could be worked out if necessary. It is lovely. The showers are "outdoor" grottos that are wonderful. I would definitely not consider it "rustic" in any sense of the word but those that need the trappings of faxes, tv's and "modern electronic wizardry" might. Other than the bike ride which my dh found difficult for health reasons, it was magical and just lovely!The complimentary Boston Whalers are an added amenity that is enjoyable at Biras. You would have fewer day trippers and it certainly is more secluded than the others on you choice list. <BR>Peter Island on the other hand has a gorgeous beach on Deadman's Bay and even a small 'private' beach, Honeymoon Beach. Another option there would be White Bay. They do have transportation available and would be able to take those guests not wishing to walk a distance to the site you choose. It is lovely and frankly one of the best vacations I have had in the BVI. The Beachfront rooms are magnificant and the ocean/gardenview nearer the pool and marina are nice. If you go to www.scubatreks.com you will find a wonderful review of a recent visit to PIR. <BR>Cap Juluca. Cap in my mind stands apart from many resorts. The beach and the property are breathtaking. Anguilla is an arid island and lacks the tropical "charm" that the BVI's have but it leaps far ahead on beautiful beaches and choices of upscale resorts and especially the dining. <BR>Biras gives one choice of restaurant, PIR offers Deadman's Bar and Tradewinds (enclosed a/c'ed and overlooking Tortola) and Cap gives the choice of three. Biras gives you choice of ocean view or garden view, PIR gives you the wonderful beachfront rooms *that will be upgraded this fall* and the option of garden (downstairs) or ocean view (upstairs in the A-frame units). Cap's rooms all face the water on the beach but there are various configurations available there from a superior room to villas. Some of the junior suites offer a private sunning deck. double tubs and a wonderful accomodations. Cap, on first sight, literally took my breath away! <BR>I have seen pictures of Ladera and it looks nice but don't see how it compares in anyway with PIR, Biras or Cap. St. Lucia has never called to me only because I want those wonderful tropical beaches. I am sure it is lovely and it certainly is "in" but it just doesn't appeal to me. My son did visit but would not return. <BR>Been to Antigua and did not see Galley Bay's beach but it looked awfully large. I would think that either Jumby Bay or Curtain Bluff would be more in line with the choices of Biras, PIR and Cap!

Joel

There's nothing rustic or camplike about Biras!!! The rooms are very nice. The bedroom is air conditioned although that is not necessary in Feb-Mar, the verandah is spacious, and there is a nice outdoor shower (high walls that is very pleasant. There is also an anteroom that has a sofabed, a small refrig, and a sliding glass door that is the exit to the verandah. The Ocean View suites and Garden suites are all on the beach, although the latter have more shade and a filtered view of the Atlantic through the sea grapes. <BR> <BR>You also have a boat at your personal disposal most of the time; i.e., they are available for you to take anytime the marina is open. This presents a lot of opportunities to motor around Gorda Sound for snorkeling, eating out, picking up a car, etc. <BR> <BR>Overall, I'd say that Biras has the most beautiful grounds I've seen, provides a very private and tropically beautiful setting where you seldom see people except at the beach or in the restaurant, and it provides an idyllic honeymoon setting.

Lorraine

Does Biras Creek have a website? <BR>

Karen

Biras Creek has a web site and you can link to it after reading www.scubamom.com's reviews of Biras at her website. She also has other BVI reviews.

Vicky Moreno

We were married at Caneel Bay last July. The ceremony was ON Scott beach, the most secluded and beautiful with the sunset in the background. There are rooms right on the beach, so we walked out of our room and down to the end of the beach for the ceremony and then back to our room with about 10 family members and had a champagne toast on the patio. The rooms are about 10 feet from the beach. We had our private dinner in the outside Sugar Mill Ruins lit by torches. The staff was amazing, the food outstanding - they will do just about anything you want. The wedding consultant, Jennifer Wilson, takes care of everything and she is excellent. Our photographer missed the ferry from St. Thomas so Jennifer even acted as our photographer! The whole thing was close to perfect....

Louis

Jen--As an added tip, depending on your final choice, plan your wedding when the reduced rates start sometime after April 16, 2002. Your guests will appreciate it. The difference at Biras Creek is about $200/night. For the person that asked, you can find Biras Creek at http://www.biras.com. If you really want an intimate small resort in a natural setting that is not overly man made then Biras Creek is a top choice. Also, you might consider splitting your time between land and on their 44 ft yacht to get away from your guests part of the time.

Lisa

I have been to Biras, Galley Bay(2x) and Peter Island and would highly recommend Peter Island as the choice. Deadman's Bay is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean and I understand that they are refurbishing the Beachfront accomodations which were absolutely gorgeous to begin with. The food is wonderful and the service is great.

Bob Arias

We have been to both Galley Bay and Biras, and both would be great. Both have great food, nice but not extravagent accomodations, good locations, activities, etc. Biras is much more isolated and hard to get to (by boat on the last leg), after a small plane from San Juan to Tortola or Virgin Gorda, and a big plane from wherever. Galley Bay, on Antigua, is reachable non-stop from a number of US cities, plus Europe. This might make a difference for your guests.