consider combining location and privacy

Thoughts of planning a wedding large or small can be daunting for any bride and her family. Decisions about a theme, flowers, invitations, and ceremony details can overwhelm even the most organized bride. With wedding budgets soaring, and time constraints often limiting marriage plans, today’s bride is searching for a great solution to her dilemma. Bermuda offers the ideal “wedding moon” celebration, which will fulfill both marriage and honeymoon fantasies as a perfect destination for lovers. Often with one telephone call, Bermuda property managers or their wedding planner will assist the bride and her family with everything they need for a romantic and elegant wedding on the island.

Most wedding guides suggest that forty percent of the wedding budget should be spent on the reception, where the couple and their guests enjoy the better part of the day’s celebration. Therefore, planning the location of the reception venue is one of the most important details of the wedding event.

With five different locations within the property’s boundaries, The Fairmont Southampton is second to none. Offering a secluded beach spot for a small wedding of thirty-five on the cabana terrace, to an elaborate affair for 300 on the beach terrace, the Fairmont hopes to provide for every bride’s desires. “The best spot to see the sunset is at the Historic Waterlot Inn restaurant,” says Director of sales, Peter Frith.

The Fairmont Southampton offers a golf course, Willow Stream Spa, beauty salon, Jet Ski and deep-sea fishing, along with six on-site restaurants. Frith describes the property as “luxury with tropical elegance” and boasts of his Swiss pastry chef Rolf Runkel.

Tom Lamb, Managing Director of the Pompano Beach Club in Southampton has been assisting brides for twenty years on the southwest coast of the island. “We are family-owned and offer the best in service, hospitality, cuisine, and our location is spectacular,” says Lamb. The club is situated next to the Port Royal Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, ranked one of the top courses in the nation. Besides appealing to many grooms, “the scenic nature of the property with grassy knolls” is a hit with most brides. The Pompano Beach club is close to the ferry and offers water sports and a spa.

Located in Devonshire, also on the South shore of the island is the Aqua Restaurant. Claudio Vigilante, owner, hosts fifty to seventy weddings yearly in his seaside restaurant on the property of Ariel Sands. “Everything is coordinated
onsite, from flowers and decorations to the setup,” says Vigilante. Their onsite wedding coordinator works with clients to determine their wishes.

At the Aqua Seaside Restaurant, sixty people can be accommodated on a covered balcony, with a restaurant that overlooks the ocean. Joel Watson, chef, prepares dishes to complement the wedding theme, and has been featured on The Food Network. Nearby, the Palm Grove Garden, owned by Sir David Gibbons, is an ideal location for memorable wedding photographs.

Bryony Harvey, wedding coordinator, at the Surf Side Beach Club offers a “relaxed atmosphere, greenery and certainly the ocean.” Wedding packages are available that can include photography, clergy, and even the marriage license. “Other services offered by the club are: welcome gifts for guests, flowers, music, and even transportation around the island,” says Harvey.

A stunning blue ocean, surrounded by palm trees, leading to a space with sheer organza drapes and white wicker chairs, is the setting at the Coco Reef Resort in Paget Parish. A favorite among brides, with a one-year in advance booking recommendation, this facility offers a “small, comfortable, quiet, and relaxing atmosphere,” says Janet Inniss, manager. With great personal service and a walk to the beach, the décor of the Coco Reef Resort blends antique, Modern, and Spanish styles.

The on-site wedding coordinator, Tydee Douglas, can arrange fine dining, music, the wedding cake, and even salon services. “Brides often choose the ocean as their background for the ceremony at the Upper Beach, with a stunning view of the South Shore,” says Inniss. With a beautiful indoor setting and lobby, wedding guests could be easily moved indoors for rainy days.

Sapori Caribbean restaurant is located on a long and winding road in Paget. With reservations recommended at least one month in advance, Sharon Mallory, owner, provides complete service for wedding parties. “Wedding guests may choose to sit on the terrace, view the city, while being close to the beach, with an ocean view,” says Sharon. Although Sapori may offer the feeling of a county setting, it is conveniently located only five minutes from the city of Paget. Wedding photographers often choose the poolside and terrace location for splendid photos of the bridal couple.

Mimi Belboda, wedding coordinator for thirty years, will take care of “all the little details to make your perfect day right,” says manager Alex Rech. Built in 1727, this elegant venue offers something very unique to the island. Surrounding the property are beautiful gardens, palm and Cedar trees perfect for wedding portraits, as well as “quiet secluded rooms” for those who desire a bit more privacy.
Some brides are searching for something very different for their wedding event, and the Lido Complex offers an outdoor gazebo that will seat up to eighty guests. Located beachfront, this facility provides “quality of both food and service for wedding guests,” says Ennio Lucarini. In addition, the property features the Saint Georges Room, decorated in a Mediterranean theme.

“Every bride is special, and we provide custom service for each wedding party,” says Ennio. The Lido Complex will host the wedding celebration, the reception, or even the rehearsal dinner.

With these outstanding choices, every bridal couple should consider their “wedding moon” on the island of Bermuda. Their guests will thank them, and the memories will be unforgettable.