april-2012

MASTERS OF CEREMONIES
We challenged three wedding planners to come up with the perfect hypothetical wedding plans in Tulum, the Bahamas and Montego Bay.
Who wouldn’t want to be whisked away into wedded bliss?
GILDED CEREMONY
A wealthy couple who works long hours in
finance is hoping for a high-end, traditional,
luxurious wedding in the Bahamas.
OUR EXPERT: ANNE MARIE WILLIAMS
weddingsinthebahamas.com
THE FOOD: Steaks, lobster, crab legs and
buffet lines overflowing with food, a feast fit
for kings; island drinks as well as tasty apps.
The main focus would be the cake—one former
client chartered a private plane just for her wedding
cake.
THE LOOK: The Cloister Paradise Island
(below), a beautiful outdoor stone-structure
with a gazebo and stretch of garden area perfect
for a ceremony. The reception, tented with
chandeliers and lit pyramids of candles, would
include a monogrammed dance floor and synchronized
swimmers.
THE FUN: For lodging, the One and Only Ocean
Club (oceanclub.oneandonlyresorts.com) or The
Atlantis The Cove (atlantis.com). Extracurriculars
include golf, deep sea fishing, powerboat adventure
excursions and visits to the Bahamian Islands.
GREEN WEDDING
An outdoorsy, environment-minded active couple
who met during a hiking adventure. They’re seeking
an experiential green wedding in Tulum.
OUR EXPERT: GWÉNAËLLE GROSSET
destinationweddingstulum.com
THE FOOD: Fresh fruits and vegetables, baskets
of legumes, almonds and assorted nuts, served
over farm-fresh greens, cake from a local baker,
decorated with native flowers.
THE LOOK: Mason jars for wild flowers, natural
fiber materials for the chairs, wedding programs
on recycled paper, outdoor ceremony and reception.
No flora is transported in for ceremonies; they
use the natural environment right on the beach.
Guests’ favors are small glass recycled jars of
locally-harvested honey.
THE FUN: Guests stay in ecological bungalows
on the beach. Nueva Vida de Ramiro
(tulumnv.com) is an all-natural, beautiful setting
perfect for wedding weekends (below). Guests
can enjoy snorkeling, fly fishing, or an evening
kayak excursion to the Sian Kaan biosphere
reserve (cesiak.org).
APRIL 2012 35
GO MAGAZINE
BY ANNA KATHERINE CLEMMONS
FAMILY FEST
Academics marrying for the second time; lots of
children and grandchildren. They’re hoping for a
small but intimate wedding in Montego Bay.
OUR EXPERT: KATHY CALVERT
weddingsinjamaica.com
THE FOOD: The cocktail reception may feature
island delicacies like conch fritters or Swedish
meatballs—a salad starter and a seafood platter
with smoked salmon, mussels, prawns, crab claws
and octopus ceviche. Main course is often a grilled
rib eye, pork tenderloin, grilled shrimp skewers and
a rack of lamb.
THE LOOK: A beach ceremony is ideal, perhaps
moving indoors to a banquet space for the reception.
Tropical bouquets of flowers and casual dress
for the guests. Simple yet beautiful—a ceremony
focusing on the intimacy of these families coming
together.
THE FUN: The Iberostar Rose Hall Beach
(iberostar.com), below, is a wonderful resort with
the Lucy’s Club set up just for children, the Ritz-
Carleton is more upscale (ritzcarlton.com) and has
a waterpark.