Scrub Island Resort:
The Crown Jewel Of The British Virgin Islands

If you are looking for an exclusive five star destination for the ideal wedding, look no further than Scrub Island Resort and Marina in the British Virgin Islands.

Scrub Island is a private island located at the east end of Tortola and is home to a luxury resort, spa and marina that opened in the spring of 2010. I visited the resort in July 2011.

Many may be wondering what the temperature is like in a tropical locale in July, however, the weather in the Virgin Islands is usually a predicable eighty degrees year round. Scrub Island Resort sits on 230 acres offering panoramic views, protected coves, and is fringed by three pristine beaches.

Privacy is key at Scrub Island; do not expect to see more than two hundred people at any given time, which is ideal when considering the resort for a wedding.

Visitors staying at the resort can only access the resort by water. We took a taxi from Road Town, after going through customs, to the Trellis Bay dock. There we were met by Scrub Islandís private ferry and ten minutes later we were being greeted by a resort host with their signature rum punch to quench our thirst.

Upon entering the ocean view accommodations one is instantly reminded of a breath-taking beach house, rather than the traditional hotel room. The rooms all feature Caribbean dÈcor, sculptures, and local art, as well as its own private patio/balcony with plush lounging chairs and ottomans overlooking the marina. Guests are pampered with a king size bed, luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets, soft down bedding, plasma TVs, and my favorite, bamboo ceiling fans with soaring high wood beamed ceilings.

There are three choices for guest accommodations: guest rooms that can accommodate up to two guests and the lavish one or two bedroom suites. The suites offer the ultimate in amenities, including separate living space from the master bedroom that includes timeless teak wood furniture, a 50î flat plasma TV and dining area. The gourmet kitchens in these suites feature Kohler fixtures, Subzero and Wolf stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and natural stone flooring. The stocked cabinets provide china and glassware complete with martini glasses, as well as your very own espresso machine so you may enjoy your morning ìfixî while enjoying watching the yachts from your private covered veranda. We stayed in the two bedroom suite which can accommodate a total of six guests, and found it to be like having our very own house on the island!

There is so much to explore on Scrub Island, if you are going a distance like North Beach, one of the three beaches on the island, a shuttle will take you to and from your desired destination. North Beach is like having a private beach at your disposal. There is a pool, a bar, and lounge chairs situated in secluded natural arbors. You could spend the day here lazing by the turquoise water, sipping a cocktail and having lunch brought out to you.

The Pavilion pool by the marina offers a spectacular pool with swim up bar, water slide, and an infinity pool on a top level that spills down into the pool below. One of the two restaurants on the island is located at this pool. Tierra! Tierra! is housed in an outdoor tiki style gazebo serving lunch and dinner, They also have certain theme nights; our first night on the island we enjoyed a Caribbean buffet while listening to a steel band play.

Caravela, Scrub Islandís second restaurant, offers breakfast and gourmet dinning in the evening. If you happen to be staying in one of the guest suites and want to cook your own meals there is the Gourmet Market and CafÈ besides the marina that has provisions or you can have the resortís chef prepare a special dinner for you in your suite. This would be a nice touch for the first night spent as husband and wife after your wedding on Scrub Island.

There are many options for activities while staying at the resort including snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and scuba diving which is offered in partnership with the onsite dive shop, Dive BVI. Fishing and yacht charters are also available. In addition, several off-island excursions can be arranged such as historical tours of Tortula, speed boat tours, swim with the dolphins, or visit some of the top 10 bars of the world that are located in the British Virgin Islands (perfect for bachelor parties or girlís night out before the wedding). During our stay we took a boating excursion to the Baths located at the southern end of Virgin Gorda.

The Baths are an amazing collection of giant boulders which form small pools and grottos. We snorkeled around the boulders, explored some of the mazes teeming with marine life, then headed to Cooper Island where I tried my hand at ladder toss on the beach (everyone said I was pretty good at it) before going on to Peter Island for lunch and some shopping. We ended the day with some more snorkeling before heading back to Scrub Island for our spa treatment.

I cannot begin to describe my experience at Scrub Islandís luxury spa, Ixora, housed high over Camanoe Bay in a private villa complete with its own infinity pool. Letís just say I have visited many luxury spas at five star resorts; Ixora is on the top of my list!The spa offers a variety of signature treatments. I had the signature Ixora Massage. They begin the experience bathing your feet in cool, scented water while you select which aromatherapy oil you wish to inhale during your 50 minute massage. You will wish it could never end! The spa can arrange for the entire bridal party to have customized services, as well as lunch provided to your group if you wish.

Scrub Island will arrange a complete wedding intinerary for you and your guests including a welcome reception, day excursions and a memorable wedding ceremony with your choice of six stunning locations to stage your wedding on the island, a cocktail reception followed by dinner and dancing. In fact Scrub Island offers a variety of wedding packages with various menus and prices to choose from for your wedding including cocktail receptions, plated dinners, and themed buffets.

Scrub Islandís wedding specialist will be happy to prepare a private island wedding proposal for you including a sample itinerary that will walk you through what having a Scrub Island Resort wedding is like. This jewel of an island is natureís best keep secret. Let Scrub Island be your location for the most memorable event you and your guests will remember for a lifetime.

Getting there:
From all major airports in Virginia and DC there are two options: fly to St. Thomas before taking a smaller flight into Beef Island Airport or upon arriving in St. Thomas, take the Road Town Ferry to Tortola. This is a scenic route and lets you unwind from the flight and also allows you to see some of the other towns before arriving at Trellis Bay Dock were you will be picked up by the resortís private ferry.

What you will need:

• A valid passport.
• A marriage license that is obtained in Tortola.
• A minimum of a three day stay prior to your marriage in The British Virgin Islands is required before you can apply for the marriage license.
• You must have two witnesses oversee the signing of the license and two different witnesses for the marriage ceremony.
• The Staff of Scrub Island will be with you and help you with all government requirements.

Contact:
Tracey Rosati
813-290-3803 (local USA phone)

The Sanderling Resort and Spa

Perfection at details is a byword at the Sanderling Resort and Spa, and that is what your wedding will be. Perfection. The Outer Banks of North Carolina have long been a favorite vacation destination, but saavy brides have discovered it is an ideal wedding and honeymoon spot as well.

Imagine having a luxurious beach wedding at a fourdiamond resort, without the hassle of passports, expensive plane tickets, and exhausting travel. Your guests will love you for it. And youíll love everything the resort has to offer a bride. Uniquely situated facing both Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, you have the best of both. Tranquil waters and marsh birds on one side, crashing waves and sand dunes on the other. Located near the town of Duck, it is close enough for you to visit, but you may not want to. Everything you need is here on the resortís 13 acres. Whether you fancy a large wedding, or a small intimate one, you can have it here. There is even an development package available for 15-40 people. Everything is included for a charming beach weddingóbridal bouquet, a 3-course wine-paired dinner, a wedding cakeó even the officiant.

Destination Weddings
Large weddings are easily accommodated and there are a number of options for both ceremony and reception. Have your ceremony on the beach and your reception at the covered soundside Pavilion. There are sites on both the ocean and the sound from which to choose. Smaller weddings, rehearsal dinners and wedding brunches can be held either indoors or out. But the draw for manyóif not mostóbrides is the spectacular beach setting. One brideís fantasy was to say her vows exactly at sunset on the beach. What could be more romantic than that? The Sanderlingís wedding team made it happen exactly on schedule. Another favorite ceremony spot is the gazebo that extends out over the waters of the sound. Imagine the sound of the waves, ocean breezes and seabirds flying overhead. You may even be fortunate enough to have a swan glide by while you exchange your vows. And what an auspicious symbol that would beóswans mate for life. No matter what, youíre guaranteed beautiful wedding photos. Just because itís a beach wedding, donít think it canít be formal. Wear a ballgown if you chooseóor not. It is whatever you fancy. All the details will be tailored to your needs.

The Sanderling will take care of every facet of the event. Their specialty is long-distance wedding planning, so be assured your wedding will go off without a hitch. No item will be forgotten. Their aim is to create your dream wedding, and they have ample experience. The catering team will work with you to plan the menu. You may choose from their already existing wedding menus, or create your own. As you can imagine, the seafood is superb. They are committed to fresh, local farmer, and artisan suppliers. Local and regional foods means it will be fresh and always taste better than foods flown in from great distances.

Special requests, such as vegetarian and gluten-free, will be happily, and deliciously, accommodated. If you book your wedding with the Sanderling, a complimentary bridal tasting is held during the year. Check with them for the date. If you would like music and dancing at your wedding or a cocktail reception, the resort is ideally suited for it and arrangements can be made. Consider a dessert station and indulge your sweet tooth. Late night snacks are available if you just donít want the party to stop.

Ideally, you and your wedding party should arrive a day or two early so you can relax before the wedding and indulge in everything the Sanderling has to offer. If you would like, it can be arranged for your guests to receive welcome gifts on arrival. Supply your own, or have the resort create something wonderful. Have a romantic dinner for two at The Left Bank during your stay. The food is superb and again, focuses on local, sustainable and delicious. It is a dining experience not to be missed. Ask for a table by the window and gaze out at the waters of the sound. Itís a great way to relax and savor the upcoming nuptials. Or really do something special for your guests, and hold your rehearsal dinner here. The Swan Bar and The Lifesaving Station are available for more casual dining experiences and are also ideal for rehearsal dinners. One thing is certain: All the food is wonderful.

Pamper yourself and your wedding party with spa treatments. Make it a bonding experience with your bridesmaids, or indulge in the Soul Mate Sanctuary with your groom. There are a number of spa treatments that are focused on brides and her ladies. The spa is full treatment, so you can have your hair, makeup and nails done. The Sanderling Facial will leave your skin glowing, soft and perfect for the wedding. Customized for your skin type, you will be amazed that a facial can feel that good. Ever wonder about a stone massage? Thatís just another of your spa choices. Reflexology, massages, aromatherapy, are just some of whatís available at the soundside spa. All the amenities of a four-diamond resort are available at the Sanderling. Guests have access to the Pine Island Racquet and Fitness Center. A fully equipped facility, it contains cardiovascular and Cybex resistance weight machines. Guests of the Sanderling enjoy complimentary access to the fitness equipment and 25% off tennis court pricing. The fitness center also has three indoor tennis courts, two outdoor Har-Tru courts and a pro shop. There is also an indoor pool on the grounds of the resort and of course, there is the beach.

If that and the wedding are not enough to keep you busy, thereís a 3,400 acre Audubon sanctuary adjacent to The Sanderling, and kayaking nearby. You may choose to stay in the main inn, the north or south inn, or one of the deluxe beach houses. All the accommodations have easy access to the beach. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, beautiful and tastefully decorated. Depending on where you choose to stay, you may have an ocean view, a sound view, a view of the dunes or a landscaped waterfall or pond. Many rooms have private terraces and Jacuzzis are available. If your guests book 10 or more rooms per night, you will be given the bridal suite with the Sanderlingís compliments on the night of the wedding. Ask about additional requirements.

As with any in-demand venue, if you have a special date in mind, book earlyóup to one year in advanceóto ensure that it is available.

Keep in mind that if you wed in North Carolina, you will need a North Carolina marriage license that is good for 60 days after issuance. Both parties must be present to apply for the license. There is an office in Manteo where one may be obtained.

And next year, you just may want to revisit the resort for your anniversary, and start some family traditions of your own.

Sanderling Resort and Spa
1461 Duck Road
Duck, NC 27949
800-701-4111
www.thesanderling.com