Saying "I Do" in Barbados    

Simone Johnson and Juliet Annette Bright added a steel drum and music to their ceremony. 

Karen Johnson-Basra

ell couples, you are in luck! More and more resorts are catering to runaway weddings. My first assignment led me to investigate and explore the island of Barbados. 

is a five-hour direct flight from Toronto. The temperature usually ranges from a high of 35 C during the day to 25 C in the evening. has everything you need to plan that perfect wedding. It has a variety of venues and settings, along with nearly 70 recognized religions.

Let’s start with the hotels. During my stay in , the Turtle Beach Resort was my home base. It is part of the Elegant Hotels Group (other properties of the Group are the Tamarind Cove, Crystal Cove, Colony Club and The House). The hotels cater to your every need and feature European-style service, the finest amenities and facilities, gourmet dining, extensive activities programs, state-of-the-art fitness centre and floodlit tennis courts and picturesque beach front settings. 

According to the wedding consultant/coordinator at the Turtle Beach Hotel, a majority of brides purchase their wedding gowns before they set off to their destination. However, gown rentals are available too. But, if it is a spur of the moment event, there are plenty of shops in town to choose that special gown.

I had the opportunity to witness three different ceremonies. The first ceremony was a 25th wedding anniversary for Peter and Susan Johnson (no relation), from Manchester, who renewed their vows.  

The next couple also hailed from: the groom was Simone Johnson (first marriage) and the bride was Juliet Annette Bright (second marriage), accompanied by her daughter Charlotte. Juliet is a native Bajan so it seemed only fitting to have the ceremony in . The couple was joined by the groom's mother, sister, bride's parents and local family members. To make their ceremony unique, the couple added a steel drum and music.

The third couple was also from. I caught up with this couple at the Crystal Cover Resort. It was an intimate ceremony just the bride, groom and the bride's mom. 

Getting married is an extremely personal rite of passage in life. Most people have certain needs and wishes very specific to their wedding. If you're planning to marry outside of your province or state, do your research to find out what documentation you require before you confirm your wedding destination. If the wedding is in the Caribbean or Florida, find out when hurricane season starts and ends.

For information on the Elegant Hotels Group, call 1.800.467.4519 or visit www.eleganthotels.com.

www.WeddingsHoneymoons.com | December 23, 2006