All Roads Lead to The Helen of the West
Katelyn
& Shane
aint Lucia, a country so beautiful it’s been referred to as the The Helen of the West, has it all: lush mountains, ocean views, impeccable weather. Dreaming of nuptials that would incorporate all their favorite landscapes, this couple found Sandals Grande Saint Lucian on Rodney Bay to be a perfect fit.
Moving from Florida to Texas and back again while dating. An epic proposal atop the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska. A dream destination wedding on the vibrant isle of Saint Lucia. As a couple well-versed in travel, Katelyn and Shane had a clear vision for their destination vows — and they found the ideal resort to make it happen.
When Katelyn and Shane began their search, the goal was to keep the wedding small and intimate. They wanted a place that was budget-friendly, close in proximity to the United States, and felt like a
vacation with a wedding mixed in. Naturally, an all-inclusive made the most sense. As residents of Florida, the couple also wanted more than a beachfront backdrop, and Katelyn, who is a New Hampshire native, wanted to incorporate the rise and fall of the mountains. When they finally found Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia, it was exactly what they were looking for. Friends and family had a chance to enjoy the resort at their own pace, without needing an itinerary. The staff welcomed everyone like a part of the Sandals family. Food, drinks, and activities were unlimited. Most important of all, the couple’s incredible wedding planner effortlessly executed all the details, giving Katelyn and Shane plenty of time to relax and explore the island.
“Saint Lucia is such a beautiful island,” says Katelyn. “We hiked Pigeon Island, went on a mud bath and waterfall excursion, took a sunset catamaran cruise, and went scuba diving the day after our wedding.”
- Aligned with the island’s rich scenery, the entire bridal party — from the bridesmaids to the parents of the bride and groom — donned various shades of blue and green.
- The bridal party kicked off the morning in Katelyn’s parent’s Rondoval Suite. Hair and makeup artists were in full swing. Bridesmaids wore succulent hair clips, and the men sported boutonnieres that were handcrafted by Shane’s mom.
Aligned with the island’s rich scenery, the entire bridal party — from the bridesmaids to the parents of the bride and groom — donned various shades of blue and green. Adding her own twist to a classic tradition, the bride wore her grandmother’s pearl necklace (something old), sparkly blue heels (something blue), and Shane’s grandmother’s necklace as a bracelet (something borrowed). - When asked about her favorite detail of the dress, Katelyn noted it was the delicate lacework on each side, which kept two symbolic tattoos visible — a hummingbird for her grandma and a dog paw to honor her late pup who passed away earlier that year. Shane also honored his late grandparents with a photo keychain inside his suit.
For their first look, the couple chose Pigeon Island National Park. Conveniently located next to Sandals Grande Saint Lucian, Pigeon Island is a 44-acre haven of verdant terrain, ideal for photos. The slight elevation of the islet gives it a summit-like appearance, which further aligned with Katelyn’s hopes of incorporating mountains into the big day.
A glass-panel aisle, lined by white chairs and simple floral arrangements, led to the front of the chapel where two glass vases framed the couple. White drapery fluttered in the breeze along the roofline, adding a softness that didn’t take away from the natural scenery. Eucalyptus leaves, white roses, hydrangeas, and other touches of greenery made up the floral aesthetic for the day.
Surrounded by unobscured views and 27 close friends and family members, Katelyn and Shane couldn’t have dreamt a better time or place to exchange vows.
- “We absolutely loved our wedding coordinator,” recalls Katelyn. “She went above and beyond in so many ways and made sure everything was organized and taken care of. I had no stress.”
After the ceremony, Katelyn and Shane decided to keep things simple with an extended cocktail hour. The two worked alongside their wedding planner to choose a variety of light hors d’oeuvres followed by a cocktail menu. Mini sliders, Mac and cheese bites and conch fritters (a fan favorite of the evening) were notable flavors from the evening. As for signature cocktails, the pair chose a Spicy Watermelon Margarita — a refreshing combo with a bit of heat as a nod to Shane’s favorite type of food.
