A honeymoon with the best of both worlds
My husband and I on the beach in St. Lucia at the Sugar Beach: A Viceroy Resort.
Contents:
A rundown of our magical honeymoon
St. Lucia honeymoon “tip list”
How we almost missed our flight!
Our honeymoon photoshoot
Photo gallery of our honeymoon photoshoot
An inside look at a Wedding Photographer’s dream honeymoon + How to plan the perfect honeymoon.
Planning our honeymoon in the middle of 2021 was an absolute nightmare, and I blame that year for causing my hair to grey early. I aged ten years trying to figure out where my husband and I could travel for our honeymoon. Our top “honeymoon” destinations included the Maldives, Bora Bora, Greece, and Bali. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too interested in going to the Caribbean. I’ve heard great things, but I prefer more exotic travel. Generally, I’m chasing mountains, beautiful cliffs or quant European towns. So, my eyes were set elsewhere. I do enjoy a good beach day, but as a survivor of early stage melanoma skin cancer I’m not usually excited about a full week on the beach. I really enjoy adventure and submerging myself in native cultures when I travel. My husband on the other hand, likes to relax and keep things low key. I’m happy with a good combination of both options because I do enjoy some relaxation time, but I had to ground myself a bit when it came to our honeymoon. Unfortunately, my husband’s career creates challenges because it’s difficult for him to request time off, so he’s unable to travel often. I’m the travel addict in the relationship, and I’m always dreaming up my next trip, so it was super important to me for our honeymoon to be the perfect mixture of exotic and romantic.
I decided to work with a Vacation Planner who suggested that we pick an island in the Caribbean for our 2022 honeymoon. It was 2021 at the time, and she said that we would me most likely to receive a full refund from a Caribbean resort if travel plans were interrupted for any reason. This would be more unlikely in the Maldives or other remote and exotic places. Travel security is extremely important especially when you’re planning a honeymoon. I was a little devastated to be honest, but I reminded myself that our honeymoon isn’t just about the destination. There’s always been one little Caribbean island that has caught my eye over the years. I did a google search, took notes and contacted our Vacation Planner with the determination of booking our honeymoon in St. Lucia.
The St. Lucian Pitons. A view from the beautiful Ladera Resort.
A Vacation Planner was very helpful when it came to the booking and payment process, but if you’re like me and you prefer to research some on your own first I would recommend taking some time to do so before you make any decisions. She really helped me with the logistics of everything and she helped me to narrow down our options. I sifted through a handful of boutique resorts and some larger resorts also, and we decided on two completely different resorts located on separate sides of the island.
The Ladera Resort (Nights 1 - 3)
We spent our first three fabulous nights at the Ladera Resort nested in-between the iconic lush covered Pitons. The Ladera is a very exotic, bohemian and secluded resort with a small number of rooms and guests. It’s the picture perfect resort for an intimate and romantic experience. I was immediately drawn to the open wall concept and private pools. The furnishes were tattoed in wood carvings, and the shower was pieced together by sea glass. I was obsessed! The most difficult part about booking this resort were the room choices. There are multiple room levels that are separated by butler service offerings, room size, amenities and cost. Our room was a second level room, and it was lovely! The images advertised on the resort’s website show a variety of rooms which made it difficult to know exactly what kind of room we would end up with. Not a single room has the same sized pool, view, or layout. This was a little stressful for me initially. Truthfully, you really couldn’t go wrong. I haven’t seen every suite, but I can imagine that they all offer their own unique beauty. I was primarily particular on the pool location because some rooms offered more shade in the pool than others. I wanted to request a specific room, but it was hard to determine which one was which.
Upon arriving we were immediately greeted and given warm towels and a signature cocktail spiced with local rum.The next three days included frozen mojitos, blended drinks and their local Piton beer. We also received free complimentary drinks as we waited for our room to be turned over. They were a tad behind that day, but we were just happy to be there after such a stressful few days of travel. With a drink in hand we turned the handle of our suite and walked into our romantic oasis. To the left was our large bed canopied by netting (to keep the buggies out). The bathroom was large, and the shower was a walk in oasis with a rainfall shower head. To the right of the entrance was an elevated platform lead by a few steps. This was exactly what we signed up for. Our pool was lined with stone, and the waterfall added an extra element of magic. The pool was framed by an astonishing view of the Pitons and the ocean. It felt like a dream. I missed it as soon as we left.
This resort does not have its own private beach, but you can easily transport to Sugar Beach A Viceroy Resort by taxi. This is where I photographed two couples and coached them how to use my camera so they could take some photos of me and Ryan also. They did an incredible job! Scroll down to the bottom of my blog to learn more about our honeymoon photoshoot and see some images of my husband and I! Sugar Beach is probably one of my favorite resorts. It’s stunning! Apparently, Matt Damon and his wife renewed their vows on this beach, so that’s a fun fact! It is a family friendly resort, and one day I’d love to revisit with kiddos! We spent the evening at the beachside restaurant and taxied back to the Ladera Resort afterward dinner and desert.
We dined at the Ladera restaurant also which overlooked the Pitons, and we met some lovely couples celebrating honeymoons and anniversaries. Everyone was extremely friendly. We spent our first night in our private pool with a bottle of champagne and enjoyed the tranquility. The next morning we woke up to the dreamiest painted view of a sunrise behind the lush Pitons. My husband and I like to hike on occasion, so we tackled the shot trek to see the Pitons at an elevated view. It was worth every sweaty moment!
Our first Friday night was definitely a highlight of our trip. We signed up for their Friday Fish Fry Market excursion with another couple, and we were transported straight into a movie. The journey across the island started on a speed boat with other couples and locals who lead the excursion. We drank some rum punch, jammed to Caribbean music, and sped across the ocean awning at the stunning views. We waved to nearby sailboats and docked about an hour later on a beach at the north side of the island. Suddenly, we were completely hypnotized by the smells of the local fish market. I have dined at plenty of restaurants, and this meal was probably one of the best that I have EVER had. You get a lot of food for the value. I highly recommend exchanging US dollars for their local East Caribbean currency before you go if you want to purchase food and souvenirs. We like to collect ornaments on our travels, so we bought two!
The next few hours were totally incredible. We ordered drinks at bars without windows while standing on dirt floors. Caribbean music played in the middle of the street, and three blocks were infested with locals and tourists. It wasn’t an overwhelming crowd, but it was definitely a party. It was a memorable experience overall, and I can’t wait to go back. Despite the bugs and slight humidity in our rooms (since there’s only three walls) we really loved our stay at the Ladera. Every staff member was super kind and accommodating. The service was top notch!
Our three days at the Ladera were quiet, romantic, relaxing, and totally exotic. They have a lot of hidden gems around the resort. The hot tub was a waterfall of little bowls that you could sit in. Each one poured into the next like a water fall, and the study room was full air conditioned. They also had table games, and I was really fond of the lobby. The pool day was probably my favorite day. We enjoyed such a quiet afternoon with only a few other couples, ate their local banana chips, and sipped on their signature Hummingbird drink. I don’t even recall how many I had!
I would highly recommend this resort if you’re looking for for the perfect romantic and exotic retreat.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian (Nights 4 - 8)
On the fourth morning of our trip we woke up sad to be leaving the most wonderful boutique resort we have ever stayed at, but we looked forward to the next five nights on the north side of the island. Our drive was just over an hour, but the views were beautiful. I highly recommend asking your driver to stop at a little local shop to take in the views and support a small business. We purchased a few post cards! We arrived at the Sandals Grande, and it was a totally different vibe compared to the Ladera. I am so happy that we opted for two different resorts and experiences.
We checked in at the busy lobby and were immediately greeted by our Butler. My husband and I were a little hesitant about booking a room with Butler service, but it was the most pampering experience we have ever had. We went all out for our honeymoon, and we have no regrets. Our butler made all of our restaurant reservations and provided us with a cell phone for communication. She walked us to our private Rondoval complete with a hot tub and private pool. She offered us a fruit tray, popped some champagne and spent a few minutes celebrating our new marriage. We quickly changed into our swimsuits, grabbed a drink from our fully stocked bar and got our butts to the pool. Unlike the Ladera Resort, Sandals was bumping with music and party goers. We sat at the swim up bar and were greeted by other honeymooners. If you’re not a social person I would definitely recommend sticking to the more secluded areas of this resort. We met one couple who was also from Texas and they invited us to visit their overwater bungalow. It was absolutely stunning! You’ll definitely get the “wow factor” with an overwater bungalow, but we preferred the ultimate privacy of our Rondoval.
Anywho, we set off for our first dinner at the sushi restaurant. I ordered a frozen mojito (it’s my favorite), and we ended the night with a dance party at the British Pub. We truly enjoyed the seclusion of the Ladera, but it was so much fun to dance and go a little crazy also.
Our Butler reserved a spot for us at the main pool for the next morning. We found ourselves in the front row of beach chairs with the pool just steps away from our spot. A blue cooler was fully stocked with Piton Beer, and our Butler took our lunch order. We were able to text her for anything we needed, and she was on it! The Butlers rotate, so we had a total of three different Butlers and all of them were amazing. I fell in love with their shrimp cocktail and veggie dip, so every day at 11:00am our Butler brought us fresh shrimp cocktail and veggies. We spent a full day at the pool and enjoyed a combination of relaxation, pool games and socialization. Time flies when you’re in the main pool especially if you’re social with other travelers and participating in the pool activities, so don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen.
The next day we decided to stay in our suite and enjoy our private pool and hot tub. We ordered room service for breakfast, and we lounged all day in our luxurious suite. Our Butler overheard my husband talking about his slight hangover, so she brought us some coconuts with fresh coconut water to help. This was such a great touch! If you’re undecided on booking a Butler for your Sandals trip I highly recommend it. They are very attentive, and you can literally ask for anything. One night I was talking about trying the Crepe Restaurant on property, and I came back to our suite with fresh crepes waiting for me. On our second night we came back to a fully warm bubble bath complete with the perfect amount of bubbles, some rose petals and a decorated bed. It was a romantic dream! They also reserved our beach chairs the day we decided to relax on the beach. Towards the end of our trip we definitely preferred the quieter side of the resort, so we enjoyed the shade, overwater swings and relaxing on our Amazon floats. There’s a specific set that we ordered (per the recommendation of our planner), and they were life changing. Water sports are free, so I participated in water skiing and wakeboarding. I used to do both, but it had been a while. I made the poor decision of participating in water sports two days in a row, so I was pretty sore by the end of it. I’ve always wanted to water ski and wakeboard on an ocean!
Halfway through our Sandals trip we took a catamaran excursion back to the Pitons where we began our stay. We enjoyed some rum punch and snorkeling near the volcanic pitons. The views of this excursion are probably some of my favorite. I can’t describe just how stunning the island is. You’re always blown away by a colorful sunset. Just add some Caribbean beats and a bottle of champagne and you’re suddenly in a romantic movie. If you really want to indulge in some romance I highly recommend booking a beach front sunset dinner ahead of time. This was an add on and not included in our stay. It’s called the “Romantic Candlelight Dinner,” and you’re provided an exclusive menu with a private server. You can watch the sunset, cling wine bottles in celebration and talk about your favorite wedding day memories. I thought the dinner was fabulous. I don’t know what it was, but their grilled/roasted carrots were my absolute favorite!
Finally, we finished our trip with a luxurious Jasmine Massage on our very last day. I try to schedule massages regularly to help with blood flow (I am always cold!), and to release tension in my neck and upper body, but this massage was better than anything I’ve experienced. Anyways, this was a special occasion because my husband has NEVER gotten a massage before. This was my treat, and I booked this ahead of time also. You do have to pay for spa services as they are also not included in your stay. We were taken to an outdoor gazebo in our soft white robes and enjoyed our first couple’s massage.
The island of St. Lucia is a special one, and it completely exceeded our expectations. My husband and I made some irreplaceable memories and met some great friends that we hope to travel with again in the future. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with honeymoon destinations and options, but your honeymoon will be incredible regardless! If you need to take a step back and reevaluate what is important to you and your significant other that’s ok! Stay true to yourself and be open to new things. You won’t be sorry. Life is too short to not take those leaps of faith, and while it was stressful to plan we wouldn't trade a single minute of it.
Some St. Lucia Tips:
When staying at a Sandals resort ask for a bottle of local rum cream liquor. You can take this home with you and enjoy some Caribbean flavor after your honeymoon.
If you can’t decide on one particular resort narrow it down to two and book both of them!
Don’t plan too much! I always think we will accomplish and explore more than we do, and I’ve come to learn how important it is to slow down and go with the flow.
Book a honeymoon photoshoot!
If you’re staying at a Sandals Grande Resort make sure your man brings pants so that way you can dine at Gordon’s the fancy overwater resort. There is a dress code, and Ryan did not have pants, so he had to wear some from the lost and found box.
The taxi drivers are some of the nicest people on the island. If you come across one in particular that you like be sure to ask for a business card.
August/September is considered “slow season” because of the potential for tropical storms and hurricanes. We went for 8 days, and we only experienced one day of rain, and it was actually pretty stunning!
If the weather app says “rain every day” DO NOT BE ALARMED. It’s the Caribbean, so showers are always possible and usually clear up in a half hour or so.
Keep some Caribbean currency as a souvenir!
Bring a glass jar and fill it with sand for a honeymoon keepsake
I wasn’t a fan of the local passion fruit, but I highly recommend trying it at least once.
Wear your sunscreen! It’s easy to get burnt in the Caribbean.
Make sure that you have travel insurance.
Get to the St. Lucia airport early just in case! Our flight ran behind, but it was nice to be there ahead of time. It gave us some time to grab some food.
If you decide to book a Sandals vacation make sure you are linked up with someone who specializes in Sandals vacations.
That time we almost missed our honeymoon flights.
While our honeymoon was the highlight of our life it did not start that way unfortunately. Our flight was planned to depart out of O’hare International Airport, and we barely made it. There were a few COVID entry requirements set in place before travelers could enter St. Lucia. My husband and I were required to have a negative PCR test in order to enter, so we scheduled our tests at the local pharmacy. Our test results had not reached our emails yet. I wasn’t too worried initially because our flight out of the country (arriving in St. Lucia) wasn’t schedule until the next morning. My husband and I booked an overnight layover in Charlotte, NC instead of a full day of travel (thank goodness we did). I have flown internationally before, so I didn’t assume that we would need to show Passports or COVID tests until our flight out of the country because we were only flighting domestically that evening. I also fully expected to go through security with my checked bag that next morning. It turns out that if your layover is less than 12 hours it is still considered the same “leg” or “trip.” It’s still a connecting flight which means that if you miss your first “leg” they cancel your second “leg.” I’m not sure if this is true for all airlines, but it was for ours. So, they require Passports and travel documents at your initial flight check in even if you are only flying domestically for you first layover. It was a little confusing to me.
We walked up to the check in stand, and they asked for our test results. We explained that we hadn’t received them yet. The attendant explained that we would not be able to board our flight out of Chicago if we did not have the proper documents. Of course, I was confused. Then, she explained the 12 hour “rule.” She also told me that my bag would be checked overnight. Again, I totally thought that I’d pick up my bag once we landed in NC at the baggage claim. Nope! I wouldn’t see it again until we landed in St. Lucia. I’ve never had a flight like this before or had my bag “checked” that long. Thank goodness she told me this because I was planning to check my hygiene products. I yanked those out of my checked bag along with a change of clothing and smooshed the items into our carry ons. Ryan was able to pack all of his items into two carry ons, so he didn’t have to check his bag (men have it so easy).
I was a little panicked at this time because if we didn’t get on our flight that would now be leaving in 45 minutes they would cancel our second flight. I was devastated. I thought that we would have to cancel or arrive late to our honeymoon. We tried calling the pharmacy and our vacation planner. At this time my husband realized that there was a testing station at the airport where they offered rapid PCR tests (I didn’t even know that these existed). I was only aware of Rapid Antigen Tests and PCR Tests, so the thought of a rapid PCR didn’t even occur to me. So, while I’m crying and fully expecting to leave the airpot and drive back to my in laws house; my husband was quite calm and collected. I’m over here thinking the worst, and he’s got it all figured out. He told me that we could take a test at the airport, and I was instantly relieved! After this discussion we took the shuttle back to the check in desk to figure out our next move. We asked the clerks if it was possible to get on other flight to NC that same evening. Thankfully, they were able rebook us on a later flight, and they did it at no cost. Those hours of panic sweat and tears started to fade as I realized we would actually be able to get to our honeymoon on time. Our St. Lucia flight didn’t depart until 9:00am the following morning out of Charlotte, so we had plenty of time to get everything figured out. Five hundred dollars ($250/test) and a few beers later we were finally on our way. Our original test results showed up two days into our honeymoon. Phew! What an operation it all was, but we figured it out and made it happen!
Honeymoon Photoshoot
It was really important to me that my husband and I partake in a honeymoon photoshoot of some sort, and it was also a dream of mine to photograph a couple on the island also. We had a potential photoshoot lined up, but I decided that I wanted to have full control over how our images were edited. So, I decided that I was going to offer a nice couple/s a free mini photoshoot in exchange for about a half hour of their time and a few minutes of photographing Ryan and I. We met two amazing couples, so we visited the lovely Sugar Beach twice and had some fun! I photographed the couple/s and then taught them how to use my camera to photograph Ryan and I. One of gentlemen already had some photography skills, so he knew his way around my camera. I adjusted my camera settings and showed them which buttons to press and that was that! Truthfully, I only needed 5-10 good images of Ryan and I. They did an incredible job, so we received a TON of amazing images that we will cherish forever. I also loved the fact that I was able to gift two couples a free mini session on their honeymoon. It meant a lot to me and not only did I have the opportunity to be behind the camera on this amazing island at such an incredible resort, but I got to be in front of it with the love of my life also.
All photos are edited by me and taken by our sweet honeymoon friends.
