Gibney and Jumbie Beaches

Travel discussion for St. John
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starlit07
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Gibney and Jumbie Beaches

Post by starlit07 »

We've been lurking for quite some time now, but with only 6 months to do we've got to hunker down and start making some decisions!

We are getting married on the beach early in May of next year, preferably in the morning. We have been considering one of these two beaches. It will be just the two of us + Minister/Photographer. Does anyone have any advice as to whether one would be better than the other...or any pros or cons that we should know of.

Thanks for all the help!!
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Pia
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Post by Pia »

Jumbie has alot of seaweed :( Gibney is beautiful but depending on what time in the morning may not have full sun. For a morning ceremony Hawksnest is a great choice but again depending on time of the day as it can get crowded by mid am with cruise ship people - but early it is beautiful and gets sun earlier than Gibney.

Pia
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flip-flop
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Post by flip-flop »

You've named two of my favorites. Actually we were asked by a couple to move for their wedding while on Jumbie one morning. I thought ... awww what a wonderful place to have a wedding.

I think on Jumbie you would be more likely to have a space to yourself. Though early enough in the am, you will most likely have just about any beach to yourself. We were alone on Trunk one morning at 8am.
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stjohnmay2003
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Post by stjohnmay2003 »

How long will you be there prior to the actual wedding?
We got married on Truck Bay back in 2003. We had a week there before the wedding day so we just scoped out the beaches first. The day before the wedding we called the person performing the ceremony and the photographerand let them know what beach we chose.Before going there I thought I wanted to avoid Trunk, just because it's so popular, but after seeing it we thought it was just so beautiful to pass up. Our ceremony was at 9am and there wasn't anyone else on the beach.
Married- Trunk Bay May 3, 2003
jmq
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Post by jmq »

Pia - really good point about the lighting on Gibney and Jumbie.

They are indeed shady in the morning - in fact, we have traditionally made these our first day beaches so as not to be tempted to overdo the sun on the first day.

But, the flat lighting afforded by the shade might not be a bad thing for a talented photographer using fill flash (less squinting and harsh shadows on the face). Maybe ask the photographer what they think?

Congrats starlit - how sweet is that, getting married in May on a beach in STJ!
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
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liamsaunt
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Post by liamsaunt »

I prefer Gibney to Jumbie. Gibney is just so beautiful and uncrowded. Plus the walk down to Gibney will be easier than Jumbie in a wedding dress (it's paved). Jumbie is nice, but Gibney is sandier.

Congratulations, also!
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
jmq
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Post by jmq »

Pia - more possible questions...

Does Gibney have much of a beach during full moon?

Does Jumbie ever get more seaweed than this?

[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 1.jpg"></a>[/img]
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
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Wolfhound
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Post by Wolfhound »

I like Gibney better than Jumbie as well although both are great. When we were on Gibney last June, someone was setting up a tent etc., for a wedding next to the Oppenheimer house. It looked fabulous.
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chrisn
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Post by chrisn »

Out of those two, I'd choose Jumbie. Gibney does not have a lot of beach.

My personal choice would be Hawksnest. Early morning I think your going to be pretty private anyway.
PA Girl
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Post by PA Girl »

Both are lovely but I would pick Gibney for access and my love of the tall palm trees.

Don't know how much the full moon had to do with it but during our Jan 2005 trip, Gibney had no beach for 5 of the 7 days we were there, the water was up to the front porch of the orange house.
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Pia
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Post by Pia »

I don't know about full moon and Gibney, but PA Girl is correct in as much as during the time of "Christmas Winds" Gibney has very little beach (if any) available.

Jumbie can have more seaweed than pictured but that is about right.

Pia
Last edited by Pia on Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Andrea266
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Post by Andrea266 »

I got married on Gibney so I'm kind of biased (Wolfhound, it may have been my wedding you saw getting set up actually). I would definitely recommend Gibney...next to the Oppenheimer house, there are two rows of palm trees that practically make up an aisle. We strung white lacy fabric between the trees to define the aisle a little more.
We also chose Gibney because it was cheap, and because the Oppenheimer house provided a great haven should it rain (luckily it didn't) and restrooms. We also set up the catering and one bar inside the house.
The area by the Oppenheimer house provides plenty of space for a wedding and reception. If you choose to go forward with Gibney, feel free to ask me anything!
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Pia
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Post by Pia »

Andrea has great taste - we were married on Gibney as well :lol: We had rented both cottages (before we moved here) and were married right outside the cottages on the beach, with the reception on the beach and on the grounds of Gibney cottages at night complete with Tiki torches - beautiful.

Pia
PA Girl
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Post by PA Girl »

Pia - what a lovely wedding that must have been! Hubs and I both agree that given the chance to redo our wedding, we would have skipped the production and gotten married on St. John.
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ScottB
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Post by ScottB »

I agree, Gibney might be shaded in the AM, but it's tough to beat this....<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p195 ... G_0700.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>[/img]
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