USVI-On-Line

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!!

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.

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.

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!

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!

Pia - more possible questions...

Does Gibney have much of a beach during full moon?

Does Jumbie ever get more seaweed than this?

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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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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]