A destination wedding in St. Lucia! Even as I was shooting, what I was seeing through my lens didn’t seem real, the backdrop looked like something out of a painting. It has been my dream to shoot more destination weddings and travel to these amazing locations around the world, and Emily + Chris made that a reality. They knew right from the moment they got engaged (in Hawaii!) that they wanted a destination wedding. After lots of research, they set their sites on St. Lucia, specifically Gros Islet Quarter, a region which includes the island’s northernmost point. They would invite 23 of their closest family and friends to join them, which is probably one of my favorite things about destination weddings, they are intimate.
Every detail in this wedding had meaning and was unique, Emily’s personality can truly been seen through it all. I’ll be honest, when she first told me her colors were blue/green iridescent, I had a hard time visualizing it, but how it all came together, it worked beautifully and surely made a believer out of me! It was the perfect blend of tropical paradise, ocean influences, and a whole lot of pretty. Basically, a mermaids dream! Everything was handmade, and all the shells used for the boutonnieres and the bridal bouquet were shells collected from Emily and her family over their many vacations over the years together. As a surprise to Em, her mother and sister even had some of her fathers ashes placed in the mermaid locket of the bouquet. He would have been proud and I have no doubt, he was most certainly there.
The ceremony took place on the deck of Tamarind Villa, where we had the pleasure of living for the week, and it was amazing! The weather was very hot for the ceremony and barely a cloud in the sky, but everyone handled it very well. Yay for no rain, right?! After they were officially husband and wife, it was portrait time, and this is why Chris and Em are my ideal couple … they were willing to do anything for epic photos!! They trusted me and were down for anything, even if it meant bringing a ladder, driving down the dirt road to an unfinished massive house, and climbing down the wall to get in because everything is gated. This house was breathtaking, it looked like it belonged in Tuscany and the whole thing was empty! This resulted in some of my favorite portraits I have ever taken, I hope you love them as much as I do. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have such an adorable couple as these two and Emily, you were absolutely stunning!! You are stylish, beautiful, strong, sweet, and humble, you had a vision for your day, you knew exactly what you wanted and it was perfection. I hope you and Chris cherish these photos forever and one day can show your children about the day you two got married in St. Lucia!
There was a big surprise in store for everyone at the reception, scroll down to find out what it was!!
Emily chose every detail and had her shoes created by Ellie Wren 
There were SO many props laying around in the house, I was in heaven!
Her bouquet, all made with shells that her family has collected over the years. The bottom white tool is from her mothers veil and the brooch is her mothers as well.
The mermaid locket, where some of her dads ashes were placed. 
All handmade jewelry and hair piece by Amyobrial
Probably one of my favorite things we found washed up on the beach, a sea fan!
Chris sure is looking suave!
Seriously … still doesn’t look real!
Good looking Bridal Party!
Thanks to the wedding planner Michele for taking my camera so I could be in this shot!
Awesome Caribbean Weddings and her crew did an absolute fantastic job and was just a pleasure to work with! Not to mention the Royal Beach Front Terrace was the perfect reception place, the food and staff were equally as amazing! 
THE SURPRISE! The Wedding planner and I were the only ones that knew that Chris (a talented singer and songwriter) had written Emily a song and was going to perform it live with a violinist!! It had everyone in tears! Way to go Chris!!!
As in any tropical place, it poured down rain for 10 minutes and then cleared up, some just got up and embraced the rain 😉
Cheers to Emily and Chris! Love you both!
© Melissa Desjardins Photography 2016 | Wedding Photographer | Central VA and Destinations Worldwide
Having a Destination Wedding and interested in getting more information about hiring us?! Contact Melissa HERE
Vendor Information
Planner: Michele Awesome Caribbean Weddings
Shoes: Ellie Wren
Ceremony: Taramind Villa
Reception: The Royal Beachfront Terrace
Catering: The Royal St. Lucian
Dress: Love Marley Collection by Watters/Purchased at Lovely Bride NYC
Bride’s Bouquet, Jewlery, Boutonnieres: Gina Nam Amyobridal
Hair: Ann Fevriette
Makeup: Hannah Daniel
Civil Marriage Officer: Danielle “LuLu” Bergasse
DJ: Martin Monplaisir
Violinist: Yannick James
Cake: Sandra John, Cakes by Sandra