Honeymoons: celestial vistas

Whether you’re planning a large or small affair, a destination wedding in the alluring Caribbean will prove to be a memorable getaway. A number of world-class properties make this area ideal for spending a long weekend, or even an entire week, with family and friends offering an experience they won’t soon forget.

In the northern Caribbean you’ll find Belmond Cap Juluca. Having undergone a $28-million renovation, the property—located on the exclusive island of Anguilla and overlooking the mountains of St. Maarten—mixes unsurpassed luxury with laid-back hospitality. Every one of the beachfront villa rooms offers an ocean view and direct beach access.

Stretching from one corner of the resort to the other, the beach is the perfect location for a wedding ceremony. Staff is happy to help coordinate every aspect of your visit, from rehearsal dinners (consider Blue, with its freshly prepared beachfront dining) to an evening at Pimms, honored with the 2010 Award of Excellence from “Wine Spectator.” Before or after you say, I do, spend some time on the Temenos Golf Course. Created by Greg Norman, it’s the island’s first, and only, course and was named one of the 2011 Best Courses of the Caribbean & Mexico by “Golfweek.”

Nestled in the secluded chain of the Exumas, Bahamas, lies Fowl Cay Resort—a private 50-acre retreat. Located 200 miles from Miami, the resort features six unique and beautiful villas. A private motorboat is available at each one for guests to use to explore the surrounding cays and sandbars. Sprawling beaches, secluded coves and a hilltop restaurant are just a few of the wonderful features you’ll find. The Harbor Club Eating & Drinking House sits atop Fowl Cay’s highest point and offers tantalizing cuisine and sophisticated cocktails. Deep sea fishing, snorkeling and swimming are a sampling of the on-site activities you and your guests can enjoy.

For a truly intimate and magical destination, there is Musha Cay and the Islands of Copperfield Bay, located 85 miles from Nassau, Bahamas. Owned by famed illusionist and magician, David Copperfield, the destination offers couples exclusivity and luxury. Only 24 guests, invited by you, are able to visit the resort at any one time. Everything that Copperfield has found and loved during his worldwide travels, he recreates in this private paradise.

Visitors will find five luxurious guesthouses, 11 islands, 40 isolated beaches and a private airstrip set in more than 700 tropical acres. Have fun jet skiing, snorkeling or relax with a drink at the state-of-the-art giant outdoor movie theater. The resort has a new 2,200-square-foot Balinese Beach Pavilion, an extensive wine cellar, and an abundance of fresh seafood, elegantly prepared. For fun and added flair, Copperfield’s creative team can arrange for live music, create a fabulous fireworks display, or design a one-of-a-kind treasure hunt.

Owned by Sir Richard Branson, Necker Island (one of his Virgin Limited Edition retreats) in the British Virgin Islands is spread over 74 acres. Coral reefs, white sandy beaches and turquoise waters await you and your guests. While the island comfortably sleeps 28, it can hold up to 100 for an island wedding celebration.

The heart of the property is the Great House, set on the top of Devil’s Hill, which features six stunning rooms and a spacious Junior Suite—each with its own balcony. The Master Suite has a private Jacuzzi and terrace. Gather for drinks and watch the sunset or have the staff create a themed party. The resort’s six unique Bali Houses offer tropical seclusion. Whether you prefer formal or informal cuisine, the retreat’s Michelin-trained chefs are happy to accommodate you. Before or after your nuptials, have fun kayaking, snorkeling or sailing, take tennis lessons from the on-site pro, or unwind with a beach barbecue party or a massage at Bali Leha Spa.

Another distinctive, luxury Caribbean property is the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla. With more than 3,200 feet of beach frontage along both Barnes and Meads Bays, the meticulously appointed 35-acre property offers 166 accommodations, including beachfront suites, private oceanfront villas and bluff-top rooms, all including private pools and featuring Kelly Wearstler-designed interiors, furnishings and accessories.