So, why a destination wedding and why St John?

Valid question, y'all.

Why would Dave and I decide to impose upon our immediate family and closest friends the "burden" of going to paradise? having them bask in the warm Caribbean sun after months of cold Mid-Atlantic winter weather. splashing in the crystal blue waters as warm and predator-free as your bathtub (no, sharks do not exist in the Caribbean and do not try to tell me otherwise). snuggling their toes in the soft, white sandy beaches while quenching their thirst with a frosty adult beverage?

because we're cruel sadistic people, obviously.

All joking aside, this decision came to us after we began asking ourselves the questions most newly engaged couples ask "what do we really want out of our wedding? what do we want this experience to be like, to represent, and how do we want our friends and family to remember it?".

First off, we want this to be a celebration, not only of us solidifying our love and commitment to each other, but also to show our mutual love and appreciation for those closest to us. Relationships aren't easy, whether that be with significant others, family members or friends, and we feel that without each and every one of your support, guidance and understanding along the way, we wouldn't be where we are today. And that's worth celebrating!

Secondly, when we were in the USVI's for Dave's birthday/New Years we kept saying, "oh I wish this person were here to experience this", or "that person would love to see this", and "man, I wish so-and-so were here". Because you always want to share the joy you find in life with the people you care most about. So we consider having a destination wedding basically like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go on vacation with all the people you love - AND have them all there to witness one of the most special days of your life!
So to us, its a win/win

St John was one of our favorite islands in the USVI's, it's small and quaint, has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world...and wild donkeys. so we were both pretty much in immediate agreement that it would be the perfect place to hold our dream destination wedding :) 

And please don't think we didn't heavily consider the financial burden we know our decision puts on all of you, because we absolutely did. We I shed a tear or two over the weight of the decision, because we understand that some of you will be unable to attend (though not for a lack of desire), but in the end we know whether you can physically be there or not, your well-wishes and love will be with us wherever we chose to get married. And for that we will be forever greatful.

Love,

taken at Trunk Bay on St John