Destination Weddings: Part 2 "Benefits of Having a Destination Wedding"

For those of you who are on the fence about having a destination wedding, I have put together a list of some benefits that might help you make a decision. Many couples believe it is out of the realm of possibilities, but with a little imagination and creativity, you can make you wedding dreams come true!

1. It’s An Adventure For Everyone

Have a little fun before the wedding

A destination wedding is an experience for all of your guests. Everyone is happy, in vacation mode, and on island time. Instead of making it a one-day event, many couples will take a few days to hang out at the beach, go on a day sail and explore the island before and/or after they tie the knot. You can involve everyone and plan everything to the T, or you can go with the flow and let everyone do his or her own thing.

2. More Intimate

With a destination wedding, you tend to have more time and a smaller guest list. This will give you more one-on-one time with each of your guests. Weddings these days have become so large that many couples don’t even have a chance to taste the food because they are so busy talking to all of their guests. During your destination reception, you’ll have time to talk to everyone AND eat that delicious plate of mahi-mahi and wedding cake.

3. Making a Memorable Experience
A destination wedding typically takes place at a beautiful location where there is a lot to do. There is a chance that not all of you guests (or even you) have been there before. Take advantage and have a ton of fun with everyone! Snorkel with your parents, kayak with your sister, or zipline with your cousins, no matter what you choose, it’ll leave a lasting impression on all of your guests.

How about take the whole family ziplining!

4. Not as Expensive as You Think

Weddings these days cost on average $25,200, and even put a lot of newly weds in debt. We know your wedding day is important, but it doesn’t have to put such a large dent in your wallet. A smaller guest list will shrink the cost of food and any other wedding expense significantly. You can be creative! Have fun with a few DIY projects and get the family involved! Also, invest in a wedding planner because they can help you get the best bang for your buck and keep everything on track.

5. Great Photos

You can't go wrong with this view

Most destination wedding locations are absolutely beautiful and a great example of this is right here on St. Thomas. The Virgin Islands is a photographers dream, surrounded by turquoise water, sunny skies, and lush tropical flora and fauna, making your wedding photos turn out spectacular (and make all your friends who couldn’t come jealous).

6. Honeymoon

Island hop as newly weds

Honeymoons can cost a pretty penny, but many couples that have a destination wedding will stay an extra week at their current spot, or near by their honeymoon location. Some couples will hop on a cruise ship, take a ferry or small aircraft to a neighboring island or just stay put and continue the fun as newly weds.

Be sure to catch our next blog post about different wedding planners right here in the US Virgin Islands! They can help you move forward with your wedding dreams and we wish all of you happy couples the best of luck. 

Click the link below to read more:

Part 1 of 3: "Is a Destination Wedding Right For You?"

Part 3 of 3: "How to Plan a Destination Wedding"

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Destination Weddings: Part 1 "Is a Destination Wedding Right For You?"

As society changes and evolves, so does our taste in weddings. Years ago, people had small, modest weddings with close friends and family that cost only a fraction of what we spend in modern times. You’ll notice in today’s society, the simple weddings of yesterday are in the past and customize weddings that fit the individuality of the couple are the future.  If you’re wondering if having a destination wedding is right for you, listen to some of these facts and decide for yourself.

1. Brings the whole family together

Destination weddings have grown in popularity over the years. How much you ask? About 350,000 weddings annually! The gain in popularity for destination weddings goes hand in hand with the fact people are no longer living where they grew up. A wedding in an entirely different location can be an easy way to bring family from all over the country together. So if you’re in one of those families that have members spread all across the country, why not make it a fun family reunion.

2. Smaller guest list

Because a destination wedding typically means traveling and about a three-night commitment, most of them are intimate with a guest list consisting of who matters to you most. With an average of 63 guests at a destination wedding compared to the average of 133-143 at a traditional wedding, you’ll have to really keep track of whom you invite.

3. Not as expensive as you think

Simply Beautiful

Most couples now-a-days will spend on average of $25,200 on their wedding. You may think a destination wedding will cost an arm and a leg, but that isn’t always the case. The average cost of a destination wedding is about $23,800 ($1,400 less than a traditional), but if you keep things minimal, it can be much less. Pay less on decorations with a beach wedding with turquoise blue waters as your backdrop, or walk down the sandy isle barefoot with an affordable yet elegant wedding dress perfect for the beach, and keep your guest list short so the cost of food will be significantly less. Another thing that could help is hiring a wedding planner. They can be your liaison for all your food, decorations, and any other odds and ends you will need for your big day (and taking away a lot of stress from your shoulders).

4. Keep your family in mind

Reception On the Beach

If family is important to you, it’s always good to ask their opinion. I know it is your big day, but if a majority of your family isn’t on board, you might ruffle some feathers. Chances are if you bring it up to them before hand, giving them a chance to think about it, they will be okay and will help you hash out the transportation details with the rest of the family.

5. Just because it’s a destination doesn’t mean it can’t be traditional

Lastly, if you think it’s impossible to have a destination AND traditional wedding at the same time, think again! For example, right here on St. Thomas, there are so many beautiful churches and a historic synagogue where you can be wed. Have your elegant traditional ceremony and then enjoy a tasteful reception on a beach, local restaurant, or resort afterwards.

Click the links below to read more:

Destination Weddings: Part 2 "Benefits of Having a Destination Wedding"

Destination Weddings: Part 3 "How to Plan a Destination Wedding"

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What's New St. Thomas: Scoops & Brew

St. Thomas USVI is one of the premier vacation destinations in the Caribbean. With that being said, the island is constantly welcoming new business which makes it so much fun to visit the island again and again. With our new blog series, What's New St. Thomas, we will be introducing exciting new establishments that have caught our eye. Our thirty-two square miles are very popular and the newest trend is Frozen Treats!

Delicious!

We would like to welcome Scoops & Brew to the island! Located in the Blueflag Crown Bay Marina in what used to be the Westin Gazebo. Scoops & Brew offers the island an Italian flair, Gelato! Using only the finest ingredients, Scoops & Brew highly trained baristas offer you mouthwatering combinations from gelatos and sorbettos to espressos and affogatos.

The owners were inspired by their close friends who opened St. John Scoops and saw a similar need on the island of St. Thomas. Scoops & Brew is set apart from the competition by being committed to sustainability and making eco friendly choices. They are devoted to island visitors as well as their die-hard local clientele. The owner’s favorite menu item is their awesome Affogatos. That is where they take a scoop of your favorite gelato and drown it in espresso. You can even make an adult affogato by drowning your gelato in a shot of Baily's, Kahlua, or Amaretto.

Check out their Adult Flavors

Next time you get a chance to visit the island, make sure to take a stop by Scoops & Brew in Crown Bay Marina. You'll surely love it! 

Happy faces all around!

Check out more at their website:

www.scoopsandbrew.com

Stay tuned for the next installment of What’s New St. Thomas.

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Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green: Part 3 "What You Can Do"

When it comes to "going green" or just simply cutting down your family's waste and energy consumption, it doesn't mean you have to drop thousands of dollars on solar panels or install any wind turbine. There are simple every day things that you can do that will help our environment! Even though these little things may seem insignificant, just remember, ever little bit counts.

Here are 15 Examples of things you can change in your everyday life that can make a difference:

1. Re-Think How You Pack Your Lunch
People every day head off to work, school, or wherever with a paper bag lunch in hand. Instead, invest in a lunch box! They come in all shapes and sizes that fit everyones style. Also, rethink those plastic zipper bags. Replace them with tubber ware or any reusable container.

2. Turn It Off At Night
There are a lot of electronics that we don't use at night, so why have them on? Turn off your computers, TV, lights, and pretty much anything else you aren't using when you're asleep.

3. Hang Dry
If it's a nice summer day, why not hang dry your clothes?

4. Pay Bills Online
Most companies now offer online bill pay! You can get a reminder to you e-mail, pay on time and you don't ever have to leave the house. You can also sign up for online bank statements and get receipts sent right to your inbox. Imagine all the paper you will be saving.

5. Carpool
Carpooling is a great way to save money, gas, and to get to know your co-workers.

6. Change Your Light-bulbs
Switch out your normal bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. They use less energy and last longer!

7. Full Load Only
When washing your clothes, wait until you have a full load to run the washing machine.

8. Set Washer to Cold Water
You reduce carbon emissions by switching from hot water to cold water while laundering your clothes.

9. Reuse and Re-Purpose
Reuse and re-purpose items like gift bag, various food containers, plastic bags, tooth brushes, toilet paper and paper towel tubes, milk jugs, and tissue boxes.

Click the italic items for links to view ideas to reuse and re-purpose items

10. Once a Week, Don't Eat Meat
It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef!

11. Buy A Reusable Water Bottle

There are certain places in the world where you can't fill up with tap water (the Virgin Islands for example), but if you live somewhere where you can, please do! In the U.S. alone, we throw away 5 million plastic bottles every day. It's easy to go out and purchase a reusable water bottle and it can save you money.

12. Brush Your Teeth Without Running the Water
You can save up to 5 gallons of water a day by not running the water while you brush your teeth!

13. Online Phone Book
Now that the internet has all the answers, you can ditch the paper phone book and find all the numbers and addresses you need on the web! If your phone book only collects dust, you can opt out of it.

Click the link to opt-out of your yearly phone book now: Opt-Out of Yellow Pages

14. Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable shopping bags are great because they are durable, save a lot of plastic, and can fit more groceries in one bag (less trips back and fourth to the car).

15. Recycle
This one is a no-brainer. It's simple and it's great for the environment. You can save trees, ocean and seas, and reduce the trash in our landfills.

While you do your daily routine, keep some of these tips in mind. With your help, we could all make a difference and keep the world a beautiful place!

Together, we can keep the world beautiful

Click the links below to read more:

Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green:  Part 1 "Eco-Facts"
Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green: Part 2 "What We Do"

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Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green: Part 2 "What We Do"

We care for the environment just like we care for our guests. We take daily strides to keep St. Thomas and the rest of the Virgin Islands vibrant and healthy. As we all know, the Virgin Islands is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we hope to keep it that way!

We Educate our Guests 

Tree Limin’ Extreme is an exciting Eco-tour that will not only have your adrenaline pumping, but you’ll leave with your head filled with fun new island facts. It is our mission as an eco-friendly tour to have everyone who zips with us, take back some Virgin Islands knowledge. All of our tour guides are encouraged to learn as much as they can about St. Thomas and the surrounding areas and to educate their guests in a fun and exciting way while they are on tour. Also, at each platform there is a informational plaque that quizzes you along the tour.

It's more than just good views and good times!

We Love Our Grounds

 Our park is situated in the mountains of the North side of St. Thomas that is lush with tropical flora and fauna.  Before it was Tree Limin’ Extreme, the land wasn't nearly as vibrate and diverse as it is today. With help from our dedicated staff, we have planted fruit trees (banana, papaya, coconut, bread fruit, and mango trees to name a few) different types of colorful flowers, and other indigenous plant life. As a result, we have seen a growing population of wildlife that come and visit our park. 

Keep your eye out!

We Are Observers

We love nature, and that’s why we like to watch it from above. Our platforms were built high up into the air so all of our guests get a good look at all of the beauty St. Thomas has to offer without being obstructive. Sore between the trees and take in all of the sights and sounds of the Virgin Islands without harming any wildlife in the process.

Don't disturb the iguanas

 

 Here's a video of what you'll see zipping above nature:

 

Everyday is a new opportunity to do something good for the environment. For part three, we will let all of you know what you can do to make a difference. It doesn’t matter if it is big or small, every little bit counts!

Click the links below to read more:

Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green: Part 1 "Eco-Facts"

Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green: Part 3 "What You Can Do" 

Tree Limin Extreme

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Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green: Part 1 "Eco-Facts"

At Tree Limin’ Extreme, we pride ourselves on being eco-friendly. It is important to us to preserve not only St. Thomas, but also the whole world’s natural beauty. We believe in doing our part by educating whomever we can about our earth’s eco system and the way we effect it.

Now here are some interesting “Fun Eco-Facts”:

Every day, on average, a family of four will use 400 gallons of water. Out of those 400 gallons, 45% of the water is used in the bathroom and a whopping 27% by the toilets alone. 

Our earth has about 71% of its surface covered in water, but only 1% of the earth’s water supply is usable. 97% of all earth’s water makes up the oceans and 2% is frozen. 

14 billion pounds of trash and roughly 

5 million tons of oil produced worldwide winds up in the ocean every year. This is harmful for the ocean’s entire ecosystem.

A majority of families throw away about 88 pounds of plastic every year. Plastic takes 500 years to decompose, but only takes a moment to throw it into a recycling bin. And hey, plastic isn’t the only thing in your home that can be recycled! About 84% of all household waste can be put into the recycling bin! That’s 84% less waste in our landfills!

Coka-Cola has the right idea

Speaking of recycling, aluminum cans can be recycled using less than 5% of the energy used to make the original product. They can also be recycled an unlimited number of times! That’s great news considering it takes 500 years for aluminum to decompose. Just think, if Benjamin Franklin threw away his soda can, it will still only be about half way decomposed.

For every ton of paper recycled, 17-20 trees are saved. Also, it unfortunately takes 75,000 trees to print a Sunday Edition of the New York Times.

The world is a big, beautiful place, filled with wonder and it’s just waiting to be explored.  We hope we can do our part to keep Earth vibrant and as unsoiled as possible. For part two of this three-part blog post, we are going to discuss what it is that we do to keep our planet healthy.

 For more fun facts, please explore the links below!

Going Green Today

Recycling Facts

Natural Green Way

Click the links below to read more:

 Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green: Part 2 "What We Do"

Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green: Part 3 "What You Can Do"

Tree Limin Extreme

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Top 10 Things to do in the Virgin Islands

 For this article, I wanted to construct a list of the top 10 things to do in the Virgin Islands and I decided to include both the British and the US. This list ended up being a real challenge! But that is only because there are so many great activities on all of these wonderful islands. After I put much thought into it, here are the Top 10 things to do in the Virgin Islands.

Enjoy!

10. Bomba Shack: Tortola

The Bomba Shack may not look like much (constructed originally in 1976 out of drift wood, scrap metal and pretty much anything washed ashore on the beach), but over the years, this little bar has really made a name for itself. Known for its infamous Full Moon Parties and Midnight Tea, visitors from all over get a kick out of the wacky décor and wild times.

Read more and view pictures by clicking the link below!

http://rumshopryan.com/2011/01/18/bomba-shack-beach-bar-tortola-bvi/

9. Magens Bay: St. Thomas

Everyone that has stepped foot on Magens Bay knows that this beach is absolutely stunning! That’s why it made number 9 on my list of things to do in the Virgin Islands. This iconic beach has been named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, been the backdrop to movies like Twilights Breaking Dawn Part 1, and has a wonderful hiking trail that is an adventure’s dream.

View of Magens Bay

Click the link to read more!

http://www.magensbayauthority.com/

8. Mahogany Run Golf Course: St. Thomas

If you love golfing and epic Caribbean views, you’ll love Mahogany Run! This 70-par golf course is 6000 yards of green that attracts golfers - and even non-golfers - from around the globe! A golf shop, dining, events, and weddings are all great amenities that will kick your vacation up a notch!

Check out more about Mahogany Run with the link below.

http://www.mahoganyrungolf.com/

7. Cruzan Rum Distillery: St. Croix

In the Virgin Islands, we pride ourselves on our excelled beaches, sailing, and most of all, rum! Cruzan Rum is one of the best selling rums in the Virgin Islands and is sold throughout the United States. Visit St. Croix and see where and how it is made!

Cruzan Rum Comes in Many flavors!

Click the link to read more

http://www.cruzanrum.com/visitus/

6. Water Island

Water Island is the 4^th US Virgin Island and the smallest. Its history, beaches, and relaxed atmosphere draw guests in time after time. Go explore the WWII fort, enjoy a drink at Dinghy’s Beach Bar, and hang out with your friends on Honeymoon Beach.

Honeymoon Beach

View of St. Thomas from Water Island

 Read more and see more pictures with the link below

http://ziplinestthomas.blogspot.com/2014/12/caribbean-islands-part-3-water-island.html

5. St. John National Park: St. John

For all of you nature lovers out there, you have to check out St. John’s National Park! With over 20 hiking trails, there is a lot for you to see! Their trails range in difficulty, so there is something for everyone. Indulge in jaw-dropping views, historic ruins, and St. John’s wildlife.

Overlook From a Trail on St. John

Read more about hiking in paradise by clicking the link below

http://www.nps.gov/viis/index.htm

4. Coki Beach/ Coki Beach Dive Club: St. Thomas

One of the most popular things to do in the Virgin Islands is diving! Guests come from all over the world to check out the beautiful coral reef that the Caribbean has to offer. Coki Beach itself is known for its excellent snorkeling and diving. For those of you who want to become certified, they offer professional and safe classes for all ages.

Click the link to read more!

http://www.cokidive.com/

3. Soggy Dollar: Jost Van Dyke

Soggy Dollar in Jost Van Dyke is a very popular spot in the Virgin Islands! They made their fame by creating the popular Caribbean favorite “The Painkiller” and now continue to make them every day for happy beach goers. This bar is located directly on White Bay and gets most of its customers swimming into shore off boats, hence the name “Soggy Dollar”!

 

Swim ashore to Soggy Dollar!

Read more and even view their webcam with the link below

http://www.soggydollar.com/

2. The Baths: Virgin Gorda

The Baths are one of those places that are so beautiful that no picture will ever do it justice. Climb, explore, and snorkel around these granite boulders and hidden pools.

Boulders at The Baths

Check out more at:

http://www.bvitourism.com/activity/baths-national-park

1. Tree Limin’ Extreme: St. Thomas

Tree Limin’ Extreme is a perfectly blended cocktail of fun, adventure, and breath taking views. Sore high up in the trees and learn about St. Thomas and all of the neighboring islands by your entertaining tour guides.

Let's Zip!

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