a glamorous wedding and dinner reception at Villa Serenita, St. Thomas, USVI

There were so many amazing details at Amanda and Jason’s wedding, I just don’t know where to start.

First of all, check out her gorgeous vintage wedding gown. It was her mother’s!

Then, be sure to inspect every inch her dreamy and colorful mega bouquet!

Most of all, I loved the combination of the vintage lace with the bright, tropical flowers and the way that the overall look of this wedding ‘married’ classical sensibilities with a fresh and modern take.

Thanks, Sage Hammond, for sharing these amazing photos of such a lovely day.

Bride wearing vintage lace and chiffon wedding gown that belonged to her mother with huge bouquet
Bridesmaids help bride get dressed
Bride and her mother get dressed for wedding

A Vintage Wedding Gown

I have to take a moment and really talk about this dress. It was one of my favorite elements of this wedding.

Amanda’s gown was originally worn by style-maven, Carol, Amanda’s mother. (That’s her in the equally stylish gold sequined number up above!)

Carol’s gown originally had sleeves and a shepherdess hat. Amanda had her local seamstress remove the sleeves and she used the extra lace to adorn her bouquet.

Fashions may change, but great style remains the same.

Close up photo of wedding bands and engagement ring on top of wedding invitation.
Close up photo of orange ranunculus  boutonniere with black tuxedo
Groom buttons black tux at destination wedding
Black opera pumps shoes to wear with tuxedo

Guys in Tuxes

Equally classic and stylish was Jason – the groom.

I have a thing or tuxedos. I guess it’s because I see them very often. Usually, my grooms wear white linen shirts (nothing wrong with them!). This is the Caribbean after all.

In fact, all of the guys at this wedding were SHARP! Check out the dapper ‘Mr. I Don’t Bear Pillows’ and the groomsmen.

Couple poses at formal destination wedding with giant colorful bouquet, tuxedo and vintage lace wedding gown.
Ringbearer with black bowtie and suspenders and boutonniere
Groom and groomsmen in tux tuxedo and ties

The Bouquet!

My second favorite element of this wedding was Amanda’s colorful mega bouquet. Along with wearing her mother’s gown,  Amanda’s only other “must have” for her wedding was a “really, really big and really, really bright bouquet”.

This bouquet really was everything!

Bride poses with the biggest oversized bridal bouquet with tropical colors and tropical orchids, pin cushion and ranunculus flowers with blue flowers.

Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony was held at vacation villa rental, Villa Serenita, on the east end of the island. This is one one of my favorite villas for weddings.

The arbored terrace overlooking the ocean is the perfect spot for afternoon ceremonies. And the pool area is the perfect backdrop for cocktail hour. 

Keeping with the classic but tropical look, gorgeous floral arrangements flanked the altar and aisle and coordinated with Amanda’s bouquet.

Villa Serenita vacation villa rental and wedidng venue in St. Thomas
Large tropical flowers and orchid wedding altar loral arrangement for destination wedding
Villa Serenita wedding ceremony venue in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Mirrored seating chart for wedding reception designed by Blue Sky Ceremony
Bride and groom get married in St. Thomas
Large floral arrangements with tropical flowers and tropical colors including anthuriums for destination wedding
Bride in vintage lace wedding gown with large, colorful bouquet is escorted by her father wearing a tux tuxedo.
Flower girls with tropical floral crown halos blow conch shells at destination wedding in St. Thomas
Wedding party in formal black tuxes and nude dresses wit bright, tropical flowers for destination wedding.
Elegant tropical wedding reception decorations at private villa reception in St. Thomas with tall centerpieces.
Tall tropical colored centerpieces with gold chargers.
Tall tropical color and tropical flowers centerpiece for destination wedding in St. Thomas
Gold mirrored seating chart at outdoor wedding in St. Thomas
Gold table number one stand cutout.

Wedding Reception

The wedding reception was also held at Villa Serenita. It began with dancing and cocktail hour poolside followed by a formal, seated dinner, and then, of course, more dancing under the stars to the tunes of groove band, the ISH.

The decor was inspired by the combination of classical elements but with a tropical twist. In this case, an elegant table setting with gold lace overlays, beautiful chargers, and dramatic, colorful centerpieces.

Going along with the nod to the classics, Amanda and Jason danced to the song “Moon River” for their first dance. There are so many great quips in the lyrics of the song.

So I incorporated some of the ones I liked into the mirrored seating and bar signs, as well as well as the cocktail napkins.

If you’re not familiar with the song, Audrey Hepburn sing is in the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s“.

Moon River

Moon river, wider than a mile
I’m crossing you in style someday
You dream maker
You heartbreaker
Where ever you’re going I’m going your way

Two drifters off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end
Waiting round the bend
My huckleberry friend
Moon river and me

Three tier wedding cake with white pearl beads
Mirrored bar sign with eucalyptus garland.
Flower girl with lace and chiffon dress sits with her feet in pool at destination wedding in St. Thomas at Villa Serenita.

The entire wedding came off so well.  Thank YOU!!  You did an amazing job and stayed within our budget too.  I can’t think of a single thing I wasn’t totally pleased with!

– Amanda & Jason

Bride and groom have a Blue Sky Ceremony at Villa Serenita in St. Thomas
Petal toss photo at destination wedding.