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An Anguilla Wedding Story
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Nash and Vanita
Several months ago Anguilla Wedding received a request from a young man living in Sint Maarten who wanted to get married on Anguilla. We get lots of replies from folks who just want information on legal matters and such so we figured Nash was just looking for some helpful advice. We soon realized his wedding situation was a little different when he told us his bride was coming from India and that they needed special attention and documents to even come to Anguilla to marry.
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Still, we were prepared to offer advice and made a few phone calls to immigration and the courthouse on his behalf hoping that he could accomplish his goal here on Anguilla. Both the Immigration Department and the Registrar office at the courthouse were more than willing to offer good advice. They explained exactly what was needed and how we could go about getting it. Nash was on his way.
We had plenty of time before his bride to be would arrive and it was a good thing because Indian Nationals are not permitted to enter Anguilla without a visa and the French government will not allow them to leave St. Martin by ferry without a document stating that the Anguilla Government is prepared to give them one.
A trip to Sint Maarten was in order. Finally we met Nash face to face at Riviera Jewelry Importers, Maho Shopping Plaza, Cinnamon Grove. It was then that Nash told us he was planning a little more than a courthouse wedding. He had over 20 friends and well wishers who wanted to attend this special event and he wanted to have a small celebration after the ceremony. Now the real planning had to begin.
After we found out exactly what Nash had in mind, we returned to Anguilla to make preparations. Aside from all the legal matters that had to be attended to, we had to make arrangements for the reception and moving 25 people around the island.
Getting from St. Martin to Anguilla is never a problem since our ferries run every half hour and there is plenty of room for 25 people to come all at once. Harry’s Taxi and Tour Bus Service provided us with a comfortable bus large enough to accommodate everyone. Nash, having never been to Anguilla was relying on Anguilla Wedding to find the perfect spot for his ceremony. We suggested Shoal Bay beach at sunset near Elodias restaurant.
The couple got special permission from their religious leader in India to have the ceremony on the beach. He also allowed them to choose a minister of another faith to bless them. Nash told me that their much beloved spiritual leader in India believes that all faiths are valuable and spiritual and that the blessing would be true to the heart. We choose Rev. Lindsay Richardson of the Bethel Methodist Church to do the blessing and the marriage ceremony.
The ladies at Purple Rose Florist did a wonderful job on an unusual request. Indians prefer to marry with a garland for the bride and groom rather than the bouquet. they strung together many flowers to create this masterpiece.
Next we needed a place for the reception. We choose Flavours Restaurant on Back Street, an Anguilla favorite. Kirk, Dwight and his staff were pleased and eager to take on the task. Kirk told us he would make it special and he did.
Since the wedding ceremony was to be held at sunset and the reception after, the problem of getting 25 people back to St. Martin was solved by the new late night ferry that leaves Anguilla at 9:00 PM every night.
The wedding day was drawing near and we thought everything was in order but Nash decided at the last minute he should spend the night on Anguilla as a small honeymoon. We agreed but finding a place at the last minute right on the beach for only one night might be difficult. Thanks to Milly of Milly’s Inn our problem was solved. Not only did the couple have a honeymoon cottage, they also had a place to prepare for the ceremony. We took a deep breath.
The wedding day arrived and best laid plans begin to fall apart. Three guests were coming early to get their visas as Indian Nationals. Unfortunately the French government decided that day not to allow them to leave St. Martin from the French side. This created quite a panic since one of the parties was the matron of honor and she was also the much needed dresser of the bride. Dressing an Indian bride is no easy matter. This threw everyone into a tizzy and Nash decided to try and come early to avoid problems. This meant the bus that was coming for everyone would not be able to pick up the bride and groom.
Fortunately one of our many taxi drivers was ready to take them to Milly’s and call us using his cell phone to let us know they had arrived. This made everyone a little bit late but Harry was there with his bus to pick up the guests and Elodias was open to provide weary travelers with drinks and snacks.
Meanwhile the bride and her party are preparing for the big event. It took a little longer than was planned for but finally she was ready and everyone made their way out to the beach as the sun set over Shoal Bay.
Rev. Richardson preformed a lovely ceremony and then stood back while the couple performed their traditional rituals. The entire group surrounded the couple now sitting on the beach and tossed flower petals over their heads while the matron of honor chanted a wedding song. Everyone was touched and tears flowed.
Nash and Vanita were man and wife.
After the papers were signed there was a mad rush to the bus as we were running a little late.
Flavours was ready. The long table was beautifully prepared and the wedding cake table was adorned with flowers. Anguilla Wedding provided a tangerine colored two layer fondant cake with fantasy flower sprays. As the guests sat down, cold drinks were provided and the meal was served with time to spare. Kirk offered to gather all the passports and take them to the ferry to speed up the check in time for their return trip.
Anguilla Wedding photographer Chris Mason recorded the entire event with beautiful images of the couple and their friends for a lifetime of memories.
Nash and Vanita were escorted back to their honeymoon room that had been secretly decorated with flowers by the matron of honor. On their way to the room they called parents in India eagerly awaiting the news.
The next morning the couple took a stroll on Shoal Bay beach, stopping by a not yet open beach restaurant who graciously offered to fix them something to eat. The couple was thrilled with Anguilla, and overcome with the friendly helpful attitude of everyone from government officials to taxi drivers and plan to visit again.
Stop by and visit Nash on your next trip to St. Martin. He works at Riviera Jewelry Importers and by now you will recognize his face!
Letter from Nash and Vanita to Anguilla Wedding.
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