For Kari, the destination was a first. Ryan, on the other hand, was no stranger to Sandals. A previous trip to Saint Lucia had given him a taste of what was possible, but this was different. “It almost felt like a secret,” Kari says. “A place people hadn’t been before.” They share a smile and Ryan continues, “Yeah, Saint Vincent was our first choice, and honestly, nothing else even came close.” Kari grew up going to the coast. Her childhood summers were marked by salty air and freckles that sprouted under the sun. The idea of a tropical escape was inviting — but the thought of turning that into a wedding? That was new. “We’re not big at- tention people,” Ryan says. “We just wanted to be somewhere peaceful with the people we love, you know? Somewhere we’d be able to actually experience the place, not just stay at the resort all day.” They were drawn to the idea of a wedding that felt more like an adventure — where they could explore, and the days leading up to the ceremony would be filled with real connections: to each other and to the island itself. When it came to the guest list, they kept things tight — only close friends and family. Everyone flew in, and then came the second surprise: a private boat transfer straight to the resort. “It was this magical moment for us right at the beginning,” Kari says. “We were all drinking and laughing together, it felt like we were al- ready on vacation and we hadn’t even set foot on the resort yet.” Once they arrived, the pace softened. The guest experience be- came an extension of Kari and Ryan’s vibe, a relaxed calm with the subtle buzz of underlying excitement. There was something for everyone: swim-up bar hangouts, scuba diving adventures, musical bingo nights… more swim-up bar hangouts. And better yet, no one had to worry about carrying a wallet, closing a tab, or even remembering to leave a tip — it was all covered. “That was one of the best things,” Kari says. “It just made our stay feel so effortless, and I seriously needed that.” Before the celebrations kicked into full gear, Kari and Ryan set- tled into what would become their home base for the week. It’s where they staged pre-wedding photos and captured that golden hour lighting that leaves a soft, honey glow. They’d come back to little surprises throughout their stay — chocolate-dipped fruits, heart-shaped cookies, rose petals carefully placed around the room — thoughtful touches that felt personal without being too showy. “It was like they really saw us,” Kari reflects. The room was also spacious enough to handle the beautiful chaos that comes naturally with destination “I do’s.” “We loved our room. It was absolutely gorgeous and so roomy,” Kari says. “When you’re coming in with all the wedding stuff, you know… dresses, shoes, suits, little details — you need that space to spread out.” And that’s exactly what they did. With four suitcases between them, the two made full use of the suite’s media room, private balcony, and oversized bathroom. The wedding itself? A dream from the second they walked into the Overwater Chapel just two days before the ceremony. “We had just finished breakfast,” Kari recalls, “and decided to go take a look. We stepped inside, and I instantly knew. I turned to Ryan and said, ‘This is it. This is where we’re getting married.’” “It almost felt like a secret,” Kari says. “A place people hadn’t been before.” They share a smile and Ryan continues, “Yeah, Saint Vincent was our first choice, and honestly, nothing else even came close.” Overwater Chapel, nestled between gentle seas and lush landscapes. A look inside the Overwater Chapel lined with timeless florals. SANDALS | BEACHES
