St John is the perfect spot for your beach wedding
Find out why so many brides and grooms choose Great Expectations
St John is known as ‘Love City’ because to come to the island once, is to fall in love. The romantic vistas are everywhere on this tiny island and we can think of no where more beautiful to have your Caribbean beach wedding, commitment ceremony, or vow renewals than on St John. There are plenty of people who are ready, willing, and able to help make sure your wedding plans and events go smoothly.
We’ve seen many dozens of island weddings and they typically involve Great Expectations being the home base for either the family of the bride/groom or the wedding party.
- Beach Weddings
- Villa Weddings / Destination Beach weddings with wedding party staying in villa
- Vows renewal / anniversary with close friends and family staying at villa
- Small weddings & receptions at the villa (usually during sunset)
SAME SEX MARRIAGES ON ST. JOHN: The June 2015 US Supreme Court decision on Obergefell v. Hodges officially brought marriage equality for 2 persons to the Virgin Islands and we welcome all at Great Expectations.
Wedding Service Providers & Locations
Ceremony Locations
We've had guests get hitched at the villa, on one of dozens of beaches, aboard a sunset sail on a catamaran or even underwater. See our complete list of St. John Wedding locations >
- Date
- April 27, 2016
Home to the famous Oppenheimer house and many weddings/private parties, Gibney Beach (Oppenheimer) is a […]- Date
- April 27, 2016
Cinnamon Bay is another National Park beach with multiple services (like Trunk Bay) including fixed […]- Date
- April 27, 2016
Beautiful foliage, great snorkeling and easy to access with plenty of parking, Hawksnest Beach […]- Date
- April 27, 2016
Located within the Resort, Caneel Bay Beach faces west and is very close to […]
Reception Locations
Have your after-beach-wedding party at the same location, or maybe move to a restaurant, bar or even a sailboat. See more Wedding Reception Locations >
- Date
- May 28, 2018
Opened in May 2018, Lucky Chops Lounge is located in the former Fish Trap […]- Date
- July 3, 2016
Morgan’s Mango is a destination restaurant for many tourists and locals alike. What people […]- Date
- June 29, 2016
The Tap Room is a ‘St John casual’ spot to enjoy some locally concocted […]- Date
- June 14, 2016
The Longboard is in the middle of it all in Cruz Bay and a great spot […]- Date
- June 5, 2016
Rhumb Lines is a popular location for private events including wedding receptions. It is […]- Date
- May 24, 2016
High Tide Restaurant, located on the beachfront of Cruz Bay’s Wharfside, is a popular […]- Date
- May 15, 2016
Waterfront Bistro is a popular wedding or private party destination. As the name implies, […]- Date
- April 27, 2016
Home to the famous Oppenheimer house and many weddings/private parties, Gibney Beach (Oppenheimer) is a […]
Wedding Planners & Officiants
First time to St. John? Want a little help planning your wedding with an expert who lives on island?
- Date
- May 22, 2016
Island Style Weddings is passionate about its craft — of creating the perfect wedding […]- Date
- May 22, 2016
Ann Marie Porter, known to one and all as the ‘Barefoot Minister‘, has been […]- Date
- April 1, 2016
Formerly KatiLady Catering and Wedding Planning, Kati Steinborn now focuses on Wedding Planning on […]
Caterers, Chefs and Bakeries
Cater your wedding reception, provision the villa for you and your guests, and even have that perfect wedding cake baked right here on St. John.
- Date
- May 28, 2018
Opened in May 2018, Lucky Chops Lounge is located in the former Fish Trap […]- Date
- July 3, 2016
Morgan’s Mango is a destination restaurant for many tourists and locals alike. What people […]- Date
- June 29, 2016
The Tap Room is a ‘St John casual’ spot to enjoy some locally concocted […]- Date
- June 14, 2016
The Longboard is in the middle of it all in Cruz Bay and a great spot […]- Date
- June 5, 2016
Rhumb Lines is a popular location for private events including wedding receptions. It is […]- Date
- May 24, 2016
High Tide Restaurant, located on the beachfront of Cruz Bay’s Wharfside, is a popular […]- Date
- May 15, 2016
Waterfront Bistro is a popular wedding or private party destination. As the name implies, […]- Date
- April 27, 2016
Home to the famous Oppenheimer house and many weddings/private parties, Gibney Beach (Oppenheimer) is a […]
A St. John Wedding Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive St John mid-afternoon, rent Jeep(s) and wedding party checked into Great Expectations.Day 2
More guests arrive. Beach day for almost everyone already on island. Met up at Skinny Legs for burgers and drinks at Happy Hour.Day 3
Bride & Groom ferry to St. Thomas for wedding license. Rest of guests arrive and have a beach or wandering around Cruz Bay day.Day 4
All day sailboat snorkel trip on Calypso catamaran!Day 5
Rehearsal dinner/party at Duffy's Love Shack in Cruz Bay (now Dog House Pub). Bride checked into Westin.Day 6
Bridal shower at Westin pool for all women on island. Groomsmen had breakfast then helped organize Oppenheimer Pavilion. Sunset wedding on Gibney Beach with reception at pavilion including island music. Appetizers, dinner and drinks by Passion Fruit Chefs.Day 7
Relaxation, some guests departing, others went to last beach day.Day 8
Stayed over at Ritz on St. Thomas with a few close wedding couples. Honeymoon flight to Anguilla.
"Nearly 10 years later, and when we talk to friends and family, the most common memory from the wedding is 'greatest wedding AND vacation we ever had'. The villa was a private getaway with pools and hot tubs for us and the wedding party...and St John was our playground for the week. We wouldn't have done anything different and we have been back 3 times for our 1st, 5th, and 7th anniversaries and stay at Great Expectation each time!" - Carrie B.
Testimonials from Wedding guests
Honeymoons at Great Expectations

We have had dozens of guests come for a wedding or anniversary vacation and then have the bride & groom stay on for an additional few days or week for their own private honeymoon.
If you are thinking about getting married on St. John, consider renting Great Expectations for your wedding party and family, then stay on longer to relax in our private island compound.
Don't forget: Brides & Grooms stay FREE at Great Expectations!