Why St. Croix, USVI Is the Hidden Gem for Caribbean Destination Weddings 🌴
- Tracey Campbell McLamb
- Sep 26, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
After spending time on the island, it’s easy to understand why so many couples fall in love with St. Croix. If you’re dreaming of a Caribbean wedding but don’t want the crowds, cookie-cutter resorts, or sky-high prices that come with places like Mexico or the Dominican Republic, let me introduce you to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
This understated island offers everything couples love — stunning, uncrowded beaches, authentic island culture, more affordable accommodations, direct flights, and endless ways to celebrate in a way that feels relaxed, personal, and unforgettable.
Here’s why St. Croix is quickly becoming a favorite for destination weddings.
🏨 Resort & Boutique-Style Hotels
From the only castle in the Caribbean to beachfront resorts and boutique-style hotels, St. Croix offers wedding venues with character, history, and relaxed island charm. One of the island’s best-kept secrets is the variety of resort and boutique-style hotels that offer a welcoming alternative to large mega-resorts. Couples love the island’s balance of charm, comfort, and flexibility — especially when it comes to hosting weddings and celebrations.
A few favorite options include:
Hotel on the Cay A private-island escape just off Christiansted, offering intimate beachfront charm and quick boat access to town.
King Christian Hotel Overlooking Christiansted Harbor, this stylish boutique hotel features modern rooms and a rooftop space ideal for receptions.
The Waves at Cane Bay Perched right on the water, with an oceanfront restaurant and bar that’s perfect for hosting wedding celebrations.
Sand Castle on the Beach An adults-only resort in Frederiksted with seaside dining, a laid-back atmosphere, and unforgettable sunset views.
The Fred A historic, adults-oriented boutique hotel located right on the Frederiksted waterfront, known for its chic design, oceanfront dining, and unforgettable sunset views — perfect for intimate celebrations and reception gatherings.
Tamarind Reef Resort & Spa Located just five minutes from downtown Christiansted, this waterfront resort offers a more secluded beach setting with a fringing reef for incredible snorkeling. Tamarind Reef also provides all-inclusive wedding packages in partnership with Incredible Beach Weddings, making planning seamless for destination couples.
These properties are wonderful partners for destination weddings. We’ll take care of your ceremony right on the beach, while the resort or hotel hosts your reception and guest accommodations — giving you the best of both worlds: a beautiful island ceremony and a stress-free celebration experience.
🏡 Vacation Rentals & Elevated Estate Celebrations
For couples who value privacy, flexibility, and a truly personalized setting, St. Croix offers an incredible mix of vacation rentals and private estates whose owners are often open to hosting intimate weddings.
Imagine stepping out onto the sand for your ceremony — or choosing a hilltop or oceanview estate where sweeping Caribbean views replace the need to be directly on the beach. These elevated properties are ideal for couples who love the water but prefer solid ground underfoot, as well as for guests who may appreciate easy access to terraces, patios, and open-air spaces.
The Castle St Croix Rising above the island landscape, The Castle offers an elevated wedding experience that pairs refined luxury with a setting that is quite literally elevated above St. Croix. Its distinctive location creates a natural sense of privacy, romance, and perspective — where celebrations feel more intimate, views feel more expansive, and the experience extends beyond the wedding day itself. For couples who want to fully immerse themselves in a place that feels both grand and personal, The Castle offers an elevated sense of occasion in every way.
From there, you can design a celebration that feels just right for you and your guests:
A catered dinner under the stars at your vacation rental, with affordable personal chefs who come directly to your space and prepare a custom meal on-site
A fully styled picnic on the beach, beautifully set up by local picnic companies who handle every detail
A small group dinner at one of the island’s exceptional restaurants, many of which are happy to host wedding parties and private celebrations
This flexibility allows you to create a wedding experience that matches your style, comfort level, and guest needs — whether relaxed and beachy or refined and elevated — all with the Caribbean Sea as your backdrop.
✈️ Easy & Affordable Travel
Getting to St. Croix is easier than most people realize. U.S. citizens don’t need a passport, and there are daily direct flights into Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX). Airlines like United and American serve the island with competitive fares, often in the same price range as Mexico or the Dominican Republic.
For guests already visiting the Virgin Islands, daily flights and ferries connect St. Croix with St. Thomas — making it easy for island-hopping guests to join your wedding.
🍽️ Flexible Reception Options
Not every couple wants a big ballroom wedding. On St. Croix, you can shape your reception the way you want:
Hotel receptions at King Christian, Hotel on the Cay, Waves Cane Bay, or Sand Castle on the Beach
Beach picnics, styled and set up by local picnic companies so all you have to do is arrive and enjoy
At your vacation rental, with catering or a private chef
At a local restaurant, many of which are excited to host wedding groups and offer special menus
This flexibility lets you design a reception that truly matches your style.
Shupe’s on the Boardwalk-Located right along the Christiansted Boardwalk, Shupe’s on the Boardwalk offers a laid-back, island-style option for wedding receptions and welcome gatherings. Its open-air upstairs deck overlooks the Caribbean Sea, making it a great choice for couples who want a relaxed celebration with good food, ocean views, and an easygoing atmosphere right in the heart of town.
🌿 Things to Do on St. Croix
A wedding in St. Croix isn’t just one day — it’s a vacation for you and your guests. The island is overflowing with activities that will keep everyone entertained before and after the wedding:
Buck Island Reef National Monument — Snorkel a protected reef and explore Turtle Beach, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful spots.
Christiansted & Frederiksted — Stroll cobblestone streets, shop boutiques, and visit historic Danish forts.
Frederiksted Pier diving — Famous for crystal-clear water, sea turtles, and vibrant marine life.
Annaly Bay Tide Pools — A rewarding hike leads to natural seaside pools.
Bioluminescent Bays — Watch the water glow at night when tiny organisms light up with movement.
St. George Village Botanical Garden — Lush gardens built among the ruins of a sugar plantation.
Horseback riding on the west side — A romantic and unique way to see the island.
Rum tours & local cuisine — Visit the Cruzan Rum Distillery, enjoy farm-to-table dining, and sample island specialties.
Craft breweries — St. Croix even has its own local breweries! Leatherback Brewing Company offers tours and tastings of its locally made craft beer, while Brew STX is a lively boardwalk microbrewery and restaurant right in Christiansted Harbor. For couples and guests from places like North Carolina where breweries are part of the culture, this adds a familiar (and fun) local twist to your wedding trip.
Sailing & sunset cruises — Charter a boat for a private island tour or a romantic evening on the water.
With so much variety, your guests can snorkel reefs one day, hike a rainforest the next, and finish the week sipping craft beer by the boardwalk or enjoying cocktails at sunset.
🌺 Honoring St. Croix Culture & Island Traditions
One of the most meaningful parts of getting married on St. Croix is the opportunity to experience — and respect — the island’s rich culture and traditions. St. Croix is more than a beautiful backdrop; it’s a living, vibrant community with deep roots, history, and pride.
Couples who choose St. Croix often find that embracing the island’s culture adds depth and authenticity to their celebration. From music and food to movement and storytelling, these traditions are woven into everyday life and special occasions alike.
You may encounter Moko Jumbies, traditional stilt dancers whose towering presence and rhythmic movements are a powerful symbol of protection, strength, and celebration across the Virgin Islands. Fire dancers, local musicians, and steel pan rhythms are also part of the island’s expressive cultural landscape, often appearing at festivals, community events, and celebrations throughout the year.
St. Croix is home to vibrant festivals and carnivals, including seasonal celebrations that highlight Crucian music, dance, food, and heritage. These events reflect the island’s blend of African, Caribbean, and European influences and are a beautiful reminder of how deeply rooted community and celebration are here.
At Incredible Beach Weddings, we believe destination weddings should feel thoughtful and respectful. We encourage couples to celebrate with the island — supporting local vendors, honoring local customs, and allowing St. Croix’s culture to naturally enhance their wedding experience. Whether that means incorporating local music, enjoying traditional cuisine, or simply approaching the island with openness and appreciation, these choices help create a celebration that feels genuine and connected.
A wedding on St. Croix isn’t just about where you say “I do” — it’s about how you experience the place and the people who make the island so special.
🌴 Why Choose St. Croix Over Other Destinations?
A quieter, more unspoiled island experience Unlike busier destinations like St. Thomas or Puerto Rico, St. Croix offers wide, uncrowded beaches where ceremonies feel intimate, peaceful, and truly your own — not shared with cruise crowds or resort traffic.
Surrounded entirely by the Caribbean Sea With water on all sides, St. Croix delivers that unmistakable turquoise Caribbean beauty — from soft sandy beaches to rocky shorelines and elevated ocean views that feel untouched and expansive.
More affordable without sacrificing beauty Accommodations and airfare are often more approachable than other Caribbean destinations, allowing couples to focus their budget on meaningful experiences rather than inflated resort pricing.
An authentic, laid-back island rhythm St. Croix moves at a gentler pace, with a welcoming local culture, colorful history, and a personality that feels genuine rather than manufactured for tourism.
A more personal wedding experience Weddings here feel intentional and unrushed. With fewer mega-resorts and smaller, relationship-driven vendors, couples aren’t treated like a number — they’re welcomed as guests and celebrated accordingly.
💍 Why Choose Incredible Beach Weddings for St. Croix
Planning a destination wedding can feel overwhelming — but that’s where we come in. For over 20 years, we’ve specialized in beach weddings that are simple, beautiful, and stress-free. We personally design, set up, photograph, and direct every ceremony — nothing is outsourced, and you’ll always know exactly who you’re working with from start to finish.
When it comes to St. Croix, we’re not just recommending hotels and venues from afar. Beginning November 2026, Incredible Beach Weddings will be based on the island, allowing us to be physically present for your wedding day and fully immersed in the places, people, and partnerships that make St. Croix so special.
We’ve already built relationships with local venues and vendors, scouted beaches and estates, and thoughtfully crafted packages designed specifically for this island. That means you’ll receive the same hands-on, detail-oriented service we’ve been trusted for in North Carolina — now brought directly to St. Croix.
Our couples choose us because we handle the details so they can focus on the moment. From décor and sound to photography and coordination, we bring everything together seamlessly — with a real, experienced team on the ground — so all you have to do is show up and enjoy your day in paradise.
✨ The Bottom Line
St. Croix is the Caribbean’s best-kept secret for weddings — not just for its beauty, but for the way it allows couples to slow down, connect, and celebrate with intention. With welcoming hotels, private estates, rich island culture, and the Caribbean Sea as your constant companion, it’s a destination that feels both effortless and unforgettable.
👉 Ready to start planning your St. Croix wedding? Explore our packages and let us take care of the details while you enjoy the magic of the island.
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