A taste of Sandals in New York

Latoya Grindley, Staff Reporter

It was all about the modern bride. And so, in true celebratory and grand style, Sandals Resorts International launched its 'Your Wedding, Your Style' recently in the big city, New York. A team of wedding experts headed by TLC's Say Yes to the Dress, star Randy Fenoli, yielded to trends and demands of the modern bride.

'Your Wedding, Your Style' is the hotel chain's latest innovation in its destination wedding offerings, which now allows guests to fully customise their special event.

The all-day affair was held at the very popular Grand Central Terminal-Vanderbilt Hall. This location was a strategic move because of its centrality and popularity. The curious joined in to be enlightened and entertained.

There was a lot in store for guests who enjoyed cocktails and complimentary massages. Spin-the-wheel giveaways dished out prizes including vacations at any of the Sandals resorts in the Caribbean.

Virtual hotel

Keeping in tune with technology and being creative, the hotel used a 'green area' to spread brand awareness globally. Guests were invited to stand in front of a green screen, say a greeting, and then have their recordings transformed into a video with them standing on location at one of the Sandals destinations. This image could be uploaded to personal Facebook pages.

Sandals host Anna Beilin helped guests to get a virtual taste of the hotel.

In quite a tussle, one person won the best gift ever. Maria Yates in the tossing of a bridal bouquet by Randy Fenoli, caught the top prize. She will have her wedding renewal at a Sandals destination! She and husband Michael have a year now to make this "dream of a lifetime come true".

Sandals Resorts had partnered with United Service Organisation to make it possible for a military couple to have their dream wedding or wedding renewal at one of its destinations. In anticipation of this, brides trekked to the Vanderbilt Hall, some travelling across country just to get that prized trip.

All the other contenders for the prize got a "wedding moon" offer. So in essence, everyone went home a winner.

To close the evening off in a privately held reception Sandals Resorts Chief Executive Office Adam Stewart said the launch of its new offering was based on its understanding of the contemporary customer, especially brides who are technologically inclined. And this offering of a fully customisable destination wedding to guests, he noted, is simply adding to the appeal of the Sandals chain which has been the largest wedding destination in the western region for 30 years.

See more highlights on the launch in this Sunday's Outlook Magazine!

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com