GETTING MARRIED - How about a Martha Stewart wedding

Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

For the first Martha Stewart-themed wedding at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios on January 1, the couple dined at a table for two that featured a vase with fresh dendrobium orchids.

With packages that start at at $340,000, Jamaican couples can opt for the Martha Stewart-themed wedding of their choice at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Hotel in picturesque St Ann.

In the cool, comfort of their offices on the property, wedding manager, Arla Gordon and her team will guide couples through the process. according to Arla, the department has grown so much, it now runs independently and there are sometimes up to seven weddings in one day. The suite of offices includes a consulting room, waiting area, and storeroom. Memorabilia for the themed weddings include: Martha Stewart tote bags, sandals, and 'just married' T-shirts.

"We have already booked 187 weddings for the first three months of the year," she told Flair during an exclusive peek at the first wedding for 2010.

The couple chose the Beautiful Beginnings package, that includes 20 guests, a wedding planner, minister, the location, the two-tier cake, champagne, a 30-minute reception and cold hors d'oeuvres for guests. The couple also gets to freshen up with cold towels prior to picture-taking.

"Couples are free to upgrade the packages at an additional cost and go as high as their budget allows," Gordon noted.

The only stipulation is that the flowers and theme must be Martha Stewart's. Couples are offered samples of wedding cake and champagne during the consultation.

Beautiful themes

The themes for the Sandals weddings by Martha Stewart are:

Beautiful Beginnings, Vision in White, Seaside Serenade, Island Paradise, Flutter of Romance and Chic and Natural.

Beautiful Beginnings: features elegance and simplicity and a bride's bouquet of magenta dendrobium orchids with matching boutonnière for the groom. There is a table for four, and a white two-tier cake, with the only decoration being a topping of dendrobium orchids.

Vision in White: As the name suggests, this theme incorporates all the classic elements of the all-white wedding: décor, linens, floral arrangements, draping fabric, furniture, cake and, why not throw in some snow white sand on the beach?

Seaside Serenade: less formal and set along the beach with the breezes of the Caribbean wafting while you wed. Think bamboo, shells and coral and add your thong slippers. Throw away the tuxedo and blend the pastels on the shore with the shades in the waves lapping the shores.

Island Paradise: This theme incorporates tropical fruits and flowers in every aspect of the décor, but comes alive in the runners down the length of the tables, seat covers, linens, napkins, and floral arrangements. The bridesmaids' hair can be adorned with orchids, they carry pretty umbrellas and the cakes are decorated with colourful flowers too.

Flutter of Romance: Think pink, fuchsia and magenta, think butterflies and roses in the same hues, cupcakes in the same shade and garlands trailing from trellises, with arrangements of orchids dotting the venue.

Chic and Natural: Say your vows beneath bamboo draped in sheer fabric and dine with your guests on tables lined with wooden trays filled with lush, green moss, taupe runners and elegant silver place settings. Place cards feature orchid motifs and your cake is a two-tier pistachio fondant with a green cymbidium orchid bloom on top. That's just for starters. Why not call them for details at sandals.com or in Ocho Rios at: 974-5691.

(Additional source: Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart)

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com

This simply elegant white two-tier wedding cake with dendrobium orchid topping is part of the Beautiful Beginnings Martha Stewart's wedding theme. - Contributed photos