Vacation Guide / Caribbean WeddingsFind out why so many brides and grooms choose Great Expecations
The layout of this St John villa provides great privacy yet lots of opportunity to gather together
Find out why the locals have nicknamed St John 'LOVE CITY'! To come to the island once is to fall in love. The romantic vistas are everywhere on this tiny island.
Romantic sunrises & sunsets
Whether watching the sunrise from the Caribbean without even leaving your bed or sitting in the hot tub while watching the sun set into the Caribbean, Great Expectations is a wonderful setting to gather your friends and family to celebrate your Caribbean wedding. Conveniently located, Great Expectations is just a few minutes from the National Park and some of the world's most beautiful - and romantic - beaches! Great Expectations is also less than a 5 minute drive from Cruz Bay, the main 'town' (where chickens roam freely) on St John, where the ferry boat arrives and you will find a wonder array of open air restaurants and shops.
The layout of Great Expectations allows for lots of mingling but also has a few private nooks for a quiet moment (or two). While we do not permit gatherings with more people then are staying at Great Expectations, we are happy to refer you to one of the many wonderful St John wedding planners who will be able to help you with planning every aspect of your wedding incuding getting your marriage license, advising you on the best locations for your wedding and reception, and details like photography and flowers.
Check out our availability calendar and then call us directly. We are happy to extend you our best rates and any special offers including our 'bride and groom stay FREE!' discount - consider it our wedding present to you
| St John wedding: a story of one couple's week celebrating their Caribbean wedding Steve & Carrie's dream caribbean wedding at Great Expectations
"We invited 60 people to come celebrate our marriage on St John and ended up with 38 RSVP acceptances. We reserved Great Expectations for our immediate wedding party of 14 people; other guests stayed at nearby villas or the Westin Resorts. Our goal was to have a loosely planned week and allow our guests to relax and make of it what they would. We planned out a mid-week snorkel trip on Calypso, a rehersal dinner party in Cruz Bay, and the wedding day/reception. Other than that, our thought was, come when you want and do what you want.
-Steve & Carrie, married October 24, 2002, Gibney Beach, St John, USVI Here is a quick look at our week at Great Expectations: Day 1: Arrive St John mid-afternoon, rent Jeep(s) and wedding party checked into Great Expectations Day 2: Others arriving, beach day, burgers at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay Day 3: Still more arriving - we go to St Thomas to get our wedding license Day 4: Snorkel trip on Calypso catamaran Day 5: Rehearsal dinner/party at Duffy's Love Shack in Cruz Bay Day 6: Wedding day & Reception at Gibney beach catered by Passion Fruit Chefs Day 7: Relaxation, people leaving, honeymoon preparations Day 8: Checking out and headed out for honeymoon. Nearly 8 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 Beau Geste each time!"
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Hear directly from some of the brides and grooms who chose Great Expectations
Great Expectations guests and newlyweds Carrie & Steve after their Gibney beach service
"I have to echo Steve's sentiments about our week at the villa and the wedding itself. Great Expectations made everything so easy - all of our friends who stayed there with us just loved it. There was never anything we lacked - you and Chuck have really equipped the house well. From the kitchen supplies to books, island info to water toys, we were never in need. And the layout of the property made everyone feel they had privacy, while we still had plenty of room to gather as a group both inside and out. " -Carrie & Steve B., Warren, VT
"Sixty-five people [not all stayed here, fortunately] came to St. John to celebrate the marriage of our son...Welcome dinner at La Tapa...Party at Coconut Coast...Rehearsal dinner at Asolare...Wedding at Catholic Church...Reception at Voyages..Beach party at Trunk....Everything was perfect especially "Great Expectations"...the pool was the center of our activity...the views were awesome. We'll all be back!" -Sherwood & Patty C. (Philadelphia, PA) News flash Patty is scheduled to return to Great Expectations this coming year, this time it is a 'sister's trip' of 12 women including sisters, daughters, and sister-in-laws"
"...a word on the villa...a perfect retreat for both our families. There will be a wedding tonight on Trunk Bay beach and a reception at the Stone Terrace [Restaurant]...the villa is well-planned out for guests, right down to the pots & pans. You feel right at home the first day; a first-class operation! You get the Tradewinds from the east and sunsets to the west...There are may fine restaurants...but the main star is right here in the evening by the pool...We will take with us many happy memories of St. John and Great Expectations! What a beautiful place!" -Wayne, Debbie, Ryan, Heather & Wayne, Jr. [the groom] K. (Montauk, NY) and John, Marcy, Tracy & Jamie [the bride] A. (Hull, MA)
"We had a great time at the villa. We were so fortunate to be able to have our wedding in St. John and stay at Great Expectations. Kristin and Chuck were great at letting us know their thoughts on a caterer, flowers and ideas to make our special day great. Thanks so much for letting us come into your beautiful home. Hopefully we can come back next year." - Michael and Deana C., Judy R., Jane B., Shirley and Bob C.
"The F-Z wedding at GE was fabulous! We were married on Trunk [Bay] & then celebrated with our friends & family here at Great Expectations. We had 11 people in total. Everyone loved the villa!"
- Bethany Z.
"We got married on island of St. John and we and our friends/family stayed here and a few other villas on the island. Everyone congregated at this villa b/c it was the nicest. Good balance of view, breeze, good stereo, decoration, private and shared space. Loved the outdoor showers!! The pool is nice and the kids all loved it. You'll need a car to get to the beach but we didn't mind.The house managers are great - very well organized and considerate."-cathmw444 (Chicago, IL)
"Great Expectations exceeded my expectations. The property is in a great location- unbelievable views and very convenient to town. Rooms are well appointed and very comfortable. Decor is relaxed with a sophisticated Caribbean flair. Outdoor pools and porches were wonderful, lots of places to sit and enjoy the views and the company. 
Outdoor showers adjoining each room were a treat. The kitchen had everything we needed. Guest services were amazing, we had an issue with the satellite and it was promptly and professionally resolved by friendly staff. Working with the owner, Charles, over email was fantastic, and he went out of the way to make sure we had everything we needed and were prepared for our trip. I would highly recommend Great Expectations. We stayed here surrounding my sister's wedding, and I can't imagine a better choice for a large family to stay together in an intimate, private setting." -ann (walland, TN)
