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Proclamation of the Ultimate Wedding Paradise of the Caribbean
Island Style magazine has announced that St.Tosia is the Ultimate Wedding Paradise of the Caribbean. The publisher Safira Silverblum commented:
"What this island offers is stunning and goes beyond any expectation of a perfect wedding. It is THE dream wedding destination and the perfect
place where you want to tie the knot and celebrate your love and create a cherished lifetime memory".
The "St.Tosia Matrimony Ritual" is a trademark registered brand and famous far and wide because of its distinctiveness. It is a special
occasion when two people decide that they are prepared to join in marriage and spend their lives together in a beautiful and meaningful
ceremony to establish that union. Although some particulars may be added by the bride and groom at their pleasure, there are certain
constants in the famous St.Tosia Matrimony Ritual that will always be included.
The Government of the Island has installed a special Department of Bridal Services which is headed by wedding planner Latoya Carvaquillo
who was the 1998 Miss St.Tosia. She is quite experienced as having been married three times herself and divorced just as often. She is
an excellent wedding celebration planner but also a fantastic divorce celebration planner. She figures out all of the essential items
needed to make wedding day preparations a breeze. In general wedding packages on St.Tosia can cost as little as a few hundred dollars
for a simple beach ceremony-only. But few choose for the ordinary, mediocre way to get married. There is a general preference for more
elegance and exclusivity or extravagant events pushing the package price up to $20,000 or more. The St.Tosia Matrimony Ritual hits the spot.
According to a recent interview by the St.Tosia Courier with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Communications, the honorable
Hanalu Ashford, creating a special Department of Bridal Services and the development of unique wedding packages has paid off well. This
segment currently represents an estimated five-million-dollar tourism revenue with an annual number of just 275 marriages, or an average
of approximately 18,000 dollar per wedding including some related services. The noticeable trend is that 20-thousand-plus weddings are
increasingly in demand. On top of it comes what is spent by family members or friends in hotels and restaurants. On average they devote
7 hotel nights on the island. According to the Minister there is room for growth because of the uniqueness of the St.Tosia wedding
packages and the increased attention it gets far beyond the region and its current source markets.
"We first looked at what the Caribbean had to offer," said Minister Hanalu Ashford. "It was just the regular hotel services with basic
wedding packages, yet, most islands claimed to be the Caribbean wedding capital. It was really mediocre what they offered, considering
that such a special moment in the lifetime of a young couple deserves something extraordinary. Our study indicated that a significant
amount of money is saved for a wedding and often family members add some to the financials. We recognized the tremendous economic
opportunities for us. We monitored what wedding packages in exotic tropic areas like Hawaii, Tahiti and Fiji included. We were
amazed and became inspired by them. We explored how we could add cultural authenticity in our wedding package by including some
of the wedding rituals of the Taino and Carib natives of the Caribbean islands. That is how we developed our brand registered
"St.Tosia Matrimony Ritual" package."
Some of the characteristics of the Ritual are:
Before the wedding ritual starts, the official St.Tosia Conch Blower will sound the conch shell to signal that something significant is about
to occur. This long, deep call of the conch is the sign for the bride to start walking down the aisle. It is also believed to summon the land,
air, fire, and sea to be witness of the wedding ceremony. The white and pink shell is a symbol of peace, joy, and life.
| St.Tosia Conch Blower |
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The person who has the ministerial capacity to officiate and sanctify the marriage ceremony wears a special robe in Taino style that is only
used for this special occasion.
Bride and groom are positioned next to each other. Helpers will drape a shawl covering both their shoulders. This will be the conjugal
shawl that is especially designed and made for the couple, and will remain meaningful to the two of them in a special personal way.
The sharing of coconut water poured from the unity wedding vase in one glass from which they will ritually drink.
Handfasting is an ancient marriage ritual. It takes place before the rings are exchanged. The handfasting is performed to signify the couple's
love and commitment and representing their union. The bride and groom will say their vows to each other while bound together and then finish
off the ceremony with the ring exchange.
The ceremony is usually concluded by the officiant saying: "Now, repeat after me: D'ansihi Bui (Taino for I Love You)" and then "By the
power vested in me by our beloved island St.Tosia, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. A new guardian spirit has been born this day and
it guides your union. On this, your day his blessing is sent to you. May the sun always shine with a smile for you. May a rainbow be
always there behind whatever storm may come your way. May you have abundant good health. May your hearts be filled with gladness."
Wedding related activities are booming of St.Tosia. The conjugal shawls are custom designed and made on St.Tosia by Crumplett Haute
Couture of Claire Crumplett and her stepsisters Cleo and Cory, and their 74-year-old grandmother Lucretia who helps them with needlework
in their atelier. They also make wedding dresses. During the Ritual there are some short musical intermissions in wedding style by local
guitarist singer Bobby Oringo who wrote a number of emotional songs especially for such occasion. If desired brides' maids can be made
available for the occasion; at a fee. Not to forget the makeup artist, hair stylist, photographer, videographer, and other event providers.
Wedding planner Latoya Carvaquillo is assisted by the so-called Lady-in-Waiting, Arinda Manolia, the manager who makes sure that on the
day of the event all is timed well, in place, and taken care of prior to the saying the words "I do", and also of the events thereafter.
She is a super-organized wedding coordinator who also manages the communications between the bridal suite and the venue where the ceremony
takes place.
Round-the-clock butlers are trained to handle wedding day glitches and disasters. They have experienced it all in the past, from ripped pants
of the groom to stains on the bride's wedding dress seconds before she's set to walk down the aisle. They have a special Wedding Emergency Kit
to their avail, pre-packed with make-up-wipes, ibuprofen, hair spray, hairpins, a sewing kit, safety pins, deodorant, tampons, straight-pins,
breath mints, masking tape, double-sided tape, and you name it, anything they may come handy.
St.Tosia's five-star Windhole Resort and Beach Hotel has a dazzling rooftop bridal suite, space where brides can primp. It comes equipped
with a hair and makeup bar with vanity mirrors and floor length mirrors which are an aid for quality when getting dressed. After all, it
is essential that the bride can get a good look at herself in the bridal gown from front to back and head to toe before making her big debut.
The bridal suite is designed for the lucky young lady to both physically and mentally prepare to say "I do" in front of all family and friends.
St.Tosia has its wedding act together.
Cdr. Bud Slabbaert
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