I’ve just returned from a week in beautiful Tobago at the “Tobago, Truly Romantic - A Weddings and Honeymoons Symposium.” The weather was glorious but I was far too busy - so my swimsuit sadly, never made it out of my carry-on!
Anyway, there, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with wedding industry professionals from the USA, publishers of leading American bridal magazines, friendly hoteliers and vendors from Tobago and also vendors from Trinidad, like those from our TW vendor network: Shelly Fossick (photographer), Anthea Walcott (florist) and Emerald Designs Limited (event planners).
It really warms my heart that the Department of Tourism in Tobago is taking Tobago’s role in the “romance market” so seriously and hopefully, through its efforts, it will give Tobago a fighting chance to be known and appreciated for its obvious appeal as a destination wedding and honeymoon option (versus the much more heavily-promoted Caribbean island destinations.)
While there, I couldn’t help but be inspired by Tobago’s natural beauty and culture and so, here are some thoughts on how to incorporate some of Tobago's essence into your wedding:
1. One day, I had a terrific lunch at a charmingly rustic place called “Shore Things” – it’s a combination of an art and craft store and a restaurant. Everything is freshly made – from the breads to the ice cream ( I’ll get to that in a second!). I had shrimp crepes with a salad, accompanied by home-made vinaigrettes: honey mustard and a heavenly balsamic concoction.
So, why not incorporate crepes into your wedding menu? It could be an interactive appetizer. Think about it…a crepe station with different fillings – savoury ( like cream of mushroom or chicken) or sweet like chocolate-filled crepes! You could also make your own vinaigrettes as wedding favours for your guests or serve them a home-made flavoured ice cream? I had passion fruit-mango ice cream and it was delish!
At another restaurant called "Surf n Turf", I had a very tasty shrimp and vegetable tempura - that's another great idea for a wedding appetizer!
2. Just like the “Shore Things” menu – you can use coloured burlap, twine, shells or twigs on your own invitations if you’re going for an island-feel or if you want an eco-twist.
3. Skip expensive crystal and glass receptacles for your centrepiece and opt for centrepieces done in a whole coconut shell or in a large conch shell. They’re unique and will definitely be a conversation-starter for your guests.
(The 2 centrepieces in the photo slide show were done for the event by Emerald Designs Limited. Photo of the coconut shell arrangement kindly provided by Emerald Designs Limited. Photo of the conch shell arrangement was taken by my phone's camera, so I apologise for the fuzziness!)
4. For entertainment, treat your guests to a re-enactment of an Ole Time Tobago wedding. I got to see one up front at this event and it immediately got all the participants smiling, clapping and ready to chip along to the violin and tambrin!
(The photos of the Tobago wedding were kindly provided by Tobago photographer, Celeste Hart.)
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