Taking the Kids: Ready for romance?

There are romance packages just for the two of you or those that include the happy couple along with friends and family, as more couples are opting for post-pandemic.

A tip: If you are planning a getaway for just the two of you, consider an adult-only resort like The Newly renovated Milliken Creek Inn in Napa Valley, Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House, an Adults-Only resort in Mexico or a Sandals Resort (Beaches is their brand for those with kids-and they do many vow renewals and destination weddings as well.)

Yes, there are COVID-19 protocols with rules changing all the time, especially if you leave the United States. That’s why Puerto Rico and resorts in the U.S. Virgin Islands like the historic Buccaneer on St. Croix have been especially popular because you aren’t required to show a negative COVID test when returning home, nor do you need a passport.

There typically are thousands of weddings a year at Sandals and Beaches Resorts across the Caribbean where the wedding is free with many packages.

Marsha-Ann Donaldson-Brown, Sandals Resorts International’s “Director of Romance”, said there is high demand for weddings this fall with couples now planning just a few months out and as far out as two years — with guests and without. She noted there has been an uptick in elopement ceremonies as well as a 50 percent increase in Sandals Resorts signature Retie the Knot vow renewal celebrations compared to 2019 (the resorts best year). This indicates, she said, that “after a year of unprecedented challenges, couples are eager to celebrate their commitment to one another.”

Some couples just got tired of postponing their wedding time and again; Others simply wanted a more intimate experience or to avoid putting family at risk.

“We actually never envisioned a destination wedding; we were going more for a traditional wedding. We ended up switching things up due to the rise in COVID cases, and did not want to put our family and friends at risk,” explained Eric and Yancy Diaz, from Kissimmee Florida, who got married last June at a Sandals resort in Jamaica.

“If we had to do it again with COVID-19 being nonexistent, we would definitely choose a destination wedding all over again. Our overall experience was magical and amazing,” they said. “We honestly, could not be more pleased and happy with our choice to elope … a beautiful experience that we were able to experience together, a day to never forget. We were able to take it all in, sharing the emotions/feelings and just truly embrace the moment.”

“We were able to focus all our energy on each other,” said Amanda Constantin, from Louisiana, who got married at the Sandals Grand St. Lucian a year ago without guests.

We have both been married before, so since this wasn't our first marriage and our families all live away from us and were unable to attend our wedding, we thought a WeddingMoon was the BEST idea ever.”

We witnessed that firsthand at the at Sandals Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios with just 74 rooms and suites. The music alerted those of us in the water and on the beach as the bride floated down the dock in her long, white dress to the gazebo.

It was just the bride, the groom, the officiant, and photographer that afternoon, oblivious to those watching from the beach or the water. Sandals Resorts, like others, now offer live streaming for those who can’t attend.

“Because one thing we’ve seen ring true — even louder during the pandemic — is that love conquers all,” Donaldson-Brown said.” Couples do want to celebrate their love for each other, perhaps more so after the last year they’ve had.”

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia, the 13th in the kid’s guide series, was published in 2020, with The Kid’s Guide to Camping coming in 2021.)