A Sit-Down With Marsha-Ann Donaldson-Brown, Sandals Resorts’ Director of Weddings and Romance

Meet Marsha-Ann Donaldson-Brown. A three-decade veteran of the hospitality and tourism sectors, and a 22-year executive with global power brand Sandals Resorts International, Marsha-Ann Donaldson-Brown is a passionate and driven woman committed to inspiring the lives around her. Donaldson-Brown serves as the Director of Weddings & Romance at Sandals Resorts International and oversees the Destination Wedding Program. She leads a team spanning 18 resorts on seven islands and is acknowledged as one of the Caribbean’s most revered destination wedding experts and tastemakers. Her trendspotting flair, audience empathy and attention to detail – make her an in-demand expert industry commentator, regularly featured on international media platforms including Good Morning America, and Fox Business Live. Outside her work she is a proud mother, Jamaican and content creator empowering women to live a life of purpose-filled passion.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Sandals Resorts wedding experience, from the woman in charge. 

At Sandals Resorts, couples have the option to choose between a free wedding, when staying for 3 nights or longer, or a fully customized wedding at an extra cost. Whether guests opt for a complimentary package or a completely personalized one, each Sandals wedding includes a delightful cocktail reception, photography, a honeymoon dinner and much more. A dedicated team of wedding planners will be at guests’ service to assist with the necessary marriage documents and provide additional support. At Sandals, the more guests invited, the more amazing perks received. Unlike traditional weddings where a larger guest list can be burdensome, destination weddings at a Sandals Resort encourage the spirit of celebration without unwanted stress or expenses for guests.

Why should couples consider the Caribbean for a destination wedding, and more specifically, why Sandals Resorts?

The Caribbean has long been hailed as a top choice for destination weddings. The warm weather, crystal clear waters, and ease of transport for guests can’t be beat. It’s also a great option for couples who want a no-fuss wedding experience. Often, the couples we see book a destination wedding let the destination take the lead, which is easy to do in a place as beautiful as the Caribbean. Easy is the key word, and Sandals Resorts offer the ultimate destination wedding location for couples and their guests. From serving the island’s native cuisine to hiring local  entertainment to curating welcome bags filled with locally-made rum, spices, candles and other goodies, we allow couples the opportunity to add elements of the local culture into their celebrations.

What does a Sandals Resorts wedding look like?

At all of our resorts, weddings are fully included with stays of 3 or more nights. Beyond the basics, guests have the opportunity to tailor a fully customized wedding to execute their personal vision. Across our resorts, couples can choose from a collection of ceremony venues including over-the-water chapels and intimate gardens. Every Sandals wedding includes a cocktail reception for guests, featuring a signature cocktail for the bride and groom, a fully decorated reception, a personal wedding planning team to assist in the preparation of marriage documents, and more. 

We’ve found that couples often want to experience the culture, food and music of the Caribbean as elements that are part of the celebration. With that in mind, we have begun developing styled inspirations infused with authentic destination elements. In The Bahamas, couples can be inspired by styled décor settings we call “Bahamian Rush” and “Bahamian Seashells” that incorporate key elements only found in the Bahamas, such as Conch, Junkanoo, and Androsian fabric. In Curaçao, couples can be inspired by styled décor we call “Curacao Desert Blooms” incorporating key elements such as cacti, succulents, and Chi Chi dolls. Our Customizable Weddings offer supremely personal ceremonies and receptions for each couple. Couples can find inspiration from a range of wedding styles to help guide their planning, offering design lookbooks curated to inspire, whether the couple prefers a lush garden ceremony or the seaside tropics. 

Tell us about the honeymoon experience at a Sandals Resort. 

Here at Sandals Resorts, we encourage our couples to simply extend their stay post-wedding and kick off their honeymoons immediately. Our “Stay at One, Play at All” program is hugely popular amongst honey-mooners, allowing couples to make new memories at a new, neighboring Sandals Resort rather than honeymooning on the same sand they married on, without paying for an extra vacation. 

As for our recent honeymooners, we’ve found that culturally-immersive experiences reign supreme, and one of the major trends we’re seeing this year is the infusion of adventure into the experience. We’ve seen increased interest in our adventure experiences across our resorts, be it getting scuba dive certified or taking out a MINI Cooper at Sandals Royal Curaçao to explore the island like a local.

What can Sandals Resorts provide wedding planners that other resorts can’t?

Having specialized in Caribbean weddings for more than four decades, Sandals is the authority on creating a destination wedding planning experience that is as seamless as it is customized, with exceptional service from a dedicated team who are experts in bringing every couple’s vision to life. Sandals was made for people in love, and looking at the wedding sector of our customer base, many of our guests guests first came to us to celebrate engagements, weddings, and honeymoons, and continue to return to us now for anniversaries, babymoons, and empty-nester getaways. Sandals’ destination weddings also offer couples the opportunity to leave an impact on our destinations  – whether it’s gifting their guests artisan-made crafts, organizing tree planting opportunities, or Pack for a Purpose – all facilitated by the amazing work of the Sandals Foundation.

Our wedding and honeymoon business has bypassed our best recorded year pre-pandemic, making it clear that couples will not compromise on these special moments. A recently completed study by our research-arm, the Sandals Institute of Romance, took the romantic pulse of America to define the state of romance for the year. The results showed that more than  80% of Americans were committed to making more time for romance in 2023 and beyond. Beyond the wedding day or the honeymoon, romance travel offers the promise of reinvigoration in relationships and allows couples to experience the world in new ways together. Love is all around us, and it’s an honor each time a couple chooses us to celebrate their love.