Wedding planning can be at turns exhilarating and exhausting, and as any couple who’s planned one amid the pandemic — and subsequently postponed, rescheduled and replanned their event — can tell you, it’s often extremely stressful. Fortunately, a silver lining that removes some of that pressure has emerged: sequel ceremonies.
In short, sequel ceremonies are a series of smaller, bespoke events that extend your nuptial celebrations beyond the proverbial “big day,” allowing you to customize events (and their timing) to target various friend groups or family members and, of course, different locations.
The possibilities for planning a sequel ceremony are truly endless as you shift your focus from a large-scale, multi-hour event to a multitude of gatherings in multiple destinations — and along the way discover the joy of extended celebrations.
Hawaiian Island Dreaming
Between the natural jaw-dropping beauty of the island; stunning beaches to please sunbathers, surfers and snorkelers alike; and incredible dining, Kauai, the oldest and arguably most chilled-out Hawaiian island, is a top pick for a sequel ceremony in Hawaii.
One of Kauai’s best attractions is the Napali Coast. Explore by boat or by air — splurge on a helicopter ride for a one-of-a-kind view of the island’s richly colored cliffs and rushing waterfalls — and later relax back at your resort’s pool with a bottle of celebratory Champagne.
At Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection, you could do worse than spending a day (or three) lounging by the epic pool after a sweet sequel ceremony on the beach.
Koloa Landing’s concierge team will assist you and your guests in arranging sports and other activities, but if you prefer to relax and unplug, the property’s Sunset Wall never gets old. And of course, with a full-service spa, relaxing into those aloha vibes is easier than ever.
Love Rules in St. Lucia
Lush St. Lucia, with its mountains, volcanic beaches, reef diving opportunities and world-class cuisine, is the perfect place to plan a sequel wedding. The eastern Caribbean island also delivers on the luxury front, so it’s perfect for couples looking to really celebrate.
For particularly seamless planning, you can’t go wrong with a stay at the all-inclusive Royalton Saint Lucia, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort. The Royalton Saint Lucia is a smart choice whether your sequel ceremony plans include all your little nieces and nephews or just the “big kids” (Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia is the resort’s adults-only oasis).
Either way, a vacation on St. Lucia might include a visit to Pigeon Island National Landmark for incredible wildlife sightings or an afternoon wandering the Diamond Botanical Gardens. It’s worth noting that the latter would make an enviable spot for some professional photos.
Romance with Amsterdam Vibes
Beachfront weddings may be popular, but they aren’t for everyone, particularly those pairs who find inspiration exploring a new, international city. Full of rich history, museums for days, fascinating architecture and gardens galore, Amsterdam is an exquisite spot for a sequel ceremony.
The five-star Amsterdam Marriott Hotel is ideally situated in the city’s center; within walking distance are iconic sights like the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark. Consider a trip to Amsterdam in the spring when the tulips are in full bloom, or check out Amsterdam Tulip Museum year-round. Let it be said that an armful of colorful tulips makes a gorgeous wedding bouquet!
‘I Do’s’ in Oman
The secret’s out about Oman being an epic destination, but it’s still very much a destination for most travelers. Why not have your sequel ceremony in a far-flung locale where the sheer distance from home beckons you to kick back and stay awhile?
To be sure, Oman’s beautiful beaches are enticing, but there’s far more to this Middle Eastern locale than fun in the sun. You may have officially said “I do” in your local city hall, but who’s to say you can’t recreate the blissful wedding vibes with an intimate, under-the-stars-in-a-desert adventure or a late-afternoon picnic on Wadi Ghul, better known as the country’s “Grand Canyon”?
Afterward, dust yourselves off at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where, if you like, you can have yet another bespoke ceremony and feel like the richest couple in the world.
Wedding Fantasies in Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Phu Quoc’s JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa makes an excellent case for selecting your sequel ceremony locale based on the accommodations. Villas come with plunge pools, and the entire resort is a playground for beach lovers. But this is Vietnam, after all, and venturing beyond your resort — when you can tear yourselves away from what may be the most glorious shoreline imaginable — will give you a taste of all that’s to love about the country.
Foodie types, take note: The resort can arrange a private food tour for you and your love and/or your sequel wedding guests. Enlist a guide to take you kayaking on Cua Can River — pictures from this excursion are likely to be frameable, as are those from your visit to Phu Quoc Waterfall. You can and should reward your paddle-sore arm muscles with a couples massage at Chanterelle Spa by JW or a decadent mud bath treatment at the nearby Galina Phu Quoc Mud Bath & Spa.
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