By Mell P
New York Carib News
There are moments in life when the universe conspires to create pure magic, and Wedding Specialist Khadine Francis has spent the last decade orchestrating them for local and international couples. She is Sandals Grenada’s first Wedding Manager, having trained under the illustrious resort brand. As the founder of Beautiful Weddings Grenada, she’s not just planning weddings; she’s crafting once-in-a-lifetime experiences that could only happen on this enchanting Caribbean island. Her website even says it:
All you have to do is say… ‘I do!’ We do the rest.
Picture this: a British couple in full wedding regalia, standing against a wooden banister in Grenada’s lush rainforest. Between them, completely unbothered and munching contentedly, sits a wild Mona monkey — one of Grenada’s most iconic creatures. The bride is actually touching the friendly primate while photographer Terel Moore captures what would become some of the most extraordinary wedding photos ever taken.
“There is no way to stage something like that,” Francis recalls of BWG’s second wedding in December 2014. “That was pure magic that could have only happened in Grenada, in our protected rainforest with our iconic Mona Monkeys. After that moment, I knew I wanted to recreate authentic experiences and unplanned moments that live on for all the right reasons.”
This serendipitous encounter didn’t just create unforgettable memories, it crystallized Francis’s mission to showcase Grenada as the Caribbean’s most unique wedding destination, where nature itself becomes a willing participant in love stories.
While Grenada calls itself the “Spice Isle, Francis takes this identity far beyond the obvious. Yes, couples can expect welcome gifts filled with aromatic spice packs and wedding cakes made from rich local chocolate. But it’s the unexpected touches that truly set Grenadian weddings apart.
“I’ve had couples use upcycled burlap cocoa bags as aisle runners for rustic themes,” Francis explains. “We’ve hosted ceremonies within actual spice gardens, had couples ‘dance the cocoa’ as their first dance, and I’ve even had an eccentric bride wear a burlap-accented wedding dress.”
Her preferred vendors’ creativity extends to using cut cocoa pods as serving dishes and incorporating fresh fruits, florals, and spices into décor that fills venues with intoxicating natural aromatics. One couple even chose Pure Grenada — the island’s original spiced perfume—as their signature wedding scent.
Not every wedding day unfolds like a fairy tale, but Francis has learned that Grenada’s magic often shines brightest during challenges. Her most triumphant moment came just two days after Hurricane Beryl devastated parts of the Caribbean in July 2024.
Kersee and Keron, a Guyanese couple living in Grenada, watched their wedding dreams crumble as flights were cancelled and Grenada was declared a state of emergency. Most family members couldn’t attend, including Keron’s brother who was to be his best man—particularly heartbreaking since he was going to be his closest family member in attendance.
“They were in tears and wanted to cancel,” Francis remembers. “I calmly replied, ‘Ahhh, absolutely not! Not an option! Nothing, not even Beryl, is going to deter your perfect wedding day.’”
What followed was a masterclass in resilience and community spirit. The venue owner and all vendors rallied together, refusing to let the hurricane win. When the couple’s wedding rings were stuck with the best man in Guyana, Francis suggested temporary gemstone rings that became so meaningful the couple still wears them today.
“July 3rd came, and despite the overcast skies that eventually cleared, Kersee walked down that aisle with her father. When Keron saw her, his tears flowed unashamedly. It was one of the most emotional and romantic weddings I’ve ever witnessed. Not even a hurricane could stop love that day.”
While couples might initially choose Grenada expecting significantly lower costs than home, Francis quickly educates them about what they’re really investing in—an experience impossible to replicate anywhere else in the Caribbean.
“It’s us, the people, our personalities, our willingness to go above and beyond at the drop of a hat for strangers, simply because we can and want to do the right thing,” she explains passionately. “Our untapped beauty and hidden treasures, our intentionally slower pace that forces you to be in the moment.”
Safety plays a crucial role too. Grenada holds the distinction of being rated one of the safest islands in the Caribbean—a factor that allows couples and their guests to truly relax and immerse themselves in the experience.
“We don’t just have one or two highlights,” Francis emphasizes. “It’s not just the people or the food or the natural sites or beaches or rivers—it’s all of those things and so much more.”
Francis has mastered the art of balancing couples’ Pinterest-perfect dreams with authentic Grenadian culture. She actively incorporates local musicians and vocalists, world-class artisans, and encourages couples to venture into villages for genuine cultural experiences.
Her most logistically complex triumph remains the post-hurricane wedding, but she’s also orchestrated sunrise ceremonies where couples exchange vows as dawn breaks behind them, and intimate private island celebrations on Sugar Loaf Island, where teamwork literally meant lifting the bride from the fishing boat to keep her dress dry.
Looking ahead, Francis envisions Grenada finally claiming its rightful place as the Caribbean’s premier wedding destination. Her vision includes streamlined marriage licensing processes, premier venue complexes with full accessibility, and upgraded historical sites that can properly host celebrations.
“Grenada finally gets and understands that the global wedding industry is a billion-dollar one, and it’s time we tap more aggressively into that,” she declares. “We have all the right ingredients to make the best international destination!”
For couples considering Grenada, Francis offers simple but powerful advice: “Don’t just consider—reach out, ask questions, get more information, and then make the best decision ever for you and your guests by booking us.”
In a world where destination weddings can feel manufactured or generic, Grenada offers something increasingly rare: authentic magic. Whether it’s a curious monkey joining your ceremony, sunrise vows with rainbows blessing your union, or a community that rallies to ensure your special day happens against all odds, Grenada doesn’t just host weddings—it becomes part of your love story.
Through Khadine Francis’s expertise and passion, couples aren’t just getting married in paradise—they’re becoming part of the island’s living tapestry, creating memories that could only exist in this special corner of the Caribbean where spices perfume the air and love stories unfold with their own unique Grenadian magic.
Looking for a destination for your wedding? Learn more about Beautiful Weddings Grenada at beautifulweddingsgrenada.com and contact Khadine Francis to start planning your own Spice Isle celebration and discover why Grenada is quickly becoming the Caribbean’s most sought-after wedding destination.
