If you’re planning a U.S. Virgin Islands wedding and the following criteria are important to you, the United States Virgin Islands are worthy of a closer look.

The USVI – St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John – known as “America’s Caribbean”, is one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations and lends a wide range of options for a Caribbean wedding. Millions of vacationers flock here annually for the powdery beaches, plentiful water sports and fine dining. Like siblings, each of the three major islands has its own personality and lends an idyllic setting for a wedding in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

St. Croix
The largest of these islands is St. Croix, which features a varied terrain from dry cactus-studded hills out east to lush tropical forests in the west. Hiking, kayaking and kite boarding are popular. Some scuba buffs claim this is the only place in the Caribbean where you can dive a wall, a reef, a wreck and a pier all in the same day.

St. Thomas
St. Thomas is the best known of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is the most bustling due to passengers arriving almost daily on cruise ships and mega-yachts that steam into Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Trade is a St. Thomas specialty featuring imported perfumes, cameras, watches, fine porcelain and crystal. There are plenty of beautiful beaches like popular Magens Bay. Snorkel, scuba dive, fish offshore, or take a boat excursion.

St. John
St. John, the smallest of the trio, is a favorite of nature-lovers. Two-thirds of St. John falls within the boundaries of the 9,485 acre Virgin Islands National Park. More than 800 plant species grow in hilly tropical forests that drop down to beaches bordered by coral reefs.

St. John is also known for lovely beaches along the north coast and quieter ones to the south. Cruz Bay Town in St. John is the ferry stop island entrance, full of great restaurants, shops, water sport outfitters, bars and other points of attraction.

Coral Bay, about 20 minutes from Cruz Bay by car, is home to more great restaurants, bars and shops.

The U.S. Virgin Islands offer: