Weekend Events

We are getting so excited to see you all on the island. The one-month countdown is on, so we wanted to fill you in on some of the other things we have planned.

We've put together options that hit some of the best restaurant spots on the island and enable you to experience a few different beaches. We’re taking transportation into account as well as taxis can get expensive on the island. We’re hoping folks at hotels can share like one big happy family.  

We realize for many of you that this is a mini-vacation, not just a weekend to celebrate our anniversary, so we want everyone to have time to relax on your own or have the option to join us for various events if interested.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Welcome Happy Hour

7pm, Elvis’ Beach Bar

We’ll kick-off the weekend on Thursday evening down at Sandy Ground. Join us for a welcome happy hour at Elvis’ Beach Bar. There will be an open bar and snacks.

Elvis' Beach Bar

Dinner

8:30pm, Sand Bar

Following that we’re planning to walk down the beach for dinner at Sand Bar. Sand Bar is a casual tapas restaurant right on the beach. Must order: tuna poke and the fries.

If you’d like to do dinner on your own, we recommend Dolce Vita and Barrel Stay, which are walkable from Sandy Ground. Veya is another great spot near Sandy Ground that’s just a very short ride from Elvis’ bar.

Then for those of you ready to party after dinner, we’ll check out some live music by the Musical Brothers at Pump House and maybe wander back down to see Elvis at some point.

What To Wear: Anything goes – wear comfortable shoes or sandals so you can dance in the sand!

Transportation: Grab a taxi from your hotel to Elvis’ bar. Later that night we will make sure there are taxis available for people to share.

RSVP: Let us know if you’re interested in dinner at Sand Bar.

Sand Bar 

FRIDAY, MAY 1

Lunch on Meads Bay

You know, around lunchtime, at Blanchard’s Beach Shack

Most guests are staying on Meads Bay, and Blanchard’s Beach Shack is right smack in the middle of the beach. It’s a super casual place where you walk up to a window to order tacos, salads, and sandwiches then grab a picnic table or a complementary beach chair and umbrella.

What To Wear: Swimsuits and flip-flops. Don’t forget sunscreen and a towel.

Transportation: Just walk down the beach.

RSVP: No need to RSVP.

Blanchard's Beach Shack

Five Years One Love Anniversary Party

5pm to 10pm, Garvey’s Sunshine Shack on Rendezvous Bay

The main event! We’re planning for a fun night with dinner right on the beach.

After dinner and dancing, we’re planning to walk down the beach to see Bankie Banx (and hopefully his son, Omari) at Dune Preserve.

What To Wear: We want you to be comfortable and ready to dance in the sand. D.J. will be wearing his bright green pants from the wedding so get excited. Mulligan wins extra points if he wears his yellow groomsmen pants.

Transportation: We will provide transportation from your hotel. More details to follow.

RSVP: We’re assuming you won’t miss this party. Let us know if you want the combo plate of ribs and chicken or whole snapper (so good).

Garvey's Sunshine Shack 

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Lunch on Cove Bay

1pm, Smokey’s at the Cove

We want to meet up at the site of our wedding – Smokey’s at the Cove. Saturdays at Smokey’s is one of our favorite traditions with great food and live music all afternoon from The Musical Brothers. We’ll reserve a table and beach chairs for the group, and feel free to join us at any point.

What To Wear: Swimsuits and flip-flops. And don’t forget sunscreen and a towel.

Transportation: Grab a taxi from your hotel.

RSVP: Let us know if you might join us for lunch.

Smokey's 

Dinner

8pm, Picante

The Mexican food at Picante is awesome – everything is really fresh, and the food is just really good Mexican for anywhere, not just Anguilla. It is also the site of our rehearsal dinner. Love this place! Must order: Ground beef tacos, seafood enchiladas, Picante Tacos, and the street corn appetizer.

After dinner, anyone who’s interested can grab a taxi down to Sandy Ground for some more liming.

What To Wear: Shorts, pants, and sundresses – anything goes!

Transportation: Grab a taxi from your hotel.

RSVP: Let us know if you might be interested in dinner.

Picante

SUNDAY, MAY 3

Lunch on Meads Bay

You know, around lunchtime, at Blanchard’s Beach Shack

Some folks are headed back to reality on Sunday, but for those of you who are still around get excited for a beach day and float party on Meads Bay. We’re going to get some floats, find an anchor for Sunday Funday party. H/T to Ryan Bowey for introducing us to the concept of the float party. We’ll bring a cooler with some beer, white wine, and there are other fun drink options at Blanchard’s.

If you want to try some of the other spots for lunch on Meads Bay, we suggest Straw Hat, Jacala and the restaurant at Malliouhana Hotel. All are delicious.

What To Wear: Swimsuits and flip-flops. And don’t forget sunscreen and a towel.

Transportation: Just walk down the beach.

RSVP: No need to RSVP.

Blanchard's Beach Shack

Dinner on Meads Bay

8pm at Straw Hat

Join us for one last dinner at Straw Hat at the Frangapani Hotel. The Straw Hat fries are amazing, and if you haven’t had Anguillian crayfish by this point, we highly recommend ordering it here.

What To Wear: Shorts, pants, sundresses, jeans – anything goes!

Transportation: Just walk down the beach.

RSVP: Let us know if you might be interested in dinner.

Straw Hat

Getting to Anguilla from St. Martin - Ferry Details

The easiest way to get to Anguilla from St. Martin is to book the one of the sea shuttles. It’s a motorboat service based right next to the airport on one of the main companies – Fun Time, Link Ferry, Calypso, or GB Express.

The round trip price for the sea shuttle is between $40-60 per person each way. This is more expensive than the public ferry, which is more like $15-20 but saves a lot of time and effort, plus you don’t have to take a taxi to the other side of the island, which costs money.

To book, reach out to your reservations contact at the hotel (including Malliouhana, Anacaona, and Carimar, and probably just about any other place you stay) and send them your flight information. They will book you on the boat both ways based on your flight and will include it on your room bill.

Here’s how it works when you land: You’ll go through customs in St. Martin then move through to get your bags. You’ll then exit customs where you’ll see someone holding the sign for your hotel or the sea shuttle company you’ve been booked on. Go to that person, tell them your name, and they will put you in a van that will take you on a two minute ride to the ferry terminal that’s just across the road from the airport.

Since our wedding, they have built a St. Martin customs office at the ferry dock where you go in and wait (in AC!) while they check your passport and your ferry arrives. In case you are thirsty, there is a small bar just in front of the ferry building. There can be a bit of a wait depending on sea conditions and ferry delays. Once you get to the ferry terminal, they handle your bags and get them on your boat. We’ve never had any issue but always a good idea to make sure you see it on the boat you get on.

Then you take the 20-minute ride over to Anguilla, on which you’ll be offered water, beer, or sometimes rum punch. Have a drink! You’ll go through customs there as well then exit the building where:

• If staying at Malliouhana, look for a person holding the Malliouhana sign, and they will guide you to a taxi once the porter brings your bags. Hop in the taxi and it’s a 10-15 minute ride to your hotel.
• If staying a Carimar or Anacaona, get your bags from the porter, then grab a taxi from the line waiting at the ferry terminal. It’s a 10-15 minute ride to your hotel.

Insider Tips:

• Always good to have small bills on hand as you’ll want to tip the porters and taxi drivers both ways. If staying at Carimar or Anacaona, you’ll need to pay cash for the taxi as well, which should be around $20-25.

• Try to sit near the back of the boat so you can get off first and avoid the customs line in Anguilla.

• DJ’s Insider Tip: Wear those pants that you can unzip the bottom of the legs.  Much comfort once you get to the heat.

• Korinne’s Insider Tip: Don’t wear shants! They are for lame old dudes, apparently like my husband.

More Affordable Ferry Option

For a more affordable option, you can also take the public ferry to Anguilla. We haven’t done this since our first trip to the island in 2008, but here’s how it works:

Exit the airport and to the right there is a line of taxis. Take a taxi to the main ferry terminal at Marigot and there is a ferry there that leaves for Anguilla every half hour or so (they do not have rigid schedules down there). The taxi will cost about US$30, the ferry will be US$20 or so per person, and each is about a 20-25 minute ride. Neither requires a reservation and they take US$ down there.

Required Anguilla Reading

Details about Garvey's Sunshine Shack. The site of our party! 

Read more.

The New York Times does Anguilla in 36 hours.

Read more.

The man, the myth, the legend. Our friend Elvis. 

Read more. 

All around great website with details about Anguilla from restaurants to travel tips and more. 

Read more.

Beautiful Meads Bay

We are a month and a half away from the party and getting really excited over here. Plans are starting to come together and most of the guests have sent in RSVPs. It's shaping up to be the most fun group we could imagine. It's going to mean so much to celebrate with you!

To get you pumped, check out this aerial video of Meads Bay. If you've booked at Malliouhana, Carimar or Anacaona, you will be right on this beach. It's one of our favorites on the island. You're going to love it... I mean, that water...

If you have any questions on planning the final details of your travel, don't hesitate to reach us. In the coming days / weeks, we'll be posting some details on booking the ferry from St. Martin and some other fun stuff we're planning. 

Hotel Update: Anacaona Hotel

Hello, friends! We hope you all received the invitation and are getting excited. This weather has us wishing for sunny days on the island.

Slight change of plans on the hotel front. Rooms at the Carimar have booked up, but there is another great option located just down Meads Bay (same beach as Malliouhana Hotel and Carimar) called Anacaona Hotel. 

www.anacaonahotel.com

Anacaona is a boutique hotel with a pool (!) and the beach is just down a short path. The hotel actually shares the same beach front as the Viceroy Hotel. Unlike Carimar, Anacaona has a restaurant on property that allegedly has the best pizza on the island. Disclaimer: We haven't tried it yet, shocking, given D.J.'s love of pizza. 

On a side note, we encourage you to book soon, especially if you are interested in Malliouhana Hotel as rates there are only guaranteed through March 1. If you have any questions or run into issues, don't hesitate to email us.

Here are the types of rooms they have available:

• Superior Room, $200 per night - Located on the ground, second or third floor in the Allamanda House with King Bed or 2-Double Beds and bathroom with large shower, Balcony/Patio, Frette Linens, Mini Fridge, Air Conditioning, Ceiling Fan, Cable TV, I-Pod Docking Station, Laptop size in Room Safe, Complimentary Wireless Internet, Melita-Javapod Coffee Maker, Iron & Ironing board, Hairdryer and Locally Crafted Bathroom Amenities.

• Junior Suites, $245 per night - Ocean view, King-size Bed and Pullout Sofa, Living Room Area, Kitchenette with microwave, extensive Bathroom with Shower & Whirlpool bath Balcony, Frette Linens, Air Conditioning, Ceiling fans, Cable TV, IPod Docking Station, Laptop size in room safe, Iron & Ironing board, Wireless Internet, Phone and Hairdryer and Locally Crafted Bathroom Amenities. 

• Two Bedroom Villa Suites, $300 per night - 2-bedroom/2-bath with kitchen, lounge, verandah or outdoor patio, Air Conditioning, Frette Linens, Ceiling Fans, Cable TV in lounge and bedrooms, I-pod Docking Station, Phone, Laptop size in room safe, Iron & Ironing board, Wireless Internet and Hairdryer and Locally Crafted Bathroom Amenities. Access to the other bedrooms is through a screened in Lanai/porch. Each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom. In each unit one bedroom has a king bed and the other room has two double beds. Our 2 bedroom Villa Suites are in separate buildings, one is closer to the 2nd pool and the other closer to the main house. They both also have another open patio area if needed. 

Same as the other hotels, rates are per night and subjected to 10 percent Government Tax, 10 percent Service Charge and a 5 percent Environmental Surcharge. There is also a $1.00 Tourism Marketing Levy per person per night.

To reserve your room, contact Raquel at 877-647-4736 or via email at raquel@anacaonahotel.com. Mention Belock Anniversary to reserve your room. 

Here are some photos:

Flight Information

Welcome back to the Anguilla trip blog. I’m guessing you haven’t been here in five years. Here’s my update on how to get to Anguilla. I will also cut and paste some of the relevant info from the same post from before the wedding.

For the most part, the easiest way to get to Anguilla is to fly to St. Maarten (SXM) and take the 20-minute ferry to Blowing Point in Anguilla - more details in the post below about ferries to come. Then you take a short taxi ride to your hotel destination. You can fly directly into Anguilla from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Cape Air, which is a small plane but can be easier if you can get a direct flight to Puerto Rico. We’ve done both but flying into SXM tends to be the easiest.

Your direct flights to SXM are from NYC (JFK/EWR), Charlotte, Atlanta, and Miami.  If you’re not in one of those cities, you’re connecting, but it’s not too bad.  We are flying from Cincinnati through Atlanta and will get to SXM before 2pm.

If you have any questions about these flight options or if you're coming from somewhere we overlooked, feel free to email us. 

Air Travel from Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh: 

Your best bet and the shortest routes are to fly through Charlotte to St. Maarten on US Airways/American or through Atlanta on Delta. There's a United flight out of Newark but it is first thing in the morning, so unless someone wants to stay in NYC overnight, another airline will probably be the best way to go.  Both would entail an early flight out of CLE and arrival in St. Maarten (SXM) around 1 or 2pm.  You may be able to get an early-enough flight to MIA and then on to SXM as well.

Air Travel from DC area: 

Looks like you are flying through Charlotte on American/US Airways – that has the most options.  You can get to SXM through ATL and MIA as well.  There is actually a direct flight from BWI to SJU on Southwest and one from DCA on JetBlue, and then on to AXA on Cape Air. This may be a decent but slightly more expensive option than flying into SXM and then taking the ferry over.

Air Travel from NY area: 

A few options here: Newark (EWR) direct to SXM on United, take ferry over to Anguilla. Also JetBlue, Delta, and American fly direct to SXM from JFK.  You could also fly direct to San Juan (SJU) and fly on Cape Air right into Anguilla, but you’re on two different airlines.  I believe United has a code share with Cape Air so you can do it on one itinerary.

Air Travel from LA:

You are probably on a redeye from LAX to JFK or ATL on American, JetBlue, or Delta. Though you are probably not attending… :)

Air Travel from Atlanta:

Murph, assuming you are there, you have one option - 10am Delta to SXM, arrive at 2pm, take the ferry over. Sorry if I forgot anyone else that lives in the ATL.

Air Travel from Dallas Area:

You can fly from DFW through Charlotte now that AA and US Airways have merged, or through MIA to SXM.

Air Travel from Cincinnati Area:

We are flying on Delta through Atlanta, which seems to be a decent option and gets you in before 2pm.  If you don’t like Delta, through Charlotte on US Airways is your other option.

Air Travel from Austin, TX:

Looks like you are limited to getting to SXM through Charlotte on US Airways/AA, as the flights to MIA and ATL don’t arrive in time to connect.  The return has more options through those cities.

Air Travel from Seattle Area:

Well, Seattle, looks like you're also on a redeye to ATL on Delta, Charlotte on USAirways, or MIA on American.  Tough break, but we'll be excited to see you!