Anguilla - Cap Juluca

Cap Juluca represents old-school Caribbean luxury, with an endearingly hippy feel thrown in. Flip-flops and kaftans fit the bill perfectly, though they may be of the sequinned variety. There is no state-of-the-art spa (four-hands massages in one's villa are the order of the day), nor any achingly chic contemporary art around the place, though the simple lines of the Moorish architecture give the resort a calm, minimalist edge. Wherever you look, there seems to be a perfect white dome set against a cornflower-blue sky or an archway framing an idyllic ocean view, with the moody mountains of the neighbouring island, St Maarten, in the distance. On an extra-clear day, guests can see 35 miles (56 km) across to the volcanic island of Saba, too. Secluded and sophisticated, life at Cap Juluca moves at an exceedingly gentle, Caribbean pace. Sunbathe on the beach, and a friendly face will appear with a passionfruit sorbet to cool you down. Go for a game of tennis, and the pro will be there to brush up your game on some of the prettiest courts in the Caribbean. Kayaking, snorkelling, windsurfing, water-skiing and sailing are also available, along with a golf driving range across the saltwater lagoon and a croquet lawn.

The people behind Cap Juluca have also just opened (in October 2005) a more affordable sister hotel called Ku, meaning 'sacred place' in the native Arawak language. Billed as Anguilla's first affordable-chic, all-suite retreat, it offers a mixture of South Beach-style minimalist cool and the relaxed sophistication of French St Barts. It has the longest bar on Anguilla, stretching down the beach, with barefoot dancing under the stars - perfect for a hen or stag party.

The staff at Cap Juluca make sure that wedding couples and their guests are treated as VIPs. Couples will usually have been in contact with the resort's wedding coordinator before arriving in Anguilla so that any special requests can be met (on such a small island, almost everything has to be imported). The wedding coordinator will also guide couples through the necessary legal procedures. Couples from outside Anguilla may marry under the authority of a special license that takes approximately two working days to process. Couples wishing to wed on a Saturday will need to arrive on the Wednesday and apply for the license on Thursday morning. Both parties must present proof of citizenship of their resident country. These documents are the same ones that couples will need to fulfil entry requirements when visiting Anguilla: both passports, or original birth certificates accompanied by photo identification such as a driving license. If applicable, a divorce or death certificate must be provided. All documents must be in English, and if not they must be translated and notarized. The marriage license fee must be paid at the courthouse on completion of the marriage license. This must be done at least two working days before the ceremony. Two witnesses are required: for couples travelling without family and friends, Cap Juluca can supply witnesses if necessary.

At Cap Juluca civil and religious weddings are conducted by a minister or pastor. Couples can choose to wed anywhere on the beach. Cap Juluca's wedding coordinator suggests either close to the main house or, for total privacy, at the far end of the beach. There is also a wedding lawn on the sand dune at the western end of the bay, overlooking the beach, the Caribbean Sea and the mountains of St Maarten. The lawn has a gazebo surrounded by flowers, and a wedding arch is decorated with bougainvillea and palm fronds from the resort gardens. Couples can also tie the knot in one of the Cap Juluca's restaurants, which include George's on the Beach, Pimm's or Kemia. Villa weddings are, too, popular for those seeking more privacy.

If couples wish to marry in a church and return to Cap Juluca for their reception, the wide range of denominations available includes Anglican, Baptist, Church of Christ, Church of God, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal and Seventh-Day Adventist. For a Catholic wedding, three to six months' notice is required. For a civil wedding conducted by a justice of the Peace, couples must marry at the courthouse.

Wedding receptions are usually held at the laid-back George's Restaurant on the Beach, which can accommodate up to 150 guests. A typical menu starts with lobster and corn chowder, followed by blackened mahi-mahi (a delicate white beach of the area) with pineapple chutney and cassava purée. The beautiful Pimm's Restaurant on Rocky Point has a view right along the beach, and serves French/Asian cuisine for up to 60 guests. Kemia serves global tapas for up to 50 guests, with anything from Lau ca Cambodia (seafood hotpot) to Indian curried chicken on the menu. A marquee that accommodates up to 150 guests can also be set up on the croquet lawn. A steel band, calypso band, DJ or limbo dancer can be called upon to get the party going.

Feet-in-the-sand receptions can be held on the beach, with flares, flowers and hurricane torches. A beach barbecue buffet makes an unusual reception and might include a raw bar station with oysters, crab claws, shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon and tuna carpaccio. For something simple, couples may prefer to choose a cocktails and hors d'oeuvres reception, which can be held on the lawn or beach. Alternatively, couples can take a Champagne sunset cruise, returning for a vintage Champagne sunset cruise, returning for a vintage Champagne dinner in the sand with tiki torches lighting their way.

The resort has 18 two-storey Moorish style beach front villas, comprising 58 spacious rooms, including 30 junior suites and seven suites. The rooms all have white-tiled floors, louvred doors, ceiling fans and terraces with stunning sea views. Couples will fall asleep in one another's arms on cloud-like Frette linens and wake up to the smell of frangipani. Bathrooms are palatial, with Bulgari toiletries, and some have semi-alfresco double baths. there are also three- and five-bedroom private pool villas at the end of the resort, which sleep up to six or ten people and work well for small wedding parties who wish to stay together. All have freshwater swimming pools in an enclosed courtyard, private beach access, oceanfront dining terraces and large sitting rooms. Children are also welcomed, and seasonal kid's programmes include nature walks and cookie-filled buckets for the beach. Everything from nannies to kids' sunglasses is to hand here.

A one-man steel band may add a Caribbean touch to the ceremony, or alternatively a guitarist, pianist or saxophonist is also available. Brides may choose from a wide range of bouquet styles, including a cascasde or nosegay, using flowers such as roses, calla lilies, hydrangeas, orchids, peonies, tulips and lisianthus. The wedding cake can be anything from chocolate to Anguilla rum fruitcake, and can have two or three tiers. A range of wedding photography and video packages is available from local professional photographers.

Naturally, spa rituals are available before and after the wedding. A Juluca Ritual for Two begins with a basil and mint clay body mask applied with dry Jamu strokes. After showering off, couples soak in a bath of flowers and Jamu essential oils, followed by a drink of fresh mint tea. Cap Juluca has become famous for its 'Mind, Body and Spirit' week, part of a new generation of spa treatments that treat the soul as well as the body: a 'Coming Home' or rebirthing session is just one of the processes recommended to rid the psyche of past angst, which may or may not be an appropriate prelude to a wedding. There are also all the hair and beauty treatments brides could want, and grooms might like to have a gentleman's facial before the big day.

Once all the formalities are over, Anguilla is the perfect place to sit back and relax. Not surprisingly, most activities are focuses around the beach and involve a good deal of drinking, eating and dancing. For a spot of culture, visit the local Devonish Art Gallery. It sells carved wooden hearts that make charming love tokens by which to remember your wedding on this most special of islands.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO
All year round except February, September, October, and Christmas and New Year.

CEREMONIES
Religious and civil.

PRE-WEDDING RESIDENCY
Two working days.