Barbados Fauna -- Part of Our Barbados Series

I love taking pictures, and I was quite busy snapping away at all the fabulous wedding venues we saw on Barbados. But every once in a while I had to stop to take a picture or two (or ten) of the amazing flowers and trees -- the variety, lushness and beauty of the island was everywhere to be found. Here is just a sampling of the flowers I saw at every turn.

With choices like these, there's little reason to import roses from South America for your Barbados wedding...

St. Nicholas Abbey--Part of Our Barbados Series

Located in the parish of St. Peter, Barbados, St. Nicholas Abbey is not an abbey, but rather one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. As we found out, it is also a great place to throw a party. It was a working sugar plantation and is still surrounded by 400 acres of sugarcane.

The home and grounds are available for weddings, parties and perfect for rehearsal dinners. The house is furnished with impressive late 18th and 19th century antiques.

The working distillery where your guests can watch demonstrations and have elegant rum bottles hand etched with their names, wedding date or the Abbey's likeness.

Recently the owners have begun to process the sugarcane on site to create rum -- how fabulous is that? A rum tasting is a great way to start a wedding weekend!

One of two patio areas perfect for a dinner or cocktail reception. The terrace overlooks a gulch rich with jungle fauna (and maybe even a green monkey or two).

We love that Barbados has interesting history and that it's preserved so well here. We also like that the Abbey is available to share with your guests.

Cove Spring House-Part of Our Barbados Series

One of the most appealing options of a destination wedding is renting a villa. Especially Cove Spring House's 18,000 square foot main and guest house in St. James, Barbados. From the moment we walked in, we wanted to move in. There are many options for an intimate ceremony, secluded dining spots, and private screenings. Perfect for the couple's family or bridal party, the 10 exquisite bedrooms can sleep up to 20 guests.

I didn't take this aerial photo but can vouch for the pure blue sea and precious private beach.

It had me at hello. Filled with classic and contemporary photography, the cool, clean furniture and vibe are perfect.

I lost count of the different dining areas where one could hold a spectacular meal.

The pool, the jacuzzi, the deck chairs, divine.Oh and did I mention that Mariah and hubby were staying here while we were in Barbados?

A view from the main house to the pool house spotlights another dining area.

Did I mention that the rooms are all kitted out in Ralph Lauren Home? Well they are.

And that there's a staff of 16 to make you comfortable? Well there is.

The private screening room is the perfect place to view that rehearsal dinner "this is your life" video or a post-wedding re-cap.

Fisherpond Great House-Part of Our Barbados Series

The exuberant greeting from Fisherpond's owners John and Rain Chandler prepared us for a fun afternoon to come. But nothing could have prepared us for the extraordinary experience that followed. As we entered the 350 year-old plantation house, set amongst hundreds of acres of sugarcane, we entered a tableau that any A-list party goer would be impressed by. We've coordinated a few extraordinary events in our time, but never have we seen a dining table for four set with such abundance, style and joie de vivre.We were invited to a private luncheon, but John and Rain offer up their home and grounds every Sunday when up to 80 guests join them for lunch. We were delighted to hear that weddings, parties and rehearsal dinners also can take place on the magical property too. John's table for us was set with bouganvilla, hibiscus, palm, orchids and breadfruit leaves, all from their property.

A long shot of the gorgeous antique mahogany table.

Now to the food. Rain is the resident chef. Let me preface this by saying this was our best meal in a week of wonderful meals. Fisherpond is rated by Zagat's as the Best Bajan (local) cuisine in Barbados. And they are right. The food was fresh, delicious and perfect.

While Rain was in the kitchen, John regaled us with tales of the provenance of the antique-filled home, the famous guests they've hosted (including Prince Harry, who was evidently ill-behaved), and stories of his colorful life. One story we like is that Rain's father ran a sugar plantation and wished for two things: rain for his crops and a daughter. He got both and named the little girl after the elixir that provided their livelihood. (To top it off Rain's daughter is Summer Rain and grandaughter is Aurora Rain...)

John and Rain have a massive cache of china, crystal, silver, linen and accessories which they like to coordinate for any given event. Most of the pieces are valuable antiques -- they use the Tiffany glassware for their weekly luncheons and love the mix-and-match. So did I!

I topped off my lunch with a delicious espresso served in a paper-thin antique espresso cup and sterling silver spoon.

John loves orchids and the home and grounds are filled with gorgeous specimens.

The rooms of the house are available for parties and events -- they just use or push aside the furniture as needed.

Each of the rooms and spaces are stylized -- ready for a photo opportunity.

The upper lawn can hold a ceremony, cocktail party or large tent.

The lower lawn has twin palms between which couples often marry, the vista behind is sugarcane.

Close-up of the lower lawn which can also be tented.

In a lush upper garden John and Rain house exotic birds. This ancient water purifier (rain falls in the top stone bucket and slowly is filtered until it's clean) serves as an alternative ceremony backdrop.

Within the lush garden are sweet table settings, perfect for a meandering cocktail party.

Fountains, exotic flora and surprises lay around every corner.

John calls this his English garden; it links the upper and lower lawns and is yet another picturesque spot for ceremony, cocktails or photos.

The Chandler's home is blissfully peaceful; I suspect that every guest feels immediately at home here. Fisherpond is a magical place for a wedding -- I hope someday to plan one here.

Sandy Lane

Sandy Lane is considered the premiere hotel on Barbados; as soon as we stepped out of our car the reasons became obvious. The hotel is impeccable. Lavish, serene, spotless and elegant, this is a hotel that can provide even the most discerning bride a five star experience.

There are several options for weekend events and weddings that would make for completely original experiences for your guests, too.

Weddings can take place on the beach or nearby on limestone patios.

The furnishings throughout have exquisite island style. These raspberry linen-covered plantation chairs are embroidered with the Sandy Lane logo.

L'Acajou is rated tops by Zagats, and I love the interior -- your decor is already complete!

A simple wedding set up.

The color combinations are genius! The black iron furniture is lightened with accents of raspberry, white and Sandy Lane pink -- a new favorite color combination.

The Monkey Bar is an option for a dinner or after-party. Green monkeys run wild on the island, but only you can monkey around in the bar.

The pool area across property creates a glossy, polished and completely different atmosphere than beach-side.

The waterfall lies below a large balcony ceremony or reception space.

The plantings and surroundings provide the perfect back-drop to any picture.

The interior courtyard of the main hotel.

Tiger Woods chose Sandy Lane's Country Club as the setting for his wedding. Need I say more?

The restaurant and bar overlook this view. Another perfect spot for a weekend wedding.