Although one chapter was completed Saturday, November 20, our story of being together begins. We will always remember and cherish our wedding day and the week we had with our family and friends and look forward to creating many more happy moments with everyone, and most importantly each other, as Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hudson. For a sampling of wedding pics, click here. For a photo compilation of our week on St. John, click here.

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Fun in the sun poolside with friends and fruity drinks. There's plenty to do on this island, but we are enjoying just relaxing, drinking and enjoying each other. We have been partying between two villas, right next to each other, with some of our closest friends. Both feature a pool, beautiful views and multiple deck space for dining al fresco or just basking in the St. John Sun. More ...

This will be our last entry from our lovely loft dwelling in Philadelphia. For those who are unfortunately physically not able to be with us, thanks to modern technology, we are going to try (depending on the technology of our Villa in St. John) to feature, here and on studio2f, wedding blog updates and pics of our time on St. John as we go live from the source.

We wanted to let everyone know invitations are extended to everyone for both the Caribbean dinner at Morgan’s Mango (Thursday, November 18) hosted by Robert and Anne Pedrero, and the rehearsal dinner at Caneel Bay’s Equator Restaurant (Friday, November 19) hosted by Carl and Joanne Hudson.

Dark and Stormy is not the typical weather of the islands, and there is rarely any pain there either. However, both the ‘Dark and Stormy’ and the ‘Painkiller’ happen to be a favorite adult beverage of choice on the islands. Learn how to make some of these island libations all made with – you guessed it - RUM, which flows quite freely on St. John.

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Some helpful “things to bring” items for consideration while packing for the upcoming vacation/wedding on beautiful St. John (in case anyone else hasn’t been counting, the wedding is fast approaching).

• Suntan Lotion
• Prescription Medication (there’s only one pharmacy on St. John and supplies aren’t plentiful)
• sunglasses
• camera and film (it’s more expensive on St. John)
• cell phones (Caneel Bay does not have phones – cell’s will be a key source of communication)
• chargers for digital cameras and cell phones
• passports to go to and from British and US Virgin islands
• snorkel gear (renting is roughly $7 a day)
• cash and/or traveler’s checks (there are only 2 banks and 1 ATM on the island).

Right after we got engaged, we had lots of decisions to make. One of the tougher ones being who we would choose to stand up for us and be in our wedding party. Because we have so many individuals we love in our lives, we simply couldn’t choose just two. So, we decided to have everyone in attendance act as our witnesses and participate equally. However, we thought the younger, special people in our lives - Sam, Meg and Kate (Jon’s nephew and nieces) and Jaime (the child of two of Joanne’s oldest and dearest friends) would feel extra special if asked to play a part in our day. We hope they remember the day as much as we do and want them to know we love them very much. For more information on each of them, click below.

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There are 22 self-guided, scenic nature trails to explore throughout the island of St. John. Whether you’re a bird watcher, beach lover, avid snorkeler, turtle lover, flower enthusiast  or you  just like to walk around and enjoy nature, there is sure to be a trail to hike.  A nice post-hike idea might be to enjoy a foot soak, massage or yoga class at Caneel Bay’s Wellness Center. For more information click here.

To everyone — particularly Jennifer - who helped make my bridal shower one of the nicest of memories I will have, and cherish, forever. I feel blessed and am grateful for the people in my life who took the time to celebrate my happiness. Thanks again for such a lovely day and for being such stellar friends and family. I appreciated every single effort put forth for me. For bridal shower pics, follow the link below:

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St. John, which once belonged to the Dutch, was a major rum making and sugar making destination. At the north end of the St. John island national park sits the Annaberg Plantation, an 18th century sugar farm worked by Danes, Dutchmen, and Africans. Another 18th century sugar plantation, the Catherineberg Ruins, makes for an interesting stop considering it was once the headquarters of a St. John Island slave revolt organized by a displaced tribe of warriors.

A nod this week to the US Open currently underway in Flushing. Work on your backhand as well as your tan. The origin of tennis, a game favored by English, French, Chinese, Americans-- well, just about anyone with a penchant for smacking a ball over a net to his or her competitor- is a matter of dispute. Some believe it started in "Tinnis" a small Egyptian town along the Nile, while others credit 11th or 12th century monks in France. Whatever its history, both Caneel Bay and the Westin sport courts non-guests may use as well. Price ranges vary and call one day in advance to reserve space.

We thought it might be nice to fill in those who don’t know how we first met. It was technically at Markt Restaurant in NY, August 1999.  It was a Thursday night-- girls night out that was semi-crashed by boys. We both planned on riding a train together from NY to Newport to visit separate, but ironically mutual, friends that upcoming weekend. The train back to New York broke down for hours. During that weekend, we got to know each other very well by the end of the trip. One date slowly turned into another. Many dates and train rides later, we both look forward to a very important date November 20, 2004.  Much like that day on the broken train, it will be the start of the rest of our lives.

We are planning a day trip to the British Virgin Island of Jost Van Dyke on Wednesday, November 18. One of our favorite places, Foxy’s Bar, where we enjoyed New Year’s Eve on our annual BVI sailing vacation, is our destination. A passport will be needed to make the trip from the US Virgin Islands to the British Virgin Islands, so please be prepared for that. We are planning to personally charter a ferry which will leave late morning and return in the evening. To help us with a head count, if you know you will want to attend the day-long trip which promises to be great fun and a chance to see another island, please Click here.

Foods common to the Virgin Islands today are a result of interactions between the indigenous Indians and Europeans during the early years of exploration in the Caribbean region. Also, Europeans and Africans, during years of colonization and through interactions between immigrants from neighboring islands, played an enormous role in the recipes and culinary techniques of the islands in more recent times. The resulting cuisine includes the diverse usage of fish, local fruits and vegetables and spices. We hope you enjoy this modern-day recipe making use of the traditional local ingredients of St. John. Bon Appetit! More ...

Unfortunately, because St. John is so small and exclusive (one of the key reasons we chose this paradise setting for our wedding ceremony) they do not boast a golf course. They do, luckily have a ferry that leaves every hour on the hour to St. Thomas, which does. Only a hop, skip and a swing away, 19th hole enthusiasts can golf at Mahogany Run Golf Course which is a lovely 6,022 yard, par 70 championship course in the valley overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.

Get psyched for what is sure to be one of our favorite nightime, daytime, anytime watering holes. Complete with souvenier monkey, parrot, and tiki glasses, as well as fun food and evening events, Duffy’s Love Shack is sure to provide endless hours of laughter, entertainment and dollar hotdogs for everyone. We are planning on making this our destination of choice following “the big night” which, due to National Park restrictions, needs to end earlier than we think any of us will want it to end!!!

A sad entry regarding Laurence Rockefeller, who in 1956 turned over property his family owned to create the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John as well as Caneel Bay, has died at 94. He will, we are sure, be missed, but not forgotten. More ...

If one water sport is king on St. John it’s snorkeling. Most beginners go to the underwater trail at Trunk Bay, which is hundreds of miles long. The National Park Center, as well as Caneel Bay, also offer round-island tours, which last the better part of an entire day, but will take one to three or four location that aren’t reachable by foot. Another favored spot is Flanagan's Cay off the Southeastern coast and features impressive 12-foot coral heads.

This is the only Jonathan and Joanne wedding blog. Don't be confused by Matt & Meg (cached) who help themselves to the design and code of this site-- lock, stock and barrel! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

The big day is fast approaching! For those of you who have not RSVP'd yet, please keep in mind they should be sent by this Thursday. Here you can find names, numbers and rates of accommodations to assist with the decision making process.

Joanne is in New York and is meeting with Rosewood Hotels (Caneel Bay's management) regarding our block of rooms. We should have the block officially setup in next few days. Our apologies for any inconveniences this may have caused our guests. We'll let you know as soon as everything is set.

We've had a little confusion-- and Caneel Bay & Rosewood Hotels have not yet set up our discounted block of rooms. If you're planning on calling and reserving a room at Caneel Bay, please hold off and give them a call after 5/25. You may need to submit a form to receive the discount. If that's the case, the form will be available for download here.

Without a doubt, St. John's alluring natural charms get star billing at Caneel Bay. Frigate birds, as angular as pterodactyls, soar over no fewer than seven stunningly pristine on-site strands, from vest-pocket hideaways like Paradise Beach, which you can have all to yourself, to Caneel Beach, shaded by coconut palms and sea grapes sprawled out in front of the resort's main lobby. Some 170 manicured acres are cordoned off from the rest of the island—and the rest of the world, it seems—by a trio of 800-foot-high forested ridges. Philanthropist and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller founded Caneel Bay in the fifties, and the place still feels like a summer camp for blue bloods. There's no shortage of diversions—day trips to the British Virgins, guided shoreline hikes, couples yoga at the resort's Self Centre. But most of the clientele seem to be seeking stillness and seclusion rather than pampering. Rooms contain no phones, TVs, radios, or even alarm clocks. Management, for its part, tries mightily to preserve an old, traditional sense of decorum: Collars for gents, please, even on the tennis courts, and evening resort wear for ladies. Expect to see plenty of newlyweds, espadrille-shod martini sippers, and the occasional jackass: Wild donkeys sometimes roam past just in time for cocktails.