#NNPA BlackPress

Where Love Meets Magic: Beautiful Weddings Grenada Transforming the Island into the Caribbean’s Premier Wedding Paradise

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Picture this: a British couple in full wedding regalia, standing against a wooden banister in Grenada’s lush rainforest. Between them, completely unbothered and munching contentedly, sits a wild Mona monkey — one of Grenada’s most iconic creatures. The bride is actually touching the friendly primate while photographer Terel Moore captures what would become some of the most extraordinary wedding photos ever taken.

Published

5 months ago

October 11, 2025

admin

By Mell P
New York Carib News

There are moments in life when the universe conspires to create pure magic, and Wedding Specialist Khadine Francis has spent the last decade orchestrating them for local and international couples. She is Sandals Grenada’s first Wedding Manager, having trained under the illustrious resort brand. As the founder of Beautiful Weddings Grenada, she’s not just planning weddings; she’s crafting once-in-a-lifetime experiences that could only happen on this enchanting Caribbean island. Her website even says it:

All you have to do is say… ‘I do!’ We do the rest.

Picture this: a British couple in full wedding regalia, standing against a wooden banister in Grenada’s lush rainforest. Between them, completely unbothered and munching contentedly, sits a wild Mona monkey — one of Grenada’s most iconic creatures. The bride is actually touching the friendly primate while photographer Terel Moore captures what would become some of the most extraordinary wedding photos ever taken.

“There is no way to stage something like that,” Francis recalls of BWG’s second wedding in December 2014. “That was pure magic that could have only happened in Grenada, in our protected rainforest with our iconic Mona Monkeys. After that moment, I knew I wanted to recreate authentic experiences and unplanned moments that live on for all the right reasons.”

This serendipitous encounter didn’t just create unforgettable memories, it crystallized Francis’s mission to showcase Grenada as the Caribbean’s most unique wedding destination, where nature itself becomes a willing participant in love stories.

While Grenada calls itself the “Spice Isle, Francis takes this identity far beyond the obvious. Yes, couples can expect welcome gifts filled with aromatic spice packs and wedding cakes made from rich local chocolate. But it’s the unexpected touches that truly set Grenadian weddings apart.

“I’ve had couples use upcycled burlap cocoa bags as aisle runners for rustic themes,” Francis explains. “We’ve hosted ceremonies within actual spice gardens, had couples ‘dance the cocoa’ as their first dance, and I’ve even had an eccentric bride wear a burlap-accented wedding dress.”

Her preferred vendors’ creativity extends to using cut cocoa pods as serving dishes and incorporating fresh fruits, florals, and spices into décor that fills venues with intoxicating natural aromatics. One couple even chose Pure Grenada — the island’s original spiced perfume—as their signature wedding scent.

Not every wedding day unfolds like a fairy tale, but Francis has learned that Grenada’s magic often shines brightest during challenges. Her most triumphant moment came just two days after Hurricane Beryl devastated parts of the Caribbean in July 2024.

Kersee and Keron, a Guyanese couple living in Grenada, watched their wedding dreams crumble as flights were cancelled and Grenada was declared a state of emergency. Most family members couldn’t attend, including Keron’s brother who was to be his best man—particularly heartbreaking since he was going to be his closest family member in attendance.

“They were in tears and wanted to cancel,” Francis remembers. “I calmly replied, ‘Ahhh, absolutely not! Not an option! Nothing, not even Beryl, is going to deter your perfect wedding day.’”

What followed was a masterclass in resilience and community spirit. The venue owner and all vendors rallied together, refusing to let the hurricane win. When the couple’s wedding rings were stuck with the best man in Guyana, Francis suggested temporary gemstone rings that became so meaningful the couple still wears them today.

“July 3rd came, and despite the overcast skies that eventually cleared, Kersee walked down that aisle with her father. When Keron saw her, his tears flowed unashamedly. It was one of the most emotional and romantic weddings I’ve ever witnessed. Not even a hurricane could stop love that day.”

While couples might initially choose Grenada expecting significantly lower costs than home, Francis quickly educates them about what they’re really investing in—an experience impossible to replicate anywhere else in the Caribbean.

“It’s us, the people, our personalities, our willingness to go above and beyond at the drop of a hat for strangers, simply because we can and want to do the right thing,” she explains passionately. “Our untapped beauty and hidden treasures, our intentionally slower pace that forces you to be in the moment.”

Safety plays a crucial role too. Grenada holds the distinction of being rated one of the safest islands in the Caribbean—a factor that allows couples and their guests to truly relax and immerse themselves in the experience.

“We don’t just have one or two highlights,” Francis emphasizes. “It’s not just the people or the food or the natural sites or beaches or rivers—it’s all of those things and so much more.”

Francis has mastered the art of balancing couples’ Pinterest-perfect dreams with authentic Grenadian culture. She actively incorporates local musicians and vocalists, world-class artisans, and encourages couples to venture into villages for genuine cultural experiences.

Her most logistically complex triumph remains the post-hurricane wedding, but she’s also orchestrated sunrise ceremonies where couples exchange vows as dawn breaks behind them, and intimate private island celebrations on Sugar Loaf Island, where teamwork literally meant lifting the bride from the fishing boat to keep her dress dry.

Looking ahead, Francis envisions Grenada finally claiming its rightful place as the Caribbean’s premier wedding destination. Her vision includes streamlined marriage licensing processes, premier venue complexes with full accessibility, and upgraded historical sites that can properly host celebrations.

“Grenada finally gets and understands that the global wedding industry is a billion-dollar one, and it’s time we tap more aggressively into that,” she declares. “We have all the right ingredients to make the best international destination!”

For couples considering Grenada, Francis offers simple but powerful advice: “Don’t just consider—reach out, ask questions, get more information, and then make the best decision ever for you and your guests by booking us.”

In a world where destination weddings can feel manufactured or generic, Grenada offers something increasingly rare: authentic magic. Whether it’s a curious monkey joining your ceremony, sunrise vows with rainbows blessing your union, or a community that rallies to ensure your special day happens against all odds, Grenada doesn’t just host weddings—it becomes part of your love story.

Through Khadine Francis’s expertise and passion, couples aren’t just getting married in paradise—they’re becoming part of the island’s living tapestry, creating memories that could only exist in this special corner of the Caribbean where spices perfume the air and love stories unfold with their own unique Grenadian magic.

Looking for a destination for your wedding? Learn more about Beautiful Weddings Grenada at beautifulweddingsgrenada.com and contact Khadine Francis to start planning your own Spice Isle celebration and discover why Grenada is quickly becoming the Caribbean’s most sought-after wedding destination.

admin

Posts by admin

Up Next

Sandals® and Beaches® Resorts Unveil “Nature’s Vow” Inspiration, Blending Sustainability with Destination Wedding Style

Don't Miss

Peace of Mind: Road Safety Tips You Need to Know! #shorts

admin

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

6 days ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

6 days ago

February 27, 2026

admin

Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,