Travel agent Jake Goodenough renewed his wedding vows at Sandals’ Curaçao resort – with a free stay thanks to Sell & Go nights he earned by booking holidays for clients to Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
Goodenough, owner of The Destination Lounge, and his husband Mark Battle, a consultant geriatrician, stayed in a Carisia Club Level Oceanview room at the Sandals Royal Curaçao for seven nights.
They married close to home in June 2023 in Penzance, Cornwall, as it was easier for family and friends than a “destination wedding”.
“The travel agent bit of my brain had always wanted to have a destination wedding, so this seemed like a good compromise,” he said.
“I sell a lot of holidays to Sandals and Beaches resorts, and I’ve been lucky enough to visit quite a few on my own Sell & Go Holidays and have always had a brilliant time.
“Curaçao is one the Caribbean islands that allows symbolic or vow renewal ceremonies for same-sex couples.
“The whole island has a very welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ+ couples and this is reflected in the types of guests staying at Sandals Royal Curaçao. We’ve also never been to the destination before and we like exploring new places.”
Sandals’ agency sales team in the UK booked the couple’s Sell & Go room nights, with Maureen Turkington in the UK weddings team arranging their Re-Tie the Knot ceremony.
“Maureen was a joy. Nothing was too much of a challenge. We didn’t have the need for anything complicated but got the impression that pretty much anything we had asked for would have been accommodated,” said Goodenough.
“Throughout our stay, we were expertly looked after by Shameisha Thomas, who is the most amazing wedding planner.
“From the first greeting to her involvement on the day of the renewal, she was fabulous.
“She took care of things I wouldn’t have even thought of and made our ceremony appear effortless.
“Shameisha is a complete credit to Sandals and her effervescence, professionalism and general joie de vivre really elevated our stay.”
Goodenough is one of the Chairman’s Royal Club Travel Agents because he sells more than 100 rooms per calendar year.
He added: “Travel agents can start earning Sell & Go nights after just one booking, as long as it’s for six nights or more.”
Highlights of their week’s stay included eating at Gatsu Gatsu, the resort’s sushi restaurant, and exploring the capital city, Willemstad, on the e-biking Island Routes tour.
“I’d definitely recommend leaving the resort and seeing some of the island. It’s a quirky alternative to other Caribbean destinations and it’s full of cultural gems and arty places,” added Goodenough.
As well as Sandals, his agency in Devon sells a wide range of holidays, including Indian Ocean trips, cruises and ski breaks.
Maureen Turkington, weddings supervisor at Unique Vacations UK Ltd, an affiliate of the worldwide sales and marketing representative for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, said: “We have noticed a real trend for destination weddings, including smaller elopements and vow renewals – or ‘Re-Tie the Knot’ ceremonies – at our Caribbean resorts this year.
“This is likely attributed to several factors, for example, the rising cost of having a wedding at home, combined with the poor weather we have had in the UK this year.
“These elements are likely driving people to choose an overseas location for their big day, particularly when they discover the excellent added-value of an all-inclusive resort, which has the added benefit of a stunning location backdrop and the services of an expert wedding planning team on hand to help.
“The Eastern Caribbean islands of Barbados and Saint Lucia are typically some of the most popular locations for intimate destination weddings and vow renewals; however, Saint Vincent is quickly catching up, following the opening of Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines in March.
“Jamaica is also a popular location with British couples and we have seven adults-only Sandals Resorts and two family-friendly Beaches resorts on the island to choose from, all of which offer something unique.”
She added: “Wedding couples who book to stay for five nights or more in any room category at any Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, or at any Beaches Resort in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, will receive a complimentary Sweetheart Wedding package for up to 10 guests, including a wedding planning team, a picturesque ceremony location, a private one-hour cocktail reception, a honeymoon package including a romantic turndown with rose petals, champagne and breakfast in bed, and more.
“Couples can also opt to renew their vows with the new ‘Fall in Love Again at Beaches’ offer, which includes a complimentary Re-Tie The Knot Package on stays of five nights or longer at Beaches Turks & Caicos, Beaches Negril or Beaches Ocho Rios.
“This occasion includes up to 10 guests with all the excitement of a Beaches celebration.
“Both of these offers are valid for travel between October 1 and December 26, 2026, and are valid for new bookings made by November 15.”
Main picture, from left: Jake Goodenough, wedding planner Shameisha Thomas and Mark Battle at Sandals’ Curaçao resort.