The Best Outcome Possible: How a Hurricane Led Kaycee and Brinson to Sandals Royal Curaçao
When the Plan Changed: Kaycee and Brinson’s Destination Wedding and the Storm That Couldn’t Stop It
Every couple who plans a destination wedding quietly wonders the same thing: what happens if something goes wrong? Kaycee and Brinson found out. Weeks before their wedding, a Category 5 hurricane tore through Jamaica and damaged the resort where they were set to marry.
This is the story of how a clear destination wedding hurricane plan turned one of the most stressful moments of their engagement into what they now call arguably the best outcome possible. They married at Sandals Royal Curaçao on March 8, 2026, surrounded by more than fifty of the people they love most. Here is how we got there.
Why Kaycee and Brinson Chose a Destination Wedding
Kaycee and Brinson did not arrive at a destination wedding by accident. They thought it through, and their reasoning is something so many of my couples will recognize.
- Their families already lived apart, so travel was going to be part of the day no matter where they married.
- A wedding close to home would still mean travel costs and planning, without the payoff of an actual experience.
- Friends of theirs had done destination weddings in the past and could not stop raving about it.
In their words, they would “rather spend three or four days with our closest friends and family and get more of an experience, rather than a rushed four hours at best.” That is the heart of it. A destination wedding is not just a ceremony. It is a few unhurried days with your people, in a place you will remember forever.
The Hurricane That Changed Everything
Here is where their story takes a turn that none of us saw coming.
Kaycee and Brinson originally booked Sandals Dunn’s River in Jamaica for a November 2025 wedding. Then Hurricane Melissa happened. On October 28, 2025, Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, the strongest hurricane on record to ever strike the island. It damaged their resort just weeks before their wedding date.
I want to be honest and tender about this part. Melissa was devastating for Jamaica, an island I love with my whole heart and one I send my deepest care to as it continues to recover. In the middle of something so much bigger than any one celebration, my job was simple: take care of the people right in front of me, and the more than fifty guests counting on them.
So I went to work. As Kaycee and Brinson put it, “You could imagine our uncertainty and stress levels when the hurricane hit our venue just weeks before our wedding.” I called every department at Sandals, waited on hold for hours, and did not stop until we had a real alternative in place. Not just for the two of them, but for every single guest who had a trip booked. I kept them informed at every step, because the worst thing you can do to a couple in that moment is leave them wondering.
This is the entire reason a specialist matters. When something goes sideways, you do not want to be the one on hold at midnight trying to reach a resort that has just been through a disaster. You want someone who already has the relationships, already knows the system, and already has a plan.
Why Sandals Royal Curaçao Was the Best Outcome Possible
When we pivoted, we did not settle. We upgraded.
Curaçao sits in the southern Caribbean, below the hurricane belt, which means it is very rarely touched by the storms that affect islands farther north. For a couple who had just lived through a hurricane scare, that peace of mind was everything. And Sandals Royal Curaçao is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful resorts in the Caribbean.
Their ceremony and reception were held beachfront at Dos Awa, the resort’s signature spot. Dos Awa means “two waters,” named for the place where two infinity pools meet at the edge of the sea. I could not have written a more fitting setting for what happened next, because their most meaningful moment had everything to do with two becoming one.
Kaycee and Brinson said it best. The new plan was “not originally planned, but we were quickly blessed with arguably the best outcome possible.”
The Wedding Day at Dos Awa
When I asked them about their most memorable moment, their answer was immediate. It was “seeing both families and friends, from both sides, come together as one for the first time.”
Sit with that for a second. Two families, two waters, one new family standing on the sand at Dos Awa. Their photographer, Kaitlyn Blake, captured a day that almost did not happen in a place that turned out to be exactly right. There is a kind of magic in that, the sense that the storm rerouted them straight to where they were always meant to be.
What Kaycee and Brinson Want Other Couples to Know
asked them what advice they would give to couples considering a destination wedding. Their answer was short and certain:
- Just do it. It will be so worth it in the end.
- Get in touch early so you and your guests have plenty of time to plan.
Kaycee's Experience Working with Sunlover Travel:
“Oh my, where do we begin?! Our friends had used Kerri previously and spoke very highly of her. From the very beginning, she was nothing short of amazing. Communication was always easy and her experience provided extremely valuable insight. She was always intentional when it came to narrowing down our wants and needs (destination, budget, etc).
You could imagine our uncertainty and stress levels when Hurricane Melissa hit our venue just weeks before our wedding. Kerri immediately jumped into action! She called every department from Sandals, waited on hold for hours, and didn’t stop until we had an alternative gameplan in place. Not only for us but for our 50+ guests. She kept us informed throughout this stressful time and wencould not imagine doing it without her!
No matter the question, the time of day, or who/which guest was asking it, Kerri was always quick to respond with a thoughtful answer and clear next steps! Kerri went above and beyond her “job title”. Of course she booked the travel accommodations for us and our guests, but in the end she did much, much more than that. If there was anything that she physically couldn’t handle, she got in touch with someone she knew that could get a solution in place.
Looking back, Kerri took the weight and stress off our shoulders and took it upon herself to ensure the experience was nothing short of perfect, from start to finish! After the experience we’ve had using Kerri, we would never think about planning another trip without her!”
What Would She Do Differently?
There is nothing that honestly comes to mind!
Why You Need a Specialist Who Already Has a Plan
Kaycee and Brinson’s wedding is the clearest example I can give you of why this work matters.
A destination wedding should feel like a deep breath, not a second job. And when the unexpected happens, and sometimes it does, you need someone in your corner who has been there before and knows exactly what to do. That is the difference between a few sleepless weeks and a day you describe as the best outcome possible.
My planning services are complimentary, and I would be honored to be that person for you. Whether you are dreaming of the Caribbean, Mexico, the Maldives, Fiji, or somewhere you have not even named yet, the best place to begin is a simple conversation. Reach out, and let’s start dreaming together.
Frequently Asked Questions: Destination Weddings
What happens if a hurricane affects my destination wedding resort?
If a storm damages your resort, the right move is to pivot quickly to a comparable or better property, ideally within the same brand so your deposits and packages carry over. When Hurricane Melissa damaged a couple’s Sandals resort in Jamaica weeks before their wedding, we relocated them and all fifty-plus guests to Sandals Royal Curaçao without losing their plans. Working with a specialist who has direct resort relationships is what makes a fast, smooth pivot possible.
Can I move my Sandals wedding to a different resort if mine is damaged or unavailable?
Yes. Because Sandals operates many resorts across the Caribbean, a wedding can often be moved within the brand when one property is affected, which helps protect your booking and your guests’ reservations. The process is far easier when an experienced Sandals advisor coordinates the change for you and your entire group.
How far in advance should I book a destination wedding?
The earlier the better, ideally nine to twelve months out or more for larger groups. Booking early gives you the best room availability, the most date and venue flexibility, and plenty of time for your guests to plan and budget. It also builds in breathing room if anything unexpected comes up.
Is it risky to plan a destination wedding during hurricane season?
Atlantic hurricane season runs roughly June through November, but that does not mean those months are off limits. Many southern Caribbean islands, such as Curaçao, sit below the hurricane belt and are rarely affected. A knowledgeable advisor can guide you toward lower-risk destinations and dates, and help you put smart protections in place.
Do I really need a travel advisor for a destination wedding?
A destination wedding involves a resort, a wedding team, travel logistics, and a group of guests all moving together, which is a lot to manage on your own. A specialist coordinates every piece, advocates for you when something goes wrong, and saves you countless hours. When a crisis hits, having someone who already knows the system and the people is invaluable.
How much does it cost to work with a destination wedding travel advisor?
At Sunlover Travel, planning services are complimentary. You get expert guidance, resort relationships, and full coordination for you and your guests at no added planning cost, which is one of the reasons working with a specialist is such an easy decision.
Photography by Kaitlyn Blake
About the Author
Kerri Logan Shirk, known to her couples as Caribbean Kerri, is the owner of Sunlover Travel and an award-winning specialist in destination weddings, honeymoons, and luxury tropical travel. A Sandals Royal Chairman Platinum Elite advisor, ranked in the top five percent of Sandals advisors worldwide, Kerri has been recognized by the Jamaica Tourist Board Top 50, the St. Lucia Tourism Authority, and named to The Knot Best of Weddings. She plans unforgettable celebrations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Bora Bora, the Maldives, and Fiji.
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Elena
June 27, 2026It’s interesting how they adapted their plans for the hurricane. Did it change anything about their ceremony?
Kerri Logan Shirk
June 27, 2026It changed everything. They moved to an entirely different resort in a different country. THe date did change giving them 4 more months to plan. But they did have to start the planning from scratch once the new location was chosen.