Gay couple’s destination wedding on Necker raises eyebrows
A debate has surged on social media in recent days over whether a gay couple was allowed to marry legally in the territory, or whether their celebrated nuptials was simply a ceremonial affair.
An article appearing in a recent issue of Vogue magazine about the same-sex wedding that took place in May on Necker Island has raised questions over its legality.
The couple — identified as Wesley Vultaggio and Michael McCarty — was married before a small group of friends and family on the Sir Richard Branson-owned private island.
Vultaggio is the Chief Creative Officer and co-owner of the popular US-based iced tea company, Arizona Beverages, while his partner McCarty works in biotechnology.
The article offered praise for the pair’s fashion and wedding décor choices but also pointed to the tremendous effort involved in making the destination wedding a reality.
The couple reportedly sent three containers’ worth of décor to the BVI to pull off the affair which included several beach parties, the wedding ceremony and an after-party.
The wedding, according to Vogue magazine, was a four-day affair that involved numerous celebratory events, food, and music.
How they chose Necker
The couple reportedly wanted an intimate destination wedding near the beach, and after much research, decided to choose Sir Richard’s private islands Necker and Moskito in the Virgin Islands.
The year before that, Wesley reportedly booked a 40th birthday trip to Moskito Island, but because of COVID, had to cancel — so the location was already on the couple’s radar.
“We did a deep dive on islands around the world, from Brando Island in Tahiti to Capri in the Amalfi Coast, but were always pulled towards Necker,” Michael told Vogue.
He added: “We had a couple of conversations with them and the best dates they could offer us were November 2023, which was too far off for us. Three days later, they called and said they had a cancellation in May, and did we want it? Obviously, the answer was a resounding ‘Yes!’”
Their vision for the wedding, the couple said, was to have an un-produced yet tastefully decadent weekend with their closest friends and family – much like the ultimate tropical vacation that also happens to be a wedding.
The wedding reportedly featured local bands and a gospel choir and it was reported that the couple’s two friends – Elena Scott and Todd Hawkins – officiated the ceremony.
“Our wedding was the wedding of the century,” Michael told Vogue. “I thought I would want to go back and do it all again, but it was so perfect, and Wes and I had the time of our lives. It was the best kick-off to our lives together.”
Same-sex marriage — which is currently illegal in the BVI — has been a notoriously controversial topic in the territory but the issue has seen a resurgence of late after a UK Peer recently introduced a bill in the House of Lords to legalise same sex marriage for all Caribbean British overseas territories.
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If you are really worried about who other people chose to love you have your priorities all wrong.
These people love each other, good for them.
I hope they are and forever will remain happy!
Love conquers everything!
To each his own. Simply mind your business. And please don’t be hypocrites, many of you in the BVI have a gay family member. Who are you to pass judgement on anyone. More than likely, they were married somewhere else and kept the reception on Necker Island. Mind your business people. FYI, the BVI IS FILLED WITH GAY PEOPLE AND THERE IS NOTHING ANYONE CAN DO ABOUT THAT. LEAVE PEOPLE THE HELL ALONE.
Which gospel choir?? Did the Registrar General know about this? Why can’t these media houses do proper journalism!!! How could the wedding be here and same sex marriage is not legal….where was the marriage licence issued from? Could a marriage licence be issued in another country and the weddding/nuptials performed here and be legal or recognised in that foreign country??? This is NOT journalism… please this is a laziness.
Do you respect BVI laws? Marijuana and Cocaine are legal in some parts of the world but still illegal in the BVI…so your foreign guests want to come down on your island and smoke marijuana and cocaine on your island and you will do that too?? RESPECT BVI LAWS PLEASE and just turn in your belonger status and go back to your country.
That is the man’s private Island. Let me put a little bug in your ear, you have a lot of nerve talking about guests coming down to his Island to smoke weed and snort cane. Basically the majority of people in the BVI sniff cane, smoke weed and pop pills. Another thing, stop asking around who the local musicians were, it is none of your DAMN!!!!!! BUSINESS!!!!!!.
Why is this anyone’s business except the lovely couple’s? Don’t we have bigger issues worth squawking about?
You all need to sip on your bush tea and mind your d**n business. I am going to keep S**T real, who want to get mad, oh well!!!!. you will get over it or just marinate on it.Some of these in denial married folks husbands is out here plugging other men and then going home and plugging their wives, some of you married women is plugging other women and then going home and acting like everything is all good.
They got married officially somewhere else. It was just ceremonial. Some people have too much time on their hands to gossip unkindly. It was a private affair (as in your own home) and no ones business. I am sure no one from BVI was even invited.
If it were just who they chose to love that would be different…but they want all…they want everyone to accept and promote and participate in what the Bible says is sin..they wany to teach your kids about their sexuality…they want bakers to bake case saying “support gay marriage” or ‘support LGBTq agenda’…why force me to accept something that the God I believe in says is wrong and that will lead to eternal damnation?
Jesus had two fathers; hung around with twelve men; had no children; and never married a woman.
Go figure.
Also: Read about David and Jonathon in the Book of Samuel.
Look who you expose yourself…what a shame…thanks.
Why were these queers allowed to break our laws and get away with it?
Your former premier is a narco kingpin and you feel like you are morally superior? Shall we give some more examples of the morally corrupt BVI? Let these people get married you filthy fake church leaders – sit down and shut up
The Bible also said that slavery is OK, so let’s get past the reliance on a man-written book and focus on what Christ taught, which is God is love and mankind is imperfect. So, you can keep your opinions to your imperfect self and let others follow their own views, which do not harm anyone.
This statement is ridiculous in this article. You’ve expressed bias by writing the above line as:
‘The couple — identified as’.
They have not committed a crime.
Instead say something along the lines of ‘The couple,’ and then give their names.
Obviously it was ceremonial if it’s illegal in BVI where would they get their licenses from!?? Y’all clearly have no news to report to make this a big deal… is it because y’all weren’t invited!!? Strupesss
LOL.
No local maubee nor cane rum was being served.
May the married couple have a happy and long life together. To the haters and homophobes: Which part of these words do you not comprehend? Mind your business.
Who amongst us have not sinned yet here casting stones?
I just read this article and for me the fact that this marriage/ceremony occurred on Necker Island does not phase me in any way. It is what it is. Its not my life.
There will come a day when same sex marriage will become legal in the BVI. Its just a matter of time. Keep your eyes on the courts.
This is not a matter for various persons or religious groups to accept, its much larger that those persons/groups.
The courts will rule one day on whats a legal marriage is in the BVI.
Now, Ive said this before on here. I personally do not believe in marriage period. But my belief is only unique to me. I don’t go around hating on people who are married or get married. Marriage like having kids is not for everyone.
This life we live is very short. If we were to count our lives in terms of a hundred dollar bill, the majority of us would not live long enough to account for that 100 dollar bill.
As such I think everyone should live their best life be it single, married in a straight or gay one or whatever other relationship you choose to enter. If you choose to marry regardless of sex, I say have a great life. Just live your darn life. To hell with the haters.
Bottom line: Its not your life. It does not harm you. Mind your business. The world could be a better place if fellow humans were more tolerant and loving of each other rather that being judgmental and hypocritical.
It’s a crime (judging by the law of the land in which they stand).
is in Australia. Mosquito island is in the BVI and named after the stinging insects that infest this island.
Up yours and F whoever you are and from where you originated.I am not gay and I would prefer to hang out with gay people rather than you dumb slow a** people.
We locals don’t even respect BVI laws. Remember that premier that is in jail?
Focus on what Christ taught? That Christ you speak off does not apply to people who don’t care about Christ.
Keep your Christ to yourself.
Whoever is Gay in the BVI, LIVE YOUR LIFE AND BE HAPPY. DON’T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO WHAT THESE CLOSED MINDED, SLOW IGNORANT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY OR THINK ABOUT YOU. THEY NEED TO STOP BEING ASHAMED OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT IS GAY. AND TRUST MEEEEE, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE LIVING ON THIS ISLAND HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER THAT IS GAY.
how many pastor here in the Vi preaching every sunday just for money, i wonder if one year the vi government say no one pay tithis or offering for one year how much of those pastor will show up every sunday, love is love i just dont’t see what is the problem two person who love each other they chose necker island for an place to get married, i wonder if they had choose an place in tortola would it still be an problem
You call that love they are sick and need help
@3rd generation Bvislander, so tell me Sir/Madam, how many laws have you broken and is still breaking. This place is known for people making their own rules and feeling entitled and the famous words is I BAWNNNN AKA BORN HAYYYY AKA HERE. No wonder they call most people here bush people.
@Gwad, exactly, there is so many other pressing issues that has to be addressed and taken care of. Here worrying about a same sex married couple having their reception on Necker Island. This is why I stay as low as possible living here among the snakes in the grass people.
How is our 3rd pillar tourism when we keep shooting ourselves in the foot every time a tourist has a good time here?
You already killed the charter boat industry by sending it to the USVI. Now you want to stop gay people from coming here!?
Please UK, save us from ourselves!
This Bible thumping stuff is going to sink the economy. I do not think this is the way 50% of the people think (certainly not the way they act).
Stop judging everyone all the time. If we want tourism we need to be more open (maybe be a little more like Jesus and love EVERYONE)
I’m afraid you are wrong. The correct spelling is “Moskito”. If you don’t believe me, check with GIS.
Mehson let those men enjoy each other taking and giving.
A set a ayo out there bulling also. WTF
@LMAO, truth. I know of one married man that is undercover, well so he think. Funny thing, the wife is out here with her nose in the air like she is better than others. When I see her I just smile. Girllllll, if you only knew.
They need to stay far from weeee because we Inna what they Inna pu$$y and wa buddy have to be Inna forever……
Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh(R) cannot please God.
“Basically the majority of people in the BVI sniff cane, smoke weed and pop pills.”
No way.
They smoke weed yes but nope no sniffing cane or popping pills for the majority of caribbean peoples BVI included, and furthermore what goes on on private island needs to adhere to the law.
What you basically said is its OK for rich mostly white folk to sniff coke and pop pills and we should not ask questions about it….
You are so disrespectful to the BVI. pop YOUR pills and sniff YOUR coke but dont act all high and noble about it while insulting the rest of us.
No problem with loving each other but just because you love doesn’t make it a marriage. If you love your parents should you marry them? If you love your dog should you marry it? If you love sports can you marry your team. Not all love is the same. Keep these weirdos out of Bvi.
Whatever this was it was not a marriage.
Pure nastiness. Dutty boy and all dem supporters catch your fire. Know dis; word sound is power. With that being said. FIRE, FIRE, FIRE. HOTTA FIRE, BLOOD FIRE AND MORE FIRE. No antiman or bagga-gyal business in the B.V.I should be tolerated.
I am actually shocked by the number of people who blatantly disrespect God. I should not be but I am.
Wowwowow!!!
2 Timothy 3
New International Version
3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.(A) 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,(B) boastful, proud,(C) abusive,(D) disobedient to their parents,(E) ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous,(F) rash, conceited,(G) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness(H) but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.(I)
6 They are the kind who worm their way(J) into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.(K) 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,(L) so also these teachers oppose(M) the truth. They are men of depraved minds,(N) who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,(O) their folly will be clear to everyone.
It ILLEGAL!!!!
Most of us are faithful to our wives and don’t want no batty boys.
Keep your freaks and batties out of our country.
I love my cat. Don’t think it’s right to marry it though. An definitely don’t want to have sex with it. Gingers not my thing.