Gay couple’s destination wedding on Necker raises eyebrows – BVI News Online

Vogue Magazine recently published this photo of a same-sex wedding that happened on Necker Island in the BVI.

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.