Behind the Lens w/ Cassandra Rox
Cassandra has been the Photography Director for Rox Beach Weddings since 2006.
She also loves animals and enjoys nature & wildlife photography. Some of her favorite photo experiences are Safari in Botswana, a Rhino walk in Zambia, Christmas in Bora Bora, the Giant’s Causeway at dusk, and helicopter tours of Kauai & the Grand Canyon.
Cassandra was born in England and worked on cruise ships for six years in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Pacific. She’s lived in the UK, Australia, Greece, and the U.S. and has been blessed to visit 80 countries.
Here are some of her most memorable photo shoots:
Intercontinental Resort, Moorea
Moorea’s Intercontinental Resort is magical. Thatched bungalows lie atop a gorgeous lagoon that doubles as a sanctuary for sea turtles. Years ago the resort partnered with Te mana o te Moana to aid in the rescue and rehabilitation of endangered Polynesian sea turtles. The dedication to conservation found on this beautiful island was the inspiration for our Beach Bride Sea Turtle Rescue project. The clear waters are ideal for snorkeling and scuba and guests have an opportunity to interact with both turtles and dolphins. This is the perfect destination for eco-friendly brides seeking a sustainable wedding ceremony.
Tongabezi Safari Lodge, Zambia
Tongabezi is one of the most spectacular all-inclusive resorts in Africa. Located a few kilometers above Victoria Falls, this unique safari lodge offers scintillating views of the Zambezi River. You can spot hippos from your balcony and cheeky monkeys roam the grounds. All rooms include a personal butler and guests can enjoy a romantic sampan dinner on the river. Weddings can be at the resort or on an island in the river. Post ceremony pictures are available at Victoria Falls and adventurous brides can have photos taken in the Falls at the Devil’s Pool. Guided canoe tours and the Rhino Walk Safari are unforgettable experiences.
St. Ives Escape & Scenic Train
Home to the best beaches in the UK, St. Ives combines the pinnacle of luxury with a laid back surfer vibe. The scenic Bay Line Train has one of the prettiest coastal routes in Europe! Founded by a colony of artists, this gorgeous resort mixes seaside charm with some of the best museums in England. Traditional fishing boats provide a bounty of delicious seafood to the excellent restaurants, five-star hotels, and resorts. The Porthminster and Carbis Bay beaches have won blue flag awards and are brilliant for wedding ceremonies. Elopers and honeymooners can enjoy the best sea views in Britain from the spacious deck of the Zareba Beach House.
Las Vegas & Grand Canyon
The Las Vegas strip has more wedding options for elopers than other destinations on earth. Brides can get married at the Eiffel Tower, on a Venetian Gondola or a pirate ship. Elvis impersonating officiants are plentiful and drive-thru options are available for couples on the go. Our favorite is the Grand Canyon Wedding by Helicopter package. Transport by limo from your hotel to the nearby airfield and soar over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam on your way to the Canyon. Exchange nuptials at sunset and celebrate with a champagne toast on the rim overlooking the Grand Canyon. The flight home takes you over the bright lights of the Vegas strip!
The Halekulani, Waikiki Beach
Aloha Brides! The Halekulani Hotel is the pearl of Waikiki Beach. The silhouette of Diamond Head volcano is the most iconic backdrop for wedding photographers on the island of Oahu. Hawaii is famous for beach weddings and surfing. You can experience both at the Halekulani. Taking your Bridal Party to the Ty Gurney Surf School for lessons would be an epic pre-rehearsal dinner adventure! La Mer is a diamond award-winning French restaurant. House without a key offers al fresco dining with views of Diamond Head. Gorgeous outdoor ceremonies are available at the Garden Courtyard and on the immaculate Kawahewehe Lawn.
Grand Floridian, Disney World
What bride wouldn’t want to get married in the happiest place on Earth? Disney World has several spectacular resorts for weddings. The Polynesian Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge are enchanting, but the prettiest vista may be the wedding arch at the Grand Floridian. This photogenic spot is nestled into a garden grove on the path leading from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian. The Grand Floridian Ballroom can accommodate as few as twenty guests or as many as eight hundred. There is a spa on-site and guests have monorail access to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Imagine a rehearsal dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table!
St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora
You may recognize this resort from the 2009 romantic comedy Couple’s Retreat. With sweeping views of Mount Otemanu, this French Polynesian paradise is the best destination for weddings in Bora Bora. The St. Regis private yacht greets the bridal party with a champagne toast and escorts them to overwater bungalows. Portions of the floor are glass so you can see fish swimming in the lagoon below. Each bungalow has a dedicated butler. Nicole Kidman & Alyssa Milano both Honeymooned in The Royal estate. There’s a Bridal Boutique and full-time wedding planner on-site. Guests can enjoy stand up paddleboard, beach yoga, and a swim-up bar. Lagoon Restaurant is heavenly!
Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Panama
Tucked away in the rainforests of Panama is a hidden destination wedding gem. The Gamboa Rainforest Resort. A brilliant spot to get in touch with nature, guests can enjoy Panama Canal kayaking, tram rides through the rainforest canopy and Chagres River night safaris. Ecolodge rooms enjoy views of the river, the surrounding jungle, and an inviting swim-up pool bar. The Grand Ballroom can hold up to 400 guests and the open-air gardens and terrace are idyllic for beautiful wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours. El Corotu serves fresh-caught Ceviche and local seafood delicacies. The Monkey Bar is a brilliant spot for guests to relax and sip cocktails at sunset.
Atlantis, Paradise Island
Atlantis is the most famous destination wedding resort in the Caribbean. With nearly 3,000 rooms, it’s iconic towers dominate the Bahamian skyline of Paradise Island. Home to luxury shops, a fabulous casino, an incredible indoor aquarium, and a ballroom that seats 4,000 guests, the outdoor amenities are what put this architectural marvel over the top. A tropical lagoon winds its way through the resort and guests can interact with dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, and sharks. The Aquaventure water park features thrilling water slides, white water rapids, and a lazy river. Take your bridal party down the 60 foot Leap of Faith shark slide before getting pampered with your bridesmaids at Mandara Spa!
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Celebrate your nuptials like royalty at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland! This 800-year-old castle overlooking epitomizes the royal wedding experience. If your groom is Scottish, you can deck him out in an Outlander style marriage kilt. There are four ornately decorated banquet and reception rooms and the perched estate has stunning views of the city and sea. Brides staying at the Waldorf Astoria Caledonian can request a castle view room (pictured above). The Pompadour boasts the freshest salmon and haggis in Edinburgh. For an unforgettable experience, treat your wedding party to the Scotch Whiskey Experience a day or two before the ceremony.
Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego
“The Del” is one of California’s most recognized venues for wedding receptions. Located on Sand Diego’s Coronado Island, rooms feature sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and gorgeous beach. A hub for surfers and cyclists, the Del is the second largest wooden venue in the U.S. and has been hosting A list brides since 1888. It was featured in the 1959 Marilyn Monroe classic Some Like it Hot. Ceremonies on the Windsor Lawn and are fabulous and the Del Coronado has 10 different marriage venues to choose from. The San Diego Zoo is marvelous and a fun spot to unwind with your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Finish the day toasting Smore’s over the Del’s oceanfront fire pit!
Intercontinental Resort Tahiti
This luxurious south pacific retreat showcases and embraces its distinct Polynesian culture. Amenities include an infinite pool bar, snorkeling lagoon, complimentary paddle boats, and swinging hammocks. Le Lotus restaurant serves some of the tastiest French cuisines in the South Pacific. Theme night luau features tribal warriors from the Marquesas Islands and a Tahitian dance show. Brides can unwind at the Deep Nature Spa before tying the knot on a private beach or lagoon. The onsite wedding staff can create custom flower crowns and leis for your nuptials. A bungalow suite over the water is the perfect romantic retreat for a destination wedding in Tahiti!
The Zambezi Queen, Botswana
Imagine topping off your wedding with an African Safari Cruise! The Zambezi Queen is a luxury riverboat that sails the Chobe River separating Botswana & Namibia. There are only 14 cabins and a maximum of 28 passengers. The eco-friendly vessel uses 100% sustainable energy sources and there is not tv or internet. Cruisers wake up with the sun to the sounds of nature. Smaller boats escort guests for morning and evening safaris along the shoreline. You’ll see elephants, hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, giraffes, buffalo and lions. Onboard, guests are treated to sumptuous native cuisine with superb service. After dinner, guests can unwind with complimentary cocktails and a jacuzzi hot tub under the African stars.
Giant’s Causeway & Game of Thrones
Up for a fantasy-themed Honeymoon? The Causeway Coast is ripe for adventurous non-traditional postnuptial holidays. The crown jewel of Northern Ireland’s stunning coastline, walking the Giant’s Causeway at sunset is a surreal experience. The charming Causeway Hotel sits atop this Unesco World Heritage site and offers fresh-caught seafood with Irish Whiskey from the nearby Bushmills Distillery. Game of Thrones filmed extensively in this region. Personalized tours provide authentic costumes and guides will take pictures of you at iconic backdrops from the show. Winterfell Castle tours give guests the opportunity to learn falconry, perform archery and meet the real family of Dire Wolves cast in Game of Thrones!
Napali Coast & Kauai by Helicopter
Kauai is considered to be the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands. The Napali Coast is the most photographed natural treasure on the island and is best seen from the sky. Blue Hawaiian helicopter tours provide dramatic aerial views of this gorgeous coastline and its 3,000 foot high cliffs perched over the sea. You’ll also soar over Waimea Canyon, regarded as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. This lush valley is home to tropical rivers and majestic waterfalls that cascade gently from the mountain tops. Kauai’s Wailua Falls produced stunning rainbows and were featured in the opening credits of the Fantasy Island series filmed in Hawaii in the 1980s. It’s a magical venue for unique destination weddings and brides seeking an exotic island honeymoon.
Maho Beach, Sint Maarten
The island of Saint Martin is a rarity among the Caribbean islands because it has two distinct sides and cultures. The French side is St. Martin. The Dutch side is Sint Maarten. English is widely spoken on the Sint Maarten side and this Dutch wonderland tends to be more popular for weddings, honeymoons, and cruises. One unique destination that brides should consider is Maho Beach. It’s one of the only beaches on the planet where planes fly directly over your head to the adjacent airport. Is it loud? Of course, but it’s one of the best selfie spots in the Caribbean. Couples pose as the planes fly over and if timed perfectly it looks like you’re touching the plane. You can watch the planes in style from The Morgan Resort or get a bit wild at the Sunset Beach Bar.
