The first couple married at Sandals Montego Bay in 1981 made their way back to renew their vows after a health challenge proved that through sickness and in health, Love Is All You Need.

When the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart built the first Sandals Resort in Montego Bay, he allowed his imagination to guide the design. He had to, because resorts in Jamaica at that time had not yet captured much in the way of imaginations. Stewart envisioned something totally different: An all-luxury experience, where guests would open their eyes in the morning to breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.

There would be gorgeous beachside pools, lush tropical landscaping, gourmet meals served under the stars or in gourmet restaurants, and a team of employees exemplifying what Stewart appreciated so much about his Jamaican home: personal service to make all guests feel this is their home, too.

At the heart of his vision was a couple. Two people in love. They’d escape to Sandals and remember what’s important … and forget what isn’t.

In his mind, Stewart had imagined a couple just like Leonard and Barbara Barnes.

Mr. Stewart — how they would become Sandals pioneers back then, or the incredible perseverance they’d have returning nearly 40 years later.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been so long,” Barbara said when she and Leonard stood again on the beach at Sandals Montego Bay. “After all this time, it still feels like home.”

Sandals Montego Bay officially opened its doors on November 27, 1981. The dream was coming to life, with a pool near the sea, delicious meals available for guests and of course, friendly and professional service from attentive staff.

Honeymooners began to arrive in the afterglow of their marriage vows, filling the suites and making side-by-side footprints in the freshly groomed sand. Stewart thought the resort might even someday do the unthinkable: host an island wedding.

“Someday” happened by accident one month later, on December 30, after Leonard and Barbara checked into the resort. They hadn’t come to be married at Sandals. They came with the intent of tying the knot at a local courthouse in Jamaica. For that to happen, they dropped some hints around, looking for some direction from resort staff.

“I can still remember Barbara saying in her shy kind of way, ‘We aren’t quite married yet, but we would like to get married here in Jamaica,” remembers current Beaches Ocho Rios General Manager Brian Roper, who at that time worked at Sandals Montego Bay. “Our staff assumed they already had their wedding, so her comment came as a surprise to us.”

The Sandals team made a proposal of their own: Why don’t you have the wedding here? Leonard and Barbara had been given the royal treatment from the moment they arrived on property. It seemed reasonable that a Sandals wedding would be dripping in joy and happiness.

“We were excited to ensure they had a fantastic wedding,” remembers Dalton Smith, one of Sandals’ first-ever employees, “even though we had never done one yet.”

For two days, the Sandals team used the resources at hand to prepare what they hoped would be a memorable wedding. They used tropical flowers and palm fronds to dress up a gazebo and positioned it next to the pool. The kitchen staff baked a special cake. There was no shortage of good champagne, which would be served within view of the Caribbean Sea.

“Everyone wanted to be a part of it,” says Smith.

The servers and managers would be witnesses. A maid of honour and a best man were chosen from the Sandals team members. Barbara’s beautiful white dress matched the white sand at Sandals Montego Bay. After exchanging their vows, Leonard and Barbara stood for pictures on a just-completed boardwalk, unfazed by other resort guests lingering in their swimsuits a few feet away like extras on a movie set.

The sequel would take decades.

Without knowing it, Leonard and Barbara’s wedding provided a springboard for Sandals to rewrite the entire concept of destination weddings.

Sandals Resorts has since hosted thousands of wedding ceremonies in gardens, on beaches, and even over the water. The Caribbean provides the best natural venues. The desire to exceed expectations is in the DNA of their people. And that sensation started with Leonard and Barbara’s first wedding.

The first couple of Sandals returned home to the United States as Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, with a legendary wedding story. Ten years later they dropped into Sandals Montego Bay for a brief visit while they were on vacation at another Sandals property in Jamaica. Their little peek sparked a desire to return for real, perhaps for a vow renewal.

Another 28 years passed until Leonard and Barbara finally set aside a week to experience for themselves what they’d heard about Sandals Montego Bay: The site of their impromptu wedding had become the standard bearer for bridal fantasies. They would recognize very little aside from the care-free vibe.

Before they could make the trip, however, Barbara found out she needed a kidney transplant. The travel plans had to be postponed while they found a match. It didn’t take long. Leonard promised Barbara his heart in 1981 and thirty-eight years later he gave her the kidney she needed.

After Barbara made a full recovery, they finally flew to Montego Bay and strolled into the resort where they’d become one. They looked around in reflection of the past and in awe of the present.

“It’s wonderful to be back,” Barbara said, “and to see all these amazing changes.”

Their wedding in December 1981 inspired them to “Retie the Knot” in the Over-the-Water Wedding Chapel at Sandals Montego Bay. This time they made their way through a tunnel of witnesses. Some of them were familiar, like Brian Roper and Dalton Smith. Adam Stewart, Sandals’ Executive Chairman, also came to see the couple who made Sandals history back in 1981. So did several of Leonard and Barbara’s family members. The Sandals Weddings Dream Team planned every detail — linens, flowers, food, and even photo displays from their original wedding.

Leonard kept one detail in his pocket. During the ceremony, he knelt down on one knee and pulled out a new ring. In it, Barbara saw two diamonds. “To represent two weddings,” Leonard said.

A first and next. A then and now. A once upon a time and a happily ever after.

As Sandals Resorts enters the next 40 years, we’re tying together the past, present, and future under five familiar words that resonate more profoundly today than yesterday: Love Is All You Need.

Click HERE to watch a short video as Leonard and Barbara Barnes return to Sandals Montego Bay to say “I Do” again.