How to Host the Perfect Destination Wedding From a Bride Who Knows
One look at Round Hill and it's easy to see why it's one of our fave spots on the planet. The gorgeous accommodations, the tasty cuisine, the breathtaking views... You guys, this place is awesome. But you know what's better than listening to us go on and on about all of its amazing attributes? Hearing from a real bride who knows firsthand. Say hello to the insanely gorgeous Leanna, a bride who tied the knot in one crazy cool celebration, handsome groom and candlelit reception included. Scroll for an awesome Q&A sesh.
Q: HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON ROUND HILL AS YOUR WEDDING DESTINATION?Long story short, we fell in love at first sight. Although, my family is originally from Jamaica, most of our guests would be travelling from abroad and we wanted a location that was convenient and showcased the best Jamaica has to offer. Prior to selecting a venue, we planned a 2-week trip driving all over Jamaica – from Montego Bay to the Blue Mountains – to visit venues we had been eyeing online. Round Hill was the second venue on our itinerary and we were blown away. Every inch of the resort is pristine -- the pictures simply do not do the property justice. Everyone we met was warm and welcoming. Most importantly, we trusted they understood the vision we had for our special day.Q: WERE YOU ANXIOUS ABOUT PLANNING A DESTINATION WEDDING, AND DID THE ROUND HILL TEAM HELP ALLEVIATE THAT? HOW?Absolutely! We live in New York City. We knew planning from that far would be challenging and our tastes can be quite discerning (read: picky). The Round Hill team was very helpful in easing a lot of our concerns and answering every question we had along the way. They know the very best vendors on the island and were flexible in allowing us to use some vendors we had also sourced ourselves. We could rest assured that our wedding would be top notch while avoiding a lot of wasted time doing extensive research on our own.
Q: WHAT MADE THE PLANNING PROCESS EXTRA SPECIAL FOR YOU?Focusing on the little details that made each guest feel special and showcasing our personality as a couple. 50 to 60 of our closest friends and family were travelling great distances, so many of the details I planned were to make their stay as seamless as possible and help them feel appreciated for sharing this weekend with us. Each welcome bag included a handwritten note, a few of my favourite Jamaican snacks, sunscreen, mints, heel protectors (for the ladies), bottled water, and a bottle of rum. We made sure paper fans were on hand during the outdoor ceremony and instead of standard place cards, we had each guests’ name laser cut out of wood as a keepsake.Q: BRIEFLY TAKE US THROUGH YOUR WEDDING DAY.That morning, we both woke up nervous and anxious, but we fully trusted Racquel, the Round Hill wedding planner, to deliver on everything we had planned. We opted not to have bridal parties to keep it simple. Instead, we invited family and a few close friends to share the afternoon getting ready with us at two separate villas. When the photographer arrived, the day moved pretty quickly from there. Running slightly behind schedule made for somewhat of a hurried first look and shortly after we were shuttled to the ceremony site, the Spa Lawn. Our absolute favourite part of the day had to be the ceremony – the setting sun and ocean backdrop, looking down the aisle to see your soon-to-be husband, and reciting your vows in front of everyone you love. It was nothing short of magical. Lots of hugging, champagne, and pictures ensued.Another highlight of the day was seeing the reception site! As a detail-obsessed person, for months I tried to envision it all. Yet, I still wasn’t prepared for how beautifully it would all come together. Two days prior I had handed over two large suitcases of wedding décor to Racquel and, with no explanation at all, she had arranged everything exactly as I had envisioned.
Q: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?Not much. Everything turned out better than I could’ve imagined. If I had to choose one thing, I would’ve taken a few more deep breaths, spent less time worrying about the weather or my look and more time in the moment, soaking up every second with family and friends. I would’ve taken a few more bites of that delicious food too, lol.Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR PERSONS PLANNING A DESTINATION WEDDING?Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine your entire family and all your close friends spending quality time together in an immaculate resort on a beautiful island. A destination wedding can be a lot more to think through, but all the minutiae of wedding planning will be absolutely worth it. And of course, choosing to work with people that you trust with your life is essential in helping you enjoy every minute of it. Whether you dream of an intimate celebration with just close friends and family or a grander affair with all of your loved ones, Round Hill can make it all happen... and beautifully. Plus, with six fabulous venue options, amazing wedding packages and a team of talented planners that know everything about pretty I do's, you can rest easy knowing that your every detail is being taken care of - even from far away. Leanna and Mario's wedding was a dream come true, and yours can be just as magical. Contact Round Hill today to start planning that wedding in paradise.
Photography: Adrian McDonald | Ceremony Venue: Round Hill Hotel and Villas | Reception Venue: Round Hill Hotel and Villas | Groom: Mario Zillner | Bride: Leanna Wilson