Beaming my way back down the aisle.
A good friend of mine called a few days ago to tell me she was newly engaged, and ever since, I’ve been walking around just bursting with happiness for her! With my own 3 year anniversary just a few weeks away, I’ve got wedding bells on the brain. I realize that I’ve never shared the details about our big day, so I thought it was high time to fill you in on our destination wedding in Jamaica.
The Rockhouse Hotel
Almost 4 years ago, Floyd proposed, and I of course shrieked, “Yes!” However, the idea of planning a wedding quickly became overwhelming. Back then, I was working full time, pursuing an MBA at night, and oh, have I mentioned that we had just bought a condo that we were renovating on our own (you can see the ol’ condo before and after’s here). Just a small amount of stress, ha! Every second was precious and planning a big city wedding in Washington, DC was mind boggling, not to mention really expensive. Travel is a passion both Floyd and I share, so after some careful consideration, we decided that a small destination wedding would be the perfect way to say “I do.”
Deciding to have a destination wedding was the easy part. Now we just had to figure out where. I knew I wanted the location to be a private sanctuary with only my friends and family near. I scoured the internet, books and magazines, but when friend sent me a link to the Rockhouse Hotel in Negril, Jamaica, I just knew I had found my wedding location. With 34 rooms, the Rockhouse was small enough to let my guests have the run of the place, but still provide some essential accommodations including a pool, spa and hotel bar. Not to mention it is breathtakingly beautiful with villas clinging gracefully onto cliffs on top of the turquoise water just a plunge below.
Ceremony site before the guests.
A quick 10 months later, guests were greeted with gift packages of sinamay pouches that contained snacks, a candle and even a cosmo cocktail mix for their room (you can take the girl out of Sex And They City but….). Custom printed note cards tied in the pink and tropical theme and contained a personal message.
A pink tropical motif is carried throughout.
Over the next few days we dined by the ocean, snorkeled, and relaxed taking in the beauty of the Caribbean. Having a destination wedding was so laid back that Floyd and I were even able to hop out of the pool, throw on shorts, and meet our coordinator back by the pool to walk through the rehearsal.
The morning of the wedding I decided to relax and took an ocean side yoga class with my childhood girlfriends, followed by a leisurely breakfast and a long swim with the ladies, while the men went off to try their hand at deep sea fishing. It was the perfect way to enjoy the day with all the women who have been so instrumental in my life.
You know I had to give you a goofy pose! This was on my way to get the dress.
I walked down the aisle of rose petals to the sounds of a steel drum band where I met Floyd on the edge of the cliff. Of course Kristin was there too rocking a very cute J Crew bridesmaids dress! It was so warm that all our guests were putting the straw fans left for them on their chairs to good use. And while the preacher may have improvised a little from the vows we worked on, in that moment all that mattered was that I was marrying my best friend with all my friends and family nearby.
My bridesmaids and BFFs, Kristin and Ashley.
A fan and shades. A must for a hot caribbean wedding!
Afterward it was a feast under the stars. The tables had dozens of pink and cream roses surrounds by lit votive candles and strands of lights twinkling over us. I always envisioned a long lazy dinner filled with lots of wine, toasts and laughter and that’s exactly what we got. Late into the night we danced, and then when things just got too hot jumped in the pool for a late night swim. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
A seaside dinner party oozes romance.
Candles perched in sand filled glass lamps set the mood.
When it was time to go, I was so sad that I cried. It hit me that this was the last time that all of our friends and family would ever be gathered together as a group in one place. I would never again be on vacation like this with everyone we love. I guess that’s what makes all weddings special. Its not the dinner or the flowers, but having everyone gathered together. It almost makes me want to have a vow renewal. Well almost, but not quite, ha!
{ 105 comments… read them below or add one }
that is SO amazing about your leisurely wedding day.. seriously, i’m taking note of this. i want to do that too.. no point sitting around getting nervous!
xox
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Megan, LOVE the colors and backdrop. I always wanted a destination wedding and yours looks lovely!
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Wow!!!! Gor-jusssssss, darling! What a beautiful memory!
♥ V
http://www.gritandglamour.com
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Your wedding was absolutely beautiful! Jamaica is so fun and you guys look like you had a great time!
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This is absolutely gorgeous!!! Love everything about its easy breezy feel!! I did destination too! No regrets here! Best thing I ever did!
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Gorgeous images! I am such a fan of destination weddings! Mine was in Mexico, and then a few girlfriends of mine have also gotten married away. It’s so fun!
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O my gosh- you were beautiful bride and the wedding pics looked phenomenal. awesome job! we didn’t get married in Jamaica but we did honeymoon there- the best place EVER!
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That must have been an amazing experience. We have only been a part of one destination wedding (Hawaii) and it is certainly the most fun we have had at one.
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breath taking!
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Looks perfect!!!!
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oh wow, what an amazing wedding you must have had – you look lovely!
I think that would be my favourite part of a wedding – having everyone I love around us to help celebrate
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that is my dream wedding! gorgeous! you are one lucky gal!
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That looks so stunning!
xoxo
SC
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Oh my goodness this is all so stunning! Can you be anymore
gorgeous and perfect? I love everything and really think you should plan weddings.
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This is so incredible!! I keep swaying between destination wedding and backyard wedding… and I don’t even have a ring yet, lol!
Everything is so beautiful and perfect, thanks for sharing
I just wanted to let you know I have a Polyvore Challenge on my blog – - the grand prize is a $1,000 Visa Gift Certificate!! We could all use a little extra cash, right? So get over here and win it, lol
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Looks like you had quite the romantic wedding. I love that you combined chic elegance with relaxation and comfort! NICE WORK.
And happy Anniversary (a little early!)
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Beautiful pictures!
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This was so beautiful! From the destination to your dress to the pic of the fan and sunnies… Thanks for sharing your special day
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Such gorgeous photos! I really loved Jamaica when I was there and we also just celebrated our third anniversary–congrats in advance!
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What a gorgeous wedding and beautiful bride!!
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How very romantic!
oxoxo
Denalee
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Absolutely gorgeous!! (the bride, the location, the details – everything!!)
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What a beautiful wedding, and happy almost 3-year anniversary! You sure picked a gorgeous spot! Maybe you’ll go back again someday – my husband and I were married at Fairchild Gardens in Miami, and this past February on our anniversary we went back and stood in the exact spot where we got married – 41 years later.
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What a lovely wedding and description, makes me wish we’d had a destination wedding!
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I love weddings! I can’t wait until I find the right guy and he proposes, but I’m only 22 so I have time.
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Gorgeous photos Megan! WOW!
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This looks amazing… every detail was perfect. And you were a stunning bride…
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SO gorgeous, Megan! Choosing a destination wedding was one of the best decisions I think we made! You were stunning and I love your location!
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Oh. My. Gosh. What a BEAUTIFUL wedding!
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soooo gorgie!
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your wedding seriously looked out of this world beautiful!
x
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How sweet! Looks like it was a gorgeous wedding. I was torn between a city wedding and a destination beach wedding but ended up going with the city. I’m definitely up for having a vow renewal in a few years at the beach
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OMG!!! You know I am I sucker for weddings! Yours was too perfect for words. You are so beautiful!!!
I cried too when my husband and I left the bahamas. I want to do it all over again.
Great pictures!!!
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Wow–it looks like a gorgeous wedding! I love the ocean backdrop and your bridesmaids dresses.
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LOVE these pics! You truly had a DREAM wedding!!!! =)
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Wow, everything looks perfect. Like something out of a magazine!
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WOW you had your wedding in Jamica??? Omg how beautiful!!!!
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What an amazing wedding! I love all the little details you had
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Your wedding was absolutey beautiful!!! What a fab location…loving all the details.
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Wow! What a pretty wedding! Such a special memory for you guys!!
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Congrats, Congrats, Congrats!!! Everything LOOKS captivatingly beautiful….I think imma get married tomorrow LOL. Meg I wish you and yours a VERY prosperous life and full of blessings!
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Megan, you had such a stunning wedding! And of course Kristin looks darling. I’m so jealous of your tropical destination wedding.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com
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Gorgeous wedding! And congrats on nearly three years of wedded bliss! The older I get, the more a destination or very small wedding appeals to me. But I don’t think about those things too much right now. First find a groom, then plan a wedding
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This is BEAUTIFUL!! It’s such a romantic location!!
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Oh my gosh it looks perfect!
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Oh my goodness this is so gorgeous, thanks so much for sharing!
As I plan my own wedding, I am giddy with excitement to hear of other bride’s stories! Everything looked beautiful, happy anniversary!
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GORGEOUS Megan! Absolutely breathtaking photos.
Both my older sister AND my older brother had their weddings in Jamaica. I was the bore who had a wedding here in my hometown San Diego.
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OMG your wedding looks beautiful and divine! Such an amazing destination! You look stunning! Daisy Dayz Home
Cross-Jones-Photography Home
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Absolutely beautiful!!! Happy almost Anniversary : )
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Gah! You seriously had the most gorgeous wedding!!
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I too had a destination wedding in Jamaica! It is the best memory of my life and the best choice we could make ever. My dress was a gift from designer Peter Som and my maid of honor also wore one of a kind Peter. The best day of my life. Your photos are outstanding! XO Mish
http://www.themishdish.com
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Beautiful! Looks like a GREAT time!
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Wow, stunning. Such beautiful photos. All of that looks like paradise.
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beautiful wedding! stay in love!
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Your wedding was beautiful!
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a spectacular wedding !
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beautiful wedding sweetie!
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I love your wedding pictures! It looks like a phenomenal night!
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What a gorgeous wedding! I really enjoyed reading your recap and seeing the photos.
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Congrats to you friend!!
Thanks for sharing pics of your big day with us. It looks like it was really beautiful. love the goofy pose.
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Beautiful! I love that hotel. We had a destination wedding too and it was a blast! Everyone who went said they too will have one. I guess all of our vacations from now on will be weddings that we owe friends for attending ours. I’m not complaining!
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This is like a fantasy wedding! I love your cute place cards and your dress is beyond beautiful!
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That almost made me want to cry! So beautiful! I would have loved a destination wedding!
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What a lovely surprise to read about your wedding today! We also opted for a smaller destination wedding, although we did a New Year’s Eve in the mountains thing, so quite different. But I *so* agree with you on the statement about the importance of the togetherness. Lovely!
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Wow, what a BEAUTIFUL wedding.. congrats!
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beautiful! absolutely stunning!
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That is a beautiful spot! I love how it was a smaller wedding too. Not too many people. Only those that matter
Great place for your guests to have a vacation for themselves too!
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I am loving it!!!! what a beautful wedding, congratulations!!!!
I used to do that for a living {wedding planner here in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico} and your photos just brought back a lot of memories of all the amazing people I got to meet.
xo
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Oh my god my DREAM wedding.
I hope you don’t mind if I copy you someday.
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What a gorgeous wedding! Everything looked perfect. And, I love the idea of yoga the morning before the wedding… I could have used that on my wedding day!
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How wonderful, darling!
Happy Anniversary!
xoxox,
CC
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Wow, everything is so pretty!!! Looks like the perfect wedding!
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Your wedding is beautiful and you were a stunning bride! And what an awesome location! Best wishes to your newly engaged friend!
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this is EXACTLY what i’d want! you hear me, universe? take note!
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OMG..this is the most relaxing and romantic wedding Ive ever seen…Maybe for my 25 anniversary…I can only dream…Thanks for sharing this…simply gorgeous..!
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The BonBon Rose Girls Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
@smartee, Your link isn’t working. : (
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What a beautiful wedding!!!
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what a gorgeous wedding! i would’ve loved to do a destination wedding!
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all the little touches really make it unique to you… beautiful and relaxing- what a wonderful wedding!
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Absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful destination wedding – you look gorgeous and so happy and I love seeing Kristin as your bridesmaid!
All the touches, the color scheme, everything are absolutely stunning!
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that was an AMAZING wedding! It had all the right touches~
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What an incredible weeding day you had!
You so deserve it.. This place is heaven..
Loving the sunset pics
LOx
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That is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!
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WOOOOOOOOOW this is spectacular. The bride is totally gorgeous…. like totally. She belongs in a bridal mag, seriously.
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Oh my gosh, this wedding is perfection! You had such an amazing wedding, Megan! How fun to relive the memories!
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So beautiful! And so smart too; I love a wedding as much as the next person, but my goodness the expense and the effort are sometimes just too much.
Happy Anniversary!
Colleen
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I love your wedding pics! I want to see more!
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Your wedding sounds wonderful!! You looks stunning – more pics!!
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Omg your wedding sounds perfect!! And that location is so stunning, it’s almost unbelievable. You are a very lucky lady! I doubt anyone could have wished for a better wedding
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Wow, How did I miss this post??
I love your wedding photos! Looks and sounds like a fascinating wedding!
Abssolutely gorgeous!
Happy belated Anniversary!!
Big hugs,
B xx
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Ooops..I noticed something.
I meant to say absolutely instead of “abssolutely”
sorry..I’m always in hurry. arg!
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arg! again I meant to say in “a” hurry!
B xx
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WOW! Gorgeous! Makes me want to get married again. No – wait. It’s actually my husband that makes me want to get married again. To someone else.
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OMG Megan your wedding was BEAUTIFUL!!! That resort you chose is just paradise. I may have to check it out myself for Honeymoon ideas ahaha.
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WOW! That is like my dream wedding!! Sooooo gorgeous! And your dress was beautiful!!!!
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/
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migod it looks fab! we had what you could call a destination wedding, but by a lake in the lakedistrict with just 25 friends and family (nearly 11 years ago now!
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whenever i see other people’s wedding pics it makes me want to do it all over again! just gorgeous!
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this is super pretty and everything looks great Megan. Reminds me of my water-side wedding. always love seeing pretty pictures of jamaica since i’m from there.
http://ohtobeamuse.com
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Your wedding was gorgeous!! It seems perfect in every way, and the photos are breathtaking. Thanks for sharing your romantic destination wedding with us!
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Beautiful, just beautiful!
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Everything looked beautiful! My husband & I honeymooned in Negril & loved it!
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awesome photos!!!
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oh my gosh, these pictures are gorgeous! i’m in love! if i could do my wedding over again it would definitely be a destination one
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WOW your wedding was incredible! These pictures are all breathtaking! Literally, this is a dream wedding. So glad you had an amazing time on your special day
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Wow! I have always wanted to visit Jamaica….and seeing all of this really makes me KNOW I still want to go….the cermony looks absolutely breath taking. Congrats….a few years late! Ha!
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Fantastic! Really breathtakeing!
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