It’s a hard life working on a wedding magazine, you know. Looking at gorgeous wedding dresses all day, spotting amazing real-life details and then there’s the honeymoon testing! We sent Wedding Ideas Editor Jade out to Jamaica to review Thomson’s latest offering for couples thinking of getting married on the island. Let’s find out how she got on…
I’ll be honest, when I first found out I was going to be reviewing wedding in Jamaica with Thomson Weddings, I didn’t know what to expect! My limited knowledge of Jamaica was that they make great food, great music and the people seem to have a great sense of humour! But would it be an idyllic setting for a wedding?
Thomson put me up in the fabulous RIU Tropical Palace hotel in Negril. My first impressions were amazing – the staff were so friendly and relaxed, like nothing was too much trouble, and they genuinely seemed pleased to meet you. The rooms were massive, with all the amenities you could wish for, and more! You get your own mini bar stocked up regularly, and because the resort is all-inclusive, food can be delivered to your door 24hrs a day! And the best bit? Our balcony looked out at the calm, clear Jamaican sea, so you could watch the sun set.
After a couple of days enjoying the facilities (and getting rid of any jet lag!), I prepared to attend the wedding of American couple, Theresa and Nick. As the RIU staff set up the ceremony on the beach, I was completely stunned. The arch for the ceremony was decorated with tropical flowers, petals were sprinkled down the aisle and the chairs looked beautiful draped in white, contrasting the golden sands. I knew there and then that this was going to be a special ceremony.
As the guests began to arrive, the sun shone proudly. Groom Nick nervously awaited his bride, wearing lightweight linen to combat the Jamaican sun, and a super-cool trilby hat. Dressed in white with a pretty floral head garland, Theresa looked a vision as she walked towards her man. The intimate ceremony was given by the lovely Pastor Bob. Theresa and Nick took their vows as the sun and sea glistened behind them. It was a truly beautiful sight. The loved-up pair were announced as husband and wife as guests cheered and applauded. I felt so privileged to have witnessed such a special moment in their lives.
After the ceremony I caught up with Theresa to find out why they decided to wed overseas. “I met Nick on E-Harmony, and after only three or four dates he asked me if I wanted to go to Jamaica!” explains Theresa. “He had been there before and fell in love with the place. So I went and also fell in love! It wasn’t just the beauty of Jamaica itself, but the gorgeous hotel and the staff that worked there.”
“They always had a smile and were so accommodating with anything we needed. So of course that’s where we were to wed,” she says. Their beautiful wedding has not only given the newlyweds great memories, it’s also inspired their guests to revisit! “We had 12 people that came to our wedding, and all 12 also fell in love with the place and are going back next year!” laughs Theresa.
If you’re thinking about a dreamy wedding overseas like Theresa and Nick, put Jamaica at the top of your list! You could extend your stay and honeymoon there or hop over to one of the other Caribbean islands. Or how about nearby Cuba? Visit thomson.co.uk/weddingideas now for more details.
