Date

Guests

50

November 14, 2014

The historic Round Hill Hotel and Villas is about as close as it gets to paradise. Located on a 45-hectare peninsula, this pristine and private oceanfront venue is a tropical heaven-on-earth destination for a wedding that is at once luxurious and incredibly relaxed. These are exactly the reasons Katie Green and David Michaud chose the beautiful tropical property for their intimate wedding celebration.

"David and I wanted the closeness of a small celebration, and a destination wedding lent itself perfectly to our style," Katie shares. "We wanted a special and romantic place; a place that would be a wonderful and elegant experience for all. I did some intense research to find the perfect place and Round Hill had everything we wanted-except a date open in 2014."

Fate, it would seem, was on their side: an opening popped up the very week in November the couple had been planning to wed. "I like to think it was serendipity!" Katie says. "I couldn't dream of a more perfect environment."

With the dream destination booked, Katie started planning. As the Director of Communications for Maybelline New York, Essie, Garnier and Ombrelle for L'Oreal Canada, Katie is no stranger to event-planning-throwing incredible parties and fabulous media events is part of her job. For her wedding, she knew exactly the vibe she wanted: luxe bohemian and timeless, not trendy.

"I wanted the overall look to be a bit vintage, but also polished and romantic," Katie explains. "I chose creamy neutrals and blush as our palette. I loved my bridesmaids' pretty mix of gowns in various colours ranging from cream to soft grey, dusty rose and blush."

The couple invited 50 of their nearest and dearest to celebrate in paradise with them. Guests began to arrive two days before the main event, which gave everyone a chance to hang out. "The arrival of all our guests was a highlight for us," Katie says. "For the two days guests arrived, we hung out between the lobby and the beach to ensure we personally greeted everyone and spent some quality time with them. Having our family and best friends come to this beautiful place to celebrate our love and life together was incredibly heartwarming."

On the wedding day, Katie and her girls enjoyed a champagne breakfast in the couple's villa and had their hair and makeup done by a duo of Toronto-based editorial artists: hair master Brennen Demelo, and Grace Lee, the Canadian lead makeup artist for Maybelline New York. "It was so amazing to have my friends doing hair and makeup on my wedding day," Katie enthuses. "They both know me so well and made me and all of my ladies feel so beautiful."

Katie Green and David Michaud, November 14, 2014, Montego Bay, Jamaica.Photography courtesy of Chelsea Roisum from CBR Photography.

Wearing a stunning French Chantilly lace and silk chiffon dress by Rivini and custom-made floral crown, Katie floated down the aisle on her mother's arm to meet David on Round Hill's Spa Lawn. "He was waiting for me under a beautiful tree at the water's edge with a cool breeze blowing and the sound of waves crashing in the background," Katie remembers. "I chose the song "Halo" by Beyoncé as my entrance song, played by a string quartet. When David and I met and locked eyes...what a powerful, exciting and emotional moment for us!"

After the ceremony the newlyweds hosted a cocktail gathering followed by a romantic candlelit reception filled with toasts, dancing and amazing food in the Hanover Room. The wedding party didn't stop that evening, as many of the guests stayed on for some chill-time in paradise.

"The best thing about our destination wedding is that it extended the special moments we had with our friends and family," Katie says. "I just loved seeing our families interact with our friends, laughing, relaxing and having a great time. When do you ever get all the most important people in your life in one place like that?"

Vendors
Ceremony and reception location: Round Hill Hotel & VillasBridal gown: Rivini from Kleinfeld Hudson's Bay
Accessories: Chanel
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Groom's tux: J. Lindeberg from GILT
Cake: Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Caterer: Round Hill Hotel and Villas
Favours: DIY
Wedding planner: Racquel Bernard from Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Music: Live string quartet (ceremony), PACE Band (reception)
Hair: Brennan from Brennan Demelo Studio
Makeup: Grace Lee
Stationery: DIY, Wedding Paper Divas (menu, thank you notes), Dream State (place cards, canvas bags, seating chart)