WEDDING IDEAS

Marissa & Gerald in Port Antonio, Jamaica

Marissa chose a gown from Alvina Valenta’s fall collection. Oyster-colored silk charmeuse, it was accented with a dainty satin bow at the waist and had a lace bodice and deep V-neck and V-back. The gown glided across the floor with its 18-inch train. To get the dress to Jamaica, Marissa had to fold it up to store it in an overhead compartment on a crowded airplane. Fortunately, when she took it out of the bag upon arrival, the gown was not wrinkled. “I chose a dress that I thought would be easy to travel with,” she says, “and it was perfect!”

Marissa’s bouquet was a vibrant mix of deep-red roses, Easter lilies, eucalyptus, and crystal beads. The bride added meaningful elements to her bouquet by wrapping the stems with a white ribbon that was embroidered with her new last-name initial and the wedding date; she secured the monogrammed ribbon with her mother’s cameo pin.

Marissa and Gerry were married in a beautiful, quaint chapel on the castle grounds. The winding walkway and the ceremony aisle were sprinkled with freeze-dried red rose petals.

At each guest’s place setting, a white starfish was placed on top of the menu card and secured with a piece of white raffia. Starfish appeared in elements leading up to and throughout the day -- from the invites and programs to the ring bearers’ silver starfish boutonnieres.

The four-tiered celadon-fondant-covered cake was filled with passion fruit. The couple’s new initials topped off the confection.

Marissa & Gerald in Port Antonio, Jamaica

Marissa and Gerald’s starfish theme was the perfect complement for their castle wedding overlooking the Caribbean.

Photos By: Ocken Photography
Day-of Coordination: Beverly Dixon, Trident Hotel, Port Antonio
Location: Trident Castle, Port Antonio

Definitely not looking for love, Marissa was enjoying a girls’ night out with her friends at a country-western bar when she noticed a good-looking guy across the dance floor. One of Marissa’s friends took it upon herself to approach Gerry and introduce him to her. The two hit it off right away. Later that night, he sent her a sweet text message, “and we’ve been texting ever since,” Marissa says.

The Bride Marissa Garcia, 36, family and cosmetic dentist
The Groom Gerald (Gerry) York, 33, computer technician
The Date March 17

After Gerry proposed, the two began planning a small, intimate, unforgettable wedding in Port Antonio, Jamaica. The twosome agreed that a destination wedding was the way to go, and Marissa suggested looking in to Trident Castle. The perfect place for their wedding, plans were soon underway for a celadon-and-platinum celebration with a starfish and castle theme.

-- Anja Winikka