Vow renewal at Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Jamaica

Couple: Megan and Ryan

Number of years married: 10 (on our trip)

Travel advisor: Andrea Norfolk

Destination: Jamaica

Resort: Round Hill Hotel and Villas

Number of guests: 14

Why did you choose to renew your vows?
This is an interesting question because I had no idea we were going to renew our vows. Ryan totally surprised me with the trip, the guests, and the ceremony for our 10 year anniversary! If it were up to him, we would have celebrated privately, but knowing me so well, he included our friends and family. Needless to say, he pulled off the surprise of my life, a truly magical moment that I will never forget!

Why did you choose your resort and destination?
Ryan had expressed to Andrea that he wanted a high end, yet low key and intimate destination for our guests, and Round Hill was the perfect place! Our villa was unlike any place we’ve ever been; it had panoramic ocean views, was decorated by Ralph Lauren, and we simply can’t say enough about the amazing food, service, and staff. We often talk about when we’ll go back, and are always recommending Round Hill to our friends…it’s a hidden gem in Jamaica!

Did you add any personal touches to your ceremony?
Luckily my sister-in-law/best friend, Kellye, is an event planner and took the lead for Ryan when it came to the details of the ceremony. Everything was executed perfectly including the pergola overlooking the ocean, the elegantly set dinner table, the flowers, and my personal favorite… the steel drum band! I know Kellye was very pleased with Round Hill’s event coordinator and the ceremony happened effortlessly.

What was your most memorable moment during your ceremony?
My most memorable moment didn’t happen during the actual ceremony, it happened one morning when Ryan and I were walking back to our villa from the beach and I happened to look up and see 14 of my friends and family sitting by the pool! Shocked, stunned, and in complete disbelief best describe that moment! Ryan and Andrea had somehow managed to fly 14 guests to Jamaica to surprise me, and I’m so thankful that they did! That moment and the entire trip will always be unforgettable! (I told him he's off the hook for the rest of our anniversaries, this one will never be beat!)

Did you do any activities with your guests? If so, which was your favorite?
We all enjoyed paddle boarding on the beach, walking the grounds of the resort, enjoying hot stone massages, and just hanging out in our infinity pool enjoying the amazing view!

What advice would you give to couples considering renewing their vows at a destination?
I believe a vow renewal should be an enjoyable experience that is completely stress free. I think everyone’s wedding day is stressful and full of details, so this should be more like planning your dream vacation with the vow renewal as an added bonus. Looking back on our trip, I remember falling in love with Round Hill, spending time with our guests, and focusing on what I wanted to say to Ryan during the ceremony. So my advice is to choose a dream destination that takes care of all of the details so that you can focus on having fun and celebrating with your spouse!