SEVEN years ago, Montego Bay businessman, Howard Dunn, built a house at Cornwall in St James, and transformed it into a villa, offering a variety of unique attractions. He named it Dunn’s Villa.

Now, he has decided to expand the villa’s service offerings to include a wedding package to persons wishing to exchange marital vows.

On Wednesday, Alfred Garson and Stacey Style of St Louis, Missouri, became the first foreigners to exchange vows inside the villa’s lush garden, during what was billed, a mango wedding.

“We wanted a perfect setting, so when we came upon this place on the Internet. We had to check it out, and we love it,” Style told the Observer after her vows. “It’s beautiful, and we are very pleased.”

Meanwhile, Dunn said the new concept for his small 11-room villa got started in the same way that the villa had.

“People who visit the property are always fascinated with the ambiance of this two-acre property, and have advised us to try this concept,” he said.

“At this time of economic constraint, if a couple wants to get married, Dunn’s Villa will assist with witnesses and a marriage officer. Many times people cannot afford big weddings; if we have just the bride and groom, we can make a big wedding,” he said.

“We are not looking only to the international market,” said Dunn, adding that Jamaicans who want to spend less on their weddings are welcome.

Visitors to the villa, which is just a stone’s throw from the Rose Hall Great House and Hotel, can enjoy a nature walk or ride through its lush garden of varied flowers and fruit trees.