Romance at Rose Hall
Vows shares with readers the nuptials of Dr Natalie Muir Young and Daniel Howard III, which took place on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at the White Witch Golf Course and Restaurant, located at the Rose Hall Plantation. Natalie is the daughter of Herman Young, an electronic engineer formerly of Kingston, now of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and Air Jamaica supervisor Sandra Haynes, while Daniel is the son of oral surgeon Dr. Daniel Howard II and Angela Baden, a retired lawyer. Eighty family members and friends from both home and abroad — including guests captain of Jamaica’s first bobsled team Dudley ‘Tal’ Stokes and his lovely wife Denise, and Dr Carol Hammond, missionary and author from Washington DC — turned out for the romantic affair.
How They Met Natalie met Daniel in 2001 when they were both students at the Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington DC. They became close friends and after graduating, they would commute between New York where Natalie worked as a dentist at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital, and Washington where Daniel worked alongside his father, at his oral surgery practice. Their love for each other grew and the pair became engaged in 2007 during a New Year’s Eve celebration while vacationing in Las Vegas.
Destination Love
The bride entered the alfresco ceremony area on the arm of her uncle Michael Muir to the sounds of saxophonist David Cunningham’s rendition of Endless Love. She made her way up the aisle on a carpet of white petals to her anxious groom who stood beneath a draped bamboo arch of magnificent orchid garlands created by Tai Flora of Montego Bay. Natalie wore a beautiful ivory train sheath of silk charmeuse, covered with lace adorned with delicate crystal beading by Anna L. The deep-V neckline led to a cinched waist that highlighted her slender silhouette.
The bride shared her choice of design with V o w s: “The dress purchased at the famous Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City, (featured on the popular TLC television show Say Yes To The Dress) was chosen for its beauty and simplicity. I wanted to feel comfortable yet feminine and romantic.” Her hair, styled by Lisa Hutchinson, was swept up in an elegant updo and fastened with two delicate orchids, while her subtle make-up by Jeneva Whorms of Urban Beauty completed her styling. Natalie carried a bouquet of handtied ivory roses and green cymbidium orchids.
The attendants were also elegantly styled: maid of honour Nicole Haughton (former Miss Jamaica Universe 1999) and bridesmaids Lisa Hutchinson, Uki Atkinson, Kerriann Mah-Lee, and Ayanna Durant wore turquoise strapless maxi dresses by local designer ELAN and chocolate brown jewelled accessories.They carried bouquets of turquoise and green orchids hand-tied with a chocolate ribbon and wore sandals by Bridget. The ladies were all high school girlfriends of the bride at Campion College.
The best man Brenton Howard, brother of the groom and groomsmen, Enrique Matabar, DeQuan Bivins, and George Fulton and James Turner, wore comfortable tan suits, designed by Stephen Geoffrey and accented with turquoise paisley ties.
Tropical Paradise
The location was perfect for the couple’s tropical wedding paradise theme, and Officiant for the ceremony Reverend Harvey carried out the formalities. Memorable moments included a scripture reading by Rudolph Muir. Equally touching was the release of butterflies by the couple at the end of the ceremony that included a poetry reading by the aunt of the bride, Karlene Garth.
With the ceremony over, guests headed to the White Witch Club House terrace for cocktails where the relaxed tropical theme continued. The décor by Tai Flora incorporated the use of rich turquoise, chocolate brown and silver accents; bobble bowls with turquoise water and floating candles as well as trumpet vases of cascading ivory roses and white orchids and hydrangeas sat on tables draped with brown tablecloths with silver overlay. These were flanked by silver chiavari chairs.
The Ritz-Carlton staff treated guests to a four-course dinner. Thereafter it was non-stop fun with dancing to the sounds of Renaissance Disco. Welcome breaks were taken at the open bar.
Starry Guests Guests were housed for the weekend at the Iberostar Hotel in Rose Hall.
Honeymooners The newly-weds honeymooned at the Round Hill Hotel in Montego Bay.
