Our 2022 Coterie Retreat is set for the luxurious Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and this couple’s destination wedding is an excellent preview of what the venue has to offer!
After an exciting all-white welcome party the night before their wedding, Brittany & Samuel exchanged vows on the luscious green lawns of Montego Bay’s Half Moon Beach Resort against the beautiful blue backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. After their ceremony, guests were welcomed to a chic cocktail hour featuring a “jelly station” of shaved coconuts filled with sweet coconut water to keep them hydrated. Meanwhile, the couple posed for their first set of photos as husband and wife as the sun set.
A delicious 3-course meal followed at their reception. Set beneath a clear top tent accented by sparkling chandeliers, soft hints of blush and dusty rose decor, and crystal clear furniture, the space seemed to float above the sand. Touching tributes from guests, dancing, and a night of partying with loved ones ended their dreamy wedding day on a high note.
More sweet details from their luxurious destination wedding at Half Moon Resort below!
- Couple: Brittany Danielle Williams & Samuel Austin Taylor
- Occupations: Brittany is a Principal of Attorney Solutions Business Operations at LegalZoom and Samuel is an Account Executive at Adyen
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: Saturday, March 26th, 2022
- Wedding location: Half Moon Resort, Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Gifts for Bridesmaids & Groomsmen: Bridesmaids received Rose gold cuff bracelet from Kendra Scott, bags full of goodies including robes, slippers, and champagne glasses. Groomsmen were gifted Leather monogrammed luggage bags, pocket squares, and bow ties.
- Gifts for one another: Sam and Brittany did a “first touch” and exchanged handwritten notes before the ceremony. It was a touching experience that the two shared before they met each other at the altar.
- Ceremony entrance song: “Best Part” – H.E. R.
- First dance song: “Easy” – Ella Mai
All-white welcome party…
The wedding day…
How they met…
Sam and Brittany met in San Francisco, California on a dating app called The League. Brittany had relocated to California for 3 months during her MBA summer internship at Intel. Sam had moved to Oakland from Houston, Texas, and recently started a new role as a Vice President at an investment services company. After exchanging messages on the app and a few text messages and phone calls, the two arranged to meet for a first date at a cocktail bar called Novela in San Francisco.
The date was absolutely incredible! Sam and Brittany spoke and laughed for about 4-5 hours and were blown away by how many similarities they shared – one of which included their fathers both having the same birthday. Three weeks later, Brittany moved back to Boston, Massachusetts to finish up her last year at Harvard Business School.
Both recognized that long distance was likely going to be a challenge, but they agreed to stay in touch. A few weeks later, Sam invited Brittany to come back to California for the weekend to celebrate his 30th birthday. After a few more cross-country trips, Sam said “I suggest you tell everyone you have a boyfriend because I don’t fly cross country this much without being exclusive.” Brittany laughed and said she would. Now the rest is history.
The proposal…
Sam and Brittany traveled to Cancun, Mexico for a Spring vacation on March 10th, 2019. The two were so excited to get away from their busy lives in California and they couldn’t wait for some relaxation and sun. Little did Brittany know that Sam had planned to propose and he was anxiously carrying a beautiful ring.
On the second day of their vacation, Sam asked if Brittany wanted to wake up and watch the sunrise on the beach. Brittany wasn’t a morning person, but she knew that Sam was and she happily obliged. As they sat on the beach, just the two of them, Sam began to speak the most beautiful words. He then got down on one knee and proposed as the sun was rising over the beautiful ocean. After tears, hugs, and kisses, Brittany said yes! Cancun, Mexico will forever be their special place.
Wedding style, attire, & shopping experience…
When Brittany thought about what her wedding dress shopping experience might be like, she always assumed that she’d have to make at least 5-10 visits to various different shops before she said yes to the dress. Her first dress shopping visit was at Jessica Haley Bridal Boutique, a small boutique shop in Rye, New York. She had the entire shop reserved for herself and was joined by her mom, Melanee, sister, Kamilah, and two close friends and bridesmaids, Jasmine and Monique.
As luck would have it, the first dress that Brittany tried on was absolutely perfect. After trying a few other dresses on, nothing looked or felt the same. She then returned to that first dress – a stunning House of St. Patrick trumpet-style lace dress with beautiful appliques on the back and a dramatic train. Brittany knew she had to say yes to the dress. She paired her beautiful gown with a custom bridal hair piece and veil from Bridal Styles Boutique in Brooklyn, New York.
The Groom wore a custom-made ivory tuxedo jacket by Domenico Vacca of Giovanni – an Italian designer and tailor based out of Montreal, Canada. He also wore an oversized silk bow tie to pair with his shawl lapels.
The Ceremony…
First portraits as Mr. & Mrs…
Cultural elements…
The wedding was held in Jamaica – where Brittany has cultural roots.
At the couple’s all-white beach welcome party on Friday evening before the wedding, the two played reggae music and served guests a variety of Jamaican food including a roti station. Guests also enjoyed learning dance hall moves on the dance floor all night!
On the wedding day, the bride and groom also jumped the broom – honoring their African American cultures.
Favorite wedding day memories…
For Brittany, she admits, “It’s so hard to pick just one favorite memory.”
” After our ceremony, we took photos near the water and were met by the most beautiful sunset that we’d ever seen. We were convinced that this was our departed family members looking down on us and wishing us well. Finally, a funny memory is me getting stuck in our photographer Merrick’s car in the hustle and bustle of getting photos before the sun went down and getting back to our venue in time for our wedding reception.”
For Samuel, his favorite memory is an intimate moment with Brittany on the dance floor. He shares, “My favorite memory is dancing with my bride on our first dance to “Easy” by Ella Mai and dipping her as sparklers lit the dance floor.”
The reception…
Their first dance…
Wedding advice for other engaged couples…
Brittany shares, “As organized as you might be and as much as you plan out every single detail, nothing ever goes exactly according to plan. In fact, no amount of organization and planning can predict a global pandemic. During our wedding planning process, we had to postpone our original wedding date of 3/27/21 and we even changed our hotel wedding block, our welcome party venue, and our wedding reception venue 3 months before our new wedding date due to the uncertainty of Covid restrictions.”
In spite of all the obstacles, their wedding taught them “a powerful lesson in patience and resilience.” Brittany adds, “We also learned that despite it all, the most important gift is that we had each other. While nothing ever goes exactly according to plan, it all happens just the way it is supposed to. Sometimes the unexpected changes create the most beautiful memories.”
Looking for more destination wedding inspiration like this one at Half Moon Resort?
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Vendors:
- Event Planner & Decor: Sadeki Watson of Chic Events Jamaica
- Venue: Half Moon Beach Resort, Montego Bay, Jamaica & Rose Hall Villas
- Officiant: Reverend Terrence Gordon
- Photography: Merrick Cousley
- Videography & Lighting: Elite Media Concepts
- Dj & Entertainment: Elite Media Concepts
- Bridal Gown: Jessica Haley Bridal
- Bridal Veil & Headpiece: Bridal Styles Boutique
- Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka
- Groom’s Tux Designer: Domenico Vacca
- Groom’s Shoes: Magnanni
- Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
- Groomsmen Tuxes: The Black Tux
- Maid of Honor & Mother of Bride Dress Designer: Hope Wade Designs
- Hair: Myster Jackson Salon
- Makeup: Sue Gregg
- Cakes: Leanne Cooke of Cakes by Noida
- Stationery: Isle and Vu & I Ijorere
- Florals, Rentals, & Design: Chic Weddings Jamaica
- 360 Photo Booth: Elite Media Concepts
- Coconut Stand: Have a Jelly
- Violinist: Kamoy Gordon
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