A WEDDING IN THE LAND OF ONE LOVE SHARING THE ISLAND WEDDING OF SUMIYO SAKAGUCHI AND SIMON YOO Here in the spirited land of reggae and rum, picturesque settings are abundant, but none more inviting than the Round Hill Hotel & Villas, chosen by Simon Yoo and the love of his life, Sumiyo Sakaguchi, for their July 7, 2001 marriage. With an intimate gathering of family and friends their goal, the two indulged in the unparalleled pleasures of Jamaica, just a few miles from lively Montego Bay. Around 40 guests from Tokyo and the United States joined them for a long Fourth of July holiday, a true dream come true for Simon and Sumiyo who met through their jobs at Nikko Salomon Smith Barney. THE PLANNING "We wanted our wedding to be as much for our family and friends as it was for us," says Simon. Event planner JoAnn Gregoli of Elegant Occasions recalls their vision: "Their only criteria was that the location be intimate, fun and easily accessible for their out-of-town guests," she says, reminiscing about her regular Monday morning telephone conversations with Simon and Sumiyo, a compromise between the time zones of their Tokyo home, her New Jersey office and Simon's often late-night hours as an investment banker. As JoAnn talked of Jamaica's diversity and breathtaking scenery, the couple knew they had found their magical meeting place. And once she began sharing details of Round Hill's Old World ambiance, they were sold. Trusting JoAnn's expertise left them free to enjoy their yearlong engagement, and she quickly eased the typical concerns of planning long-distance. Once a theme took shape --- balancing the best of what the tropical setting had to offer with some Japanese flavor --- their biggest challenge was making sure that everyone's arrival was smooth, especially for Sumiyo's family from Japan, who traveled nearly 24 hours to reach Montego Bay. THE CEREMONY Although the major details were finalized ahead of time, JoAnn knew the true meaning of this land's favorite phrase "no problem," encouraging Simon and Sumiyo to be flexible with some decisions until everyone arrived on the island. The time of the ceremony, for instance, changed from five o'clock to 6:30 p.m. once JoAnn and photographer Francesco Mastalia spent the evening before at the exact ceremony site, patiently waiting to determine the time of sunset over Round Hill's secluded bay. The result? The most beautiful backdrop possible and the most romantic lighting for photography. Seated in white wooden chairs just at the water's edge, guests were presented with traditional Japanese fans, then served sparkling water as a string ensemble played softly in the background. "We were on a part of the resort that extended right into the turquoise blue Caribbean waters," says Simon. "We could not have imagined a more beautiful setting. During the processional, I said to my best man: ‘Things like this happen to other people. I can’t believe this.’ We just forgot to divert air traffic from 6:30 to 7:00!" recalls Simon, referring to the roar of an overhead plane during the reading of a favorite Edward Estlin Cummings' poem. But the sentiment was not lost as a friend recited, "... in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me, or which I cannot touch because they are too near." THE WEDDING ATTIRE When Sumiyo began her search for a gown that would be comfortable for an outdoor ceremony and a stylish complement to her slim figure, she needed only consult her future mother-in-law, Hellen Yoo of Hellen Yoo Designs in Cleveland, Ohio. A bridal gown designer for 20 years, this mother-of-the-groom was thrilled to be able to add such a personal stamp to her son's wedding. It was truly Sumiyo's time to shine, and to enhance the halter-style gown of silk charmeuse with China silk lining and an overlay of white silk chiffon, she wore a classic pearl choker, wrist-length gloves and a pearl headpiece with a multi-tiered veil. With his classic navy blue suit from Zegna, Simon wore a white shirt with French cuffs and a silver tie, just right for an informal, summertime ceremony. THE RECEPTION Following cocktails on the pool's sun deck, guests followed a path to the dining terrace, where a U-shaped arrangement of tables held place settings that were anything but ordinary. We wanted to create a feeling of togetherness, says JoAnn, of the unique table design. As guests arrived at their places they were enchanted by miniature origami designs created by Sumiyo and her entourage that very day, along with traditional Japanese place mats, elegantly penned menu cards and a beautiful card that shared the story of the Japanese legend of Tanabata. In Japanese lore, July 7th is the day of a festival that heralds two stars, lovers in fact, separated by the Milky Way, who are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. Observers of this tradition write wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches to be prayed for. Similarly, Simon and Sumiyo invited guests to inscribe personal messages to them on cards found at each place. THE MEMORIES From the first arrival at Montego Bay's airport to the last Jamaican sunset, Simon and Sumiyo discovered the foolproof recipe for a dream wedding, bound by what they know best --- one love. Simon described his feelings in tender words to Sumiyo, printed in the wedding program: "As long as we traverse this road together, I hardly care where it ends." Martie Emory Photography by Francesco Mastalia     about us | contact | FAQs | reference | editorials | our policy | map | home