Hummingbird Hall featured in an article in the Spring 2012 issue of The Bridal Magazine today. Please see pages 58 -59 in thebridalmag.co.uk or see the article below.

We are so proud that our weddings showcase so many of the fabulous reasons couples choose to have a destination wedding in Jamaica!

Gazeboes are free standing or attached garden structures. They are roofed open sided, with varying types of supporting columns. Gazeboes can be ornamental or built to provide shelter, shade and in our case, the perfect setting for couples to have their dream tropical wedding in Jamaica!

Gazeboes have been a feature of gardens for centuries. In fact gazeboes were common in Egypt over 5,000 years ago. Not surprisingly, royalty were the first to have them. They thought of their gardens as earthly paradises, and believed they could take them to the afterlife.

The structures were popular in ancient Rome and Pompeii. Gazeboes also flourished in the East, and in Persia they could range from colourful tents with mats on the floor to ornate, two-storey structures with cupolas, marble columns and seats. Some were constructed across pools or streams so that the cold water running underneath their marble floor could cool them. In Japan and China they were often called tea houses, used in conjunction with the revered Tea Ceremonies, used as places to rest, get in touch their spiritual side, and absorb the garden’s beauty.

At Hummingbird Hall, history and cultures are magically fused in the setting, outlook and uses of the wedding gazebo. The roof is made of shingle, the covering of choice for up-market buildings in Jamaica, and a sure sign of opulence. The friezes are architecturally designed and hand carved, as are the supporting rails. Miraculously, one leg of the gazebo floats enchantingly in the infinity swimming pool which adds to the beauty of wedding photographs.

The outlook from the Gazebo could not be more spectacular; couples take their vows seemingly enfolded in the arms of the Caribbean sea, over which the gazebo looks. And more, they look on to the garden bathed in glorious colours of bougainvilleas, hibiscus, jasmine and heliconia to name but few of the flowers gracing the wedding gardens of Hummingbird Hall.

The Wedding Gazebo on Hummingbird Hall’s Lagoon Deck has borne witness to diverse and wonderful weddings.

In fact, as the home of boutique destination weddings in Jamaica – we are as committed to promoting Jamaica as a destination wedding idyll, as we are to extolling Jamaica’s virtues as the perfect Caribbean honeymoon destination.

For this post, Team Hummingbird Hall tell of their favourite, most loved and romantic honeymoon vacation spots in Jamaica!

ALISHA

As a boat-a-holic and certified captain, I adore the beautiful waters of Portland. They are so incredibly clear and peaceful, and it’s not unusual to spot wild turtles and dolphins: an experience which gives me butterflies no matter how often I see them! I also really love how easy it is to withdraw from society at large in Portland – either on a boat with a book drifting idly into the sunset, or by chancing upon a deserted and secluded cove or beach.

The second of my favourite spots in Jamaica is the West End of Negril. Beyond the mass tourist hubs of Ricks Cafe and the Seven Mile Beach lies the quaint West End of Negril where artists, hippies, naturalist and yogis converge. Whether it’s hanging out at a vegetarian eco-cafe, relaxing in natural rock pools, or getting rejuvenated at a new age spa (my favourite being Jackie’s on the Reef); I love how this part of Negril has managed to retain a distinct and whimsical identity.

MICHELLE

Kingston, Kingston and Kingston!

It’s a city with a pulse and energy unlike anywhere on the island and for adventurous honeymooners, I can’t recommend it enough.

There are so many surprises if you know where to look…

Behind uninspiring grey walls you’ll find the most amazing city garden restaurants (eg Heathers Garden Restaurant). You can find a Jamaican twist on so many types of cuisine (check at the Marketplace for Jamaican-Japanese, Jamaican-Indian and Jamaican-Italian restaurants) and there’s always something to do or see at the Theatre (Little Theatre / Old Theatre).

I guarantee that the ice cream you taste at Devon House (I-Scream) will make your trip all the more unforgettable.

Kingstonians also know how to DRESS, and it can be quite fun people watching from the rooftop of a bar on Knutsford Avenue.

Lastly, most Kingstonians head down to Port Royal for fish on a Friday night. It’s such a great way to get a feel for the vibe on the island and taste some great fish with reggae love songs (and sometimes live artists) blaring in the background.

ROSA

For me it’d have to be Blue Mountains. One of the only places in Jamaica that actually gets cold at night and where people do huddle round fireplaces in winter.

For those who trek I hear it’s amazing to see the sunrise at the peak, but even if you don’t – the air is fresh, clean and coffee exquisite. Very romantic – particularly when contrasted with the tropical atmosphere at a Hummingbird Hall wedding.

VEE

The South Coast would be my suggestion, particularly St Elizabeth. The beaches of black sand are beautiful, and the pace of life is so, so slow. I think it suits vintage loving honeymooners who seek a taste of the Jamaica of old – friendly people, laid back farmers and an easy going attitude.

Bamboo avenue is also very romantic and makes a beautiful backdrop for photographs.

For food, Roadside stands at Scotts Cove (fried fish and bammy) and Middle Quarters (hot-peppered ‘swimps’) offer some of the best in Jamaican food and good value.

TAHLIA

I’m a history geek and so would recommend Accompong on 6 January. On this date Maroons – the original Jamaican freedom fighters – hold special ceremonies which are very historic.

The drive through the Cockpit Country where the village is located is beautiful, and an important reminder that the area needs to be protected (mining companies and environmentalists constantly spar over who has rights to use the area).

ONEIL

For the sports fan I would recommend::

- Live Drag Racing at Dover Raceway at Runaway Bay

- Live Cricket at Sabina Park

- Horse Racing at Caymanas Park

– Dog Sledding

– Tennis at the National Tennis Center

– Dominoes

We invite couples to follow their beautiful destination wedding in Jamaica at Hummingbird Hall (Montego Bay) with a romantic, adventurous and memorable honeymoon on our beautiful Caribbean destination island.

Many credit the origins of jerk to the Cormantee hunters of West Africa, through the Maroons – Jamaican slaves who escaped from the British during the invasion of 1655

Maroons Waiting to Ambush the British

The escaped slaves, called Maroons, are believed to have developed and perfected this method of preserving and cooking meat during their years living in the Blue Mountains fighting the British troops.

The term jerk is said to derive form the Spanish Spanish word ‘Charqui,’ which means jerk or dried meat, and later became “jerky” in English.

Recipes have been handed down through generations and techniques kept secret, as competition and pride runs high among jerk cooks in Jamaica (with Hummingbird Hall’s chef being no exception!).

Jerk is uniquely Jamaican; it describes both the kind of spice and the technique of cooking meat. Chicken, fish, shrimp and pork are the most common and perennial favourites. However, if you are vegan or vegetarian, don’t despair as the chef at Hummingbird Hall makes a mean jerk tofu.

We can confidently say that Hummingbird Hall jerk is among the best we have tasted (and we LIVE in Jamaica) and we fondly remember a groom who began his wedding speech with:

“First.. let me shout out to the jerk pork – it was GOOD” ( Gregory – you are a Hummingbird Hall legend!!)

We have wrestled long and hard with our chef to share the Hummingbird Hall’s jerk recipe and even though he refused to into detail (you will have to attend one of our weddings to taste it properly!); the basic ingredients are detailed below.

Weddings abroad can come wrapped in many delectable packages. Whether you are an offbeat bride, or a traditional bride, like the groom moved to toast Hummingbird Hall’s jerk pork, come prepared to have your taste buds tickled. Your dream Jamaican wedding will find you embraced, not only in the paradise of the best boutique destination wedding location, but in gastronomical yumminess.

Jerk Pork Recipe

1/2 inch piece of cinnamon

1 teaspoon grated nutmeg

6 scallions, including green tops, sliced

1-2 Scotch Bonnet pepper (partially de-seeded if pepper averse)

1 large onion

2 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 tsp brown sugar

2 tsp peeled chopped ginger

1 tsp pimento (allspice)

2 tablespoon white vinegar

Juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon dark Jamaica rum

1 (4 pound) boned pork loin

Method

1. Put all ingredients (excluding the pork) in a blender. Process until smooth.

2. Cut the pork into chunks

3. Cut each piece to form small pockets for the marinade

4. Combine pork and mixture from the blender in a dish – use a wooden spoon to thorough rub the mixture in the pork

5. Cover and leave in the refrigerator from 3 to 24 hours (the longer the better)

6. Grill on a slightly greased grill until cooked or bake in an oven of 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until cooked

(Traditionally in Jamaica, jerk meats are cooked in the half of an oil barrel, made especially for this purpose)

NB – chef has asked us to make clear – as with our exotic weddings, our jerk meats are in a class of their own – attend a Hummingbird Hall wedding to taste jerk in true deliciousness!

Not only is the 4000 Acre Rose Hall Estate a stunning location for Hummingbird Hall destination weddings in Jamaica, it also has an established position in the Jamaica’s cultural heritage and folklore.

Hummingbird Hall is as much a legend in the world of wedding locations as Annie Palmer is in the world of love and intrigue. Folklore has it that as plantation owner of the Rose Hall Estate, Annie Palmer was often besotted by slave men, and made lovers of them. Seemingly she loved the estate more than these men as legend also has it that Annie Palmer dispensed with them at will and though long dead, she can mysteriously still be seen wandering the rooms of the house of the Rose Hall Great House, one of the most photographed properties in Jamaica.

There is a wonderful Jamaican patois word – “bwarta” – that means getting something extra that is both delightful and unexpected. Fortunately for those who get married at Hummingbird Hall, reputedly one of the most unique and one-of-a-kind wedding locations in Jamaica, couples and their guests also get a feast all the senses from the moment they enter the opulent iron gates of the Estate.

Wedding guests, brides and grooms will meander past well-kept lawns and the magnificence that is the the Rose Hall Great House to the equally opulent Hummingbird Hall. Listen to the song birds that frequent the estate. Look for the Hummingbirds flitting from one extravagant flower to another. Smell the pure oxygen filled air. Feel the soft sun-touched breeze, and touch the delightful fragrant flowers that fill the tropical gardens.

Jamaica has long been considered one of the islands on which to have a Caribbean destination wedding, and having a plantation wedding completes the “surely I am in paradise experience.”

Thank you for your continued support!

Even though we are no longer accepting bookings for weddings at the Rose Hall Aqueduct, an (admittedly beautiful!) wedding ceremony that we did design and coordinate was featured on the wedding blog Destination Inspirations today. The amazing photographs were taken by Kerri Doolitle, a wedding photographer whose work we we adore <3.

Incidentally, even though we are no longer accepting new bookings for the Rose Hall Aqueduct, we remain one of the most gorgeous destination wedding Cocktail Hour and Reception venues in Jamaica. Many couples do host a ceremony at the Rose Hall Aqueduct (through local wedding planners) and host their Cocktail Hour and Reception with us!

For the blog article please click here. Please contact us for more about hosting your reception with us!

At Hummingbird Hall, we are obsessed with gorgeously romantic destination weddings in Jamaica, and this obsession extends to the Hall’s architectural features. Indeed, even though Hummingbird Hall was an Artists’ Retreat long before an award winning wedding venue; romantic symbolism can be found in the Hall’s very fabric!

The heart shaped infinity pool, located on the Lagoon Deck of Hummingbird Hall, is an integral and captivating feature of the architecturally designed Jamaican wedding mansion. The infinity pool gives the impression that the pool has no end. In the realm of romantic weddings infinity suggests never ending love and romance (think infinity wedding rings!).Water is also highly symbolic when it comes to love. Indeed, water is said to combine two types of energy; kinetic which causes water to flow, and a potential form of energy yet to be released. We see parallels in the weddings we host – specifically in the dynamic love that couples who marry with us display(kinetic energy) and the wonderful but unexpressed possibilities that lie ahead in marriage (potential energy).

Thus for several reasons, the pool (Lagoon) forms a captivating backdrop for Hummingbird Hall weddings in Jamaica and is the talk – along with our excellent service, gorgeous sea views and décor – of brides, grooms and their wedding guests.

What’s more, decorative embellishments to the pool are included in our wedding design service. Whether a Trash the Dress (or Suit!) session, floating floral arrangements, poolside custom designed wedding luminaries, or even custom pool light colours– the wedding décor opportunities are endless at our “lagoonside”, ocean-view-having, tropical wedding venue.

Can there be an instrument that connects so perfectly to the beating heart of love than the African drum? There are two main types of drums are available as wedding embellishments at weddings at Hummingbird Hall.

The Djembe Drum

The most famous drum of African origin is the djembe, a goatskin-covered percussion instrument shaped like a large goblet and made to be played with bare hands.

Rooted in West Africa, the djembe came into record during the Mali Empire, the dominant political unit in West Africa from the 13th to the 15th century , where it was used during the celebration of sacred and secular events. It often accompanied story-telling. The tradition and skills of the djembe were brought to Jamaica during slavery.

Talking Drums

Another well-known African drum is the “talking drum,” so called because its pitch can be changed to mimic language tonality or “talk.” It has its origins among the Yoruba people, who refer to it as “dundun.” Traditionally the talking drum was used for a variety of purposes—from being a musical instrument during celebrations, to a sort of telegram for relaying messages.

Drummers at Hummingbird Hall weddings often combine both types to alluring effect; to speak of love and commitment and to herald the beginning of a life, where couples will thereafter and together drum as a united force their future lives together.

We have been described as a “destination dream” by the wedding blog Sparkle and Hay.

Click here to read the full post!

As a way to adhere to our eco-fabulous wedding ethos; we source all the butterflies used in our butterfly releases – a complimentary feature of every Hummingbird Hall wedding package – from the gardens and grounds of Hummingbird Hall and the Rose Hall Estate.

Our tropical gardens team with flowers and plants that attract stunning butterflies and birds, and so we take great pleasure in our clients being able to showcase these delightful creatures – even for a moment  - during their weddings.

Hummingbird Hall is regularly visited by a number of butterflies, the most popular of which seem to be:

Viceroy Swallowtail Butterfly

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Eastern Swallowtail Butterfly

ZebraSwallowtail Butterfly

Tropical Silverspot Butterfly

We usually catch the butterflies 45 minutes prior to the start of the wedding ceremony with a net similar to the below.

We have found that the best way to catch our fluttery friends is to wait for them to land on flowers (they LOVE the plant below) before covering them with a net and watching them to flutter to the top in a bid to escape.

Once at the top of the net, we quickly transfer the butterflies to a waiting butterfly release basket before putting the basket in the fridge. The cool of the fridge sends the wedding butterflies into a relaxing hibernation mode and prevents them from fluttering and damaging their wings.

We keep the butterflies in the cool until ten minutes prior to the release. Once out of the fridge the butterflies wake up, become excited and feel the love just in time to be released in front of the couple and their adoring guests – magic

One of our beautiful couples featured on 365 Brides today as The Hummingbird Bride with photographs from their Golf Cart Tour… can’t you just feel the love?! Adorable

We are so honoured to have been featured on the No Impact Bride wedding blog today. We take our eco-friendly commitment seriously, so it’s wonderful to have been acknowledged!

Please click here to see the feature.

A Hummingbird Hall Gourmet Coffee Bar is a great way to give your guests an energy boost and treat coffee lovers to a variety of Jamaican, coffee inspired speciality drinks.

We use fair trade Jamaican coffee and professional baristas.

And, in true Hummingbird Hall style, clients can even personalise the look of their drinks from our selection of cute stencil designs!

The Hummingbird Hall Gourmet Coffee Bar is an additional extra to a standard Hummingbird Hall wedding, and another reason there is nothing like a Hummingbird Hall wedding!

Hummingbird Hall’s Fresh Fruit Smoothie Station –an add on to our standard wedding package  - is always a hit with guests during the Cocktail Hour.

Think deliciously made tropical smoothies  – often with fruit picked from the gardens of Hummingbird Hall and the Rose Hall Estate – blended in front of your guests.

Described by an adorably cute flower girl as “yumtastic”, today we share three delicious recipes that you can try at home.

We’ve kept the extra special recipes (such as the layered smoothie pictured!) for the enjoyment of our guests at Hummingbird Hall, but what follows should bring some island goodness to you…wherever you are!

Island Buzz Jamaica

2 x Fresh Grapefruits (Hummingbird Hall / Rose Hall Estate)

2 x Fresh Ortaniques* (from the South Coast Parish of St Elizabeth, Jamaica)

1 x Fresh Papaya (from the village of Martha Brae in Falmouth, Jamaica)

1 x Fresh Seville Orange (from the Rose Hall Estate)

Blend the above with ice and the zest of Jamaican lime.


 

*  Ortaniques are a tanger that was discovered in Jamaica. The name is a combination of “or” for orange, “tan” for tangerine, and “ique” for unique.


 

The Hummingbird

2 x peeled frozen Mangoes (there are a plethora of mango varieties in the gardens of Hummingbird Hall and the Rose Hall Estate – our favourites are Julie and Number Seven)

1 x peeled frozen Pineapple

1 coconut’s worth of chilled coconut water (not to be confused with coconut milk)

This recipe does not require ice as all the fruit are frozen immediately on reaching our kitchens!  Be sure to peel the mangoes and remove the seeds before they are frozen.

For an island spice kick – add a little cinnamon.


 

Ginger Sunset

½ root of ginger (Hummingbird Hall’s gardens)

¼ fresh watermelon (Falmouth Farmer’s Market)

1 x Spoonful of Honey (From Clarks Town, Rose Hall – 15 minutes from Hummingbird Hall)

1 x Banana (Hummingbird Hall/Rose Hall Estate)

Ice

Blend the above with ice, sprinkle dried Hibiscus leaves (Hummingbird Hall) to garnish.


 

Yah Mon!