- CONTRIBUTED
Hotelier John Rollins' daughter, Michele, and her husband-to-be, Michael Marietta.
LONG HELD as one of the most legendary Jamaican landmarks, the Rose Hall Great House will welcome a significant family occasion in grand style next month. The late John Rollins dreamed the dream of the Rose Hall resort and methodically turned his vision into a dramatic reality. Together with his wife Michele, a Delaware philanthropist and Jamaican developer, they purchased and restored the Great House.
This spring, the Rollins family will celebrate an ode to their island legacy as their daughter Michele Rollins marries Michael Marietta at this historic site.
In the late 1700s, Rose Hall was one of the island's most successful plantations and home to the Rose Hall Great House, the former haunt of famed mistress Annie Palmer, remembered as the 'White Witch of Rose Hall'. As youngsters, Michele and her siblings even spent the night in an effort to experience Annie in all her mystery.
The Rollins family renovated the great house in the late 1960s at a cost of $2.5
million and recently won The Society of American Travel Writer's Phoenix Award for excellence in preservation and restoration, the first destination to win in the Caribbean. Today, the great house is fast becoming the choice for Caribbean weddings and events.
"One of our family's more important achievements in Jamaica is the restoration of the Rose Hall Great House," said Michele Rollins. "It is only fitting this glorious occasion is celebrated here, bringing everything full circle. The great house is the perfect venue to usher in the union between Michele and Michael because of its breathtaking, vibrant setting, and because Jamaica is our family's second home."
ROMANTIC SETTING
Currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee, Michele and Michael met five years ago in St. Louis. As a newly-licensed cosmetologist, Michele worked the 'count down' at the Ritz in 2000 and then helped open the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall spa for six months. During that time, Michael worked with the Rose Hall team shaping the adjoining Cinnamon Hill golf course for the Robert von Hagge renovation.
"We have so much history here, some of my fondest memories are of exploring the Great House," said bride-to-be Michele Rollins. "I can't imagine a more romantic place to marry and welcome Michael into the family and make our union part of the great house's history."
BRIDAL DRESS
Michele will wear a dress by renowned New York-based designer Angel Sanchez, a close family friend who designed the table linens as well. The bridesmaids will be wearing Vera Wang. The mother of the bride, Michele Rollins, will wear Aurora Ruffolo. In keeping with the elegantly Caribbean theme, the groom will be dressed in a white linen suit and pink shirt with a handkerchief etched in pink tucked neatly into his pocket. His groomsmen will also don white linen pants and a pink shirt. Nearly 250 guests are expected, including members of the Carter/Cash family and local dignitaries.
The event will commence with family and members of the bridal party gathering at Copperwood, the Rollins' home for more than 35 years, for a traditional dinner on the spacious veranda. The following day, guests will be welcomed at the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort's Jerk Centre for a beach-side party celebrating the cuisine for which Jamaica is famous, complete with bamboo bonfire. The wedding ceremony and ensuing reception will take place at dusk under the stars and with magnificent fireworks, while dancing to the popular band "Bare Essentials."
