Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic Mountain

Mystic Mountain

Blue Hole

Four Winds Villa at Old Fort Bay Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Wedding Day

Wedding

Four Winds Villa, Jamaica

Reception

Our Wedding

Alyssa was on vacation in Japan with some friends. David recently moved from Switzerland to Tokyo on a 6 months contract for work. We were both using the application Tinder to get in touch with people more easily. Alyssa wanted to find some "local people" to show her around. She might have misunderstood what "local" means though. Indeed, David is not really what we can qualify as LOCAL when it comes to Japan (just saying). But still, Alyssa seemed to be interested in David when she saw his profile and got stuck on that particular photo showing him wearing a suit. We have to mention here that this was certainly one of the very first time that it occurred. In fact, in order to give a good impression for his first day at work, the man decided to dress up appropriately (once in his life) and had to immortalized the moment. Despite the caption of that photo saying "This is why I will never get married; I have no intention to wear a suit again" (and look where we are now!), it convinced Alyssa to give the man a chance and she decided to swipe RIGHT.When David saw Alyssa's profile and pictures, he was logically going to swipe right. Honestly, who wouldn't? Indeed, we know the man has taste for beautiful things (usually about cars and shoes though), perfect shape and curves (still cars… ), in addition to his interest in bikinis and beaches (here it is more complicated to do the link with cars :-/)… It was a perfect combination. David's thoughts, feelings and hopes were not very high on the scale of confidence. So what a surprise when – after his finger swiped RIGHT – it showed…IT'S A MATCH!!! We were both pleasantly surprised and excited when we matched. For us, it was love at first swipe &lt;3. David sent a first text message to Alyssa with two simple words; "Hello Beautiful". She was already smitten. She replied with a "Daviiiiiid". Yep, she was already shouting at me before we've even met. :-/Later that evening, Alyssa was in Ropponggi with her friends at karaoke. David was also in the area at a lounge bar nearby. Only by fate, Alyssa managed to connect to a wifi spot and messaged David to let him know she was leaving the city catching the last train running for the night. He immediately left the drink he just ordered at the bar and ran to meet her at the train station. He didn't want to miss the chance to see her. We literally spoke for 7 seconds (we have to mention here that Alyssa slapped him even before saying "Hello", complaining about him waiting for her on the wrong side of the road) - and had to part.Captured by each other, David and Alyssa agreed to meet the next day in Shibuya, before Alyssa had to attend a concert. David waited for her (it wouldn't be fair to not mention here that the man waited for more than TWO hours) at Starbucks across the train station. When she arrived (2 hours later we just said!) he greeted her with a spare phone so she could contact him while on her stay (the man was quite smart on that one, ey? ;-) ), an umbrella (it was raining a lot), 2 strawberries (a white and a RED one), a hand written card and a little wooden sheep for good luck. David walked Alyssa in the rain to the concert and said goodbye once again.We spent every day together since then while in Tokyo. When Alyssa had to continue traveling throughout Japan, David promised to meet her in Kyoto for one day to say goodbye before she would leave definitely. We spent the day touring the Golden Pavillion, walked through the villages, street shopping and eating local delicacies, making our way to the top of Kiyomizu-Dera Temple to see all of Kyoto and its glory at sunset. At that moment, we were both sadly thinking it was the last time we would be with each other....

It's a Match 

A few days later, Alyssa returned to Miami missing the man she left behind. David was scared to take a chance on love. But the man is known for never wanting to live with regrets and also strongly believes that "everything happens for a reason". Ten days later, he took his vacation and flew to Miami to see her, without knowing if she was feeling the same for him. After 2 amazing and unforgettable weeks spent together, we not only knew we loved each other but also that we didn't want to stay apart and couldn't imagine life without the other. Before leaving Miami, David wanted Alyssa to know that he fell for her. The shy man, to demonstrate his feelings, offered Alyssa a Britto's painting, named - "Love is in the air Too".Reality hit the young couple once again. But before leaving each other, David and Alyssa decided to be committed to each other and to work on a solution to not be separated for too long.

L.O.V.E.  is in the Air Too

Distance only made our hearts grow fonder. David knew he didn't want to spend his life without Alyssa. Now that he has found her, he wanted her by his side every day. David was already missing Alyssa so much. A week after leaving Miami, he had to fly to Switzerland for work for 2 weeks. These long hours on the planes allow him to think about what he wanted and what he didn't want anymore. While he was in Switzerland, he managed to find the ring he wanted for his ONE (and believe me, to find a ring fitting such a small finger was mission impossible in such a short time). A few days before flying back to Japan, David bought a ticket for Miami and exactly a month after having left Alyssa, he flew across the world for only 2 days to surprise her. The preparation was hectic and stressful. But David could count on the precious help of Audrey and Rosemarie. On June the 4th, he showed up at her door step with 76 white roses and one single red rose. In the letter he wrote for her, she could read: "These flowers you receive, most of them have no meaning, they are all the same except for one. This flower is special, because I've given her special attention. I've dedicated time to her and she becomes special. She becomes the most important. She is unique. Like this red rose, you are unique and if you look inside, you'll see how special you will always be for me". David got down on one knee and asked the girl of his dreams if she had any plans for the next coming 77 years. "Would you give me the chance to spend this time by your side? I would like to show you how amazing, how beautiful, how meaningful you are to me. I would like to spend every day proving to you that you have this ability to change someone's life and change it into a fairytale." She said YES! Of course...

Our Proposal 

As you've understood by now, our story is all about traveling. We met in Japan. Went back to Miami. Visited Jamaica... and since July we are both living in Tokyo. I know how blessed I am to have a job that requires me to travel often and we would be crazy not to grab the opportunity and start visiting the world together. Since July, we have been to quite a few countries and visited incredible cities... most of them were new to both of us. Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bali, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Switzerland... We enjoy discovering each other through our trips and we wanted to share a few of our memories with you.

We met while traveling. We continue to do it and discover the world together. Together is always better <3

Our Story

Details

Photos

Bee is more than a cousin to me, she is more like my sister. Always there to lend a hand or an ear, to give advice and to love and support me through my comings. We always find time for each other, if its 30 mins in-between work, an hour to feed our bellies at our favorite restaurant, or full day photo shoots just because. You always know what to say and how to make me laugh. We have an unparalleled chemistry that only soul sisters can have. For that, Thank YOU for being my Matron of Honor. 

Britney Samuels 

Laurent has been with me for almost 15 years now. We started working for Walter at the same time. We were both trying to figure out where our lives were going to bring us. Laurent is one of this example, inspiring others. At least, and I've never told him, he has inspired me in many aspects. Very young, he started his own company - which is today a great success. On a private side, his life seems to be perfect as well. Happily married to the girl he has been dating since a teenager, with 3 fabulous kids, a cute house... What about a dog? I still ask myself that question though... :-/Laurent, like me, like most of my friends, is everything but normal. When you meet him for the first time (don't be shocked, as it might happen during the wedding ceremony), he is this kind of person who will act and behave the way he would if you were friends since childhood, or his brother (or sister without any distinctions). I won't go into details about this topic, I'm sure he will share (too much) with you when you get a "chance" to meet him. Anyway... Laurent has always been there for me. He helped me when I needed. He supported me and always gave me the advice a friend would give. This means, not necessarily what I wanted to hear but always what I needed to hear! He is what I call a real and true friend who will tell you to your face what everyone thinks and murmurs behind your back. We have been working together as colleagues. He became my client. And then as partners. He is a successful entrepreneur, driving is professional and private life like I've rarely seen anyone doing before. I can tell you today that you've been an example for me. Whatever happens, I know we will always find a way to find each other again. We can spend months without seeing each other or without talking to each other. Though when we meet again, it's like we've been separated for a few hours. I love that about us. It's simple. Clear. Friendship should be all about simplicity and I love our friendship.Today, I couldn't have imagined anyone else to play the role of my Best Man. I want you by my side as much as I want Alyssa for the rest of my life. I know I can rely on you. You are this one person I trust. And you know how hard it is for me to trust people. You gave me this confidence to open myself to you, to show you who I am and what I am. I can tell you that not many people know so much about me. Thank you for being the Best Man in my life, for such a long time. 

Laurent Hosseini

Lesley and I have been best friends since freshman year in high school. We later found out that we were more than just friends but we were also related. We would walk to school together, eat lunch together and walk home after school. We spent many weekends having slumber parties. We applied to our first job together and got hired. High school was epic because of you! Our relationship proves that sometimes water is thicker than blood. We will always be there to listen when the other needs to vent and to give advice to each other, to share our hopes and dreams and watch them come true. I will always miss our conversations when I'm stuck in traffic, our concert dates and touring the world with you!  Our friendship took us all the way to Japan on holiday when you convinced me to go on Tinder to find a tour guide. Thanks to you I am marrying the man of my dreams. Thank you for being my best friend that neither time nor space could ever replace. 

Lesley Chen

Based on the picture you see of him, do we really need to add anything about Yann? :PYann is Walter's son. In this small world, we've been linked via our various jobs, working together, working closely as partners or as competitors. We became friends. Despite him being a "baby" (compared to the old me), we've always found our way together. Yann is a very weird man, motivated and ambitious. He rarely – if not ever – gives up and gets inspired by people around him to become better (than them). I wouldn't have imagined our wedding day without him and I know it wouldn't have even been possible… as he almost invited himself before I did :P  I'm excited to have Yann with us and to bring him in this amazing country… I know he will love it more than anyone else.

Yann Strauch

Melissa, I couldn't tell you the exact moment we became best friends... One day we were having lunch with the chink link at the Rathskeller, next minute we are best friends downing a bottle of wine at Popo's house. In fact, it doesn't matter how or when. Our friendship doesn't need togetherness or daily conversations; we hold each other close to the heart. I can always count on you to help me finish a bottle of wine, for honest advice, to turn up at Rachetville on a Friday night and be down for McD's pit stop at 5 am. You're the funniest, classiest girl I know with a little hillbilly on the side. Despite our busy schedules and living in different countries we always make time for just the two of us when in town and I cherish those moments.  I'm so lucky to have you as my bridesmaid. 

Melissa Hendrickson 

  I've known Walter since 2001, when I arrived in Lausanne to join university. I didn't have any experience but Walter hired me to work for him as a salesman in the computer department he was leading. Working for him was a blessing. I've learned so much both professionally and personally, going through incredible experiences. Professionally speaking, I am where I am today and it is thanks to him. He guided me, taught me the basics. Nothing has ever been easy, but he helped me a lot finding my way. Walter became later my biggest client when I started working for Logitech and despite having both a f*** unmanageable character, we always find a way to make it work. I'm so happy to have him with us to start a new chapter of my life, as he was part of so many in the past already.  

Walter Strauch

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

The recommended Hotels (The RIU and The Jewel) will provide free transportation from the airport to the hotel in Ocho Rios. We are soliciting flight information to assist with travel arrangements for any of our guests not staying at either of these hotels with free transportation. Transportation to and from the Venue on the wedding day will be provided. You can reach us at: Bride: alyssahoo@gmail.comGroom: dpannatier@gmail.com

Sangster International Airport

Please check the popular website Airbnb.com for local listing of apartments, homes and villas. They are very affordable for our guests flying in from out of town. Please keep in mind the wedding venue is in Old Fort Bay Ocho Rios

Airbnb 

We recommend all inclusive hotels near the venue

Jewel Dunn's River Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

We recommend all inclusive hotels near the venue.

ClubHotel Riu Ocho Rios

Cannon Villa's at Old Fort Bay is walking distance to the Venue. They offer small villas with multiple bedrooms. They also have their own beach. This location provides guests with the options of visiting attractions, like the famous Dunn's River Falls, Mystic Mountain... There are also duty-free shops, restaurants, nightclubs and all the fun and entertainment that the north coast town of Ocho Rios has to offer. Or you can simply enjoy the privacy and solitude of your own villa.

Alyssa & David

Alyssa & David

Photos