BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — Looking for a place to have a destination wedding? Give Cleveland a shot! That’s what one St. Louis couple is doing, and so far they have not been disappointed.
Natasha Baker and Tyrone Hunt met when they were in sixth grade. That’s when Hunt confessed his love for Baker in a handwritten love note that was read by a teacher to the rest of the class.
The relationship grew from there, and the couple tied the knot Monday. But they didn’t do it in front of family and friends in their hometown, they wanted to pick a location that would be fun and intimate. The place they chose was Cleveland.
The two planned a trip to Cleveland and stayed at the Renaissance Hotel downtown.
“We like the downtown area,” said Baker. “The way we can walk from our Renaissance hotel to almost anywhere. The local shops, casino and everything.”
Hunt added, “You guys have so many beautiful places here.”
While navigating the city has been a breeze so far, it’s actually the people that the couple said set our city apart.
“As soon as we checked into our room, I noticed there was something on the floor. I pick it up and it’s just this nice little note,” said Baker.
That note came from a stranger, and inside of it was a $50 gift card for the soon to be newlyweds. A gesture that won’t soon be forgotten.
With all the positive things they’ve experienced in such a short time, Hunt says he wouldn’t mind making Cleveland his permanent home.
“Here it has, kind of a home feeling, it almost makes me want to think about relocating,” said Hunt.
Of course having their wedding in Cleveland wasn’t an easy sell to family and friends.
“Why Cleveland?” That was the question Hunt and Baker were asked often.
Hunt admitted to being a big sports fan. He’s a fan of LeBron James, and if the city is good enough for The King, it’s good enough for him.
Baker and Hunt also explored options in Florida before picking Cleveland. They say Cleveland was a much more intimate location, and they have no regrets.
“This was the best decision ever,” said Hunt.
“I took the most beautiful picture of the sunset yesterday,” said Baker. “I’m just going to show them the pictures of this beach. The sunset, the amazing hotel. The generosity of the people. Everything was great.”
The visit to Cleveland will be memorable for them, and getting married is the icing on the cake. A marriage that happened on a beautiful summer day at Huntington Beach.
“It doesn’t even feel real. I’m still kind of nervous. Sweaty and butterflies. I’m very excited,” said Baker shortly after becoming Mrs. Tyrone Hunt.
Hunt himself said, “It’s very surreal at the moment. I feel like I’ve accomplished my biggest accomplishment in life. I’m marrying my best friend.”