Actress Diana Dill Douglas Darrid has given Bermuda a wedding gift of cash to replant rare endemic plants in a park.

Surrounded by her family, including her film star son Michael Douglas and daughter-in-law Catherine Zeta Jones, Mrs. Douglas Darrid revealed she has asked guests at her wedding on Saturday to give cash for the plants rather than gifts.

Meanwhile, Ms Zeta Jones said she hoped to come to Bermuda as often as possible because she and her husband plan to educate two-year-old Dylan and the couple's forthcoming child on the Island.

She said the safety, beauty and amenities made the Island ideal for raising kids.

Mr. Douglas and Dylan helped replant some of the first of the endemic species in a four-acre plot of Penhurst Park, Devonshire, on Tuesday.

Former actress Mrs. Douglas Darrid will marry Donald Albert Webster, a former Treasury Chief of Staff under President Richard Nixon, at Old Devonshire Church on Saturday.

She has asked the 130 guests at the wedding to give money for endemic plants such as Bermuda cedar, Bermuda Palmetto and Olivewoodbark.

“My family has lived here since the 17th Century and it seemed only fitting for this special wedding to come home to get married in Old Devonshire Church with my family all here,” she said.

“I am tremendously grateful for all of them for all the work they have put in for the wedding and this planting, because I was in California and they have been wonderful.

“I am very pleased that this (planting) is happening, and I think it is something my grandchildren will remember.”

Environment Minister Dennis Lister said: “With the spirit of Christmas at this time of the year we would like to say thank you for what you and your great guests have done on behalf of the Dill family.

“On behalf of the Bermuda government, I would like to thank you and your guests for their efforts and many, many best wishes on your wedding and thank you and your family.”

Afterwards, Ms Zeta Jones told The Royal Gazette why she had decided to educate her children in Bermuda rather than New York or Los Angeles, where the couple also have homes.

“It's a great family unit and base, and I fell in love with the Island and can't think of a better place to bring up children,” she said.

“There is security and activities for them to pursue. (We'll come back) as often as we can. Since he (Dylan) is in school, we'd better be here.”

She said she and her husband, who live in Longford, a $2.5 million home in Warwick they bought in 2001, have not yet chosen a school for Dylan.

Mrs. Douglas Darrid said she decided right away to have her wedding in Bermuda after she and Mr. Webster began talking “vaguely” about getting married in the summer.

Although her son may be establishing Bermuda as his primary home, Mrs Douglas Darrid said she would remain in California.

“I've been in California for 27 years and it feels like home, but I intend to come back and visit Bermuda as often as I can.”

She said she normally lives at a cottage in Ariel Sands, where her reception will be held, but this time she will live in one of the cottages Michael has at Longford.

She will leave the Island on Monday and return to California, but she and her new husband are planning a late honeymoon in April to Cuba, she said.