Jermaine Richards, software support analyst, wed Kerice Masters, spatial data analyst, at the Bellefield Great House & Gardens in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on March 10.

They met as children at el Instituto de Mandevilla Prep School more than 25 years ago. Kerice later attended de Carteret College while Jermaine attended Manchester High School. “My high school crush on Jermaine was short-lived because at the time I thought I was too young for him,” Kerice shared with Vows.

However, the couple kept in touch and remained friends until Jermaine migrated to the United States for continued studies. By this time, Kerice graduated from high school and continued her academic journey at the University of Technology. Surprisingly, the distance between the pair strengthened their friendship and they maintained regular contact. While pursuing further studies in the Netherlands, Kerice experienced an epiphany due to the loss of a friend. The pair then realised the depth of their feelings for each other, and their relationship became intimate.

The proposal was planned after Jermaine received the blessing of Kerice’s parents to request their daughter’s hand in marriage. He planned a private three-course dinner at Jake’s hotel in Treasure Beach, which would take place after a surprise spa treatment he arranged for his bride-to-be. “I was nervous with all the elaborate arrangements happening that evening, and didn’t want to mistake another romantic gesture for the proposal,” Kerice told Vows. This time dinner ended with Jermaine professing his love to Kerice as he went down on one knee, extending an open box towards her with an engagement ring.

She could hear her heart beating as she said, “Yes!”

The ceremony took place on the beautiful plantation property of Bellefield Great House and Gardens. The bride beamed with pride when approaching her bridegroom on the arm of her father — in a fit and flare gown by Allure Bridal that featured layers of lace throughout the entire design. Dapper in his grey suit with damask vest designed by Spokes Apparel, the bridegroom stood waiting for her hand to be placed in his. Kerice and Jermaine chose a wine and letter-box ceremony to create their own time capsule, to be opened on their fifth wedding anniversary as a reminder of the commitment they made.

The bridesmaids, Simone Spence-Johnson, Judyth Alberg, Karene Masters and Diane Johnson, wore their own unique charcoal-coloured dresses to match their individual style. The groomsmen, Nicholas Cooper, Indra Bahadur, Karland Whilshire and Sheldon Masters, wore suits designed by Spokes Apparel.

The wedding reception took place on the picturesque lawns of Bellefield Great House. The rustic charm of the decor was created by Kara Anderson of Petals and Promises and proved the perfect backdrop for the intimate affair. Poet Rudolf “Fuzion” Thomas provided entertainment for the reception, adding his own unique Jamaican touch. Immediately after the formalities, guests were invited to celebrate in the cut-stone sugar mill at Bellefield Great House. They were entertained with dancefloor-ready tunes courtesy of DJ Buck from Jamaica Wedding DJs. Cocktails and Jamaican desserts were also served.

The couple celebrated their honeymoon by visiting several spots around Jamaica. Their journey started at the Green Grotto Caves and Glistening Waters in Trelawny. Later, they dined at Toscanini Italian Restaurant in Oracabessa after exploring the art gallery at Firefly, went rafting on the Rio Grande in Portland, and ended their weekend trip with a cosy, romantic dinner at EITS Café in the Blue Mountains.