Love is like a friendship caught on fire — In the beginning a flame, very pretty but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, hearts mature and love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.

That’s the story of Marisa Wright and Daniel Dunkley. They were mere acquaintances while they studied at the University of the West Indies, having met ‘under di tree’ on campus — the hot spot for past Wolmer’s students outside of class hours. They had mutual friends and soon learnt they had much more in common. As time progressed they started a close friendship which eventually blossomed into love, and the couple tied the knot on April 14, 2013.

Marisa, an administrative assistant at the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency, recalls how Daniel, a public education officer at the Forestry Department, popped the question just over a year ago. “One Sunday morning we were having a discussion about our plans for the future. He had asked me what I wanted to accomplish in the next five years. And, while I was talking, I turned to him, and there was the box with the ring!”

The romantic wedding ceremony was held at the majestic Struan Castle Garden in Stony Hill, St Andrew. The bride wore an ivory dress from Bliss Bridals Boutique, while the bridegroom styled in his tailored ivory suit, courtesy of Rick B’s Fashion. With bursts of neon orange and blue, Future Events created the ideal décor for the perfect garden ceremony.

It was a beautiful wedding, the backdrop resplendent and the familial support evident.

Flower girl Nairobi Slater walked with the couple’s son and ring bearer Joshua Dunkley, and the bride’s father Owen Wright escorted her up the aisle to Shania Twain’s From This Moment. The bride and groom professed their love for each other as they exchanged self-written vows. After the symbolic thread-tying ceremony signalling the union of Mr and Mrs Dunkley, doves were released into the air and their nuptials sealed with their first kiss as husband and wife.

Family and friends then headed to the reception at the property’s restaurant. The Dunkleys shared their first dance as man and wife to We’re in Heaven by Do before enjoying a taste of the beautiful cake designed by Gillian White. The newly-weds then partied to the musical stylings of YG Entertainment’s Dr Niquet Goldson and Dario Morgan before honeymooning for three nights at Jewels, Runaway Bay, and two nights at Frenchman’s Cove.