The classic fairy-tale dream of marrying a friend from childhood is seldom realised, but in the case of Lloy Richardson, wealth manager at First Caribbean International Securities Limited, and Jamaica Defence Force military officer Captain Theodore Palmer, life devised its own plan for their paths to intertwine from a very young age.

Their fathers would gather every Wednesday to play dominoes when they were mere children and they would see each other periodically at their families’ joint social events.

Palmer always found Richardson to be a very sociable person, while she always appreciated his good manners. Growing up, however, meant seeing each other less frequently… life took both in separate directions. Palmer was overseas and working in an aviation company.

As destiny would have it, the two were reunited in 2005 during a shopping trip to Courts. Palmer left with Richardson’s telephone number, which allowed them to reconnect by talking frequently on the phone.

Palmer’s return to Jamaica the following year allowed them both to spend time together and for their relationship to grow and blossom. Although they initially kept the lid on their growing relationship, their parents caught on a few months later, and began to playfully tease and question them about each other. The couple made it ‘official’ after a night out with friends on November 11, 2006.

The Engagement

Perhaps inspired by the love around him, Palmer proposed to his girlfriend in the privacy of his home after they both attended a friend’s renewal-of-vows ceremony. So special was the proposal that the couple decided to keep the intimate details of how it happened top-secret, only sharing with Vows that the bride-to-be spent the entire night calling her parents, siblings and closest friends to share the exciting news. The ‘top secret’ motif would feature throughout the wedding.

The Mission Commences…

The family and friends of Lloy Richardson and Captain Theodore Palmer had no clue what to expect when they received invitations stating they had been specially selected as ‘secret agents’ to participate in the Richardson-Palmer operation slated for the Garrison Chapel of the Ascension, Up Park Camp, Kingston, for the wedding ceremony on July 5, 2014.

Thankfully, all turned up…

Here Comes the Bride…

The bride, who wore a beautiful strapless gown designed by Alfredo Angelo and a veil from David’s Bridal, made her walk up the red roses-lined aisle runner with the words The Mission Starts here etched on — escorted by her proud dad Wayne to Here Comes the Bride tickled on the ivories by Noel Dexter to her groom, who stood elegant in full military ceremonial regalia.

Her bridesmaids, who styled in striped black and white dresses with red accent belts by Patrick Lloyd Smith of Shalla’s Fashion, and the groomsmen in black and white striped ties and tuxedos from Beautiful Brides & Mr Tux, complete with cuff links with their initials as the final detail, complemented the elegant couple.

The ceremony was officated by Major Denston Smalling, and Mario Evans sang John Legend’s popular love song All Of Me.

Follow The Rules Of Engagement

The location of the reception would remain a mystery even after the couple was declared husband and wife. Guests adhered to the rules of enagagement: followed strategically placed signs; met at key rendezvous points; and dropped off gifts in the vault.

The MC, or rather Mission Commander of the day, Captain Akeem Haughton James, ensured guests were kept guessing until they made it to the Flagstaff Officers Mess, Up Park Camp, where wedding planners Petals and Promises executed an elegant evening, providing spacious clear-top tents bordered in red fabric with seating for 275 guests.

Loveseats and sofas on the lawns provided a relaxed setting for the cocktail hour ahead of the formal dinner. The black and white theme was accentuated with red tones complemented by a myriad red roses adorning the outdoor venue.

The newly-weds made quite the entrance as they arrived military-style in a huge monster truck (owned by the bride’s brother) driven by none other than the bride herself. The fun continued as the wedding party was invited to write words of wisdom and encouragement on the pieces of a wooden puzzle, which became a picture of the happy couple when assembled.

Catering duties were handled by Stephen Hamilton of Eskay Caterers.

The heartfelt speeches, the happiness that enveloped the newly weds, the fun had on the dance floor with DJ Taj Graham at the controls are all moments the couple carries with them each day. The bride’s most memorable moment was when she and her husband placed love letters they had written to each other in a time capsule that they plan to open on their fifth wedding anniversary. These letters will remind them of why they fell in love.

The couple honeymooned at Couples Negril.