It’s like I’ve waited my whole life for this one night

It’s gonna be me, you and the dance floor.

— Chris Brown, Forever

(Photographer: Jessane Jackson)

After a four-year courtship, Michael Philibert and Natasha Donaldson decided it was time to convert the ‘couple’ label to ‘husband and wife’. This they did on Saturday, April 4, at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel. The reception followed at the venue’s poolside terrace. Vows shares their ‘happily ever after’ story.

How They Met (according to Natasha)…

One could say ACCA brought us together. We were both working at the same place and studying for the same accountancy course. We would meet to study during our lunch breaks and after work. These moments together revealed our personalities, and eventually our friendship developed into love. However, neither of us wanted to admit our feelings for each other as the timing was bad; things were complicated. The situation changed however, when on my 25th birthday my sweet angel surprised me with a mini birthday party, and proclaimed how beautiful I was, both inside and out. He told me that he only had eyes for me, and wanted me to be his wife. That was like music to my ears and my heart was playing the same tune. It was official. We became a couple, and we have been inseparable ever since.

The Proposal…

Ostensibly to relieve exam stress, Michael popped by one morning and told me to get dressed.. I assumed we were heading to the beach, but as I started to get dressed, he turned to me and said, that I didn’t need any beach attire. I was a bit puzzled, but complied. He drove me to Bella Day Spa, where he had made an appointment for me to enjoy the full package. By the time he came back for me I was thoroughly relaxed and in a great mood. That was, however, a mere taste of what was to come…

Dinner followed later that evening at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel. I was truly on cloud nine — this had to be the best dinner date of my life. Two members of the hotel’s wait staff approached us; one holding a covered silver platter (must be dessert, I thought to myself) but I was wrong again. “Good evening, beautiful lady,” he said, “this is a token from us to you.”

“Thank you”, I replied, and proceeded to open my gift. Hello, diamond! I almost fainted. Guests paused from their meals to cheer us on. The next thing I remember were my sweetheart’s words, “Natasha, will you marry me?” I said ‘yes!’

The Ceremony…

The Pavilion at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel hosted the mid-afternoon ceremony performed by Reverend Donovan McPherson. Jermaine Blake and the One Drop Routz Band set the tone for the bridal party processional. Michael opted for a three-piece suit, comprising a black jacket, grey vest and a silk teal tie by Romeich Wear, while the groomsmen were dapper in grey suits, white shirts, and silk teal ties. Maids of honour Mitsy Labeach and Nova-Lee Wray wore strapless teal dresses, while the bridesmaids wore fuchsia cap-sleeved dresses of a similar design. They were followed by ring bearer Ricaldo Lewis, flower girl and sister of the bride Quisara Bush; and mother of the bride Sharon Fox escorting her daughter up the aisle.

Michael Bolton’s Completely saw guests rising to their feet — cameraphones in hand — waiting to capture the joyous moment. Natasha greeted her bridegroom in an ivory, beaded, sweetheart-neckline, lace overlay gown with a cascading bustle train and intricate beading along the hem. Her hair was pulled back, with a sideswept bang and accessorised with a rhinestone-encrusted hair clip.

Chris Brown’s Forever ushered the wedding party to the poolside reception area, styled by the Petals & Promises team in hues of teal and fuchsia. The award-winning Terra Nova food and beverage team provided sumptuous local fare for all in attendance. After dinner, emcee Alrick Blake opened the floor for best wishes and congratulations.

Michael and Natasha cut into their red velvet dessert created by Collisha Magowen ahead of taking their first dance as husband and wife to Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. The newly-weds spent their first night together at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, followed by a three-night stopover at Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort and a four-night stay at Hedonism II.