The Law of Love
January 9, 2016 was the day chosen by legal eagles Kerri-Ann Allen and Jonathan Morgan – of Livingston, Alexander & Levy and DunnCox respectively – to exchange vows on the lawns of Straun Castle Gardens in Stony Hill. Vows brings you the magical moments.
How they met
While studying law at the University of the West Indies Cavehill campus in Barbados, Kerri-Ann, a Jamaican, and Jonathan, a Trinidadian, first caught sight of each other across a crowded room during a students’ cocktail mixer. Though each felt a magnetic pull to the other, it was several days before they actually spoke in between classes. A clash of quick wits and a light flirtation marked the beginning of a fast friendship. As the months passed, with classes and student activities bringing them together time and time again, they began to consider changing their relationship from platonic to romantic. Only after spending Christmas apart, thinking on whether they could make it work with a difference in nationalities between them, did they “…decide to see how far God would take them”.
The proposal
We talked about getting married many times and I knew he was going to propose. What I didn’t know was when, and the wait was killing me. On Friday May 29, 2015, he picked me up from work, a bit later than usual, but on the way home we took a different route. Later Jonathan said that it was for a wonderful evening drive. Though he made it seem as if he had no destination in mind, it got a little strange when he took us past Papine and up into the hills. We ended up at Strawberry Hill Hotel and he wanted us to “try our luck” without a reservation. That confirmed all my suspicions about him proposing that night. Just after dinner we went walking by the pool, when he suddenly took an interest in a particular tree — asking me all kinds of questions about it. I turned to look at it, trying to answer his questions even though they seemed very random, but when I turned back to him he was down on one knee. Funnily enough, a young waiter approached us and interrupted his speech, asking whether we wanted bread pudding. At the time it was a bit annoying for both of us, but looking back it really was hilarious. Jonathan popped the question and I said yes.
His version
Before proposing I had to find the perfect ring. Kerri rarely wore jewellery so I didn’t know what style of ring she’d like and, to be honest, I’m not sure she knew either. During the months that we started talking about the idea of getting married, I took Kerri to casually “browse” a few jewellery stores. That took us from Kingston to Montego Bay, but eventually I learned the secret. The ring had to be twisty and cute ˆ– not too big, not too small – and I really hoped I got it right.
On the day of the proposal I picked Kerri up and recommended that we go for a short drive. Kerri was a little concerned and asked where I was taking her. I quickly tried to relieve her suspicions, making up some silly story about wanting to explore a
Google map route to the North Coast, by passing through Papine. I had hoped the gesture was cute, if not a little transparent.
After driving for nearly 20 minutes through the hills behind Papine, we turned into Strawberry Hill. I had reserved a table in the corner of the restaurant that overlooked the city. On arrival we were treated to glasses of Moscato, and placed at our table of choice. I can’t remember much about what we ate but the ambiance was unforgettable, and the soft music behind us set the perfect tone. I was nervous and a little flustered thinking about the task ahead. Just before dessert, Kerri and I took a stroll by the pool. We shared hugs and butterfly kisses while we spoke. As we stood looking out at the view, with Kerri’s back to me, I got down on one knee.
A little surprised when she turned around, Kerri asked, “What are you doing?” I told her how much she meant to me and how happy it would make me to wake up beside her for the rest of my life. Her eyes, locked with mine, so full of emotion suddenly looked behind me. Then I heard the waiter ask, in a slow and raspy voice, “Do you want your bread pudding?” He interrupted us – to serve the dessert – as if completely oblivious to what was happening. Though it was a bit frustrating, his arrival broke the tension and added some humour to the situation. We should probably send him a token on our first anniversary. After we got rid of the waiter, Kerri said yes. (Guess I picked the right ring after all.)
The ceremony
Surrounded by their families and friends, Kerri-Ann and Jonathan were about to embark on the most important journey of their lives. The processional began as the bridesmaids, who wore empire-waisted magenta gowns, were escorted up the aisle to an instrumental of Roy Todd’s
Radiant as a Bride by the groomsmen – clad in grey suits by Trinidadian designer Ecliffe Elie. With the melodies of Christina Perri’sA Thousand Years as her wedding march, Kerri-Ann made her way up the aisle flanked by her parents, Ernest and Saidie Allen. In an ivory mermaid-style gown with sweetheart neckline and embellished bodice, by Maggie Sotero, she was a breathtaking vision. Trying his best to stave off tears, Jonathan, in a black tuxedo by Spokes Apparel, held Kerri-Ann’s hand tightly as she joined him at the altar. Bishop Lascelles Allen presided over the ceremony in which the couple read traditional and personally written vows. The plaiting of the Cord of Three Strands was performed by the couple, who then released two pure white doves to end the formalities.
The reception
Moving to the Grand Sunset Balcony, emcee Anthony Williams kept things light and the mood festive during the reception.
Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars rang out as the wedding party made its entrance. The entertainment was delightful as saxophonist Brandon Waugh, deejay Amilcar Beckford and songbird Ranae Smith punctuated the evening with music. A sumptuous dinner menu was prepared by the team at Straun Castle Gardens and after several toasts, Kerri-Ann and Jonathan were led by the emcee in playing the Shoe Game. The couple sat back-to-back and had to answer various questions about each other by raising either one of their shoes or one of their partner’s – which soon had everyone in stitches. Jonathan and his mother Paula Morgan then enjoyed a mother-son dance to Mikki Vierek’sA Song for my Son; afterwards Kerri-Ann and her father Ernest Allen shared a father-daughter dance to Heartland’sI loved Her First. Leaving their parents, the couple’s first dance was a polished and elegant display incorporating several lifts and twirls. After an incredibly competitive bouquet toss, complete with its own wardrobe malfunction incident, Jonathan offered his own responses before the well-wishers took the opportunity to commemorate the event with numerous photographs.
The wedding cake, a gift from Allen family friend Hyacinth Campbell, was a three-tiered carrot confection with white fondant and crystals, decorated for the occasion by Sherri Ann Cha.