A love story 12 years in the making got its picture-perfect ending when high school sweethearts, Diedra Francis, banker at Sagicor Life Limited, and businessman and software developer Desmond Campbell wed on September 24, 2016 at the St Catherine De-La Vega Cathedral. Vows brings you the magical moments.

The initial encounters, as told by Diedra..

“As a child, I would often go on field trips with the churches I occasionally visited. I once went on an excursion to Cranbrook Flower Forest, St Ann, at the age of 10, with a church group I was visiting. Desmond was also there, but we were not formally introduced. I knew of him long before he knew me — as an avid viewer of Television Jamaica’s School Challenge Quiz, I would often watch him play matches for his high school.

Desmond attended, then worked right afterwards at St Jago High School —the alma mater of many of my friends. I often visited the school’s compound and admired him from afar during his football matches and would frequently hear my friends in conversation about the “really smart lab technician” who held tutoring classes and was really good at math and chemistry. Little did I know this was the same person.

On January 17, 2004 — his birthday — we finally formally met when I visited his church in Spanish Town. I popped my shoe, he offered his; we started talking and an instant connection was made. It felt like I knew him all along (which technically, I did). “

One week later, on January 24, the couple decided to make things official. That date has been significant ever since. Conversations of marriage were raised at an early stage in their relationship which resulted in negative responses from persons who believed they were too young to consider such a commitment. However, the couple made a vow to one day get married and prove their naysayers wrong. Fast-forward to 2016; they both decided it was time to seal the deal.

The wedding

The St Jago De la Vega Cathedral, Spanish Town was the appropriate venue for the Cinderella-themed ceremony. The brick walls and Victorian-style architecture was the perfect touch to the minimally decorated space. The bridesmaids made their entrance to Pachelbel’s

Canon in D Major dressed in floor-length wrap dresses, each in unique pastel colours from Lauderdale Bridal Boutique. They were escorted by the dapper groomsmen, who complemented them in fossil grey suits and pastel neckties, also from Lauderdale Bridal Boutique. Church bells rang, and guests stood looking on with love as Joan Pryce walked her youngest daughter up the aisle to the strains of Wagner’s Here Comes The Bride. Diedra was gorgeous in a fit and flare strapless lace gown made with love by her mother. At the altar, Desmond was eagerly awaiting his bride decked in an all-white three-piece suit with a white necktie from Lauderdale Bridal Boutique. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Collin Reid.

The reception..

…was held inside the ballroom of Pollyanna Caterers. The bridal party danced their way inside to the Matrimoney Riddim Medley and were soon followed by the newly-weds who made their entrance to Wayne Marshall’s Good Ole Wife. It was now over to the evening’s master of ceremonies, Damani Blake, who welcomed guests and asked them to be seated. What followed was a surprise to all, not least of all the groom. Diedra stepped to the centre of the room to sing Sarah Bareilles’ I Choose You as a tribute to her husband. There were few dry eyes. Formalities continued with the cutting of the wedding cake and the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to Celine Dion’s The Power of Love. Post-dinner — a sumptuous three-course meal — the after-party continued at the bride’s home.

The honeymoon

After spending their wedding night at the Port Royal Grand Marina, the couple continued their honeymoon at Couples Negril.