O’Davia Stephens, quantity surveyor at Kemtek Development & Construction Limited, and Micheka Grant, pharmacist at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital Pharmacy, tied the knot on Sunday, December 24, 2017 at Konoko Falls and Park, Ocho Rios. Vows introduces Mr and Mrs O’Davia Stephens.

How they met, as told by O’Davia

We both attended York Castle High School in St Ann, where we had chemistry and English classes together and Micheka would sit in front of me. After leaving high school in 2009, we both attended Brown’s Town Community College, but somehow drifted apart. Fast-forward to UTech a few years later, where destiny brought us together again. I spotted her one evening after classes. It occured to me that I had to make the most of this opportunity. Indeed, I summoned enough courage to ask her out on a date. Thankfully, she agreed.

On the evening of the proposed date, however, her phone rang without an answer. I got upset and sent a message to her via Facebook. She replied and said I was rude and then gave me a lame excuse that her phone had got lost. Anyway, I bumped into her at the Jamaica National Bank in Papine and accosted her, “I like how you stood me up.” She laughed and said she was sorry and would like to make it up to me. We set another date, this time for Friday, December 14, 2012. I made early reservations at a restaurant for 5:00 pm. I could not believe what happened to me again; her phone rang without an answer!

At my wit’s end I told my roommate at the time, Renaldo Cassie (my future best man) that the chapter was now closed. I spoke too soon! She called back and apologised most profusely as she was doing her hair and as such could not pick up the phone. Long story short, we went to the movies or rather chatted throughout the movie… We have been inseparable since!

The proposal, as told by Micheka

O’Davia proposed to me on Saturday, September 30, 2016, one day after my birthday. He had given me prior notice to take the Friday off work and to pack enough clothes for a weekend getaway. “We arrived at the Holiday Inn hotel in MoBay around 2 o’clock, checked in, and about 4 o’clock I was told to put on something nice for dinner. We left the room, headed out for the restaurant where there was a couple who just got married and who were taking photos. Directly across from the couple was a gazebo decorated in white and pink with a table set up for dinner, and a server standing at the entrance. I said to O’Davia, “Aww babe, they just got married and look at the gazebo, it’s so nice.” We walked past the gazebo to the end of the boardwalk and then he said, ‘I think the restaurant is the other way’, so we turned around. Upon arriving at the gazebo he looked at me and said, ‘This is for you.’ I started ‘bawling’ instantly. It’s like I knew what was going to happen. Then the photographer who was shooting the couple walked over and introduced himself, stating that he would be with us for the evening. At this point my eyes were still filled with tears. O’Davia kept asking why I was crying and I kept saying nothing. We were served appetisers, then the entrée, but before I could even take a bite O’Davia got up and asked me to stand, then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes!

The ceremony

The exchange of vows took place on the lawns at Konoko Falls, Ocho Rios, St Ann, where the theme was tropical glam. Event planner Thelma Gray used shades of papaya and gold to decorate the area. The start of the proceedings was signalled by the arrival of the bridesmaids, who wore papaya one-shoulder dresses with ruffles. They were escorted up the aisle to Major’s This Is Why I Love You by the groomsmen clad in black suits from Beautiful Bride and Mr Tux, which were accented by papaya bow ties. With the melodies of John Legend’s You and I as her wedding song, Micheka made her way up the aisle on the arm of her father, Byron Grant. She was beautiful in a Maggie Sottero champagne lace mermaid gown with custom cathedral veil from Bliss Bridal Boutique. Plus, something new: garter; something borrowed: pearl bracelet from the groom’s aunt, and something used: laced Jessica Simpson heels. The groom, dapper in a black and white suit by Mark Anthony Designs, awaited his bride’s arrival. Once delivered to her groom by her father the ceremony began, officiated by Reverend Karen Kirlew.

The reception

The formalities over, it was time for the celebrations to begin. Moving to the gazebo, emcee Ryan “ Tha Brotha” Dixon kept things light and the mood festive during the reception. I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas rang out as the wedding party made its entrance. This was followed by the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to a compilation of songs wonderfully mixed by DJ Daveon Simpson, which included Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, Jah Cure’s Unconditional Love, 2Face’s African Queen, QQ’s Stookie, and Ding Dong’s Fling. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal and witnessed the cutting of the three-tiered vanilla and fruitcake with lemon raspberry filling made by Camille Flimn for Cake Couture Ja. At the end, guests were asked to release Chinese lanterns.

The honeymoon

The lovebirds honeymooned at Jewel Paradise Cove Resort & Spa Runaway Bay, St Ann.