Civil engineer John Clato-Day and Tiffany Campbell, dental surgeon in Houston, Texas, are still celebrating after tying the knot on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at the Sunken Gardens, Hope Gardens. Vows takes you to the altar.

How they met, as told by Tiffany

We have so many mutual friends it was shocking we didn’t meet sooner. In 2008, I was on spring break from school in Florida, where I was doing my undergraduate studies at Stetson University. One of my bridesmaids, Christen, and I decided to go to a soca party. After the party we had no transportation home because none of our friends wanted to waste gas struggling up the mountain. Christen asked her friend John, who was kind enough to “chauffeur” five girls up the hill. Because of his generosity I had to introduce myself and thank him; he was shocked by my boldness, which made him intrigued.

As time progressed, we exchanged numbers and began communicating via telephone and Skype; a long-distance relationship had now developed. On holidays, I would return home where John would take me on dates, dinners/parties, etc. John was a true gentleman from the moment I met him; well-brought-up, as Jamaicans would say. Always surprising me with small gifts such as rose or a slice of cheesecake. Importantly, he captured the hearts of my parents, which is not easy to do. His actions got even more serious by becoming a member of my church. As long as I was in Jamaica, most Sundays after church, he along with Christen would look forward to my father’s scrumptious meals and even bonding more with my parents.

John’s version

Christen would often say she had the perfect match for me. As fate would have it, I had decided to go to a soca party, where at the very end I met Tiffany through Christen. Christen expressed her difficulties in securing transportation home for Tiffany and herself, and I offered to assist. Two passengers turned into five and we started to make our way up the mountain. My attempt to make casual conversation with Tiffany was met with unmitigated feistiness. Upon reaching her intended destination, her conscience must have brought her to express gratitude for my help. In that fleeting moment, I became not only intrigued but also focused on “matching” with this young lady. The rest is history.

The proposal, as told by John

With the help of my best man, Kevin Henry, sister Dr Stephanie Scarlett and the Melia Braco family I orchestrated the proposal on September 16, 2016. I tricked Tiffany into thinking it was an extension of my birthday celebration. I picked the perfect spot on the beach and laid a circle of lights with her favourite colour, purple. A romantic moonlit walk on the beach led me to be on bended knee asking for her hand in marriage. Very surprised, she burst into tears and said yes!!!

The ceremony

The exchange of vows took place at the Sunken Gardens, Hope Gardens, Kingston. Ashli O’Connor from I Do Experience used shades of blush, gold and navy blue to decorate the area. To the strains of instrumental songs the bridesmaids made their way up the aisle dressed in blush mermaid sweetheart dresses by Joni from House of Jade. They were escorted by the groomsmen who wore navy blue wool two-piece suits by Spokes Apparel and gold ties and handkerchiefs. At the altar stood John, wearing a navy blue wool suit from Spokes Apparel and gold bow tie.

To the timeless strains of John Legend’s You And I, Tiffany glided up the aisle towards her groom, escorted by her father Michael Campbell. She was a vision of loveliness in an ivory and champagne mermaid gown with lace bodice by Madison James from Kleinfield Bridal, New York, complete with a cathedral veil, as she clutched a bouquet of sprayed roses and hydrangeas. The proceedings were officiated by Reverend Gregory Morris.

The reception

The reception also took place at the Sunken Gardens which was decorated in shades of blush, navy blue and gold. Master of ceremonies Luvin Scarlett welcomed guests ahead of the arrival of the bridal party, which made their entrance to Machel Montano’s Happiest Man Alive, while the newly-weds entered to Bob Marley’s Could You Be Loved. This was followed by the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony. Post-formalities, guests enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal and witnessed the cutting of the three-tiered vanilla chiffon cake with crème de menthe and coconut filling by the bride’s aunt Marcian Walters. Guests partied the night away with songs selected by DJ Taj.

The honeymoon

A honeymoon is planned for a later date in Thailand.