Seventeen years of courtship culminated in holy matrimony on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at the City View Hotel, Smokey Vale, between Jamaica National Limited Branch Sales Representative Jodi-Ann Spence and University of Technology Security Operations Officer Garfield McLeary. Vows takes you from “Hello” to “I do”.

How they met

Jodi-Ann and Garfield met in 2001 at an Inter-School Christian Fellowship (ISCF) regional meeting at the Bethany Fellowship Church, Hagley Park Road, St Andrew. The friendship deepened over the years through to university.

The proposal, as told by Garfield

It was Friday, December 22, 2017 at approximately 10:00 am. I contacted Shauna (a co-worker of Jodi-Ann’s) to tell her that I would be doing something special later at the office. I told her to keep this information to herself and that I would call back later with further instructions. I was in Montego Bay at the time. Coming in from Montego Bay, there was a live Arsenal match (we Jodi-Ann and I are both Arsenal fans) so we both kept in touch during the commute, commenting on the match and telling her how much I was looking forward to seeing her the next day (we had a special day planned).

I got back in touch with Shauna and gave her the detailed instructions as to how the event would unfold. I arrived at the location just as the match ended and handed over the items I previously prepared (laminated signs “Jodi-Ann” & “Will You” and some flowers) to the security officer who gave them to Shauna.

It was a few moments after the institution was closed to the public. She was seated with her back turned to the rear door; the song Make My Day by Buju Banton was playing. First, Shauna modelled with the sign that read “Jodi-Ann”. Then Sasha modelled with the other sign that read “Will You Marry”… At this time, Jodi-Ann thought they were just playing a prank on her because she thought I was in Montego Bay. A few of her co-workers were standing around her and blocking her line of vision so she couldn’t see me. I was then given access through the back door and just in time to kneel beside her with the sign that read “ME”, along with the ring and a rose. She said yes and burst into tears, while around her, cheers erupted from her co-workers.

The ceremony

Garfield, looking sharp in a black and white tuxedo, and a mint green shirt complete with gold and mint green paisley print bow tie and matching suspenders, anxiously awaited his bride. Nervous jitters quickly dissipated when, with BeBe Winans’ I Found Love heralding the arrival of the bridal party, the groomsmen clad in black tuxedos, mint green bow ties and suspenders accompanied the bridesmaids styled in mint green one-shoulder beading chiffon dresses, holding bouquets of white, mint green and gold calla lilies and baby’s breath up the aisle. The best man, distinguished by gold bow tie and black suspenders, and maid of honour, styled in a gold variation of the bridesmaid dresses, followed. The ring bearer and the flower girl, scattering gold rose petals, were next.

Camelia Isaacs sang Giving Myself by Jennifer Hudson to announce the bride’s arrival. Jodi-Ann wore a white Erosebridal-bought mermaid gown with lace-up appliqués. In her hands she clutched a bouquet of white and ivory roses embellished with crystals and pearls. She was escorted up the aisle by her father Astley Spence. Pastor Dalton Scott officiated the ceremony which culminated when the newly-weds walked down the aisle to Alaine’s Forever More featuring Tarrus Riley.

The reception

The reception was held at City View Hotel. The bridal party made their entrance to Kool & The Gang’s Celebration, followed by the newly-weds, who entered to Shake Body by Skales. The evening continued with the unveiling of the four-tiered fruitcake by Ellice McFarlane and a hearty reception dinner catered by the staff at City View Hotel. The bride and groom shared their first dance as husband and wife to Major’s Why I Love You.

The lovebirds honeymooned at Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, Lucea, for three nights.