On Saturday, December 30, 2017, geologist at the Water Resources Authority Alexcia Gray wed winemaker and owner of EVOI Wines Nigel Ludlow, at Firefly Estate, Oracabessa, St Mary. The fairy-tale garden party-themed ceremony was officiated by Pastor Damion Austin. Vows takes a look beyond the altar at the moments leading up to the spectacular ceremony.

How they met

The couple met in Barcelona in 2013, in the airport lounge. It was summer and Alexcia was heading to Ibiza and Nigel was travelling elsewhere in Spain on wine business. Nigel saw her in the lounge and said, “Hi, I’m Nigel, and you’re beautiful.” She blushed and said, “ Thanks, I’m Alexcia.” The two waited together and after exchanging pleasantries and contact information boarded their respective flights and went their separate ways.

They did, however, keep in touch, exchanging e-mails occasionally. This continued for three years until Nigel decided he wanted more than just a friendship. There was of course the obstacle of the distance — Nigel lived in Australia and Alexcia lived in Jamaica. Nigel went above and beyond in making sure Alexcia felt his presence despite being so far away. After two visits, hundreds of minutes of phone calls, many e-mails, Skype calls, text messages and even the occasional letter and greeting card, it became undeniable: love always wins.

Will you marry me?

Nigel proposed to Alexcia on January 9, 2017 in Yallingup, Western Australia, towards the end of a three-week visit. They were both enjoying a spectacular sunset. He pulled out a bottle of Champagne and two glasses. She was momentarily distracted and turned around to find Nigel down on one knee with ring in hand. Not only did she accept his proposal but she also extended her trip by three months.

Here Comes The Bride…

The décor, executed by Jennivie Wisdom of Tai Flora, incorporated shades of blush, gold and light blue to create the perfect ambience for the fairy-tale garden party theme. The Caribbean Sea was a perfect backdrop for the dark wood gazebo draped in sheer blush fabric and trimmed with floral arrangements. Seated on gold Chiavari chairs, guests anticipated the arrival of the bridal party. To the sound of Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years, the bridesmaids, dressed in blush one-shoulder maxi dresses with mid-thigh slits, made their way up the aisle.

The bride’s arrival to the sound of One by Toni Braxton and Babyface was pretty dramatic, as she was literally carried up the aisle (the result of recent knee surgery) by the groomsmen. Her father Cornnal Gray held her train of her beautiful strapless ivory gown with plunging neckline and beaded lace from White Lotus Bridal.

The reception

Guests repaired to the Tai Flora-designed outdoor reception area under a tent washed in pink lighting that was complemented by fairy lights and delicate draping.

The newly-weds entered the venue to Miguel’s Coffee and Sure Thing. There was a father-daughter dance to Jason Blaine’s Dance With My Daughter. Post-formalities, guests enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal catered by Nicole and Keith Murray of Murray’s Jerk and witnessed the cutting of the three-tiered naked cake by Polly Ho of Fine Ideas that featured three layers of different flavours — vanilla sponge with raspberry butter cream, lemon with guava, and chocolate mocha with vanilla.

The newly-weds and their guests subsequently partied the night away to a playlist provided by DJ Nicco.