They moved in the same circles and always held each other in high esteem. Indeed, at their first face-to-face meeting Kemesha Kelly, UWI lecturer and Nationwide Radio co-host, extended her hand to Gordon Swaby, CEO and co-founder or EduFocal Limited. His response was: “We don’t do handshakes; we do hugs!”

No surprise that their future encounters proved a lot more cordial as their friendship evolved. In June 2015, the two bumped into each other at Tea Tree Creperie and decided to have lunch. Lunch turned into three hours of conversation. A few weeks later, Gordon invited Kemesha out to the movies. It could be deduced that they’ve not stop dating! Gordon wanted to make the relationship official over the phone. Kemeisha, however, insisted on being asked in person. A return to Tea Tree Creperie in late October sealed the deal.

The Proposal

Kemesha lectures at UWI. So, knowing that she did not want a very public proposal, Gordon worked with then head of department, Professor Lloyd Waller, to trick her into dressing up to film a “commercial” for the Department of Government, at UWI. She walked into the lecture theatre with cameras at the ready for the “ad”. She was not in the least bit suspicious. In fact, her department head even gave her a walk-through and readied to present a mock-up of what the final video would look like.

What appeared on screen, however, was Gordon proclaiming his love for her. Shortly after, Gordon walked in, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Kemesha said yes, and the two celebrated with lunch at their “special-event spot”: Uncorked!

Let the Planning Begin

With the date finalised, Saturday, November 30, Kemesha secured the services of Dana Malcolm of M Style. “I wanted ‘chic bush,’” she shared, with sunflower yellow and forest green with gold accents. The venue, Tan Y Bryn Estate, in Walderston, Manchester, built in 1895 by the Walder family who came to Jamaica as Moravian missionaries in 1820, and situated on 25 acres of land at some 2,700 feet above sea level, provided not only an incredibly picturesque garden setting but, too, idyllic weather.

Here Comes The Bride

A selection of music by Rosina Moder and Peter Ashbourne signalled the arrival of the bridal party. The ladies were ‘chic bush’-perfect as they made their way across the lawn in sunflower yellow tea-length dresses escorted by elegant groomsmen in Carlton Brown tailoring.

The Etta James classic At Last, performed by local songstress Ellan Neil, accompanied by saxophonist Vincent Ricketts, signalled the bride’s arrival on the arm of her proud father John Kelly. Kemesha’s arrival elicited sounds of approval. There was no disputing just how gorgeous she looked in a custom-made Donald Mirander for Rednarim diamond-white wedding gown with textured embroidered lace complete with silk undergown. The train featured hand-detailed lace appliqués and hand-sewn Swarovski crystals. She carried a bouquet of her favourite flowers, white and yellow stargazer lilies and mini daisies, reminiscent of the first bouquet her bridegroom gave her.

The groom, dapper in a grey three-piece Carlton Brown bespoke suit, could hardly contain his emotions. (The colour grey was chosen as a nod to the two fathers, both celebrating over three decades of marriage.)

The wedding was officiated by Pastor Omar Morrison, who had conducted their pre-marital counselling sessions, while Reverend Barrington Gayle, the bride’s childhood pastor, led prayers at the ceremony and reception.

The exquisite musical styling aside, the ceremony included Bible readings from close married friends of Kemesha and Gordon as well as the Yoruba tradition of the ‘tasting’ of lime, vinegar, Scotch bonnet pepper and honey, to highlight the travails of life.

Guests remained in the tranquil gardens of the Tan Y Bryn Estate where they enjoyed tasty and satisfying hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Lian Chen of Voila’s in Mandeville, plus cups of steaming mannish water to ward off the early evening chill.

The Reception

Shuttle buses took guests from Tan Y Bryn to the well-appointed Swaby family home for the reception under the stars with guests seated family-style around wooden farm tables whose tablescapes reflected the sunflower yellow and forest green with gold accents theme.

Name cards informed seating. MC duties were flawlessly executed by Sagicor Financial Advisor Marlon Campbell.

The bridal party demonstrated their dancing skills as they made their entrance to a medley of local favourites. The newly-weds chose Afrobeats, Beginning by JoeBoy.

Heartfelt speeches gave way to the cutting of the Selena Wong three-tiered red velvet cake and the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk.

The sumptious fare catered by Shekera Johnson, the bride’s close friend and cooking partner from their days on Rex Nettleford Hall, UWI (Mona), afforded menu options that ranged from roasted leg of lamb, grilled lobster and suckling pig to vegan entrée options. The Christina Simonitsch dessert station included some of the bride and groom’s favourite sweet treats like plantain and pecan tarts, brownie trifle, stroopwafel ice-cream cookies and a vegan panna cotta with almond crumble. Simonitsch also did the wedding favours of Scotch bonnet salt, rum salt, vanilla extract and pepper sauce.

The dramatic drop in temperature made it easy for guests to party to the ZJ Sparks playlist.

A mini-moon was enjoyed at Iberostar Rose Hall Resorts to be followed next year by an extended tour of Africa.