Administrative business partner Sandra Forlemu and engineer Gordon-Brett Burrowes tied the knot on Saturday, April 30, at Eight Rivers Villa and Prospect Greathouse, in Jamaica.

Both met when Sandra was in her third year of university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “We were introduced by a mutual friend at a school dance and his huge personality left an impression, but not an overly positive one. There was attraction and intrigue but neither of us was willing or even wanted to make the first move,” Sandra told Tuesday Style Vows (TSV).

Several months later the two would meet again when Gordon-Brett was assisting his friend — a photographer — on a shoot for Sandra’s African dance crew for the university magazine.

“I remember him being funny and making me feel comfortable during the shoot. We exchanged numbers and were soon building a budding friendship, studying together and speaking frequently, until it grew to daily conversations for hours on end during our summer vacation. We soon realised just how much we had in common and were eager to see each other again when school commenced after the summer. It was not long after that we made things official,” she further explained.

Theirs was not, however, an immediate happy-ever-after as graduation saw them take separate routes. There was no undoing the connection and friendship however. A graduate school internship caused a rekindling of their love and commitment to each other, and besides, the novel coronavirus pandemic made it impossible for Sandra to leave.

There’d be no further delay. Gordon-Brett proposed to Sandra in September 2020 at Sunday brunch at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel. “I was in complete shock that he actually managed to surprise me,” revealed Sandra.

The nuptials took place under at the Eight Rivers Villa and Prospect Greathouse. The chic garden setting created by Kara Ann Anderson and her team from Petals and Promises oozed romance and elegance, seamlessly fusing Cameroonian and Jamaican cultures through music and of course, the gathering of their family and friends.

Standing patiently at the altar was the bridegroom dapper in a custom classic black tuxedo by Spokes Apparel.

Josiah Bell’s Smoke and Mirrors signalled the bride’s arrival on the arm of her father Edwin Forlemu. Sandra stunned in an ivory off-the-shoulder Mikado ball gown designed by Ukrainian designer Milla Nova, with buttons trailing down the length of the back bodice and train. Her beautiful cascading bouquet consisted of light pink and peach roses, white orchids, and pampas grass with hints of greenery.

The ceremony was officiated by Dr Lawrence Nicholson, family friend of the Burroweses.

“Our reception and the entire wedding was an enchanting dream brought to life by Petals and Promises,” shared the couple.

Seated under a clear-top marquee, Kara Ann Anderson from Petals and Promises maintained the evergreen and romantic atmosphere with overhead greenery chandeliers and fairy lights dotting the sky. Long estate tables amplified the space as there were about 125 guests. Each table was decorated with long floral garlands and candles. The garlands provided a burst of colour with pink, peach, white, blue, and purple flowers in a bed of greenery. The touch of glam was preserved with gold shell chargers, gold flatware, and green wine glasses, with each place setting personalised.

For the cocktail hour and reception, Sandra changed into a sparkly ivory-over-champagne spaghetti floral lace mermaid dress with sheer sides and a low open back by Australian designer Essense of Australia, while her bridegroom changed into a green jacket.

Master of ceremonies and the groom’s cousin, Toni-Kay Dawkins, provided witty commentary that traversed both cultures, and too, incorporated a discussion on the latest dance trends, which ended in a demonstration of the Dirt Bounce by Gordon-Brett’s cousin Vaughn Thorpe.

As guests savoured their four-course dinner catered by Celeste Gordon from Whip It Up, the newly-weds used the opportunity to greet everybody personally and thank them for making the journey to celebrate with them. Late-night snacks — popcorn and patties — were served to keep the crowd energised.

Following the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to God Blessed Our Love by Al Green, Gordon-Brett danced with his mother to A Mother’s Love by Major, while Sandra and her father danced to Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield as they are both lovers of funk-soul.

The newly-weds then cut their five-tiered vanilla marble and semi-naked wedding cake with caramel buttercream by Leanne Cooke while being serenaded by All Love Everything by Aloe Blacc.

Other highlights included several toasts including from the best man and maid of honour. DJ Bloodline Franco added to the vibes with his transition from soothing tunes over dinner to party music as the guests headed to the dance floor where they enjoyed late snacks and made full use of the 360 video booth.

The Seychelles Islands, East Africa is where Mr & Mrs Gordon-Brett Burrowes honeymooned.