There were several setbacks but love always wins, and it certainly did for Tafari Hendricks and Breanna Moetului who exchanged wedding vows on October 1, 2022 at Konoko Falls and Park, Ocho Rios.

Breanna, whose roots can be traced to the Samoan Islands, met Tafari during a visit to Jamaica in 2015. Both were at Bamboo Blu beach, a private beach in Mammee Bay, St Ann. “I was drawn to his shy and quiet demeanour. I am a very social person so I approached him and struck up a conversation,” Breanna shared with Tuesday Style Vows (TSV). “He proved to be a good listener, didn’t talk much… was easy company to be around. We hit it off. My vacation came to an end but a new chapter opened… we became friends,” she explained.

Three months later Breanna was back in Jamaica where she spent the entire time, 16 days, with Tafari discovering the island through his eyes and getting to know more about each other. They both agreed to give the relationship a try.

In May 2018, Breanna quit her job and moved to Jamaica. Three months later came the proposal.

They would travel a month later to Seattle to visit the bride’s family and begin planning their wedding.

COVID-19 and the passing of the bride’s grandmother caused consternation but the two powered through and on Saturday, October 1, 2022 said ‘I do’ in the secret garden at Konoko Falls and Park in Ocho Rios.

Kara-Ann Anderson and her team from Petals and Promises had to pull out all stops since torrential downpour threatened to derail the décor. The bride had chosen the venue to showcase the property’s natural elements which she knew her loved ones who had travelled to Jamaica would enjoy. All went well as the rains held up to allow Breanna, to the strains of Shania Twain’s You’re Still The One, and escorted by dad Charles Moetuli, to make her walk up the aisle to her bridegroom. Her ivory off-the-shoulder mermaid gown complete with a 15-foot-long embroidered veil which was an engagement gift from Tafari and her father, elicited nods of approval. Her bouquet comprised orchids and fuchsia ginger blooms.

The ceremony was officiated by the bride’s brother Aaron Moetului. The official paperwork was signed in Seattle, Washington, where the newly-weds currently reside.

The reception took place under a huge white tent in the Pavillion overlooking the falls where master of ceremonies Jason Stewart coordinated the evening perfectly.

Post-dinner formalities included the cutting of the triple chocolate wedding cake by Sheila’s Homemade Pastries, and bouquet and garter toss. The mother-son dance was quite emotional while the father-daughter dance had the bride “feeling like a little girl again”. Breanna and Tafari then shared their first dance as husband and wife to Jon McLaughlin’s You And I. After the first dance Breanna in a nod to her heritage changed her dress to perform the Taualuga, a traditional Samoan dance where guests are expected to stick paper money to the bride’s body as a sign of wealth in their marriage.

The groom’s reply, which brought the formalities to a close, was filled with gratitude, love, and respect.

The newly-weds, ably assisted by the soundscape of Big J Entertainment 876, wasted little time thereafter in getting the party started.

Breanna and Tafari enjoyed some time in Jamaica before heading back to Seattle. Their honeymoon, planned for Dubai, will take place at a later date.