A wedding day 24 years in the making is how Franzua Rudder, software technology investor, would describe his nuptials with Sachelle Kellier, liaison officer for the Jamaican Liaison Service in Toronto, Canada, after a chance meeting at a mutual friend’s barbecue in June 1999, in Ironshore, St James.

The couple exchanged vows on December 31, 2023, at Rose Hall in St James, surrounded by family and friends with an ‘Old Hollywood’ theme. During their vows in fading daylight and intermittent showers, Sachelle expressed how Franzua, after only a month of dating, kept stating she would be his wife. Thus the day marked the manifestation of those words.

The bride, wearing a bespoke gown by Canadian designer Nusha Valentina, was escorted up the aisle by her father Derrick Kellier, former minister of government. Her walk up an aisle adorned with white roses and hydrangeas courtesy of Tai Flora, to Never Felt This Way by Brian McKnight elicited audible gasps of delight.

The bride also kept some traditional wedding customs by adding 18-karat gold bangles designed by Neville Brown from Nellie’s Custom Jewelry and pearl knob earrings for something new. Her something blue were shoe covers from Jimmy Choo and something borrowed was a pearl necklace and silver bride clip. Waiting to receive her was her beaming bridegroom handsomely outfitted in Paulo Valarezo by Cloth Talk, also located in Toronto, Canada.

Officiating minister Reverend Ledger Kellier, uncle of the bride, took the couple through the formalities including prayer, the Cord of Three Strands ceremony and the exchange of rings also designed by Neville Brown. The bride’s ring was platinum with a natural diamond setting as well as a marquise-shape diamond setting surrounded by a halo of round diamonds with matching bands while her bridegroom’s ring was also an 8-mm platinum band encrusted with 12 natural diamonds. With the formalities concluded, the deal was sealed with a kiss amid congratulatory cheers from the wedding party.

The bridal party and guests took pictures with the couple during cocktails inside the White Witch clubhouse. Photoshoot concluded, guests were shuttled to Rose Hall Great House for the reception catered by Robbie Joseph Catering and led by MC Ebenezer Oteng in from Canada. The newly-weds shared a first dance to So Amazing by Luther Vandross and after toasts the cutting of the vanilla and strawberry all-white cake with black trim by Leanne Cooke of Cakes by Noida followed. After remarks from the bride and groom, bouquet and garter toss, DJ Crazy Neil took over for the party and New Year celebrations.

The newly-weds plan on honeymooning in Jamaica at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall.