Love, it is often said, finds you when you least expect it.

This was the case for Britania South and Jermaine Blackwood, who first met on the
Digicel Rising Stars campaign trail in 2017; Jermaine performed with Team Faizon, and Britania with Team Chinaka.

First encounter

Jermaine, who is a landscaper, showed his interest in Britania by offering her a treat during their campaign together and assisted her on the walk up the 7 Mile Beach in Negril. Little did he know he was planting a seed that would flourish into a loving relationship that would lead to marriage.

In the initial stages of their relationship, Britania, who was living in Kingston for school, had to make the effort to commute to Savanna-la-Mar to visit. The distance, however, did not put a strain on their relationship, as they were steadfast in their love for each other. “I remember telling him that I was not sure I was ready for a relationship, that I was focusing on my schooling and career and he said ‘Good, let’s do it together.’ At that moment, I thought, ‘that’s not the answer I expected,’ but it was definitely the one I needed. From that moment on we started building our life together, and I’m absolutely proud of who we’ve become,” said Britannia.

Secret engagement party

After several years together, on December 28, 2021, Jermaine brought all their closest friends and family together for a surprise engagement during his birthday celebration.

“My friend had called me to take a walk with her down to the beach. On our way back up, I thought to myself, why have they turned the lights off? Is there an electrical problem or something? I hadn’t even noticed
All of Me by John Legend playing in the background. Then I saw the candles and rose petals on the floor that led to my favourite person… my heart froze for a moment, but I continued walking…it was beautifully romantic, and from there the planning began,” Britania detailed.

Ceremony

Almost two years later, on December 23, 2023, Britania and Jermaine tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony, overlooking the beautiful Bluefields Beach in Westmoreland. A full-circle moment for the couple who met at a beach, got engaged at a beach, and was now marrying with the beach as the backdrop.

“It seems we keep meeting by the water! Now that is what you call destiny,” said Britania.

The ceremony was unnervingly off to a late start. But, life teaches us that everything happens for a reason. The late start turned out to be a blessing in disguise, with the warm hues of sunset embracing the nuptials.

Kina Grannis’ cover of Elvis Presley’s
Can’t Help Falling in Love bellowed through speakers to the delight of the guests, signalling the start of the ceremony. The bridal party — ladies in white satin floor-grazers and men clad in classic black – walked up the green carpet to situate near the arbour. They were followed by the bride who was escorted up the aisle by her uncle Rohan Robinson. The ceremony, officiated by Pastor Norman Johnson from Belmont Missionary Church, was short and sweet. Following opening words from the clergyman, the couple exchanged vows and rings, signed their marriage documents, before exchanging a kiss to seal the deal.

Party and pose

Frolicking was up next.

The guests were entertained by choreography routines from the bridemaids and groomsmen. Songs from the wildly popular afrobeat genre took centrestage. Dance numbers to
Ta Ta Ta by Bayani,
Ku Lo Sa by Oxlade,
Rush by Ayra Starr and
Touch It by KiDi elicited frenzied participation from the attendees.

Is a party without a glitch really a party?!

The newlyweds were charged to quickly innovate and revamp their choreography to
In My Maserati by Olakira, when the disc jock was not able to produce their desired musical accompaniment
Sensational by Chris Brown.

“Well you know what they say, sometimes you have to expect the unexpected, and at that moment, we definitely had to improvise,” says Jermaine.

The white and gold-theme, a vision of both Britania and Jermaine was realised with the help of a group of friends and family. The groom’s skills as a landscaper and plant enthusiast came in handy and was perfectly complemented by his budding party planner bride’s natural knack for arts and crafts, and interior design. The cake and other dessert was handled by Torie’s Pastry in Savanna-la-Mar.

“I would say we are a very contemporary couple, so we thought it would be good for our wedding to represent that, by doing things differently,” says Britania. “I just went along with what she says. Happy wife… happy life,” says Jermaine.

The Blackwoods explain the significance of the bridal party colours were to show that whatever their differences, good or bad…black or white of life, that they could build something beautiful as a team, and sometimes that requires breaking away from tradition.

The couple is a month into marital bliss and enjoying their life together as newly-weds, as they plan their next steps.

Photographer: Teno Daley

Story: Britania South-Blackwood & Gorgette Beckford