Nneka Sashe Alveranga, executive financial advisor, Sagicor Life Jamaica Ltd wed Jeffrey Joshua Azan, business consultant, speaker, author & managing director at Select ‘n’ Start Ltd on Saturday, April 13.

It all started in 2016

Jeffrey first spotted Nneka going into her apartment while he was visiting a friend in the same complex. She got his full attention!

He immediately asked, “Who’s that?”

“Don’t even bother, you not ready for her,” replied the friend. “Cease and desist.”

Though Jeff did not appreciate the rebuff, Nneka was officially on Jeffrey’s radar.

A professional relationship ensued, after the two attended the Jamaica Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (JAIFA)’s Blast Off in 2019. As they learnt more about each other, the relationship blossomed into friendship.

Jeffrey was enamoured with Nneka’s grand ambitions, her consistency as a high performer in the life insurance industry while maintaining her softer feminine side, her desire to make a positive difference in the world, her love for people (particularly children) and her overall optimistic outlook on life. Likewise, Nneka’s crush on Jeffrey bloomed. She was drawn in by how smart he was, the heart he had and the positive difference he wanted to make in the world. Then in 2020, as COVID locked everything down, they would spend hours together, discussing goals, dreams, purpose, beliefs and really getting to know each other. In April of 2020, they decided to start dating seriously. In December of 2021, Nneka suffered a fractured foot during a dance rehearsal. The result: Jeffrey became Nneka’s support (quite literally). When the elevator at her apartment was out of commission, Jeffrey would carry Nneka up and down the stairs. Up to this point Nneka was still hesitant, unsure of whether Jeffrey really loved her, but his willingness to care for her proved that he was a keeper.

The proposal

Even though they had spoken about the possibility of marriage, there were no signs it was imminent. So, it came as a surprise when, in January 2023, Jeffrey while hosting a games night with friends and family, decided to share a few words, closing with, “… I know many of us have plans for the year ahead, but what I want to know is, can we make our plans together?” By this time he was on one knee, ring in hand! The cherry on top was Nneka’s parents being there to witness the moment.

The ceremony

The couple wed on Saturday, April 13, 20 in a magical ceremony at Laughing Waters, Ocho Rios, St Ann. Nneka was escorted up the aisle by her father Errol Alveranga. She wore an intricate Winnie Couture off-the-shoulder lace sheath with a sparkling underlay which she said yes to during a visit to Atlanta with maid of honour Danielle Thompson and bridesmaid Davene Daley. Jeff wore a black three-piece custom-tailored tuxedo with tailored shirt and bow tie by Spokes Apparel. “I asked for James Bond, and I got James Bond,” Nneka tells Tuesday Style Vows (TSV).

With the sea creating a spectacular backdrop, Nneka and Jeff said their ‘I do’s’ by a golden triple altar arch adorned with roses and hydrangeas created by Petals & Promises.

The bride, who is not fond of public speaking, wrote her own vows. Meanwhile, the groom spoke from the heart. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

The reception

“Following the bridal party’s entrance, the presentation of the couple, and a few brief words from the emcee Melissa Ward, we went straight into the sound clash between the tables,” says Nneka. She concurs that the clash was definitely an excellent addition to the reception, and not only made for the perfect photo-op, but gave each table a chance to get up, have fun with the newly-weds, and share their well-wishes.

Dinner was catered by Chef Alex D-Great. The toasts began thereafter. The siblings and mother of the groom got things started with entertaining and tear-jerking toasts, respectively. Followed by two sincere reflections of love given by the maid of honour, raising a toast to the bride, and uncle of the bride raising a toast to the parents of the bride.

The cake-cutting was next, followed by a swift transition into the dances.

Now it was time fun! The bride made a quick outfit change and took to the dance floor with her husband. The choreographed piece was the fruit of hours of rehearsal and was a hit with family and friends. With cold sparklers firing and confetti in the air, guests joined the newly-weds and danced until the wee hours.

Best memory from the wedding

“The Table Sound Clash, just for the amount of fun everybody had and the fact that we got to take a picture with everyone in attendance,” says Nneka. “The surprise first dance to Shallow by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper. In that moment the world seemed to melt away and it was just the two of us connecting and singing along with the song we both loved.”

Something new, borrowed, or blue

New: Jewellery & an ornate headpiece

Borrowed: Sapphire bracelet from bridesmaid Vanessa Clarke.

Bride’s entrance

Saxophonist Fred Robertson’s rendition of Goodness of God by CeCe Winans

First dance

Shallow, Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran

I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Whitney Houston

Wedding cake details

Lemon cake by Leanne Cooke, Cakes by Noida

Fruitcake, pre-packaged and given to guests, by the groom’s mom Bridgette Azan

Vendor that went above and beyond

Petals and Promises

Honeymoon

Moon Palace Jamaica, followed by a 10-day cruise from Vancouver to Alaska.

Photographer

Matthew Khoury