Keeping a Promise
For 18 years, Petals & Promises have been creating the weddings of dreams. From the proposal to the “I Dos”, or just the dress or limousine, Petals & Promises pride themselves on getting it right, every time. As Ed Gallimore, creative director, says, “We never miss, because we start from the day of the event and work backwards, making sure every element is covered. That way, I’m proud to say, we never miss.”
The ‘we’ Gallimore is talking about is the unique partnership between Marguerite Anderson, managing director, and himself. It was Anderson’s foresight and passion that led to the birth of Petals & Promises, and it is her continued passion, she believes, sets them apart from the other wedding and event planners across the island. “We are motivated by a passion to get it right,” she says, “Every person that comes in here is very important to us.” So important in fact, that Anderson prides herself in remembering every bride that she helps.
Gallimore, on the other hand, admits that his memory is not so sharp when it comes to all the brides that come to them, but when it comes to wedding etiquette, he is certainly the man to turn to. Vows turned to Gallimore for our own Ask Ed session, and put to him some of the most frequently asked questions.
Vows: How does a bride choose who walks her down the aisle, especially if she has a father and stepfather?
EG: This is a personal decision. You have to look deep within and really decide who you want with you on the day. More often than not, brides are afraid of the confrontation, and although it is a hard decision, it must be made. Alternatively, some choose to walk down the aisle alone and not have a conflict, or with their mother instead.
Vows: Who pays for the bridesmaid’s dresses?
EG: Traditionally, the bridesmaid herself. Nowadays, the bride and groom are coming together and paying for everything, but I think that the traditional way is better. Essentially, it should be their gift to the bride. It is the same for the groomsmen, and they must also remember that they don’t have a choice in what they wear. It is all up to the bride and groom how they look.
Vows: What side does the bride stand on? Is it always the left?
EG: Yes, the bride always stands to the groom’s left. In following, the bride’s family sits on the left side of the church and the groom’s on the right. Of course, it’s also important to keep things looking even.
Vows: Who is invited to the rehearsal dinner?
EG: Traditionally, it was just a small gathering of people who were involved in the wedding. Now it seems to be evolving into something else. It’s taking the shape of a party more than a formal dinner. It is a chance for the families to get to know each other before the ceremony. However, many are choosing not to have it, because of the additional expense.
Vows: Who toasts whom?
EG: Officially, the first toast of the evening should be from the best man to the bride, but in truth, anyone can toast anyone. How it stands nowadays, the bride and groom tend to take a backseat, and usually the first toast is made to the parents, it is because of them that the bride and groom are there.
One thing that many people don’t realise in Jamaica is that a toast is different from a speech, it should simply be a few words directed at the person being toasted, and not a history of how they know each other. Another thing not done in Jamaica, is that toasts should have a response, which is not seen here. What tends to happen, is that the groom responds to all the toasts in his thank you speech, putting a lot of importance on what the groom says.
Vows: What is a groom’s cake?
EG: A tradition that started Down South in America, the groom’s cake is a gift from the bride to the groom, showing that although she recognises it is her day, she wants him to share in it with her. These tend to be chocolate, but you can get really creative and imaginative with the cake, from the shape to ingredients. It’s not that popular in Jamaica, but some are doing it.
