Vows – A Bubbly Summer Romance
Karl Campbell and Taniesha Bennett met in 2010 at a summer camp in Pennsylvania in the United States. Tanesha’s interest was piqued by Karl’s quiet, pleasant demeanour, and she made sure to introduce herself to him.
Their friendship blossomed into romance and a year later, Karl proposed on Valentine’s Day.
Will You Marry Me?
He arrived bearing several gifts for his true love complete with a card that he had designed with a large picture of the couple inside, which read: “If I could have just one wish, I would wish to wake up every day to the sound of your breath on my neck, the warmth of your lips on my cheek, the touch of your fingers on my skin, and the feel of your heart beating with mine, knowing that I could not find that feeling with anyone other than you.”
Karl was already on his knees and Taniesha was already screaming YES before he officially finished asking the question “Will you marry me?”
Enter Moët
Over the next three years, both Taniesha and Karl endured some hardships, including illness in the family and financial woes, which thwarted their chances to complete their tertiary-level education. They had also given up on the hope of having their dream wedding.
While watching Smile Jamaica on TVJ one morning, Taniesha saw Debbian Spence-Minott, group brand manager for international wines & spirits at J Wray & Nephew Ltd, talking about the Moët Memorable Wedding Moment, a competition in which Moët & Chandon, along with other participating sponsors, provided the winners with a dream wedding valued at over $500,000, and all the winners would need to provide would be their rings and their shoes. This was the opportunity they were waiting for: a real chance at having their dream wedding.
In order to enter, interested participants were asked to submit a 200-word letter, purchase a bottle of Moët & Chandon, submit a photo sharing a Moët Moment, and complete the tagline of the Jamaica Observer.
The Winning Letter
“Love is just a figment of your imagination!” Those were Karl’s words when we met over four years ago; but just a year later he was on his knees requesting my hand in marriage and pouring his heart out in “I love you’s” and “I have truly found the one.”
My engagement ring is not grandiose, neither is it gold or diamond, but I love it, I love him. He brings out the best in me and I in him. Since Karl’s proposal we have been struggling to put our wedding together mainly because of impecuniosity. I was enrolled in law school and he was furthering his tertiary studies. I had to withdraw from the Law programme after completing two full years and he could not graduate in time. That was devastating. Shortly after, my mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer and our world came crashing down.
Through it all, we have been each other’s strength. I have truly found my missing rib. A love like this must be celebrated! Without the help of Moët & Chandon, we know that a celebratory wedding with family and friends will not be possible at this time. Help us make our dream come true!
The Call
“When I received the phone call from Moët I was very excited because, in my mind, a phone call is indicative of winning. But then I was told that I came up a little bit short; my heart sank. I immediately became sad. However, a few seconds later I heard, “Congratulations, you won!” I started screaming, I was jumping all over the place. I was beyond elated. I had the biggest grin on my face for a few days after that,” stated Taniesha.
A Moët Memorable Moment
With only two weeks to go before they said “I do” in front of family, friends and the spectators during their live wedding at the Jamaica Bridal Expo in Montego Bay, they participated in a whirlwind of activities including a cocktail reception in their honour hosted by Moët & Chandon, as well as A Bride’s Night Out and Cocktail Reception hosted by the Jamaica Bridal Expo in Montego Bay.
Taniesha shared with Vows, “My standout moment was definitely when I tried my beautiful wedding gown from Bliss Bridal Boutique for the first time. It was almost like a surreal feeling. That was when I realised it was really happening; I was ecstatic.”
Accompanied by best man Travis Richards and maid of honour Eulalee Dunkley, Taniesha & Karl Campbell were pronounced husband and wife in true Moët style. They then shared a Moët Moment of celebration in the Moët & Chandon Lounge with J Wray & Nephew executives Debbian Spence-Minott and Jared Samuel, complete with photos and toasts before heading to their intimate reception with family and friends.
Thank You
“We would both like to thank Moët & Chandon for this amazing experience, thank you for choosing us. Moët has given us one of the best gifts possible and for that we are grateful. Thanks to Jared Samuel and the entire team. Thank you to all the sponsors for helping to make our dream come true,” Karl & Taniesha Campbell, Moët Memorable Moment Live Wedding 2014 winners.
The Sponsors
The Moët Memorable Moment winners received a “live” wedding for 30 guests, including bridal gown and tux courtesy of Bliss Bridal Boutique & Earl’s Fashion, reception décor by MC Décor, transportation for the bride and groom by Audi courtesy of ATL Autohaus, reception room and dinner by the Montego Bay Convention Centre, wedding cake by Cakes By Latoya, Wedding Planner, bouquets and boutonnieres by Wedding Planner Plus, make-up by Gourmet Make-Up, a honeymoon provided by Blue Diamond Hotels & Resorts, photography and videography by Photodayz, necklace set for the bride courtesy of Adornable.
Appleton Jamaica Rum provided reception cocktails, and champagne for toasting was courtesy of Moët & Chandon. The Jamaica Observer is the official print media sponsor for the Moët Memorable Moment competition.
