Vows – A Couple of Forevers
On June 27, after eight years of courting, Christopher Dinnall wed Karlia Carty at an intimate ceremony witnessed by close friends and family at her parents’ home in Bellefield, Manchester. Vows shares Karlia and Christopher’s begginings of forever.
How they met…
Karlia’s Version:
One afternoon while sitting on the balcony of my dorm on Garvey Hall at UTech I noticed a minibus labelled ‘Taboo Energy Drink” pulling up to the building. Unfamiliar with this new product, I asked, “What’s the difference between Taboo and Red Bull?” I’m not sure what Chris’s response was but a debate ensued from my vantage point — the balcony. Long story short, we exchanged numbers and went our separate ways.
Not hearing back from him some two weeks after our initial encounter — he crossed my mind a few times– I decided to call. Our first date was on my birthday, November 24, 2006. We had dinner then he showed me around Kingston. We were talking one day when he said, “You’re my girl,” and I was like, “but I did not get the memo, you didn’t even ask…” and, as they say, the rest is history. Here we are, almost nine years later.
Christopher’s version:
So there I was, making a regular routine delivery with the company van on the UTech campus; parked to the back to keep the temperature low. I stepped out swagging fresh and stopping to make some connections. This girl with a beautiful smile, giving trouble from the third floor on the dorm balcony, asking about the energy drink I was promoting. A friend of hers interrupted and said we can’t be shouting like that, we should get closer. Karlia made her way down, and I wasted no time to get her phone number. After that, we quickly became friends. Karlia has a charming personality; let’s just say I got charmed.
The proposal (as recounted by Karlia) …
It was Valentine’s Day 2014; whilst I was getting ready for school, Chris went outside to get something from the car. We don’t usually celebrate Valentine’s, so I didn’t think much of his absence. He returned to the room, and started to express his love and admiration and his expectations for our future together. The next thing I remember is him saying, “I don’t know what the future holds, so I don’t want to wait anymore.” He went down on one knee and asked, “Will you marry me?” I shouted, “YES!!!!!” I was so elated and overcome with emotion.
The ceremony…
Mason jars holding white votive candles wrapped with teal and burlap lined the pews along with tree stumps and baby pink rose petals, adding to the rustic décor. Reverend Gleneese Kitson led the procession by taking his place at the altar. He was followed by the bridal party, who line-danced their way to their positions. Omi’s Cheerleader hit played as the groom made his way to the altar in a three-piece grey suit and teal bow tie from Men’s Wearhouse in Florida. The groomsman and best man wore similar grey suits with matching accessories. The bridesmaid and maid of honour made style statements of their own in their teal and eggshell chiffon dresses.
Karlia was radiant as she made her way up the aisle. Her hair was parted to the side with loose wavy tendrils, and she wore a floral lace overlay gown purchased at David’s Bridal in Florida. The strapless A-line design had a beaded silk waistband and was covered in pearls and sequins that trailed to the hemline of the cathedral train. Her Petals & Promises-created teal bouquet was made of cream roses and baby’s breath.
Post-“I do’s”, Karlia and Christopher were joined by their mothers for a tree-planting ceremony to signify their unity, and the joining of both families. During the cocktail hour, guests lined up at the photo booth in the garden for a chance to snap quirky photos with various props.
The reception…
The teal, gold and grey theme followed to the reception area. Gold Chiavari chairs lined the six-foot-long head table. Wooden chargers cut from the stumps along the altar were used as centrepieces and were topped with mason jars containing votive candles. Ahead of their grand entrance, guests were provided with sparklers, which were lit on cue with the sounds of Barry White’s You’re The First, The Last, My Everything ushering in the newly-weds.
Merv’s Catering in Mandeville prepared the scrumptious two-course fare. Christopher’s sisters Shurnett Cole and Odia Dinnall unveiled the four-tiered powder-blue cheesecake, black forest and red velvet cake by Jomo Armstrong. This was followed by toasts to the parents of the bride and groom and to the newly-weds. Christopher responded with much gratitude, then asked for Karlia’s hand a second time for a one-night-only dance number with the bridal party and choreographer Kelly-Ann Robinson.
Christopher and Karlia spent the first part of their honeymoon at Great Huts in Portland and then in Ochi at Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort.
