VOWS – Everlasting Love
Andrew Wildes, legal officer in the Ministry of Finance and Public Service, and Jhennell Ann Todd, project economist at the Planning Institute of Jamaica, tied the knot on December 3, 2016 at Craighton Estate, Irish Town, St Andrew, before a select gathering of their close friends and family. The couple planned the intimate affair all by themselves.
How They Met
Jhennell reveals, “We first met while I was moving to an apartment which was owned by Andrew’s brother. I was awaiting the arrival of the cable technicians, when Andrew drove in, saw me, and introduced himself.”
She continues, “The next time we spoke was about a month later, while on a trip to the Blue Mountains which was organised by Racquel Wildes, Andrew’s sister-in-law. It was my first time, but Andrew’s sixth or seventh. The hike proved challenging for me so Andrew offered to help. Almost instinctively, we held hands and started talking about every conceivable topic as we made our way up the mountain together. We held hands all the way up and all the way down the mountain — about five hours each way. That was basically a crash course in getting to know each other.”
The Proposal
“Jhennell had planned a trip to Blue Mountain Peak to celebrate our anniversary. Unbeknownst to her, I had planned with a group of videographers and photographers from Esirom Limited for them to hike up the mountain ahead of us and capture the proposal which I had planned with drone and cameras,” Andrew shares.
He continues, “The hike was arduous. It was much harder for her than the previous one and she broke down crying several times, saying she did not remember it being so hard. By this time the team had already started to climb and, as such, I coaxed her gently to keep going.”
When we finally reached the peak and cooled off I asked her to dance with me. I then turned on the music, John Legend’s
You and I, and took her hand. As we started to dance the drone started to circle above her and the camera team started to surround her and she slowly started to realise what was happening. I then got down on one knee and asked her to marry me… she said, ‘yes’.
The Ceremony
With John Legend’s
Stay With You playing in the background, the bridesmaids made their way up the aisle in stunning wine-red dresses by local designer Mercy-Ann Copeland of Mercyj Fashion and were escorted by the debonair groomsmen who wore two-piece tuxedos from Edmund Johnson with wine-red bow ties.
The bridegroom stood dapper in a navy blue Carlton Brown three-piece suit with a wine-red and black bow tie with brown shoes.
Jhennell made her way to her bridegroom to the strains of Elvis Presley’s
Can’t Help Falling in Love, which was played by saxophonist Jason Spence, and accompanied by Marlon Senior on keyboard. Escorted by her father Desmond Todd, she was gorgeous in a white sweetheart-neckline, fitted ivory gown from Bliss Bridal Boutique.
The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Dwight Fletcher from Transformed Life Church and featured a tree planting to symbolise new beginnings.
The Reception
After officially becoming husband and wife, what was left to do but celebrate? Craighton Estate was decorated with blush, gold and hints of wine red to represent the ‘rustic glam’ theme by Petals and Promises.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered the reception to
Celebration by Kool & the Gang, the bride to Destiny’s Child’sBootylicious whileMr Loverman by Shabba Ranks ushered in the groom.
There was a twist to the customary father and daughter dance. The couple decided to honour their non-biological parents with a dance. Jhennell danced with her stepfather and Andrew danced with his stepmother.
The highlight of the reception was the bride and groom’s performance of Lauryn Hill’s version of the Marley classic
Turn Your Lights Down Low to each other. Jhennell brought guests to their feet when she deejayed Hill’s freestyle.
Andrew then surprised Jhennell with an original song entitled
No Disrespect, which had everyone applauding and eventually singing along.
The dance floor was then opened and DJ Powa (of “Nobody Cannot Cross It” fame) did a great job catering to the guests.
The wedding celebration was fittingly dubbed “wildinout2016”, which was also the couple’s hashtag on social media, and guests were served signature drinks called “Blushing Bride” and “Strength” by St Aublyn Kidd, known as Captain Kidd, the bride’s childhood friend.
The Honeymoon
The lovebrids went on a two-week trip in Kona, Hawaii, which was another surprise to the bride. The groom planned the honeymoon with the assistance of the maid of honour, who is a travel agent.
