Vows: We Found Love

Registered nurse at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Jodi-Ann Grant wed owner and operator of MOD Tech Richard Humphrey on February 18, 2017 in the lush environs of Cecile’s Garden and Wedding Centre in Kingston. The newly-weds share their story.

The initial encounter, as told by Jodi-Ann…Our love never had any boundaries, and because of that we found each other. I first met my husband-to-be on a Sunday afternoon in August of 2008, while at work in Spanish Town, but we never really spoke. Richard was a handsome guy who was often called in to manage the computer systems at work. He was focused on his work while being attentive to every work-related question that I may have had. Instantly I saw how different he was, but didn’t think much about it.Richard asked for my number in the most charming way, after which we started to communicate a lot after work. When I wasn’t at work, Richard would ask for me (as I was told by a colleague of mine). I started to think about him a lot, got shy and nervous when he was around, and when he asked me out on a date I was too scared to go. What made it even worse, another colleague of mine told me he had a girlfriend, and so I decided to stay away from him.While going through my phone at home one night, I stumbled on a few text messages from Richard. I then decided to call and meet up with him to find out if he truly had a girlfriend. He was by my house in record time; we chatted a lot. And, of course, he was single without a girlfriend at that point.While getting to know each other, we learned that we shared many things in common, like certain foods and colours. Other attributes that we shared enhanced our relationship, which became official on August 12, 2009.In February 2010 Richard and I shared a very special moment that would later determine our wedding date. Seven years later we officially tied the knot.

The proposal…“Let’s just say I woke up with a bling on my finger! I was awakened by a flurry of kisses. Half-awake, I recall him saying he loved me. When I was fully awake, Richard got me up on my feet, then went down on one knee, raising my hand with the ring while he asked me to be his wife. I was startled… it was not quite what I had in mind… but definitely happy. It felt great! We had a formal engagement party on August 12, 2016 (the seventh anniversary of our relationship) on the lawns of his mother’s house in Spanish Town with friends and family members,” Jodi-Ann recalled.

The ceremony…The exchange of vows took place on the lawn at Cecile’s Wedding Centre. The garden was decorated with shades of gold, royal blue and turquoise.The bridesmaids made their way up the aisle to the strains of Christina Perri’s

A Thousand Years, dressed in knee-length chiffon dresses. They were escorted by the groomsmen who wore charcoal grey tuxedos. It was an emotional moment for many as Rueben Grant walked his daughter up the aisle to

From This Moment by Shania Twain. Jodi-Ann was stunning in a white form-fitting mermaid gown complete with a train. Eagerly awaiting his bride at the altar stood a dapper Richard, dressed in a dark grey tuxedo complemented by a black bow tie. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Stephen Jennings. To symbolise the joining of their families, the couple performed the traditional blending of the sands ceremony.

The reception…The reception took place at the Murashea Sekou Garden Patio at Cecile’s, where the theme colours of gold, royal blue and turquoise continued for the décor. Master of ceremonies Francine Moodie, who handled the proceedings, welcomed guests and asked them to take their seats ahead of the arrival of the wedding party.The bridal party made their entrance to Kool & The Gang’s

Celebration while the newly-weds made theirs to

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Lauren Hill. This was followed by the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to Enrique Iglesias’s

Hero and

Heels On by Lady Saw, after which Richard made a speech to his wife who was left lost for words as she tried to hold back tears. Post-formalities, guests enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal and witnessed the cutting of the three-tiered wedding fruitcake created by Cecile’s. The newly-weds and their guests had a brief “brukout” dance session to seal the night.

The Honeymoon…The lovebirds honeymooned at Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort and Spa, Mammee Bay, St Ann.