Vows: Love at first sight

Red Stripe Assistant Brand Manager Andrew O’Meally and Sagicor Financial Advisor Jodie-Ann O’Meally are still basking in the aftermath of their nuptials on Saturday, April 28, 2018, in Knollis, St Catherine. It was love at first sight when their eyes locked while strolling the campus at The University of The West Indies. “I stopped her, thinking she was beautiful. I had to introduce myself, and in that moment I believed she liked me by the look in her eyes,” shared O’Meally with Vows . They would not see each other for an entire year. This time around they never let go…

Will you marry me?

Andrew proposed to Jodie-Ann on August 19, 2017, at the Blue Ridge restaurant. Against the backdrop of the Kingston skyline, Andrew orchestrated a romantic dinner in the secluded restaurant, planning everything to a T, with special cues, close friends creatively hidden, and the perfect soundtrack. He created a playlist of Jodie-Ann’s favourite songs, and requested that they be played throughout the evening.

He duped Jodie-Ann into believing it was a regular date night, albeit sprinkled with a tad more romance, and that the ever-present photographer was enlisted by the restaurateurs to capture the establishment’s operations.

Finally, over dessert, cue: Christina Perri’s A Thousand Words and an illuminated ‘marry me’ sign. He got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Overwhelmed with emotion, she said ‘YES!’

Here comes the bride

The exchange of vows took place at Knollis, Bog Walk, St Catherine, where wedding consultant Kara Anderson for Petals and Promises transformed the O’Meally family orchard into a venue to rival all others. The ceremony was nestled in-between the aisles of the orange groves which created a natural aisle and made gorgeous aisle markers. Trees were accented with handcrafted rustic wood mahogany-stained signage with white vinyl inscriptions of phrases from the Bible verse 1 Corinthians Verse 13, and hanging golden lanterns.

The entrance was marked with two life-sized mahogany doors that created a nostalgic entrance for the guests upon arrival and the perfect frame for the procession of the bridal party. A dramatic modern circular wedding arch framed the altar as the couple stood on a wood dais covered in burlap. The circle of love, symbolising unity, was covered in local greenery, vines, asparagus, ruscus, Marsala carnations and blush roses.

To the strains of You and I by John Legend, and entering through two oversized rustic doors draped with floral garlands, the bridesmaids made their way up the aisle dressed in gold-hued Lulus dresses. They were escorted by smart-looking groomsmen in nude tailor-fitted suits complemented with maroon pocket squares.

In a stunning drennaLUNA gown, with the melodies of Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years as her wedding song, Jodie-Ann made her way up the aisle escorted by her father St Roy Lyn, and aunt, Lisa Gray, to her waiting groom, who sported a maroon Perry Ellis suit.

The ceremony was officiated by Rev Neville Wright, who was assisted by Pastor Sophie Azan.

The reception…

Clear-top tent with café lights strung across the dance floor, rectangular tables with marsala table covers, blush napkins, vines down the middle of each rectangular tables covered with marsala tablecloths adorned with golden lanterns with sprayed distressed wine bottles of blush carnations and glittery table numbers and gold plate chargers were the magical setting in which guests made themselves comfortable. Supreme Systems Ltd maintained the rose gold and masala décor with low patio lights and uplighting.

Formalities were handled by master of ceremonies Garth Williams who introduced the bridal party and the newly-weds who made their entrance to the sounds of Hello by Kes. This was followed by the couple’s first dance as husband and wife, which began salsa-style to Justin Beiber’s Despacito and segued into a slow dance to Ed Sheeran’s Perfect.

A sumptuous supper courtesy of Goddard Catering preceded the cutting of the two-tiered carrot cake — a favourite of the newly-weds — by Sweet Mischief.

DJ Sanjay ushered in the after-party which allowed the younger guests to party till the wee hours of the morning.

THE HONEYMOON

A honeymoon is planned for a later date.