Vows — The Gardners: Layers of Love
Saturday , August 11, 2018, was the date chosen by Urban Development Corporation (UDC) Senior Spatial Data Analyst Denodain Gardner and Natrisha Watkin, pharmacist at Monarch Pharmacy, to exchange their vows at the Struan Castle Gardens, Stony Hill, St Andrew.
The couple met while they were both enrolled at the University of Technology (UTech) and, as fate would have it, Natrisha moved into the same building for which Denodain supervised Internet connections. As a new resident, Natrisha needed Denodain’s assistance in getting connected. But Denodain knew he wanted to establish a personal connection as well. In an attempt to see Natrisha more often, he would often disconnect Natrisha’s Internet, forcing her to pay him a visit. It worked! Cupid’s arrow did the rest and after five years of dating the timing was just right.
The proposal… Natrisha recalls
“It was November 22, 2017, I had just been awarded my licence to practise as a registered pharmacist in Jamaica, and Denodain insisted that we go out to dinner at the Macau Gaming Lounge & Bar to celebrate. When he picked me up, he handed me a red rose and opened the door for me.
During dinner, he presented me with a large, well-wrapped gift box. It revealed a smaller, but also wrapped box. Then, a gift bag stuffed with wrapping tissue paper to conceal a small jewellery box, housing an even smaller box. This one opened to reveal… an engagement ring?! Deno came around to face me, and went down on one knee. I honestly didn’t hear a word he said because I was screaming so much. I did, however, say, ‘Yes!’”
Here comes the bride
Opting for a tropical garden theme, Denodain and Natrisha welcomed 60 of their closest friends and family members to share in their big day.
The collaborative efforts of Shellz Wedding Design and Karel and Pat Lewis brought the couple’s dream wedding to life. A white aisle set against the verdant lawn, banana and palm leaves-adorned aisle seats, and a gazebo draped in peach and white fabric framed the ceremony.
The proceedings commenced with the entrance of the bridal party to Ed Sheeran and Tori Kelly’s I Was Made For Loving You. Beautiful Brides & Mr Tux-clad groomsmen accompanied the bridesmaids who wore coral Velma Trowers-made dresses. The bride’s flower girl niece Rihanna Watkin also preceded the bride’s arrival.
Ed Sheeran’s Perfect then heralded the bride’s arrival. Escorted by her adopted father Maurice Goodgame, Natrisha approached her groom in an off-the-shoulder AliExpress-bought gown with a corset bodice and ruffled train. Her bouquet was an arrangement of white, green and coral roses. The groom chose a fitted royal blue suit from Beautiful Brides & Mr Tux.
The ceremony, officiated by Pastor Shane O’ Connor, featured a sand ceremony symbolising the melding of their lives and interests.
Following the signing of the marriage licence, two white doves were released and the newly-weds left the altar to Jermaine Edwards’s It’s A Beautiful Day.
The Reception
The third floor of the venue was decorated with coral and cream fabrics, green table runners stitched by the bride, centrepieces of gold-painted pineapples and glasses shrouded in gold, affording guests a beautiful setting for the reception. There were also wreathed columns accompanied by palm trees wrapped in coral fabric.
The wedding party announced their arrival with Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop The Feeling; the newly-weds with In The Name Of Love by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha.
Master of ceremonies Evadne Harding was a hit, inspiring audience participation at every juncture.
Toasts and a delectable Struan Castle-catered three-course meal preceded the unveiling of the three-tiered Allikash chocolate rum cake by the bride’s mother and the groom’s grandmother, Beverley Morgan and Dorothy Gardner, respectively.
Formalities continued with the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers.
Thereafter, the dance floor was opened and the newly-weds jammed with their guests all night long.
The Honeymoon
The newlyweds honeymooned at Secrets Montego Bay where they, for four days, enjoyed cycling, watersports and other resort activities.
