Jamaica is rated as a top destination for weddings and Borghinvilla, Discovery Bay, is a much-sought-after venue. The two were top of mind when Columbus, Ohio couple Eric Thompson and Lakisha Reynolds exchanged wedding vows a year ago. They are still excited about their experience.

Lakisha and Eric met in 2016 at the New Generation Church, Columbus, Ohio. Theirs was a platonic relationship as neither was looking for a relationship, Eric shared with Tuesday Style Vows (TSV). It’s fair to say, however, that after a Maxwell concert to celebrate Lakisha’s birthday, in July of the same year, followed by an introduction to his family and a trip a year later to Punta Cana for her sister’s destination wedding, that their solid friendship segued to love.

Indeed, the proposal came two years later on Tuesday, December 25, 2018, during Christmas dinner at her sister’s house.

“With Kem’s Share My Life playing in the background I got down on my knee and asked her to marry me. Thankfully, she said, ‘Yes!’ Eric told TSV.

Jamaica, here we come…

The couple and 30 of their family and friends jetted from Columbus, Ohio, to Jamaica for what the couple describes as the most important journey of their lives.

The wedding ceremony took place on the cliff at Borghinvilla overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The team at Borghinvilla led by co-principal Jennifer Borgh used crystal curtains, and a plethora of fresh white and lavender roses harmonised with hydrangeas and greenery to up the ante on an already spectacular setting. Guests sat on clear phoenix chairs.

The processional began with the bridesmaids, escorted by groomsmen, to the strains of H.E.R’s Best Part featuring Daniel Caesar. The excitement was palpable as the first notes of Isaac Carree’s HER sounded. Lakisha made her way up the aisle on the arm of her mother, Cynthia Collins. She looked stunning in a cinched-waist, white V-neckline gown from Wendy’s Bridal Columbus. Her locks were held in place by an exquisite lace veil band which finished the look. In her hands she clutched a posy of white and lavender roses with sprigs of eucalyptus. Meanwhile, at the altar stood Eric, smart in a Ralph Lauren suit.

The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Damion Austin and concluded with jumping the broom, the time-honoured wedding tradition of jumping over a broom in recognition of the ancestors.

Cocktail hour followed with guests enjoying ice-cold coconut jellies as they stepped into yet another spectacular area at Borghinvilla. The huge white tent featured candles set atop mirror-top tables, cascading floral centrepieces and chandeliers which gave the area a soft glow.

The wedding party entered to Beyoncé’s Already featuring Shatta Wale & Major Lazer, after which Eric and Lakisha in their second outfits danced their way into Toni Braxton’s How Many Ways remix featuring R Kelly.

The evening continued with the unveiling of the two-tiered strawberry and lemon cake from Joy of Foods. Dinner by Borghinvilla resident Chef Francis and his team was a gastronomic delight and received rave reviews.

When it was time to open the dance floor to H.E.R’s Every Kind Of Way, the dance floor was lit with cold sparklers adding an extra dimension to the moment. Guests, thereafter, were entertained by fire dancer Sheldon before partying into the night to the sounds of deejay Big J Entertainment.

The newly-weds spent their honeymoon at Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall.