“Hello, peace. Hello, hope! Hello, love. It’s a new horizon!” Words expressed to Tuesday Style Vows (TSV) by Kedrice Brown, a budget analyst at a US company in Ottawa, Canada, and Tameka Johnson, an assistant at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Caribbean Regional Office, based in Kingston, Jamaica, after exchanging wedding vows on July 15, 2023 at Sts Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church.

Coincidentally, they both attended the same church as children and both families knew each other. However, their paths had never crossed.

It would be fair to deduce that their encounter was ordained however, as in early 2012, they both signed up for a church feeding programme, where they undertook feeding the homeless in Kingston. It was here that their friendship began to blossom.

By year-end their friendship had shifted gears; they were now dating. And in July 2015, they became parents. Parenting brought on new challenges as their son Kejohn faced a life-threatening situation at birth but recovered with the couple’s love and care.

Kedrice, who had plans to migrate to Canada, finally made the move in July 2018. However, the couple’s hopes of reuniting were prolonged due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. They maintained a long-distance relationship, however, visiting each other once or twice a year.

Life continued to mete out challenges! In May 2021, Tameka’s dad suffered a stroke. His mobility impacted, Tameka nevertheless held on to the belief that her dream of having her father walk her down the aisle would still be realised.

After securing a permanent job in Canada, Kedrice immediately put plans in place for a permanent reunion. Top of his agenda was a proposal of marriage to Tameka during a trip to Florida.

Their subsequent nuptials witnessed by immediate family members and close friends was jointly officiated by Rev Father Roger Graham and Rev Father Combi Benjamin.

“Our wedding was filled with love and significance, taking place in July, the same month as our son’s birth… our journey, with its challenges has made us stronger, and ready for a lifelong commitment”, they shared with TSV.

For her special day Tameka opted for an elegant mermaid silhouette with intricate lace detailing from top to bottom, adorned with delicate rhinestones at the bodice, whilst her bridegroom and son complemented her perfectly in tuxedos.

The reception was held at Pollyanna Caterers, beautifully decorated in grey and royal blue to complement the couple’s love and royalty theme. Their three-tiered fruitcake that added to the festivities was created by Camille Johnson of CW Baked Treats.

The decor for the wedding was a collective labour of love. Gorgeous Flowers handled the church whilst the remaining decor, including bouquets and centerpieces, was put together by friends and family. The reception decor, excluding the centrepieces, came with the venue.

The evening was filled with love and happiness after the couple made their grand entrance to cheers from their guests, dancing to Romaine Virgo’s A Good Woman.

Other highlights included a touching father/daughter dance which her son joined in! The couple then shared their first dance as husband and wife to You Are The Reason by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis egged on by cheering guests.

Tameka and Kedrice are excited about what lies ahead, and ask for prayers from their friends and family as they embark on this new journey together.