“I wanted ‘chic bush,’” the bride shared, with sunflower yellow and forest green with gold accents.

They moved in the same circles and always held each other in high esteem. Indeed, at their first face-to-face meeting Kemesha Kelly, UWI lecturer and Nationwide Radio co-host, extended her hand to Gordon Swaby, CEO and co-founder or EduFocal Limited. His response was: “We don’t do handshakes; we do hugs!”

Let the Planning Begin

Several dates later soon led to a proposal, with Gordon on bended knee. With the date finalised, Saturday, November 30, Kemesha secured the services of Dana Malcolm of M Style. “I wanted ‘chic bush,’” she shared, with sunflower yellow and forest green with gold accents. The venue, Tan Y Bryn Estate, in Walderston, Manchester, built in 1895 by the Walder family who came to Jamaica as Moravian missionaries in 1820, and situated on 25 acres of land at some 2,700 feet above sea level, provided not only an incredibly picturesque garden setting but, too, idyllic weather.

 

Here Comes The Bride

A selection of music by Rosina Moder and Peter Ashbourne signalled the arrival of the bridal party. The ladies were ‘chic bush’-perfect as they made their way across the lawn in sunflower yellow tea-length dresses escorted by elegant groomsmen in Carlton Brown tailoring.

The Etta James classic At Last, performed by local songstress Ellan Neil, accompanied by saxophonist Vincent Ricketts, signalled the bride’s arrival on the arm of her proud father John Kelly. Kemesha’s arrival elicited sounds of approval. There was no disputing just how gorgeous she looked in a custom-made Donald Mirander for Rednarim diamond-white wedding gown with textured embroidered lace complete with silk undergown. The train featured hand-detailed lace appliqués and hand-sewn Swarovski crystals. She carried a bouquet of her favourite flowers, white and yellow stargazer lilies and mini daisies, reminiscent of the first bouquet her bridegroom gave her.

The groom, dapper in a grey three-piece Carlton Brown bespoke suit, could hardly contain his emotions. (The colour grey was chosen as a nod to the two fathers, both celebrating over three decades of marriage.)

 

The Reception

Shuttle buses took guests from Tan Y Bryn to the well-appointed Swaby family home for the reception under the stars with guests seated family-style around wooden farm tables whose tablescapes reflected the sunflower yellow and forest green with gold accents theme.

Heartfelt speeches gave way to the cutting of the Selena Wong three-tiered red velvet cake and the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk.

Source: Vows, Jamaica Observer. First published December 30, 2019
Photos: Adrian McDonald of LexonArt & Karl Mclarty