The Andersons unite in friendship and love

For Sashanna Lamey and Joel Anderson, friendship laid the solid foundation for lifelong love. In the heart of Seaview Gardens, Kingston, a beautiful story unfolded between them.

“We were friends for a while, from about 2007, before we realised something deeper was developing about three years later,” Sashanna told Island Wedding, adding, “He held a deep respect for women, displaying a protective nature, and as a father, he was grounded in family values.”

As destiny would have it, Sashanna and Joel became emotional support systems for each other. Their relationship was intricately woven with the love they had for each other’s families and the two manifested that by the end of 2023, having achieved their goal of building a house, it would be ‘all about the Andersons’ for the new year and beyond.

“She always captured my attention with the physical, but she held it with her caring ways for me and my children. I knew from very early in our relationship, she would become my wife,” Joel said.

In the midst of the wedding planning, the bride and groom were a dynamic duo of dreams and decisions. However, from the get-go, they were in agreement that their nuptials would revolve around a central concept, ensuring every witness of their milestone commitment felt “the depth of our heart and soul”, the newly-weds shared.

After selecting a hidden gem nestled in the hills of Perth Town, Trelawny, called Paradise Orchard, as their venue, the priority was to ensure all their family could be present. The venue was arranged for a day infused with personal touches, highlighted by hues of burgundy, beige and champagne.

Sashanna glowed in a stunning design selected for its crystal details, and flattering mermaid bodice with an off-the-shoulder detail. Joel, complementing her elegance, chose a bespoke burgundy tuxedo embodying a classic style with a black satin notched lapel.

The bridesmaids carried golden hoop bouquets, made with love by the bride’s sister and cousins, adding a touch of opulence. The bride’s bouquet, composed of white and wine red roses made by her aunt, included a sentimental ‘something old, something new, something blue’ element, and a photo charm featuring her late maternal grandmother, Claire Mitchell, who passed away in 2021.

Their wedding day unfolded in cinematic form. Reverend Paul Dacosta-Pinto, who officiated their nuptials, revealed that after the first pre-marital counselling session, he was ready to declare the couple husband and wife. A moment of silence in honour of Sashanna’s grandmother added a poignant touch.

“It was a priority for us to have that moment. Not only did we love her grandmother deeply, but she also blessed our union and prayed for our marriage,” Joel said. After the exchange of vows came their most anticipated moment: slipping their respective rings on to each other’s fingers. “It felt like time stopped for a minute,” the happy husband remarked.

Following a quick wardrobe change into a rose gold sequinned gown by the bride, a party unfolded. The dinner and desserts were a flavourful homage to the couple’s favourite foods, most of which was prepared by family and close friends.

Amid the celebration, the newly-weds found quiet moments to steal away together, to reflect on the significance of the day in their lives. With each glance they reaffirmed their commitment to one another, grateful for the friendship that had blossomed into enduring love. As the night drew to a close and they bid farewell to their guests, the Andersons’ hearts were filled with love and memories to last a lifetime.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com