Mon | Sep 22, 2025
ISLAND WEDDING

Love looks good on Thomas and Jodae

Soulmates say ‘I do’ at seaside ceremony in Montego Bay

Published:Tuesday | June 3, 2025 | 12:06 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
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Left: Celebrating their union, Jodae glows in a custom gown by Ghanaian designer Shapes by Nelson, while her groom looks sharp in a tux by Bespoke by Noir.
Janet Silvera
Left: Celebrating their union, Jodae glows in a custom gown by Ghanaian designer Shapes by Nelson, while her groom looks sharp in a tux by Bespoke by Noir.
Below: Thomas holds his bride Jodae close, as they continue their celebrations at the reception.
Janet Silvera
Below: Thomas holds his bride Jodae close, as they continue their celebrations at the reception.
The cutest ring bearer and flower girl duo! Little Kairo Tanko and the ‘flower girl with the mostest,’ Tika Lewis, cousin of the groom, share the spotlight.
Janet Silvera
The cutest ring bearer and flower girl duo! Little Kairo Tanko and the ‘flower girl with the mostest,’ Tika Lewis, cousin of the groom, share the spotlight.
From left: Father of the bride, Robbie Linton; cousin Valina Badley; mother of the bride, Athelene Linton; sister of the groom, Vivien Andik; and father of the groom, Chester Lewis, all out to support the newly-weds.
Janet Silvera
From left: Father of the bride, Robbie Linton; cousin Valina Badley; mother of the bride, Athelene Linton; sister of the groom, Vivien Andik; and father of the groom, Chester Lewis, all out to support the newly-weds.
Guests skipped the traditional book and left messages on a 19th-century-style rotary phone, creating a memorable audio keepsake.
Janet Silvera
Guests skipped the traditional book and left messages on a 19th-century-style rotary phone, creating a memorable audio keepsake.
On May 10 at The Palms in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, the newly-weds exchanged vows and released doves as a symbol of their commitment and faithfulness to each other.
Janet Silvera
On May 10 at The Palms in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, the newly-weds exchanged vows and released doves as a symbol of their commitment and faithfulness to each other.
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WESTERN BUREAU:

Under the warm Caribbean sun and with the sea as their backdrop, registered nurse Jodae Linton and trucker Thomas Lewis exchanged vows. The celebration unfolded on May 10, at The Palms at Rose Hall in Montego Bay, with close family and friends bearing witness to their love. The couple met at a gym in Atlanta, Georgia, and dated for five years before saying “I do” in the country that shaped Jodae’s identity.

“It was special to share my country with my in-laws, who had never been, and to bring both families together in a place that means so much to me,”Jodae told Island Wedding. Her mother, Athelene Linton, hails from Montego Bay, and her father, Robbie, from Retirement, St Ann.

Their love story, filled with intention and grace, led to a beautiful proposal in Egypt, which was a dream come true for the bride.

Chic, modern, and meaningful, every detail of the wedding reflected the couple’s refined taste.

“The wedding design wasn’t about colour; it was about aesthetic,” shared Patrice Dehaney, CEO of Lux Event Design Company, who brought the couple’s vision to life. “Jodae is fashion-forward and bold. She wanted something sleek, with lots of glass, a mirror, touches of black, dramatic lighting, and lush florals. It was contemporary but distinctly Jamaican.”

The couple exchanged vows beneath a white floral arch, with soft waves underscoring the moment’s quiet significance. At the end of the ceremony, they released two white doves, a symbolic gesture of peace, new beginnings, and their shared journey. The birds soared into the Montego Bay sky, reflecting the couple’s hope and unity.

True to her roots and runway-worthy style, Jodae wore a custom gown by Ghanaian designer Shapes by Nelson, based in Accra. The off-the-shoulder mermaid silhouette featured delicate lace and beadwork, sheer floral-detailed sleeves, and a regal train that swept behind her as she walked down the aisle.

Few in the audience were left untouched as Jodae and Thomas read heartfelt handwritten vows rooted in scripture and unwavering devotion. Their words were honest and moving, drawing quiet tears and soft smiles.

“You are the evidence that God sees me, hears me, and knows exactly what my soul needs,” Thomas said to his bride. “With every breath I take, I will thank God for entrusting me with the honour of being your husband.”

Jodae’s words were equally profound. “My yes isn’t born from a fairy tale. It comes from one of the hardest seasons of our life, and in that fire, you still chose to love me. You are my answered prayer, my sanctuary, and the home I’ll always return to.”

Their shared commitment was not just romantic, it was deeply spiritual. Both anchored their promises in faith, echoing verses from Ephesians, Ecclesiastes, and Corinthians, pledging to walk in unity, forgive quickly, and always choose each other through every storm and every triumph.

Following the elegant affair, the newly-weds retreated to Rockhouse Hotel in Negril for a romantic honeymoon, closing one chapter and beginning another.

Their wedding was more than an event; it was a declaration of love. A celebration of heritage and legacy. Of purpose and passion. Of a love that is stylish, sacred, and beautifully sealed under Jamaican skies.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com