Though Terel had arranged a romantic proposal comprising afternoon tea, cocktails and a show, his plans were scuppered when he kept asking if Eme was free on his chosen day. "Jokingly, I said to him 'you're making so much fuss about tomorrow, you had better be proposing!' He then got very flustered, I escaped to the bathroom to get ready to go out and, when I came out, he was on one knee - and had been for 20 minutes!"
Ocean Kave provided the perfect backdrop for the pair's "autumn night lit by candles. We wanted only candlelight, dried leaves, dried fruits and autumnal colours," explains Eme. The coastal venue was dazzlingly dressed: fruits, pine cones, leaves and candles spilled from wooden centrepieces on the tabletops and tree motifs carried from the stationery to the cake.
Eme wore a bespoke empire line gown co-designed by the bride herself and created over the course of a year through numerous fittings on designer Pearl's Dutch barge in east London.
A carnival of candles lit the Kave itself for the sunset ceremony at 5.30pm. Aptly for the couple, the ceremony featured a host of heartfelt performances, including a reading by the couple's son and an acoustic rendition of a Joni Mitchell number by friends and West End performers, Kayi Ushe and Lexi Khadime.
Post-ceremony canapes were served in the cave, which included Jamaican patties alongside rum punch "with a Jamaican twist!" Dinner was then served in the Sunset Rooms where Terel's Jamaican heritage continued to be celebrated through a traditional hog roast with jerk sauce, roast potatoes and Jamaican coleslaw. "We worked closely with the chef Darren to bring a Jamaican twist into the food," comments Eme.
The evening reception commenced with the beautiful vocals of friend, Giles Terera, who sang the newly-weds' first dance, and, after an upbeat DJ set, ended in equally magical style with a sparkler arch for the couple's memorable exit.
Looking back on their magical wedding, Eme cites her favourite moment as "Seeing the candlelit cave as the ceremony began." She has some sterling advice for those setting out on their planning journey: "Find a theme that is right for you and stick to it," she asserts. "Search far and wide until you find a venue willing to help you achieve your dream."
Photography MK Collins Photography www.mkcollinsphotography.com
Venue Ocean Kave www.oceankave.co.uk
Dress Pearl Bespoke Designs www.pearlbespokedressmakers.co.uk
Bridesmaid dresses ASOS www.asos.com
Hair and make-up Collette Morris
Groom's outfit Tailored in Vietnam
Flowers Artisan Flowers www.artisandriedflowers.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2016
