Updated: 5:40 p.m.
Prominent Jamaican pianist Dennis Rushton married his duet partner and sweetheart, Carrialeisa Henry, a Portmore resident and member of Newlands Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in a romantic garden wedding over the Christmas holidays.
The bride recently started sharing photos of their special day on Facebook, including close-up images of her gorgeous gown and an inside look at her wedding. On Friday, Portmore Citizens News finally caught up with the newlyweds for a quick chat about their special day. I also have more inside photos from the couple’s wedding day to show you, so read to the end of the post.
The bride confirmed that it was a morning wedding and it took place on December 16 on the picturesque lawns of Hope Botanical Gardens in upper St Andrew under turquoise skies and a kind sun.
Ready to play: Carrialeisa makes a striking pose in this ebony and ivory figure reminiscent of the piano keys so loved by her musical husband
Wearing an off-white fitted trumpet gown featuring floral appliques, lace and beadwork from Bliss Bridal Boutique of Barbican, the picture-perfect bride swept into view and serenaded her way towards the beaming groom with Whitney Houston’s “I believe in you and me.”
The ceremony got underway at about 10:00 a.m. and was officiated by Pastor Lancelot Henry of Swallowfield Chapel. The couple exchanged vows and rings before 50 guests made up of family and friends.
The ebony-skinned bride looked elegant in a chic sleeveless design made to flatter and accentuate the neckline and curves of a morning bride in a charming outdoor setting. (She later pulled out a cute white parasol which she used as a fashionable shelter from the warm morning sun).
A sweetheart neckline enhancing its bodice and beaded bridal belt self-tied at the back added a romantic, feminine layer to the dress. The figure-hugging trumpet skirt piece fitted and flaired to the floor with applique scattering the tulle, sweep train.
She also wore a trendy white birdcage fascinator headpiece with the netting partially covering the left side of her face/head. In harmony with the setting and her peacock wedding theme, she carried a combined bouquet made with large retouched red and white roses and white orchids dramatically accented with a cascading fan of peacock feathers.
The Rushton Bowtie
The groom looked debonair in a black suit designed by Mandeville-based designer Tie-hard, and keeping company with his signature bow tie style, wore a turquoise peacock feather accented bowtie against crisp white buttoned up shirt (He emphasised I should mention that the bowties for the groom and groomsmen were all made by his new bride, Carrialeisa who also makes all the bow ties he wears in the judge’s seat of All Together Sing)
Dennis Rushton, talent judge on TVJ’s All Together Sing since 2005
His four groomsmen sported savvy black suspenders and bowties with peacock accents. Boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen also favoured details from the bridal party’s peacock colour palette.
The bridal party (from left) bridesmaids Donesa Green-McKenzie, Melissa Fullerton, Suegen Rhoden and Melissa Cheddan, Maid of Honor, the happy couple Dennis Rushton and Carrialeisa Henry, best man and groomsmen Andae Campbell, Courick Clarke, Dale Brown, and Christopher Tyrell.
Bridal Party Styled by Cheddan
The bridesmaids, all friends of the bride, wore floor-length Greek goddess Chiffon dresses in vivid shades of red, teal and gold accessorized with a gold braided waistband and gold brooches placed at shoulder closure. More peacock feathered hair accents appeared in the matching buns worn by the ladies. Dresses were designed and styled by Melissa Cheddan (Cheddan Designs) Portmore-based designer and close pal of the bride.
Their Love Story
The couple met back in 2012 when they started singing together professionally as a duet. A friendship developed between them. Although he wasn’t totally blind to her attractiveness, it wasn’t until 2014 that romance sparked. According to Dennis, while driving from Ocho Rios one day the thought occurred to him, ‘You know a you wife that (You know that’s your wife (English translation)?’ He said he ignored it but he was prompted again as he neared Kingston. This time he accepted it.
And the rest they say is history. They started dating, and in June 2016 he popped the question at a surprise dinner party with Carrialeisa’s family and friends at the couple’s favourite haunt, Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston. Two days later, they shared the good news with Dennis’ family in Florida.
Six months later, the couple culminated their mutual adoration, passion for music and earnest friendship into marriage.
The wedding reception was held inside the Pavilion at Hope Gardens. The gold and white decor flowed from the elegant tablescape, wedding cake (made by the bride and her mother) to the rustic breakfast menu catered by The Pantry.
In true birds-of-a-feather style, guests were entertained by the bridal band consisting of the groomsmen (all talented musicians) who delivered instrumental pieces backing musical renditions from the bridesmaids. Emcee for the evening was NCU FM’s Healthy and Happy host, Pastor Jovan Whyte.
That they met because of music is a fact the couple has chosen to celebrate with a custom designed wedding band with tiny piano key features that the bride has gifted to her jazz impresario husband.
The groom, fondly referred to as the “smashing pianist” because of his unrelenting and passionate assault of his keyboard while playing is widely renowned and respected among top musicians in Jamaica and North America for his prowess on the piano and is a talent judge on TVJ’s seasonal All Together Sing, a high school competition featuring school choirs across the island vying for a Championship title. Carrialeisa, herself a talented gospel music singer who is well- known in the local Adventist Church music circle in St Catherine is a specialist nurse/midwife.
The groom attends Swallowfield Chapel in Kingston while Carrialeisa hails from Cumberland, Portmore where she and her mom are longstanding members of the Newlands SDA Church.
Asked how it felt to be married, the new husband expressed his excitement. “It’s wonderful… all good!” When asked, Carrialeisa giggled but chose to remain close-lipped about where they spent their honeymoon.
“If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it. . .” ― William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night.
As promised, here are more highlights from the day. . .
Credits:
Photography: Walters Weddings
Event Design (Including Table, Venue Decor, Accessories): Leisa’s Closet
Flowers, Bouquets and Boutonnieres: Lesia’s Closet
Copyright. Karen Taylor. All rights reserved.
Portmore Citizens News 