By Melissa Kenyon
Photography by Zeudi Hinds Photography
Takiyah and Kevin Simpson met when they were 12 and 13, respectively. Her house at the bottom of the hill was the “hangout spot,” where all the kids would go after school and on weekends. When they were young teenagers, it was puppy love, but life took its turns and they eventually drifted apart. As fate would have it, their paths crossed again in their adult years, and they fell in love for the second time.
The proposal took place at the lovebirds’ place of worship, St. John AME Church, the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2015. She was suspicious because he was so insistent that she come to church, but she never expected him to get down on one knee in front of the entire congregation.
“I wasn’t going to go, but he kept telling me that he wanted me there because he was reading the scripture,” says Takiyah. “In the middle of the service, he proposed.”
Takiyah and Kevin’s relationship came full circle at St. Paul AME Church on September 30, 2016, with 200 guests in attendance to witness their nuptials.
Kevin looked dapper in a white tuxedo and bowtie, and his groomsmen—his brother, his sons, Takiyah’s son, and his best friends—wore tan suits.
Takiyah’s bridesmaids—her daughter, husband’s daughter, sister, goddaughter, and closest friends—wore shades of her favorite color, seafoam, and her two matrons of honor wore sand-colored dresses. The beachy combination was perfect for the couple’s Bermuda wedding.
The showstopper was the bride, of course. She wore a chic and glamorous couture Sottero and Midgley fit and flare gown with a sweetheart neckline. On her bouquet of roses, hydrangea, and succulents, she affixed a small framed picture of her late father with a beaming smile.
Three special men shared the important task of walking Takiyah down the aisle. Her two uncles walked her halfway to her brother, who walked her to Kevin.
To mark the combining of their two families, the couple together with their children performed a sand ceremony where they each poured a different color of sand into a framed box.
The cherry on top for Takiyah and Kevin’s stunning ceremony was the vintage car waiting for them outside the church, which was a wonderful surprise from Kevin’s parents. It transported them to Fort Hamilton for photos and then to the Hamilton Princess for their reception.
For the reception, Takiyah went for the “wow factor” and chose the theme, “diamonds and pearls.” She wanted her guests to gasp. To achieve her dream, she entrusted her big day’s flowers and decor to Exclusive Events.
Before entering the party at the Hamilton Princess, Takiyah changed into a more flowy second dress made by Renee Hill Originals. It was perfect for dancing, and dance she did.
The H&H Gombeys provided entertainment with island flair, and DJ Jugglin Jason got everyone moving on the dance floor.
When they weren’t dancing, guests had a blast taking photos at the photobooth. They were able to take home fun photo keepsakes to remember occasion.
The tablescapes were certainly eye-catching, with Caribbean blue linens and beautiful white floral centerpieces. The arrangements showcased a mix of hydrangea and orchids with pops of green.
For dinner, guests enjoyed traditional Bermudian comfort food: mac and cheese, jerk chicken and rice, potato salad, and pumpkin soup.
A huge fan of dessert, Takiyah requested the dessert bar to end all dessert bars. The spread was impressive, with chocolate mousse, cakes, and pastries. The base of the couple’s three-tier wedding cake was decorated with blue and white frosting roses, the second layer was white with diamond trim, and the top tier was watercolor blue with a “Forever Simpson” cake topper.
Takiyah and Kevin had the time of their lives, and soon after their special day, they celebrated their new chapter with a romantic Mediterranean cruise.
