Kayla & Brandon
A sunset celebration of love unfolds amidst Jamaica’s vibrant beauty and tropical flora.
For Kayla and Brandon, their love story began during college and continued to flourish over the course of nine incredible years.
Kayla and Brandon’s paths intertwined during Kayla’s freshman year and Brandon’s senior year of college. The connection was undeniable. After college, Brandon would drive 120 miles just to spend a few precious hours with Kayla. It was during these visits that Kayla knew she had found her forever partner.
Finally, the time had come to embark on a new chapter of their lives together with an intimate destination wedding. They decided to take that step on the breathtaking island of Jamaica, while entrusting the team at Sandals Resorts to make the details of their dream wedding a reality.
“We were told the wedding planners at Sandals thrive on bringing dreams to life,” Kayla says, “so we went online and saw pictures of the new Sandals Dunn’s River Resort. That was it. We knew this was exactly where we wanted to be married.”
The newest inspiration, Sandals Dunn’s River, is situated on the north coast of Jamaica in Ocho Rios, featuring landscape bursting with tropical forest, waterfalls, and rivers. The location was selected by the company’s founder due to its unspoiled beaches, pure beauty, and his own family’s history here.
The wedding ceremony was a breathtaking celebration held on the sandy shores of Sandals Dunn’s River. An A-frame arbor adorned with beautiful local plants and flowers in yellow, pink, and orange hues created a threshold for the couple to stroll toward an endless view of the Caribbean Sea. “We scheduled the wedding for twilight,” Kayla says. “It’s the ideal time with the sun setting, the perfect breeze, and the day’s last gentle waves rolling in the background.”
The reception mirrored the ceremony’s beauty and theme, with one long table nestled amidst palm trees as the late rays of sun painted the horizon. Wicker lanterns hung above the reception table, giving off an enchanting glow while complementing the tropical floral arrangements. Natural materials such as rattan chargers and a neutral-colored linen tablecloth were united with contemporary white plates, gold flatware, white candles, and low-set, brightly colored centerpieces.
Before their ceremony, Kayla and Brandon exchanged heartfelt letters, a touching gesture that brought tears of joy. The wedding team at Sandals suggested a local tradition — the pouring of unity sand. It became one of the most cherished moments of the entire week. “We combined our personal sands to symbolize becoming one,” Kayla says. “And now we have the combined sand on display as a keepsake in our home, so we can remember the moment and the beautiful Caribbean destination every day.”
After the ceremony, the couple celebrated with their family in an intimate reception, sharing their first dance to Stephen Sanchez’ “Until I Found You,” and then cutting the wedding cake created by the Sandals culinary team. After the cake cutting, the group sat down to a special four-course dinner, serenaded by the talented guitarist and musician, Moses Beckford.
The table-scape was reflective of the resort itself — modern and natural.
Kayla and Brandon find it challenging to choose a single favorite moment from so many extraordinary moments. From their arrival at the resort to the live entertainment after the ceremony, every instant holds its own place in their hearts. When pressed a bit, they admit their most cherished moment was being on the beach, surrounded by loved ones, as they exchanged vows and became husband and wife.
As they continue to reflect on their unforgettable experience, the couple has this bit of advice to share: “After everything we experienced, we wouldn’t trust anyone else for the most important day of our lives. When we say they’re amazing, we mean it. The planners. The photographer and videographer. They all made our wedding stress-free so we could fully enjoy it.” And isn’t that what dreams are meant to be?
Following the departure of their family, Kayla and Brandon extended their stay at Sandals Dunn’s River. “When we saw the pictures, we instantly knew that’s where we wanted to go. It was a ‘this was meant to be’ moment for us."
With all-inclusive packages that extend to the neighboring property, Sandals Ochi, couples can enjoy 28 restaurants, 22 whirlpools, 13 different pools, and 20 bars — all with round-trip transportation included. Unwinding from a wedding couldn’t be more relaxing, or more fun.
Kayla and Brandon’s destination wedding at Sandals Dunn’s River was a testament to their enduring love. With the support and expertise of Sandals Resorts’ wedding planning team, their dream became a breathtaking reality. Ensconced by the stunning Jamaican landscape, their intimate event will always reflect their love and commitment to each other.
