Island Wedding | The Cespedes say ‘I do’ in a culturally rich celebration

As Kadane and Kelsey-Jo Cespedes made their debut as husband and wife, the couple stepped away from traditional nuptial norms to celebrate their love through the cultural fanfare of Jonkunnu, an extravagant newspaper-style announcement, and a captivating play depicting their romantic journey. With local elements thoughtfully reimagined to reflect their personal style, few would have guessed that their love story actually began in 2022 at a soca party.

“My wife and I first met at an event called I Love Soca in December 2022. We had mutual friends, including a couple who were getting married the following year. Funny enough, she was the maid of honour and I was the best man. But at the time, everything was purely platonic,” Kadane told Island Wedding.

Though she was not the biggest fan of soca, Kelsey-Jo acquiesced to the invitation from family members and friends. “I really wanted to go home, but I ended up meeting up with friends who wanted to introduce me, the maid of honour, to a guy who would be the best man at their wedding,” she recalled.

As the night wore on, the pair began talking, which soon turned into laughter and dancing.“We danced the night away until Wray and his nephew got the best of him,” Kelsey-Jo said with a smile.

In the days that followed, the pair went on several dates to get to know each other better. “Our first date was at a really nice restaurant called Saffron, an Indian and Asian fusion cuisine. We had a lovely dinner and an even better conversation,” he revealed.

Kelsey-Jo realised then just how polite, charming, witty, and considerate Kadane is, “He appeared rough and nonchalant at first. But as I got to know him better, he was magnetic.” Kadane found her smart, fun to talk to, creative, and warmhearted, and over time his appreciation for her deepened.

Kelsey-Jo soon returned to the US, since she had been visiting Jamaica for the holidays. But that didn’t stop Kadane from going the distance. “We were talking consistently for about six months. We were long distance, but the connection felt so close and genuine. It was something I didn’t want to lose, so I asked her if she would like to be my girlfriend,” he explained.

Since the start of their relationship, Kelsey-Jo has been drawn to Kadane’s charm, eccentricity, calmness, and his Jamaican roots. “He has a unique personality and way of doing things that makes him stand out from others. Once he sets his mind to something, he remains determined and committed to seeing it through. His charming nature allows him to connect easily with others in any environment,” she added.

She also respects that he carries himself with a calm presence, even in stressful moments, creating a sense of stability and reassurance for those around him, adding that, “He is proudly Jamaican. His culture, values, and perspective on life are a meaningful part of who he is and how he interacts with the world.”

Taking the time to understand her anxious nature rather than dismissing it, Kadane reminds her to slow down, breathe and go with the flow whenever life gets too overwhelming, “...through his support I have become more patient with myself and more open to trusting that everything will work out,” she added

Working through challenges is an important part of their relationship, with a shared understanding that quitting is never an option.

“Even when things are difficult, we talk, process, and figure it out together. He also puts a lot of thought into caring for me in small but meaningful ways. He knows when my social battery needs to recharge, and he makes sure I have the space to rest while still feeling loved,” Kelsey-Jo explained.

As a couple, they love turning everyday moments into priceless memories. “He often surprises me with my jerk chicken that he grilled, even though he does not eat meat, or a cute cup because I can never have enough. Those efforts are what make our relationship feel intentional, festive, and deeply supportive,” Kelsey-Jo added. Kadane chimed in by noting, “Our favourite chill spot is at home. Just us in the living room, watching Pop the Balloon and eating crawfish. Those simple moments mean everything to us.”

Since meeting Kelsey-Jo, Kadane has been fascinated by how loving, creative, loyal, attractive and inspiring she is. “She truly embodies all of those qualities everyday,” he said, adding, “She encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and just take the risk. For my wife, it’s all about pivoting and looking at things from as many angles as possible.”

Kelsey-Jo realised he was the one, wanting to be around him constantly, while Kadane recognised from their first argument that their feelings remained strong, as they navigated it with maturity. “It became a moment of learning rather than conflict,” he added.

WHEN TWO BECOME ONE

The couple courted for two and a half years before Kadane flew to Canada and then the States to execute a surprise wedding proposal, “I had plans to visit her as I usually did. But this time, I told her I needed to make a stop in Canada to visit my grandmother and aunt. In reality, the trip to Canada was to collect the engagement ring I had purchased,” he explained. “I arrived in the US a day earlier than she expected. And with the help of her sister, I set up the house with decorations. As soon as my wife walked through the door, everything was ready and that’s when I popped the question.”

The wedding planning became more hectic than expected, and the bride-to-be stepped in to take charge, overseeing every detail, including the Jamaican advertisements at the after-party and the devotional songs during the reception dinner.

On November 22, 2025, in the presence of loved ones, Kadane and Kelsey-Jo joined hearts in a captivating ceremony and reception held at Villa Mimosa in Discovery Bay, St Ann.

The dashing groom said the wedding day was filled with love, support, and joy: “The best moment for me was seeing everything my wife had planned come to life and witnessing just how happy she was.”

For the bride, the wedding was everything she had hoped for and more. “It felt true to who we are as people,” Mrs Cespedes said, pointing out, “The very best moment for me was having Jonkunnu accompany us on our entrance as Mr and Mrs Cespedes. That was a surreal moment because I’ve always loved watching them, but I’ve never encountered them that close.”

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com