Guided by faith, Marc-Antoni and Kishauna say ‘I Do’

In the summer of 2023, Marc-Antoni Brown and Kishauna Smith each set out on their own adventure, joining the Summer Work and Travel programme through First Class Cultural Travel Experience. They were meant to end up in completely different places in the United States, but instead, they both found themselves in Des Moines, Iowa, where a chance meeting would change everything.

Even with a busy schedule, Marc-Antoni always found little moments to check in on Kishauna, his thoughtful gestures quietly revealing the kind heart she would soon come to know so well.

“We could talk for hours without running out of things to say. I’d never felt that kind of connection before,” Marc-Antoni shared with Island Wedding.

To get to know each other better, they spent a day at Adventureland Park, sharing laughs and creating memories, and later enjoyed their first date over a cosy late-night dinner in downtown Des Moines. Recounting the days’ happenings, Kishauna said, “I confessed my fear of heights right before we went on the tallest slide. We laughed so hard as we raced down opposite sides, then [we] ran back to do it again and again!”

By July 11 of the same year, the pair made their relationship official. During their two-year courtship, Kishauna knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him when he prayed over their union and their future.

Beyond making her feel cherished and leading with love, she grew to admire his patience and unwavering faith, even as they came from different Christian denominations at the time.

The couple quickly realised they shared an instant and powerful connection after spending intentional time together, opening up about their lives and personal stories, and sharing countless moments of laughter.

Marc-Antoni shared that Kishauna’s laugh was so contagious, he would do anything just to hear it, which even included him singing off-key while they were in the car.

A heartfelt echo to the couple’s reception entrance song, Good Woman by Romain Virgo, Marc-Antoni found exactly that in his beloved. “[It’s] her strength. She faces everything with courage. And her heart, she loves so deeply, whether it’s me, her family, or even strangers.”

With the help of his mother, Venecia Fuller-Brown, Marc-Antoni planned his proposal to the love of his life at Epican Tapas Restaurant & Lounge on August 1, Kishauna’s birthday. Having no idea what was about to happen, Kishauna had invited her closest friends and sister to celebrate her big day.

Marc-Antoni had spoken with a server beforehand to bring out a plate with the words, “Will you marry me?” along with Kishauna’s favourite cake, red velvet. Unfortunately, a shift change led to a mix-up, and the new server, unaware of the plan, simply plated the dessert. As Marc-Antoni tried to distract Kishauna, she suddenly looked up in shock to see him drop to one knee and before he could even finish his question, she shouted, “Yes!”

“What really drew me in was his kindness and the way he made me feel comfortable from the very beginning” she said, adding that he stood out because he puts God first and always involves her in his plans.

On December 7, 2024, surrounded by family and friends, the couple exchanged vows at Refuge Temple Ministries Myersville in St Elizabeth.

Helping to bring the couple’s vision to life, The Mullings Home and Family Essentials designed the wedding décor in royal blue and gold.

Nothing compares to the moment Kishauna walked down the aisle to Johnny Gill’s 2005 hit, You for Me (The Wedding Song), to meet her groom in a beautiful lace appliqué wedding gown.

Describing the feeling as nothing but peaceful, she shared, “When I vowed to be not just his wife, but his best friend, and prayer warrior, it was the truest promise I’d ever made.”

Hosting their reception on the same property, catering was done by members of Refuge Temple Ministries Myersville, and the attendees were led through the programme thanks to Master of Ceremonies Lovell Williams.

For their first dance as husband and wife, Kishauna included a twist, serenading Marc-Antoni with Shania Twain’s From This Moment On.

Equally in awe of the moment, the only thought running through Marc-Antoni’s mind as time seemed to stop was, “This is the woman who changed my life.”

ruth-ann.briscoe@gleanerjm.com