It was several years ago that Peta-Gaye Soltau — daughter of Caroline Baker, Amazon Building Services partner, and Palm Ridge Farm manufacturer Peter Soltau — met Jody Ducasse — son of Anthony Ducasse, owner of Durae’s Boat Sales & Marine Supplies Ltd and Dr Marion Bullock-Ducasse, principal medical officer/director at the Ministry of Health. They met as part-time Computer Science majors at UTech and found they had a mutual interest in fishing. “It really was not a fairy-tale romance. We both worked in the daytime, so we ended up taking classes together in the evenings,” Peta-Gaye shared with Vows. Their friendship grew, and after two years they started a business, Limitless Fishing & Water Sports. Their relationship also produced a beautiful daughter, and then they started discussing marriage.

The proposal was rather comical, with Jody frantically trying to slip the ring — a size too small — onto Peta-Gaye’s finger as she slept. Being a light sleeper, she woke up to find him with a quizzical expression on his face. Undaunted, he popped the question. Laughter erupted, she said ‘yes!’ and their wedding plans commenced instantly. Alas, fortune took a wrong turn on the morning of their wedding, with Jody’s father’s business — of which he is managing director — burning to the ground at 2:00 am.

Despite the family crisis, their big day last year carried on in full swing, with the scenic Boone Hall Oasis decorated with elegant sunset-inspired touches by Aeisha Panton of Pussbackfoot and Sherri Ann Toppin of Topp In Designz. Peta-Gaye was radiant in a chic draped maxi complete with rosette detailing on the strap by All About Eve and sandals by D Next Step, both local designers. Her hair and make-up were perfectly done by Seon’s Hair and Loni Jones, and she clutched a bouquet of peach roses in her hands. She was escorted up the aisle by her beaming dad, the strains of Kenny Lattimore’s For You wafting through the air as she glided to meet her beloved Jody, who was smartly dressed in a suit by Spencer’s Tailoring. The groomsmen and bridesmaids were dressed by Spencer’s Tailoring and All About Eve, respectively. It was a beautiful wedding, with Reverend Andrew Henry officiating, and their daughter Zoë stealing the show on many occasions.

Jody and his bride also enjoyed a stroll through the lovely gardens ahead of their reception catered by the capable Boone Hall Oasis culinary team, then gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes as they shared their first dance to Corinne Bailey Rae’s Like A Star. Laughter and non-stop shrieks punctuated the evening as they celebrated their union with family and friends and fed each other wedding cake, created by Cakes by Tenesha.

The couple decided to postpone their honeymoon until late this year as a result of the fire, and until then, they continue to cherish every blissful moment of their lives.