Luxurious destination wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica exemplifies royalty at it’s finest with elegant décor, royal blue, pure white, and gold touches, and a stunning over-the-water ceremony.
Ashanti & Bradford’s exclusive royal themed wedding retreat was classy, elegant and modern with a touch of southern flare!
Tying the knot in exactly 6 years to the day they met, the pair have been inseparable ever since. Their romantic and faith-filled relationship was always kept very private; however, their wedding day was the perfect opportunity to finally share their love!
With 40 of their closest family and friends flown in from all over the country, it was a magical week long celebration with post-wedding partying, amazing food, great music, and so much love!
As they celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary, the couple lovingly share their private wedding photos with us – and we are so excited to share them with you!
Keep scrolling for more on their luxurious destination wedding.
- Couple: Ashanti Toi & Bradford Zimmerman
- Occupations: Ashanti is a Professional chef, event coordinator and entrepreneur. Bradford is in Sales, Marketing & Partnerships.
Quick facts:
- Wedding date: February 1st, 2021
- Wedding location: Sandals resort, Montego Bay Jamaica
- Gifts for their bridesmaids and groomsmen: Groomsmen were gifted gold watches, cigars, handmade beaded white and gold crown/King bracelets, and personalized gold engraved sunglasses. Bridesmaids received luxurious pajama sets, handmade beaded white and gold crown/Queen bracelets, and personalizes gold engraved sunglasses.
- Gifts for one another: Bradford gifted Ashanti beautiful diamond studded earrings and Ashanti gave him a royal blue and gold Bulova watch and royal blue/gold diamond studded earrings.
- Ceremony entrance song: Bride: “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Kina Grannis; Groom: “HER” by Issac Carree
- First dance song: “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran “Everybody Mad” by O.T. Genasis
How they met…
Bradford first came across Ashanti through Instagram and was instantly drawn to her. He slid into her DM’s a few times and even asked a mutual friend to connect them, but unfortunately she was already in a relationship.
“I respected that, but knew she was meant for me, so I patiently waited for that relationship to NOT work out,” he says laughing. Flash forward to Christmas of 2014, Bradford prayed for God to send him a wife. And God worked his magic!
A few months later, on February 1, 2015, Bradford was hosting a super bowl party in Atlanta and invited Ashanti’s mutual friend. Of course, he also asked if she could bring Ashanti.
He recalls, “I wasn’t expecting Ashanti to arrive, but was hoping she would, so I could at least see if she matched up to her Instagram profile.” When she entered the room, he knew he had to introduce himself – especially because all eyes seemed to be on her! “She definitely exceeded my expectations (especially when I found out she was now single).”
Luckily, as the host of the party, having connections with her mutual friend, and his ability to keep her laughing all night – they had an immediate connection!
“We have been inseparable ever since,” he says. “Till this day she says I set her up,” he adds, laughing. “And I low key did, but everything was clearly in Gods plans.”
Words from the groom…
Since they first met, Bradford has always admired Ashanti’s character and how she uplifts everyone around her.
“Ashanti has been my best friend, business partner, lover, biggest supporter, shoulder to lean on, doctor, chef, psychologist, strategic advisor, mentor, and so much more.”
For instance, when they first met, he thought he had reached the pinnacle of his life and in his career. But soon after, his fate changed and “…less than 1 year later, [he] lost everything.”
At his lowest moment, Ashanti remained by his side. She also encouraged him to build a closer relationship with God and to become a better person.
He adds, “This woman is a true angel on earth, positively impacts everyone’s she meets, and is even more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside.”
Their proposal story…
In 2019, the couple traveled to Mexico to celebrate Ashanti’s birthday; however, Bradford had a few special moments planned for her!
For the first surprise, he says: “…I secretly invited her best friends that she [hadn’t] seen in years to surprise her in our room at arrival.” Ashanti was thrilled! Of course, she assumed this was the big surprise. But he had another surprise up his sleeve.
On the morning of her birthday as they laid in a hammock watching the sun rise and listening to the ocean, he asked her to be his wife!
“It was private, intimate and [a] genuine moment between only us. Listening to the ocean and watching the sun rise and set is one of our favorite things to do when we travel together, so the moment was very much sentimental.”
Bride’s wedding style & shopping experience…
Ashanti absolutely slayed in her wedding dress, and Bradford couldn’t take his eyes off her.
He recalls, “My wife’s dress was all white and mermaid styled; sleek, classy, and elegant with a long train.” She accessorized with royal blue heels by Aminah Abdul Jillil and accented her attire with gold and silver jewelry.
While she looked stunning, Bradford reveals the nightmare story behind her dress. “My wife actually designed her original dress and hired a local designer/dress maker one year before the wedding to custom make [it].” Ten days before the wedding, they finally received the final design and were in shock. Bradford admits: “Unfortunately, the dressmaker provided the most awful dress ever created!”
With little time to spare, Bradford quickly googled local wedding dress spots. He found Wedding Angels Boutique in Atlanta, and on a late Saturday evening they rushed there to look for dresses. Initially, they didn’t have any options to match Ashanti’s style or shape, but the store told them to come back Monday and they would hand-select dresses to match her taste.
Returning the following Monday morning, Ashanti emerged from the fitting room with the biggest smile on her face. She exclaimed, “I found my dress and it looks darn near identical to the one I designed myself.”
Bradford is forever grateful for “Wedding Angels” for “literally being [their] wedding Angels and saving the biggest day of [his] wife’s life!”
Groom’s attire & shopping experience…
In comparison to his wife, Bradford’s shopping experience was “pretty seamless and a definite VIP experience.” Working with Omar Kinnebrew at Bespokuture in Atlanta, Bradford says, “From the moment we met to be sized and pick out fabrics, [they] had my wife and I both feeling like Royalty.”
He ultimately wore a completely custom tailored suite with custom Ivory pants, a paisley Ivory tuxedo, and a custom vest. He tied the entire look together with royal blue Ferucci loafers, an ivory tie, white and gold jewelry (including royal blue earrings, white and gold king/crown bracelet, gold and royal blue Bulova watch, gold lion engraved cuff links, and a gold lion embossed tie bar).
The ceremony…
Cultural elements…
Ashanti and Bradford embraced a culture of royalty on their wedding day.
“My wife and I remind each other everyday that we are Queens and Kings and we wanted our guests to feel like [royalty] throughout their entire experience with us.”
To enhance their guest’s royal wedding day experience, they embraced a color story of royal blue, pure white, and gold.
“Our ceremony was held at an “over water” all white chapel,” Bradford adds. “And my wife even surprised me with a custom made, “one of none” gold “crown” for a wedding band. This band was created out of my late grandmother’s wedding band.”
Wedding party…
Favorite wedding memories…
Some of Bradford’s favorite memories included helping Ashanti “with the pre-planning process and witnessing her vision come to life.” Ashanti’s favorite memory was “watching everyone around [them] experience a sample of the LOVE [they] share.”
Today, a lot of their guests still rave about the pairs’ wedding retreat! For many, witnessing their wedding “ignited a new spark in their [own] relationships.” And single attendees have shared that seeing their love “gave them faith and hope that true love exists and that they should never settle for less.”
Their wedding was also extra special for family members who had never been out of the country before. “Being able to provide them the opportunity to expand their horizons felt amazing,” Bradford says. “We even provided our guests with professional photo shoots before and after the wedding, throughout the resort, and over the water villas.”
The final bow on their beautiful gift of a wedding was how amazing everyone was working at the resort!
“The intense volleyball tournament against the resort staff, their warm, genuine hospitality, all inclusive food, drinks, water sport activities and Butler service had everyone feeling like Royalty. Thank You Sandals, Montego Bay and thank you to our wedding planners Tiffany and her team!”
Reception space & décor…
The cake…
The reception…
Wedding traditions…
Advice for other engaged couples…
Together, Ashanti and Bradford would highly recommend couples consider having a destination wedding (espeically at Sandals, Montego Bay Jamaica!).
Nevertheless, regardless of the location, they would advice other couples to “plan you wedding the way you want for you special day.”
Bradford adds, “Don’t stress on who can make it and who cannot. Those that want to support you will be there and don’t take it personal for those that cannot attend. Also, regardless of how much you plan, not everything will go according to plan and that’s ok!!”
His last words of advice goes out to the husbands: “I encourage you to support you wives in the planning process. It can definitely be a pain at time, but to experience her vision come to life (especially with your help) is worth every painful moment!”
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Vendors:
- Location: Sandals Montego Bay resort IG: @sandalsresorts
- Travel Agency: Krystal Aziz- Modern travel works IG: @moderntravelworks
- Photographer: Jack Manning – Jaxon Photo Group IG: @jaxonphotogroup
- Creative Director/Photographer: Amala R. of A Pictire and Co film IG: @apictireandco_film
- Videography: Andrew Sims- Phrame Photography
- IG: @phramephotography
- Brides Dress: Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique (Atlanta, Ga.) IG: @weddingangelsbridal
- Brides shoes: AMINAH ABDUL JILLIL IG: @aminahjillil
- Brides jewelry: Harlin Diamonds (Atlanta, Ga.) & Swarovski (necklace only) IG: @harlindiamonds IG: @Swarovski
- Grooms suit: Bespokuture (Atlanta, Ga.) IG: @bespokuture
- Grooms shoes: Ferucci IG: @myferucci
- Grooms jewelry: Custom crown ring: Harlin Diamonds; Watch: Bulova
- Bracelets: Ashanti Toi/ That Simple LLC @ashantitoi
- Catering: @thatsimplecooking
- Groomsman suits: Unique Threads (Atlanta, Ga.)IG: @unique_threads_
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