For over 15 years, Kara-Ann Anderson, the Lead Planner and Designer of Petals & Promises Jamaica has been crafting luxurious weddings and events across the island and beyond.
Alongside her mother-in-law, Marguerite Anderson, she has helped build an award-winning, full-service wedding boutique that blends exquisite décor with impeccable service—offering everything from floral design and event planning to bridal fashion and stationery.
Kara-Ann’s love for weddings was born from the vibrant hues and rich traditions of her Jamaican childhood.
“I was immersed in a world full of vibrant colors, lively traditions, and the natural beauty of the island,” she recalls. “Everywhere I looked, there was inspiration—the lush landscapes, radiant sunsets, and the undeniable spirit of Jamaican pride that felt woven into every experience.”
As a child, she participated in local parades, and dance shows, and listened to folktales. Many of the stories, she explained, “carried a beautiful thread of young Jamaican romance.” The vibrant set designs and beautiful costumes inspired an early love for aesthetics and a creative spark that has stayed with her ever since.
Kara-Ann’s infatuation with flowers began in her Grandmother’s garden.
“Her garden was an oasis,” she recalls lovingly. “I would spend hours exploring, captivated by the colors, textures, and scents of the Jamaican flora. Little did I know, those early inspirations would guide me toward the world of event design.”
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts & Graphic Design in Miami, and a Master’s in Business & Entrepreneurship, she pursued a corporate career. It wasn’t until planning her own wedding in Jamaica that she rekindled her connection to the island and was reminded of the thrill and beauty of wedding planning.
“I found myself deeply inspired by the romance and joy surrounding weddings,” she shares, “and that experience became the foundation of my passion.”
A deeply personal turning point came after the heartbreaking loss of her first child, leading Kara-Ann and her husband to return to Jamaica.
Though leaving behind their life in the U.S. was difficult, she found solace in family, faith, and an unexpected calling—a desire to become an ambassador for love, weddings, and romance.
“Looking back, I realize that God placed me exactly where He wanted me, even if I didn’t always see the path clearly,” she shares. “I didn’t start out with any formal training in wedding planning, but my passion, along with guidance from my mother-in-law and hands-on experience, allowed me to build a career that celebrates love, beauty, and joy.”
A protégé of celebrity designer Preston Bailey and a mentee of international designer Eddie Zaratsian, Kara-Ann’s work has graced the pages of Black Brides Magazine, Elegant Weddings Canada, Luxury Weddings Worldwide, and Munaluchi Bridal Magazine.
But beyond accolades, it’s the transformation process that fuels her creativity. “My superpower is the ability to transform any space into something beautiful and memorable, no matter the limitation or budget,” she says. “Each event is a unique challenge, and I love turning those challenges into opportunities.”
Today, Kara-Ann is more than just a planner; she’s a confidant, advisor, and cheerleader for her clients, ensuring every detail of their dream wedding comes to life.
Through Petals & Promises, she continues to transform love stories into unforgettable celebrations, one exquisite event at a time.
Keep scrolling to read more of our exclusive interview with Kara-Ann Anderson of Petals & Promises Jamaica.
- Owner(s): Kara-Ann Anderson (Lead Planner + Designer) & Marguerite Anderson (Managing Director)
- Company: Petals & Promises Jamaica
- Blog Series: Behind The Brand
When did you decide to pursue planning and floral arrangements full-time, and start your company, Petals & Promises? Was there a lightbulb moment or was it a natural progression?
The seed for Petals & Promises was planted by my mother-in-law, Marguerite Anderson, the Managing Director. In 1995, Marguerite was a beloved local hairdresser, known for her warm heart and caring nature.
The story behind Petals & Promises began with a true lightbulb moment. One afternoon, a distressed bride sat in her chair, overwhelmed with a long list of things to do for her big day. After finishing the bride’s hair, Marguerite put down her curling iron, picked up a clipboard, and started helping her tackle the wedding to-do list. That was the spark that ignited the wedding planning firm Petals & Promises!
Since then, Marguerite has touched the lives of countless couples, becoming a cherished part of their wedding stories. Her genuine care and dedication transformed Petals & Promises into the powerhouse we are today. It is so much more than a wedding planning business it has become a trusted friend to so many families.
Marguerite dreamed of creating a one-stop bridal boutique, a place where brides could find everything they needed under one roof, making the planning process as stress-free as possible.
A place where brides could feel at ease knowing they had someone who truly cared about every little detail of their big day. Her formula was simple. She wanted each bride to feel like they had a “mom for a day,” someone to share in the joy and magic. Over the years, Marguerite became a fairy godmother to so many couples, helping them turn their dreams into reality. Her vision and warmth have been at the heart of Petals & Promises ever since.
There is nothing quite like the joy when people recognize our logo and stop me in the aisle at the supermarket, or while I’m dropping my kids off at school, or even at the airport, to tell me that Petals & Promises planned their wedding years ago. Hearing them talk about how our company brought their dreams to life and seeing the sparkle in their eyes as they remember their special day reminds me of how lucky I am to be a part of this legacy. It’s a true honor to know that our work is woven into such cherished memories and that our legacy of love and celebration lives on in so many hearts.
In your Coterie Welcome post on Instagram, you shared that you used to be a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader #FinsUp! Can you share more details about that experience and how you transitioned from the sport into the wedding industry?
I absolutely loved being part of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleading Team! It was an incredible experience that gave me a front-row seat to the power of teamwork, positivity, and staying ready for anything! From the thrill of performing on the field to connecting with fans, every moment taught me to bring my best energy and biggest smile. Those experiences have been invaluable in my journey as a wedding planner.
In cheerleading, we always focused on lifting up those around us, creating excitement, and inspiring confidence. That spirit of support and enthusiasm is exactly what I bring to my clients at Petals & Promises. I see myself as their personal cheerleader, someone they can count on to bring joy and encouragement throughout every step of their planning journey. I strive to make every couple feel celebrated, empowered, and truly special. This also comes in handy on rainy wedding days when we have to cheer them up. We help them see the silver lining and teach them how they will “Dance through the Rain.” In the great words of soca artist Benjai “ We partying sun or rain. We doh care what the people say.”
My background in pageantry has also been a big part of who I am.
Winning Miss Jamaica Florida in 2005 and Miss Florida Caribbean in 2006 leveled up my confidence and helped me connect with people on a deeper level. Like cheerleading, those experiences taught me to shine under pressure and enjoy every magical moment—a perspective I carry with me into each wedding I plan!
That blend of enthusiasm and readiness is at the heart of what we do. Just as a cheer squad celebrates every touchdown, we celebrate every win with our couples. We want to make the planning process as joyful and exciting as possible. For us, every wedding is a spectacular performance, and we’re here to make sure it’s a show-stopping success!
Petals & Promises is a mother and daughter-in-law team; this partnership arrangement is pretty unique! Can you tell us more about the backstory of how you two started working together? How do you balance your skillsets?
When Marguerite’s mother fell ill, she had to step away from the business for a while, and she asked me to keep an eye on things until her return. What began as a temporary role turned into a passion—I fell head over heels in love with love and everything about the job.
I loved meeting new clients, working with our amazing team, and the joy of making wedding dreams come true. I initially applied my graphic design skills to create custom invitations, programs, and stationery, which led me to discover a love for designing beautiful tablescapes. Every client was unique, and each wedding was an exciting new adventure!
When Marguerite came back and saw how deeply I’d connected with the business, she welcomed me with open arms.
Our partnership wasn’t just about work; it became an extension of her legacy and dream. I believe our enthusiasm inspired one another—she ignited my passion for weddings, and I brought fresh ideas and creativity to her established vision. Together, we transformed Petals & Promises into a true family business, doing what we both love.
Marguerite is truly the backbone of our company. With over 35 years of experience, she is a master of logistics, always ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Her traditional insights and extensive resources keep our operations seamless. She handles the intricate details that make each event flawless for our clients. She is often described as the calm in the chaos by our team members.
I bring a creative energy to our team, with a passion for color, texture, and innovative design. I thrive on transforming spaces, tackling design challenges, and pushing creative boundaries to deliver memorable events. Together, we create a unique blend of traditional elegance with a contemporary twist that resonates with our clients.
Our roles are clearly defined—Marguerite focuses on business operations, while I handle client relationships and event design.
This balance helps us maintain a healthy working relationship and preserves our family bond. Of course, we occasionally have differences, but we make it a priority to leave work at the door when it’s family time. It’s a boundary we both respect, ensuring that no matter what happens in the business, our family dinners remain a time for laughter, stories, and connection. This journey has brought us closer as a family. It’s a joy to celebrate life’s special moments, not just for our clients, but in our own lives as well.
I am so grateful for her guidance not just in my work life but also in my personal life. She raised an awesome young man “My husband” Shaun Anderson and she also plays a vital part in helping me raise my two beautiful girls Khloe-Alexi & Gianna Marie. Together, we create a supportive and nurturing environment, both in our work and personal lives. I couldn’t be more grateful for that.
Petals & Promises is one of the top full-service planning and event companies in Jamaica. At the Jamaica Bridal Expo, many vendors mentioned your brand! What makes your company unique?
Petals & Promises is honored to be recognized as one of Jamaica’s top full-service planning companies, and hearing our brand celebrated at the Jamaica Bridal Expo is truly rewarding! What sets us apart is our vibrant “Pixie” culture, where our planners are the whimsical wonders behind every magical moment. We’re a team of creative, dedicated professionals who bring magic, wonder, and joy to each event.
Our coordination style is rooted in calm, positivity, and a commitment to creating seamless, joyful experiences. We prioritize a reassuring presence for every couple, ensuring even the most stressful moments are handled with ease and grace. For us, planning isn’t just a process—it’s an unforgettable experience from the very first consultation to well beyond the big day.
At Petals & Promises, we’re not simply organizing events; we’re crafting memories and bringing dreams to life. Our culture thrives on camaraderie, collaboration, and a shared passion for creating extraordinary experiences. Each event, whether an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, is a unique journey from start to finish.
Can you tell us more about your services?
At Petals & Promises, we believe in making your wedding planning journey as seamless as possible. Our in-house services create a one-stop experience, saving our clients from the hassle of managing multiple vendors. From Event Design and Execution to Floral Design, Bridal Dresses Rentals, Tuxedo Rentals, and Wedding Stationery.
We specialize in Weddings, Special Events, Multi-Ethnic and Multi-Religious Traditions, Vow Renewals, Elopements, Floral Design, and Holiday Celebrations.
Bridal Dresses & Mens Attire:
Our bridal collection includes stunning dresses available to rent or buy with expert alteration and cleaning services to ensure every gown has a flawless fit. For the gentlemen, we offer classic tuxedo rentals in various styles, sizes, and colors including Grey, Black, Ivory, White, and sapphire blue.
Our rental collection gives clients the opportunity to wear designer looks at a fraction of the cost. We offer a curated selection of stunning bridal gowns and elegant tuxedos from top designers, all carefully maintained and tailored to perfection. This way, our clients can shine in high-quality, designer pieces that fit within their budget, ensuring they feel fabulous and confident on their special day without compromising on style.
Our floral designs are crafted to beautifully reflect each couple’s unique style and story, bringing a personal and heartfelt touch to their celebration.
From the selection of blooms to the color palette and arrangement style, every detail is thoughtfully chosen to capture their essence and vision. Whether it’s a romantic cascade of roses, a vibrant mix of tropical florals, or a refined arrangement of timeless elegance, our goal is to create florals that speak to who they are as a couple. By weaving their personality into each bouquet, centerpiece, and installation, we ensure that every arrangement feels meaningful and adds a memorable, one-of-a-kind touch to their big day.
We offer full-service planning and day-of coordination, giving you peace of mind from the first consultation to the last farewell.
While some venues may have coordinators, having your own planner ensures a truly personalized experience. This will save you time, money, and stress.
Describe your design process and style; how does seeing an event come to life make you feel? Essentially, why do you do what you do?
To start, we ask our brides to share photos of inspiration, giving us a glimpse into their ideas and personal style. Using these inspirations, we create an initial estimate tailored to their unique vision. Once we confirm that the budget for décor fits into their Financial comfort zone. We move on to a more visual phase, We create digital design mock-ups of ceremony, cocktail, and reception spaces, including tablescapes, to help bring our clients’ visions to life.
With these mock-ups, clients can experiment with different colored napkins, chairs, linens, and floral arrangements in real-time, allowing them to see their dream setup right in front of their eyes. This interactive process ensures that every detail aligns with their vision and can be adjusted as needed for a perfect, personalized event.
Seeing my ideas come to life is an indescribable feeling—it’s pure joy mixed with deep gratitude. There’s a moment when everything comes together, and I look around at the space transformed by love, vision, and countless details. It’s like watching our mood boards unfold before my eyes.
I feel an overwhelming sense of pride, knowing that each bloom, color, and texture tells a part of the couple’s story. The joy on their faces, the awe from their guests—those moments make every ounce of effort worthwhile. It’s why I do what I do: to create beauty that touches hearts, brings people together, and leaves lasting memories.
I do what I do because there’s nothing more meaningful than creating moments that people will hold in their hearts forever.
– Kara-Ann Anderson
It’s not just about the flowers, the decor, or the perfect tablescape—it’s about capturing the love, the dreams, and the story of two people in a way that’s deeply personal.
When I see the look in their eyes as they step into the space we’ve created together, or when they hold each other in awe of the beauty around them, I feel a profound sense of purpose. Knowing that I’ve helped bring their vision to life on one of the most precious days of their lives fills me with gratitude. It’s an honor and a privilege, and it’s why I pour my heart into every detail. This work touches my soul, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
What are some of the challenges of working on an island and how have you overcome those challenges?
Working on an island brings unique challenges, but each one fuels our creativity! Importing fresh flowers, specialty linens, and unique furniture can be pricey, but we embrace it as a chance to get resourceful. We’ve built a network of local artisans who craft custom pieces, adding a beautiful, island-inspired touch to each event.
Transporting large items to remote locations or beachsides can sometimes be an issue, but with the help of local logistics experts, we handle everything—even narrow roads and boat access—so setups go smoothly. Acquiring Permits and local regulations can add complexity but we have built strong relationships with local authorities, keeping things stress-free for our clients.
Island staffing can be limited, but we’ve invested in a well-trained core team and a network of talented freelancers, to help us to execute events and to ensure that every event is flawless.
Unpredictable weather moments, we always have Plans A, B, and C in place, which we try to discuss with the clients in advance so that on the day they know that we will make the best decision possible as we offer peace of mind.
I mean are you really a planner until you have executed a flawless wedding with a hurricane threatening the island? Every Hurricane season brings new challenges but with our experience and resources, we are able to navigate around them. Sometimes we pray for blessings on our talent and God gives us a chance to show it off.
Shipping delays are often a planning nightmare but we try to plan with extra cushion and keep in close touch with suppliers so nothing gets missed. Building strong vendor relationships has been essential, supporting our community and adding authenticity to every event.
Seeing our couples step into their dream celebration makes all the hard work worth it. Each challenge brings us closer to creating unforgettable moments, and it’s an honor to bring these dreams to life, rain or shine!
What does being a part of MunaLuchi’s Coterie mean to you? And what do you hope to accomplish by being a member?
For me, MunaLuchi’s Coterie means family. The Coterie is a beautiful community of wedding professionals, each bringing unique perspectives from across the globe but all united by a commitment to the multicultural market.
This community has offered me invaluable warmth, support, and countless opportunities for collaboration. Through this membership, I’ve had the chance to connect with talented professionals worldwide, and it’s been a joy to act as a liaison for other planners and vendors when they come to Jamaica, helping them bring their visions to life on the island.
A fellow member, my cousin, and someone I look up to—Oniki Hardtman of Oh Niki Occasions—introduced me to the Coterie.
From my very first Coterie Retreat and throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with incredible members. I not only had the pleasure of meeting but also collaborating with the talented Akeshi Akinseye of Kesh Events—a dream come true. I’ve also been fortunate to work with Oniki and Leah T. Williams; when they held a wedding in Jamaica, my team and I were thrilled to assist with the floral designs.
Alicia Mae from ILE Events reached out when she had a destination wedding couple in Jamaica, and when Rev Orsella had a client celebrating 25 years of marriage here, she called on me, too. Working alongside Ashley Merisier from A. Merisier Events is another highlight. These are just a few of the amazing collaboration opportunities I’ve had as a member of the Coterie.
MunaLuchi’s Office Hours have become a cherished part of my routine—a little coffee break on hectic Tuesdays, filled with invaluable insights that help me “level up” my business. This community has given me more than professional knowledge; it has deepened my understanding of the wedding industry as a whole.
When I planned my first international wedding for a Nigerian/Jamaican couple in Mexico with 250 guests, I was grateful for my Coterie network, whose support was instrumental in making the event a success. I was able to reach out for guidance and advice as I navigated new territory, and the event was a rave success.
Not going to lie, but the annual Retreat is always a highlight for me.
It’s my reset button after a hectic wedding season, my solo getaway, and a chance to recharge while elevating my wedding planning and design game. Through my travels, I’ve gathered insights that have shaped my approach to events: In the Bahamas, I learned how to tell a story through cultural details; in the Cayman Islands, I discovered the nuances of high-end service and luxury client expectations; in Destin, I explored new trends, and here in Jamaica, I’ve seen the importance of community engagement and incorporating local elements to create truly meaningful events. I can’t wait to see what this year’s retreat in the British Virgin Islands has in store.
MunaLuchi’s Coterie has truly transformed my approach to the wedding industry. I am beyond grateful for this community, and I’m excited to continue learning, growing, and contributing in return.
Are there any exciting updates or future events you’d like to share?
I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be speaking at a series of master classes designed to elevate wedding design and planning skills. I’ll be hosting specialized Canva classes, tailored specifically for design professionals. We’ll be diving into the magic of using Canva as a powerful tool for creating stunning visuals, from tablescapes to digital mock-ups, to enhance their event presentations and client proposals.
It’s been an amazing journey learning from industry leaders. Now I’m excited to give back by sharing my skills and passion for design. I’m so excited about these sessions and all the amazing speaking opportunities coming up.
And after a long Break, we’re bringing back Kingston Bridal Week!
This week-long celebration for brides-to-be will include our signature events like the Bridal Brunch, Fashion show, Movie Night, and Bridal Market. The Bridal Brunch, in particular, is a can’t-miss experience. The event is filled with delicious food, inspiration, and a chance for brides and their friends to connect. We can’t wait to host this unforgettable week for our vendors and Brides to be! Stay tuned for more details!
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