Island Wedding | A Brooklyn love story comes home to Ja

The love of your life could share your Jamaican roots and live just across the street in Brooklyn, New York. For Krisann Forbes and Noel Simpson, what began as a chance connection blossomed into a lasting love, one they brought home to Jamaica earlier this summer to celebrate with family and friends as they said their “I dos”.

The newlyweds, both originally from Jamaica, first met in Canarsie, Brooklyn in 2018. Living across the street from each other, Noel would always see Krisann on her way to school or work. In those brief moments, he saw how put together Krisann was. “She’s very sweet, calm and collected. She was so beautiful, and there was just a difference about her,” Noel told Island Wedding.

So taken was Noel with Krisann that he would seize any opportunity to speak to her, even if it meant stopping at Popeyes to buy a bottle of water. “He was in a store next to Popeyes and saw me walk by, then decided to come to Popeyes to speak to me,” Krisann recounted. “We didn’t speak before, so I guess it was his opportunity to say something.”

Using a US$5 bottle of water as his excuse, Noel finally struck up a conversation with Krisann, though he suspected she had already figured out his intentions. “She probably knew exactly what I was doing the whole time,” he admitted. She did, and it worked. “I knew exactly what he was doing; walking to Popeyes to buy water when there were many cheaper corner stores around,” Krisann shared, adding, “I found it charming.”

It didn’t take long for Noel to make an impression on Krisann. “He was confident, easy to talk to, [and] had this energy like he was always five steps ahead of everyone else.” The two went to the movies for their first date and then sat in the car for hours talking. It felt as though they had known each other forever. They officially started dating on April 6, 2018, and their Brooklyn romance was built over time as they spent every day in contact with each other. “Somewhere in the stretch of texting or calling every single day without missing one,” Noel said of when he knew he was in love with Krisann. “That daily streak became something I looked forward to more than I expected,” Krisann added. “The only time we didn’t speak was when we were sleeping.”

What they found in each other over the years was balance. For Noel, it was Krisann’s calm demeanour that complemented his fast-paced lifestyle from the very beginning. “[I love] how calm and steady she is. She balances out my constant hustle energy.” For Krisann, Noel’s determination was matched only by his ability to enjoy the journey. “[I love] how driven he is, always thinking three steps ahead, but he never loses the fun in it,” Krisann shared.

The moment each knew they wanted to marry the other came on separate trips. Noel shared that he made the realisation during their first trip together to Atlantic City. He got food poisoning, and Krisann stayed right by his side the entire time. “She made me feel safe and comfortable even though I felt terrible”. While Krisann shared that it was their first trip together to Jamaica, where they spent every day on the road, using the hotel only to sleep. “In those moments, I felt safe, and I noticed traits in him that I wanted in a husband,” she shared.

THE PROPOSAL

Krisann decided to spend her 30th birthday in Montego Bay, on September 14, 2024. Noel planned on using this trip to also propose to her. With a little shower of blessings right before, Krisann thought Noel was only prepping her family for another birthday celebration. “I had no idea whatsoever. He told me to be ready by a certain time, and my family got the same instructions, so I just assumed it was part of the birthday plans,” Krisann shared.

Having no doubt that Krisann was the one for him, Noel wasn’t worried about proposing in the slightest. He said, “I knew she was who I wanted to spend my life with. I was excited for her to be surprised, especially since she had no clue I’d been planning this the entire time”. Krisann, in awe of Noel’s planning, said yes to spending the rest of her life with him. “[I was] completely shocked he’d pulled all of this off from overseas by himself. It was the easiest yes of my life.”

A JAMAICAN ‘I DO’

It was important for Krisann and Noel to tie the knot in Jamaica. To execute this wedding day vision, the couple hired the Jamaica Wedding Concierge. “Having our wedding in Jamaica was important to us because we were both born there and wanted to start our marriage in the country we both call home.” Krisann said, “It also meant a lot to have both of our families together to celebrate with us”.

On June 13, 2026, Krisann and Noel were married at The Palms Rose Hall in Montego Bay. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Norbert Stephens. A live band set the prelude as guests arrived. Krisann, the blushing bride, walked down the aisle in a Maggie Sottero wedding gown paired with Badgley Mischka heels. “The day itself felt like it moved fast and slow at the same time,” said Noel. “The ceremony went by fast; we didn’t want it dragged out, and, honestly, it just felt natural the whole time, like this was simply meant to happen,” Krisann shared.

The couple’s reception was also held on the same premises. The space was decked, thanks to Blooms and Branches, in sage green and white with a mix of hydrangeas, roses, and anthuriums. Shortly before dinner, a drink cart with margaritas, rum punch and other offerings circulated, serving guests. With views of the coast, the couple’s guests were catered to by Jeronimo’s.

The wedding party entered the reception to Charly Black’s Party Animal. The newlyweds, Krisann and Noel, were introduced to Masicka’s Fight For Us. Their first dance was to You and I (Nobody in the World), the 2013 track by John Legend.

MC Damion Austin from On Call Weddings kept the energy going all night, including a scavenger hunt where guests chased down items around the venue. Sharing his favourite moment during the reception, Noel said, “The scavenger hunt was probably the funniest part for me, watching guests scatter around the venue chasing down whatever random item our MC Austin called out. He kept that energy up the entire night.”

The couple had a mini-moon at Princess Senses The Mangrove, with a full honeymoon to follow at a later date.

ruth-ann.briscoe@gleanerjm.com