A Real Love Island Story: Inside Kered Clement & Don Phillip’s Caribbean Nuptials

When Kered Clement, a producer and first-generation British-Grenadian, met Don Phillip, a network engineer who grew up in Grenada’s capital city of St. George’s, it was during the island’s Spicemas Carnival. Their eyes first locked on the cobbled slope just off Lucas Street at a mutual friend’s house.

“We were both secretly crushing on each other, but only ever saw each other once a year for J’ouvert morning during Spicemas, Grenada’s traditional Carnival masquerade,” said Clement, who went viral last year for her DJab-DJab costume. “One morning, as we were washing off the DJab-DJab oil and heading home, he grabbed me at the top of the step on Lucas Street and said, ‘Gal, we need to do something about this chemistry.’ I didn’t say yes out loud, but in my body, my heartbeat, and my soul, I was agreeing ferociously.”

*For the couple’s first dance, Grenadian singer Jeverson Ramirez performed his song “First Time.” | Image: Kered Clement & Don Phillip*

Kered Clement & Don Phillip Wedding Photos — *The couple went back to the place they first met, Lucas Street in Grenada’s capital city, for their engagement photos. | Image: Damion C. Jacob*

What began as a roadside ‘lime’ became the backdrop for Clement finding a romance that would later be coined “A Lucas Street Love Story” for their three-day wedding festivities, which centered cultural storytelling, traditional Carnival masquerade, African ancestry, and an unforgettable expression of Caribbean love.

Visions of Love

Clement envisioned exactly what she wanted, noting that the feeling was more important than the visuals. “I loved conceptualizing every detail in my mind for our wedding, down to the handmade callaloo leaf-shaped chargers turned favors by Grenadian artist Rhennel Joseph at Black Island Lifestyle. I dreamt of the faces and emotions of the people we loved most. I wasn’t designing a wedding aesthetic; I was building a heart-centered experience to create a memory that our guests will never forget.”

*The bride wore bridal wear designer Darcel De Vlugt of House of VDV in Trinidad and a signature wedding scent of Cocoa & Nutmeg by Native Caribbean. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

*Clement’s bouquet by award-winning Grenadian florists Smithy’s Garden was inspired by childhood memories | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

And the couple achieved that. Fellow Grenadian-American content creator Rondel Holder said, “We left so full… You felt the love, not only between them, but also the love they poured into the wedding… They were very intentional about making people feel loved, welcomed and connected. They exemplified Grenadian pride at an elevated level.”

The décor and coordination team, Eventful by Mekalia Croney, transformed Bay House Grenada into locations integral to the couple’s love story, from a Caribbean veranda-inspired ceremony to a Lucas Street cook-up reception and, finally, a recreation of the groom’s favorite rum shop, Tony’s Bar, for the poolside after-party. An arbor of traditional Caribbean-style louvers adorned with fig (banana) tree formed the backdrop for the nuptials, emulating the feeling of opening doors onto a view of world-renowned Grand Anse Beach.

*Fig tree-inspired tablescape. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

Fig sourced from rural farms adorned the tables as centerpieces and bespoke name plates. Guests found their seating charts on pristine sheets that danced in the wind; a call back to childhood days of playing beneath the laundry with stern admonitions to “doh dutty di clothes.”

The charger plates nodded to the 2025 Spicemas carnival hit song “Grease It” by Dred Lion of Socallective and its reference to raindrops resting on a callaloo leaf. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement

*Guests found their names on leftover green bananas from the floral installations. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

Curating nostalgia wasn’t just something to evoke for the guests; she also wanted everyone to bask in Grenadian culture while centering her and Don’s love story.

Love & Legacy

The welcome ceremony, aptly named “Tying of the Roots and Rhythm” (presented by Westerhall Estate Rum) that took place on April 23, saw a fusion of traditional African Nigerian and Grenadian Kayak (a local name reference to the sister isle) wedding customs that symbolized the marriage of the two families. The idea for the look and feel of the welcome was born after a DNA ancestry test revealed Phillip’s lineage traced back to Nigeria, while Clement’s surname carried roots connected to Grenada’s sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

*The welcoming ceremony evening began with Bèlè, a traditional courtship dance. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

*Wedding guest Yvette Noel Schure | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

“For many of our family and friends, the celebration was also a homecoming. Our host venue, Kromatik Cultural Corner, dedicated to preserving Grenada’s folklore, served healthy portions of cherished Caribbean dishes like pelau and split peas soup, creating the feeling of an authentic Grenadian gathering. Lion Pride Percussions from St. Paul’s represented Don’s mother’s family, while Tivoli Drummers from St. Andrew represented my mother’s family,” said Clement.

*Tivoli Drummers performing a limbo. | Courtesy of Kered Clement*

“The cultural performances were integral to the experience. Led by award-winning dancer Keith Williams (MBE), the evening began with Bèlè, a traditional courtship dance, before our families participated in the Kayak Dancing of the Flag and Cake. Tivoli Drummers also performed their signature Drum Moonlighting presentation, featuring folk songs, limbo, and the piqué dance, all symbolizing admiration, celebration, and unity. The dress code was African-inspired attire paired with comfortable shoes because we wanted everyone on their feet dancing,” Clement said.

*The couple’s fusion of traditional Nigerian and Grenadian Kayak (a local name reference to the sister isle) wedding customs symbolized the marriage of the two families. | Image: Terel Moore*

The couple’s traditional welcome ceremony attire was inspired by Edo wedding attire, which views marriage as the union of not just two people, but two families. Both the bride and groom wore authentic coral beads sourced from Nigeria by a close friend from Clement’s university days at the London College of Fashion. Her look also featured Madras, a fabric once given to enslaved women to cover their hair, later reclaimed by Caribbean women as a symbol of identity, beauty, and status. Both looks were designed by Trinidadian designer Patterson Nelson of Peacopat New York.

*Clement was gifted custom glasswork earrings by Zulekha Designs, featuring a photo of her grandmother.* *Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

*For the bride’s something old, she wore her Fe Noel nutmeg robe.* *Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

*The bride’s flat lay included her wedding rings, scent and shoes. Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

The bride’s wedding dress was designed by Trinidadian Bridalwear designer Darcel de Vlugt of House of VDV, a dear friend of Clement’s for over 20 years. House of VDV also designed the bridesmaid dresses, inspired by the yellow Dorothy Dandridge dress in Island in the Sun, the 1957 movie filmed in part on location in Grenada. Caribbean design excellence was also present in every little touch. Jewelry throughout the wedding weekend spotlighted designers with Grenadian heritage. The bride’s “something blue” and the custom bridesmaids’ jewelry sets were designed by Glass Bead Artist Ayana B. Joy.

*The bridesmaids’ dresses were inspired by Dorothy Dandridge’s yellow dress in Island in the Sun, filmed in Grenada. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

Clements was also surprised with custom glasswork earrings by Zulekha Designs, inspired by a bunch of figs, which was the official wedding flower and featuring a photo of her grandmother, who was unable to celebrate in person due to health reasons. To end the night, the bride wore stunning 1.5-drop pearl earrings by Nikkibiedes for the after-party. The bride’s signature wedding scent was Cocoa & Nutmeg by Native Caribbean, the first house of Caribbean perfumery, blending notes of bergamot, Grenadian nutmeg, and rich cocoa as a tribute to the spices and stories that shape the region.

Partying with Purpose

On April 24, Clement and Phillip held the pre-wedding flag cruise, an ode to the “sweet whine” – the cheeky party boat dance – they shared in the budding stage of their romance. It was a time for the guests to rep their flags, let loose and unwind on the sea, while creating memories with people they hadn’t seen in years. “A lot of people felt like it was like a wellness break,” said Clement. “Three of them started crying on the cruise. I was like, ‘Is everything okay?’ They were so emotional.”

*Members of the bridal party were all smiles on the boat cruise. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

*Wedding guest Rondel Holder | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

In the midst of the festivities, Clement made sure Don’s late parents were present. His father was very much a part of the steel pan culture, and a recording of his band, Guinness City Symphony, was played during the welcome ceremony. In honor of his mother, Clement added a surprise for her husband.

*The groom wore a custom suit by Don Morphy, founded by Dallas-based Cameroonian designer Daniel Mofo | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

*The couple’s wedding cake, which was banana bread and Grenadian chocolate, honored their union and Phillip’s mother’s birthday. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

“One of the most emotional moments was realizing that the date we chose for our wedding was also the birthday of Don’s late mother, whose passing marked 30 years this year… Our wedding cake, which was banana bread and Grenadian chocolate, became a shared celebration of both our union and her birthday, with her name, birth day and month included on the cake by our designer, Lepeñue… Our dear friends, founders of Earth’s Farm Skincare, who had experienced infant loss a few months before, sent me a heartfelt video message that left me in tears, which was an equally thoughtful surprise from my husband,” she said.

Clement enjoyed her wedding day and took pride that her guests did as well.

*The afterparty transformed into a backyard jam, featuring a performance from Sakinah and the Alpha Band. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

*The bride. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

“What made our wedding festivities feel so special was that we told our love story, and nobody can replicate that,” said Clement. “Every detail across the three events reflected who we are, where we come from, and the people who shaped us.”

She shared advice for other brides to help them achieve the same success.

“Add meaning to your special day, your wedding, your union, to tell your love story.” And if you’re planning on having a destination wedding, especially in the Caribbean, Clement said: “You must start early. Give yourself a minimum of a year. Start even earlier and lock in the vendors you want to work with, those who would understand your vision and give you flexibility. Don’t leave it to chance.”

Clement would know; only intentionality could give rise to such a meaningful embodiment of love, culture and nostalgia.

*The legendary Real Jab Jab band (above) ensures the tradition remains one of the most powerful cultural expressions of Grenada’s Spicemas Carnival. | Image: Courtesy of Kered Clement*

“And of course, we had to honor DJab-DJab, because in many ways, it kept bringing us back to each other year after year. So, when we were finally pronounced husband and wife, the DJab-Djab presented by Slum, founder of The Real Jab Jab Band, gave his approval in the only way he could, by blowing a powerful fire signal over our celebration,” Clement shared.

Kamille John is a Grenadian published author and poet who pushes boundaries with her writing. Her works focus on identity, culture and language. She is an alumna of the 2025 CANEX Creative Writing Workshop and has represented Grenada at the 2023 Paris Poetry Market.

Wedding Credits / Vendors

Creative Director: @keredclement

Planning, Decor and Coordination: @theeventfulexperience

PA/Creative Assistant: @safiaelena_

Floral: @smithysgarden

Cake: @lepenue

Venues and Catering: @kromatikculturecorner @bbscrabbackrestaurant @bayhousegrenada @hhgrenada @punjabigrenada

Photography: @terelmphotography @mystic_23 @_mgmedia.co @weddingsbysonix

Retoucher: @_therightangle

Bride’s Gown: @houseofvdv

Groom’s Suit: @donmorphy_weddings

Bride and Groom cultural attire: @peacopat