What made you decide to cut out all the drama of family, friends etc. & just make it what it is supposed to be –about the two of you?
Well, it actually happened somewhat by chance. Basically we looked into having a small wedding in a fabulous loft space called “Marvimon” in downtown LA, one of those spots you can’t believe that exists in your city all the years you’ve been living in it. We checked it out, brought Marlon’s brother and wife to sort of validate it (after all, it’s our first wedding, how is one to know that this plan is supposed to work). We were set on this idea, felt confident, but… The “BUT” was after putting our list, repeatedly trying to downsize it to avoid cost, people we didn’t want to leave out, were being left out. When you share a love like we do, or you have friends and family that truly value how special you are, individually even, it’s hard to invite who NEEDS to be there. We didn’t want to invite people, hoping they wouldn’t come. It was a tough decision. So we decided to think on it, while time was ticking – with the occasional ‘bug’ in our ear, “so did you decide yet?” where we really wanted to be like, NO do you mind not BLEEP calling us JUST to ask this? So together we realized how pricey this would actually cost plus knowing that Joy’s parents weren’t 100% thrilled that she was not marrying into her faith she kept envisioning drama, level of discomfort and that was definitely not wanted for the two of us, plus Marlon’s parents and family are so different, accepting and ready to focus on the joy of this big step with support, this potential mix was very disturbing to Joy. After all, on what is supposed to be one of the most special days of our lives, we didn’t want to hear people comment on the food, music, flowers etc… The usual stress at ALL weddings that frankly, we didn’t want to have to fight through…
How did a Trini & A New York Jewish Girl end up having their wedding in Tanzania?
We both very much enjoy African culture, music, people, food, fabrics, jewelry and art , we both have special ties – Marlon being of African descent but from the Caribbean, and I have always dreamed of going on safari being a lover of animals so it was something on our minds to think of. Just this thought excited us, because the more we thought of Africa, in a selfish way, the more we thought of LESS stress of a traditional wedding. The main spark that confirmed this was something we were destined to do, was a day at the nail salon after being introduced to a girl named Joy (yes same name) whom was also in the fashion industry and over the summer before returning from her wedding which took place on Mnemba Island. I remember this day like it was yesterday coming home to Marlon and telling him this is what we must do, the idea was coming together not in our minds, but from outside forces. It was a signal to really jump on what we were thinking all along – destination baby! There is a reason I met this woman besides her becoming a new friend and this was the reason. Being not your typical NY Jewish girl and typical island man from Trini, Africa seemed to be a fit, plus we’re always looking to be a step ahead in whatever life experiences we can be a part of, it’s always been like this for us – naturally. Not in a forceful way at all, newness and change and trendsetting comes our way more than we chase after it – and here it was again – Africa’s shores were gently wetting our feet, welcoming our idea to take the chance and set foot onto her.
Why Tanzania –why Africa?
After meeting Joy and hearing about Mnemba Island and seeing the pictures of this magical island, Marlon and I researched daily and we knew no matter what we plan this was the island we needed to get married on. The figuring out of the details, was more a formality afterwards, but our idea of vacationing with the safari being our main focus, then a wedding on this island after, was what our ideal situation would be. I mean, our ideal situation would be to have our friends and family by our side too, after seeing the pictures and realizing in a far off place like this, the one person to start stressing, would have to get kicked off the island – because this was truly an atmosphere we were looking at through pictures on the internet, that seem to be heavenly. We called a travel agent that Joy recommended to us plus I asked a dear friend whom I also work with about her experience knowing she went to Zanzibar, and Marlon continued to research and read and follow details to ensure what we were about to decide, was right. After some research and back and forth with the travel agent and friend, we realized that safari in the beginning, then relaxing afterwards in an atmosphere like Zanzibar and ending this trip with of course the wedding. Sort of backwards, yes, but we knew Mnemba Island should be the last destination – peaceful and relaxing 1-mile circumference around, island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Zanzibar. C’mon, it don’t get better than that as far as relaxing. PLUS we’d be truly FAR away. It wasn’t an easy decision at first, because we love our families and friends dearly, but as soon as we saw photos it was a done deal. We worked with some really professional people as part of the travel plans, and every step of the way, we had family and friends’ support.
Most Memorable moments?
Joy-My most memorable moments were arriving at the first hotel in Kenya and realizing what an incredible trip this was going to be; driving to our second hotel and seeing a couple giraffes from a distance; waking up early in the morning in Zanzibar – a 95% Muslim country – hearing people praying in the near distance around the entire city in Arabic; and the last memorable experience by far would be the day we took a boat from the island of Zanzibar to Mnemba island and got married.
Marlon – My most memorable moment was arriving in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and realizing, I’m on African soil; taking our first small plane to an airstrip where our safari experience awaited us; being on my first safari (Masai Mara) in Kenya, realizing with the sights of Elephants in the distance, Giraffes gliding across the far distant hills, that this can’t be a park in San Diego or elsewhere; the incredible hospitality and accepting ways of most Africans from Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar and to when our butler on Mnemba Island cried softly because it was our last day on the island; and as far as our wedding, I had no idea Joy was going to be arriving by boat with the theatrics of this ritual of people surrounding her, singing and chanting, bringing her to me like a true Queen. But then again, should have known, I’m a KING 
Moments you could have done without?
Joy-One that sticks out in my mind is an argument that Marlon and I had the night before our wedding and the last day of our trip when we had to leave Africa. Probably wedding jitters, second thoughts, or simply my sometimes neurotic way I chose the worst times to cause friction.
Marlon-Similarly, yes, it was just totally unnecessary to be in the negative space, all the way in Zanzibar, where I had to pour a lot of energy into fighting, when it’s supposed to be a day before our wedding. Forces of nature I guess. One other thing that I could have done without, was the food at our first Safari – too American, European and predictable. Everywhere else was exotic in terms of the food, fusions and choices – but Kenya’s safari cuisine was like high end version of Denny’s!
Must see/Must do while visiting Tanzania?
-Must see and interact with Maasai tribes in their village – can’t even describe!
-Must go on safari – cheetahs, lions, elephants, leopard, you name it, truly fascinating!
-Local foods – ugali!
-Parts of Tanzania (Zanzibar, and the many exotic island resorts surrounding – including Mnemba Island).
-The people of Tanzania, no offense to Kenya, but these people were just special. Untainted. After all, this is where the first human being is said to have originated from. It all makes sense, because these people possess what I believe is the TRUE human spirit, many of us, have lost over time…