Kerry Anne and Michael Gordon had their sights set on their dream wedding in May, but like many other couples around the world, COVID-19 had other plans and they had to postpone. They decided on trying a new concept: a micro wedding which they set for 6th June.
But come that day, the world was being turned upside down once again due to worldwide protests for justice and equality and Black Lives Matter movement. Their wedding, especially their first look moment in Philadelphia, during such turbulent times is being described as a symbol of hope and love.
“When I met Kerry I knew that was a person I would love to get to know. Her energy, her aura—there was something about her,” Michael remembers, in an interview with Vogue magazine. “I knew that if I had this person around, my life would be good.”
Fast foward about two years, Kerry Anne, an OBGYN, was finishing off her residency. In December of 2018 they jetted to Kerry Anne’s home country of Jamaica for her mother’s wedding, and her sister dropped Michael that not-so subtle hint of marriage. “Those first two weeks of the New Year I called her family to let them know,” Michael says.
While planning their wedding, COVID-19 hit the entire world and they knew they had to postpone. The hotel where Kerry Anne’s bridal shower was going to take place was offering their garden to couples whose ceremonies were affected by the pandemic. Everything was going smoothly and they planned their second ceremony in no time. However, a few days before the wedding protestors of the Black Lives Movement were planning on peacefully protesting outside the hotel that day.
The couple, both members of the black community, said they hadn’t been able to join a protest due to their demanding work schedules. “It would be really nice to join a protest,” Kerry Anne remembers thinking. “We’re watching the movement, we’re feeling the movement. We hadn’t had the chance.”
“We could hear the sounds in the air. We could hear the sounds of the helicopters above us. You could almost feel the energy around you, and in addition to that, we’re about to get married,” Kerry Anne remembers.
As the bride stepped outside, protestors gathered round as she waited for Michael. “I was around the corner, I couldn’t see Kerry and was just waiting,” Michael says just moments before their first look.
“All of a sudden I started hearing the crowd around the corner, and I [realized] it was all for Kerry. I come running around the corner and I see Kerry standing with a circle of people around her just cheering, and she’s literally standing there looking like a Black princess. That’s all I see. These peaceful protestors, positive energy, cheering, yelling, people with their phones out taking pictures and videos,” he says.
“The narrative of love, of Black love, doesn’t always get put out there. But that’s what [the movement] is about, that’s what we’re looking for. Black love is a beautiful thing. Black love exists. Black love is powerful.”