Island Wedding | Love in full bloom for Oreth and Johanna

It’s often said that consideration is one of the purest forms of love, and for Johanna Morgan, that proved true from the moment she began getting to know her now-husband, Oreth Martin. Both plant biologists, the couple first met in Old Harbour, St Catherine, in September 2020. From that first encounter, Oreth’s patience and thoughtfulness stood out, while Johanna’s beauty, warmth and character left a lasting impression. What began as a simple meeting gradually evolved into a relationship grounded in faith, friendship and intentional love, culminating in the exchange of vows in February.

“I do not remember our very first interaction,” Johanna told Island Wedding, adding, “but I do remember relying on him for almost every task as I began my new field of work, and he guided me well.”

Looking back on those early days, both Johanna and Oreth recall distinct impressions that would shape the foundation of their bond. 

For Oreth, he was instantly drawn to Johanna’s beauty, but it was her personality that truly captured his interest. “Once I took the time to get to know her, I immediately knew this young lady would be someone very, very special to me,” he added.

Drawing closer in November 2022, the couple’s first official date followed months later, on February 14, 2023, when they went to Carib 5 to watch a movie. Oreth had planned the outing without initially realising it fell on Valentine’s Day and, unsure whether Johanna celebrated the occasion, did not bring a gift, but later made up for it.

“I am a Christian, and he wasn’t sure if I celebrated this day, so he didn’t get me a gift. I had brought a gift, though, and on the way to the movies, we were passing some baskets, and he made sure to get me the biggest basket on the display to make up for the blunder. I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, but I do love gifts, and I do believe in celebrating love!” she explained. “Now I receive the best gifts!”

On the way home from the movie, Johanna realised she had left one of her blue heels in the vehicle arranged by Oreth for her return home. She later laughed it off with her family, saying,“I must have really wanted it to be a Cinderella story,” she recalled, smiling at the memory.

Realising that even a simple thought of Johanna would bring him instant joy, Oreth knew he was falling in love when he “couldn’t stop thinking about [her]”.

As for Johanna, her moment of realisation came in the way he consistently showed her how to love and be loved, “He would always let me get up to a 'I love you’ message, and he would never let us go a day without talking, even if it was just for a minute during times when we were upset.”

Oreth continues to admire his other half’s beauty, her caring nature, intelligence and modesty. Johanna describes her partner in love as a “man of principle and a man of his word”. 

“If he says that he will be doing something, you can be certain that it will be done!” she explained. “He considers how I feel, never putting anything above my health. He is such a caring and compassionate person and treats everyone with respect, no matter your post or position in life.”

Confident that she was indeed the one, Oreth decided it was time to take the next step. Choosing a location that held special meaning for the couple, the same spot where they first kissed, he delivered a heartfelt speech before getting down on one knee on August 12 of last year. 

Johanna recalled being pleasantly surprised, “He is not a person who likes to be on display, so it wasn’t flashy, but the thought was definitely sweet, and was what really counted in the end. [What] he said this to me in his opening speech, then knelt to give me the ring, I was overjoyed that he decided to take that step towards fully committing in the eyes of the Lord.”

Adding a light moment to the occasion, a camera had been set up to capture the proposal, but it shut off before the speech began. But this did not take away from the moment.

On February 20, surrounded by family and friends, Oreth and Johanna Martin exchanged vows at the Kitson Town Baptist Church in St Catherine.

When Oreth saw his bride walk down the aisle, his first thought was that she was “breathtakingly beautiful”. 

“I was very happy to be the one she chose, and glad to have our family and friends witness the commitment we were making to each other,” he said.

Doubling as a wedding planner, with the help of her husband and loved ones, the bride described feeling blessed on the day.

“Fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together in a time span of three months was no easy feat, especially with work, involvement in church, and master’s studies in the mix for both of us. But by God’s grace, we pulled it off,” she said.

They danced their way into their reception, hosted at Vintage Gardens in the parish, to the African hit Who Is Your Guy? by Spyro. They later shared their official first dance as newly-weds to I Was Made for Loving You by Tori Kelly and Ed Sheeran.

Reflecting on his favourite moment of the day, Oreth said, “Our first dance as wife and husband was most memorable and kissing my baby every time they (the attendees) struck the glass.”

For Mrs Morgan Martin, one of the most meaningful moments came in the quiet of the day, “Sitting at the table with my confidant, my husband, having a moment to ourselves, saying to ourselves that, ‘We did it!’”

The Martins had a double honeymoon experience – one that started on their wedding night at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston, and then a few days later at Couples Tower Isle in St Ann.

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