We had the pleasure of featuring actress Aisha Hinds and her husband Nigel Walker on the cover of Issue No.27 in 2022. Enjoy our exclusive interview with her and Nigel. So many fun details to share.
- Wedding date: May 21, 2022
- Location: Silversands Resort, St. George, Grenada
When Nigel Walker proposed to Aisha Hinds in November of 2020 the world was at a standstill due to the pandemic.
There was still much uncertainty around weddings and celebrations forcing many couples to postpone their weddings until 2021, while others eloped at the courthouse or married virtually. 2021 was still an uncertain year resulting in more postponements and leading to a major boom in weddings for 2022. We knew that there would be a record number of weddings this year…what we didn’t know was that destination weddings in particular would surge once the mandates were lifted.
It makes sense though. After being cramped up and restricted for the past two years, there is a natural craving to explore new destinations.
While thinking about what their wedding could be like, Aisha and Nigel quickly made a list of must-haves. And at the top of the list was to take their guests on an experiential journey to a place they hold dear — Grenada.
The result was a wedding unlike any we’ve seen. With Diann Valentine commanding the ship, their 170 guests experienced a perfectly crafted masterclass in destination weddings that lasted five days and tugged at every sense, leaving their guests with beloved memories they’ll carry for a lifetime.
In our interview with Aisha and Nigel, learn more about their love story, and the incredible wedding experience they created for their loved ones.
Let’s start with you. What was little Aisha like? Were you always into the arts?
I was curious, imaginative, and laughed with the fullness of my formative frame. I loved to dance, and dreamed of telling stories with my limbs instead of language. I carried the duality of a shy quiet child inside the vessel of a vociferous young girl. The arts provided a safe space for both sides of me, as well as a lab to discover the many other layers that lived within. I began my exploration with ballet, modern, and tap dance, until one day when my tap instructor let me know I talked too much during rehearsal and needed an outlet that was bigger than my tap shoes. Pointing me in the direction of LaGuardia H.S. of Performing Arts in New York City, I began formally training and trusting my voice to tell stories as an actor.
Were you born in Grenada?
I was born in Brooklyn, NY to Grenadian parents, Mark and Grace, who grew up very close to each other on the island, but met (at a wedding) and married later in New York.
What are your memories of your childhood in Grenada?
I visited Grenada often as a child, accompanying my father, who was a steel pan artist and enthusiast, every summer for carnival and summer vacation. I grew up being serenaded by the soca soundtrack of the Spice Isle day and night, savoring the sweet flavors of fresh fruits and vegetation that littered the land, and basking on beautiful beaches like Grand Anse, Paradise, and more.
In what ways was Grenadian culture present during your upbringing?
In most Caribbean households, the Saturday morning ritual consisted of cleaning the house while calypso music reverberated from the radio at full volume. These songs live in my soul and stir me to dance whenever played. Cleaning was followed by a trip to the supermarket to shop for fresh ingredients to season the food overnight, in preparation for a communal Sunday dinner. Family time was sacred and intentional-a form of survival for immigrant families in a foreign land. My respect and reverence for elders was anchored in the love I exchanged with the matriarch of my family, affectionately known as Granny. Scriptures were sewn into the centerfold of my soul as both maternal and paternal grandmothers marinated my mind many days with Bible verses and choir songs.
Can you tell us a bit about your family dynamic growing up in Brooklyn?
I grew up in a pre-gentrified Brooklyn, with my certified accountant and college professor father, my corporate travel agent mother, and my older brother. We lived in various apartments throughout East Flatbush, which was well known as a melting pot of Caribbean cultures. Walking down the street often offered a soundtrack of dialects that spanned the diaspora.
How did those experiences shape you?
I developed a palpable love for people with varying backgrounds and cultural traditions. I often practiced the accents of others, and explored their cuisines, curious about the stories that made individuals who they are. I also witnessed strong familial bonds when I visited friends’ homes where extended family shared small living quarters in order to work, build wealth, and venture off on their own. This dynamic was also present in Nigel’s upbringing, as he too was raised in Flatbush by Jamaican born parents, Shirley and Barrington Walker, who were entrepreneurs and a community staple. Their home was one that provided refuge for family traveling to and through the states in pursuit of opportunities. Bearing witness to these moments gave us a strong sense of service to and celebration of our collective cultural identity.
From high school to your first feature film roles to now, can you tell us about the journey from your teenage days to where you are now in your career?
As a teenager, with two working parents, I had time to be outside until the sun would make its descent and the street lights came on. I entertained myself with copious hours of people watching. I also developed a defense mechanism against people teasing me by making fun of myself through skits before anyone else could. Unbeknownst to me I was honing a skillset that would later become my career.
One day I watched Whoopi Goldberg’s One-Woman Show, and marveled at her command of the characters she’d created from the worlds she inhabited. I felt ignited and invited into a realm where reality was allowed to shape shift through creative story telling. Soon after, I found myself auditioning for the top performing arts school in the city, with a monologue I was reciting from my head-my own “one-woman show,” and was accepted. I had no idea that my childhood observations would guide me to my occupation. I was in the same class in high school as my good friend Sarah Paulson, who would amass tremendous success, and later help me to navigate the highways and byways of Hollywood. I had been working a survival job in an office on Wall Street in 2001. I was late for work on the morning of 9/11. I watched from my Park Slope apartment that I shared with two other roommates, as the towers fell to the ground and lives were tragically lost. My apartment became a safe stop for those who walked across the bridge from Manhattan. That day shifted the trajectory and perspective on life for me and many others. Witnessing the fragility of life in that moment, I decided to go in pursuit of what I believed I was purposed to do in life.
Grateful to have survived my survival job, I moved to LA the following year to give myself an opportunity to LIVE, and not solely survive. I booked my first film, Assault on Precinct 13, within a year of my arrival and haven’t stopped since. I credit my keen sense of self, my willingness to honor and accentuate my individuality, my hunger for growth and desire to be a perpetual student of life and the lives of others for the opportunities I’ve had to work on myriad projects over the years. I’m currently in the sixth season of Fox’s 9-1-1 playing Henrietta Wilson, a queer black female paramedic firefighter, married to her wife Karen, played by Tracie Thoms.
Of all the roles you’ve played, which one resonated with you the most, or influenced you the most? Why?
Every role has been a teacher and a conduit for the next. Every role has asked something of me that has been returned tenfold in some form or fashion. Some of the roles I am most recognized for are most recently Harriet Tubman in the series Underground, Miss Jeanette in True Blood, Isabelle in Hawthorne, and a guest appearance on Law & Order:SVU playing Harold Franklin, to name a few. I consider each role as a unique opportunity to be a vessel and a voice, a chance to use the reach of my platform to introduce the journey of a character to a larger audience and plant an awareness where the roots of ignorance reside.
What’s new or upcoming that you can let our audience know about?
I’m currently working on developing a few stories I’ve been inspired to tell, and looking forward to the new season of 9-1-1 airing September 19. I also shot a romantic comedy for Netflix, alongside Gabrielle Union and Lala Anthony, directed by Numa Perrier due for release soon. It’s called The Perfect Find, based on the book written by Tia Williams.
Love & Wedding Planning
You chose to keep your relationship details private up until you were proposed to. What was the reason for that? Was it difficult to do?
Our relationship details weren’t particularly private, but they weren’t intentionally public—meaning we weren’t driven to post on social platforms for mass public consumption. Our tribes of family and friends were aware and actively involved in our journey. However, there were also many moments we preserved solely for ourselves. We wanted to be present in the relationship as fully as possible instead of fueling any need to present our relationship to the masses. We chose fortifying our foundation instead of foreshadowing our impending future. When we began dating, we were both in very different places in our evolution than we’d ever been, and it was clear we weren’t dating recreationally. While there wasn’t a timestamp on marriage, we approached the relationship with an intensity and intentionality that would inevitably lead us in that direction, at its appointed time. Simply put, that season was sacred, and one we wanted to revel in before revealing.
How did you and Nigel meet?
I met Nigel, as the cousin of my best friend Jalene, in 1992, but I met the version of him that could become my husband in 2019, and subsequently married him in 2022. Our initial meeting took place as teenagers. While walking with Jalene down Church Avenue in Brooklyn, we passed Nigel standing in front of his mom’s salon. As they approached, he exclaimed to Jalene (while looking at me) “Oh you brought me my wife!”
We made a connection that day and exchanged phone numbers, but it would be decades later before that testament became truth.
I love that Nigel proposed to you on your birthday, November 13th! Did you have any idea? Take me down memory lane. I want to know all the details about how the day unfolded.
I had NOOOOOO idea he was going to propose to me on my birthday. I imagined we’d have the prerequisite conversations about ring sizes and preferences, and proposal options, or that I would have been able to pick up some shifts in his behavior and temperament once that time came around to taking the relationship to a different depth. Nothing. He gave me no clues. His stride remained the same. His call patterns were the same. His work schedule, gym schedule, everything same. I had eyes or ears on him most hours of the day, and saw no openings to have done such a comprehensive job of researching rings, visiting jewelers, having conversations with my friends (who I thought were incapable of keeping THAT secret), and planning a whole ambush in the middle of a whole pandemic. Not to mention I was in production of season 4 of 9-1-1 and my schedule was always subject to change, so he was really swimming against a very uncertain current, which goes against his extremely structured lifestyle. How this slipped by me remains a mystery. I was so entrenched in the joy of being in a healthy relationship that my energy and focus was just showing up each day and being present, not preparing to be proposed to. We had been in couples therapy since we started dating, and loved all the blind spots that were being revealed, the communication tools gathered, the healing from individual and collective trauma that was happening, and the community it opened us up to, where others were unlearning the playbook of romanticized ideas about relationships that was counterproductive to the reality of relationships. We fell in love as if we’d just met, and a teenage love ensued. Nigel was able to pull this off because he used my birthday as a smokescreen for planning an elaborate celebration for me. We were set up for a staycation at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. When I graduated from college, I worked at the Waldorf in New York City and always looked forward to the day when I could be a guest. Nigel knew the significance of this connection as the hotel was chosen for my birthday. It helped that the hotel was also minutes away from the studio where I worked, shooting 9–1-1. As my birthday drew closer, I became nervous about him traveling during the pandemic and asked him to cancel. He was adamant about celebrating life, especially during this time, because the fragility of life was so prevalent and palpable. Once I learned I had a few days off around my birthday, I decided to get on board with the celebration and asked him if I could invite my friends to join us. Meanwhile, he had already been in communication with a few of those secret keepers and they were planning to be there. When I asked them though, they gave seemingly viable reasons for why they weren’t going to be able to come, and while disappointed, I believed them. As expected with production, the day of my birthday arrives, and the schedule changes. I was now slated to work, all day. I felt terrible because I knew Nigel took the earliest flight from NY to have the whole day to spend with me, and now he’d been sitting in a hotel waiting alone. I texted him during lunch to tell him I’d come see him since I was down the street at the studio. I arrived at the hotel and he’s standing outside waiting for me. I admit to being confused that he was downstairs, but pleasantly delighted to see him. He helped me with my staycation bags and we walked into the lobby. I had asked him to request a microwave for the room to warm my lunch, but didn’t see it upon entering the room. He said he forgot then picked up the phone and requested it. The door knocks seconds later. He mumbles the words, “oh that came fast.” I opened the door to my friends yelling, “SURPRISE!” I was absolutely surprised, and started to cry. Still though, no clue! The story they gave me was that there was a video circulating with a man who gifted his girlfriend her friends for her birthday, since everyone had been on lockdown so long. I ate the story up, thinking Nigel had included my friends all along in the birthday plans, and this was my gift.
Later it was revealed that the reason he was outside when I pulled up was to divert my attention from the fact that my friends had jumped behind the check-in counters and the lobby furniture attempting to hide because I unexpectedly pulled up while they were checking in. I trusted what was told to me, however, then cheerfully ate my lunch and returned to the studio to complete my work for the day. Excited to wrap and have an easy evening on the hotel couch with my loves, I rushed back to the Waldorf that evening to find Nigel calmly sitting on the couch alone watching ESPN. He asked me if I wanted to go to dinner still or if I wanted to change, as if it were actually an option and it wasn’t a big deal. Since I didn’t want to keep him waiting any longer I opted not to change as I sat in the closet pondering outfits. My phone then rang and it was Sharon Downer, my Godmother, calling to extend birthday wishes. I ended up spending 45 minutes on that call, clearly not knowing this was the night he would propose. He didn’t flinch or rush me once. Cool as a cucumber, he waited patiently on the couch. Once finally ready to depart, I asked for my friends and he said they were having a drink on the rooftop while waiting for us. That was the only cog in the wheel because those friends weren’t my ‘get a drink on the rooftop while waiting’ friends. Those were my ‘I’ll be laying down in my room until it’s time to go’ friends. Nevertheless, I still didn’t suspect a thing. We travelled up to the rooftop of the Waldorf Astoria, overlooking the city, and as I began walking towards the bar I see members of Nigel’s family, his best friends, and friends we share. I drop to the floor with a loud audible elongated “Nooooooo way!” My thought was he really went all out to throw me an actual birthday party, not he’s proposing tonight. If the thought entered my mind, it quickly exited because there’s NO WAY he pulled this off on his own with this level of calm all day, and without even one of my friends unraveling with excitement to give me even a little clue. As I got up from being bent over with shock, and greeted each person in attendance, Nigel made his way to my side and began a formal welcome to everyone and a toast to me. I stood stunned as I looked out as his sister nestled amongst the intimate group of people that were present for this moment. Still reeling from all the fuss made for my birthday, I turned to see Nigel tearing up as he spoke. Within minutes, the tone shifted, and the words moved in slow motion from his mouth to my ears….Nigel got on his knee and popped the question, “..Will you marry me?” My shock almost sent me over the railing, but I lowered myself to meet him at knee level and kissed my response into his lips. “Yes!” A truly HAPPY birthday was had that night!
Nigel, at what point did you know you wanted Aisha to be your wife?
I knew I wanted Aisha to be my wife after our trip to Grenada in 2020 We had a breakthrough conversation that represented a growth in our lives as individuals and gave me the confidence that we could be great as an unit.
How did you go about selecting the ring and planning the proposal? How did you pull off the surprise?
The answer to the ring question is two fold. I asked her best friends for what type of stone she would like and size. The second part of the process was done through an extensive search through Google and a plethora of videos on You Tube.
The surprise was inspired by my love for Greek Mythology. It was inspired by the Trojan Horse so if you are familiar with the story the premise was to calmly tell her that I was going to visit her in LA for her birthday, but not tell her that I invited some of my closest friends and hers for the surprise proposal. And they would all show up on the rooftop of the Waldorf Astoria. She thought it was just a surprise birthday party. In the heart of the pandemic for that matter. Low and behold it was my plan to propose to her on the day of her birthday. It was sooooo well executed, it completely blind sided her.
To be clear we got engaged on Nov. 13th (her actual birthday) and the pandemic was in full swing. We just were fed up and went rogue with planning the trip/surprise. To say that the planning was stressful was a complete understatement. Especially dealing with Aisha because she’s very hands on. But I got it done.
You got engaged during the pandemic. What was that like in terms of planning and outlook?
Getting engaged during the pandemic was initially perceived as a huge obstacle, because we lived in different cities, me in Los Angeles and Nigel in Brooklyn, NY. We had been nurturing and nourishing our long distance relationship by flying back and forth to see one another monthly. We were able to spend New Year’s Eve 2019 in Grenada, and had a magical time crossing into the year 2020. We were looking forward to my upcoming work hiatus in March, where we’d get to travel to a few other places and spend a few months in New York together. Our final visit, however, was February 2020, and by March the world was shut down. Those following months birthed a depth of connection between us that would later confirm Nigel’s decision to propose as soon as possible. He worked as an essential at Mount Sinai Hospital, and spent more days than he ever imagined witnessing the guttural grief of individuals adversely affected by the pandemic. Time had become more precious than ever, and he didn’t want to waste any more time. We were charged with building and bolstering our intimacy through alternative and creative measures, while contending with the uncertainty of this life altering pandemic. Our communication during this time was essential and significantly deepened while we also built up our muscles of thoughtfulness, transparency, vulnerability, sacrifice, and intellectual and spiritual intimacy.
At what point did you decide to go through with wedding plans?
The decision to set the wedding date in 2022 was an effort to monitor the developments of the pandemic and the restrictions that were in place surrounding it. We wanted to ensure our family and friends had the option to attend and fellowship with us at this monumental moment in our life journey. As travel restrictions began to lift, we began moving towards putting plans together. Nigel suggested hosting the wedding in Grenada, hoping to gift his loved ones the kind of special experience he had during his first visit with me, and I swiftly accepted that suggestion and took off running. During the planning, I would soon discover how much it was a huge gift to me as well. There were pieces of my childhood that I was able to reclaim by returning to the island to marry the love of my life there.
In terms of your wedding plans, what were your non-negotiables?
It was extremely important that the wedding be a reflection of and a celebration of us, our journey, our culture, and our faith walk. We talked about ripping up the rule book for wedding etiquette, and curating an experience that expressed our love for one another, and all those who helped us get to this point in our lives, individually and collectively. Nigel is a bit more of a traditionalist, so we combed through each element of the wedding planning to decide what traditions resonated with us authentically and would be important to uphold. Nigel also worked as a Master of Ceremonies for countless weddings, and shared his observations of what moments took more time than others, and what moments were quite frankly a waste of time. We wanted to use our time to savor the sacredness of the journey, celebrate our roots and cultures, and honor our tribes. The menu was a reflection of that desire, as we requested many local dishes, including the national dish of the island of Grenada, Oil Down (considered to be not fancy enough in appearance for weddings), to be served as an entrée for our wedding guests.
Additionally, once the venue, Silversands Hotel, was selected, the ceremony was envisioned to take place on top of their 300 foot pool, noted as the longest pool in the Caribbean, and all energies were exhausted to execute that vision, as it tied in with great significance to the theme for the wedding – Walkers on Water, with the acronym W.O.W. Grenada; A double entendre for the scriptural reference and the feeling the we wanted to create for every guest as they experienced the island and its beautiful people.
And Nigel’s non-negotiables?
It needed to represent who we were as people. We wanted it to provide our guests with a well needed vacation (post pandemic), provide an experience of visiting a new island, Grenada, and last but not least witness our journey of becoming one with our union. It was the perfect trifecta.
Why did you choose Grenada for your wedding?
Nigel ignited the idea, and I was elated. I had offered a few other options that I thought held significance for us, however when Nigel mentioned Grenada and his desire to bottle the feelings we shared while spending time there together and gift it to our loved ones, I was on board without hesitation. I had always wanted to share the smile Grenada puts on my heart with others, so this was a perfect occasion. We were also very cognizant of the devastating impact the pandemic had on the tourism industry in Grenada, and saw this as an opportunity to give back to a community that had warmly welcomed us and been a home away from home. We purposed to position our wedding, guests, vendors, and their voices to invite more wide spread attention to the island, hoping to incite intrigue, acknowledgement, and more travel to Grenada.
#WalkersByFaith. What is the significance of you and Nigel’s wedding hashtag?
An homage to the scriptural reference, “we walk by faith, not by sight” surrendering to the unknown, while walking in accordance to the plans and purpose of our lives.
Nigel’s last name is Walker, so naturally I would one day be assuming this last name as well upon marriage. As we began our journey towards marriage, prayer increased between us, as our collective faith walk required strengthening. Marriage was unknown terrain for us, as neither had been married before. We wanted to honor our journey as one that would be and is uniquely our own, and gird our gait with God as our guide. Wherever the road ahead leads, we have decidedly agreed to walk it out together, by faith. It was also meant to include anyone and everyone who would join us and/or support us on this journey, thus creating an army of people walking by faith.
Hence the hashtag: #WalkersByFaith
Your wedding is one of the most beautiful I’ve laid eyes on. It seemed totally in-line with you and your husband’s style and was very-non traditional in the most refreshing way. From the foot-washing ceremony at Grande Anse Beach to the coconut bustier photoshoot to the boat excursions with themed attire, it was the true epitome of a luxury travel experience! How was it like working with Diann Valentine?
We wanted to create a transformative experience for not only ourselves but for everyone who would travel to bear witness to our first sacred steps united as Walkers by Faith. We wanted to widen the portal of possibility by which love can travel, and bring as many people as we can on the journey. We curated an experience aimed at transforming individuals and the industry itself. We expanded our sight beyond the standard rules of the game to make room for significance, specificity, and most importantly God’s Spirit to reign supreme.
DV stands for Diann Valentine and Divine Vessel. She was the chosen ONE to execute and elucidate the vision for the Walkers by Faith wedding week. Diann’s name came up on every list of suggestions we received for a wedding planner. Naturally, since Diann had amassed years of experience as an event producer, television host, entrepreneur and author of the book ‘Going the Distance for Love,’ we thought Diann was way out of our league. This resulted in Diann not being our first choice for our wedding. However, when the planner we decided upon was booked for our dates, my friend, Jenine, suggested we just call and have a conversation with Diann. The rest was history. Diann welcomed our inquiry with warmth, professionalism, and extensive knowledge. She settled our fears by assuring us she delights in working with diverse clientele, and if she was right for us, she’d happily and passionately come on board. Diann was also the first to already be familiar with Grenada and had knowledge about the advantages and obstacles of producing events on the island. A connection sparked as we remained in conversation with Diann, and it quickly became evident, she was our person, divinely assigned to usher us through this monumental moment in our lives. Diann made magic as she exhausted all the resources of the island and relationships in the States to produce an experience that would leave every guest, vendor, and service person wondering who Diann Valentine was throughout the process. It was a joy to work with her, and to watch her work. She had results ready before problems arose. She maintained a calm that flourished in the face of chaos. She executed every task with excellence and raised the standards of any space she occupied. She assembled a terrific team of titans in order to produce a transformative experience for everyone.
The AI Do Crew really came through! I particularly loved the pre-wedding photo shoots you did. How did you come up with that idea, and why? Why did you want your girls to wear white for the wedding?
The AI DO CREW came alllllllll the way through. The crew was comprised of friends and family who have been an integral part of my life spanning intros made at birth, grade school, middle school, high school and college. Some relationships were even traced to a pre-birth era, while others are filed under my ‘day before ones’ category. All in all, these are the women in my prayer circle, my group chat, my emergency contacts, my FaceTime call log, and whose birthdays I remember without Facebook reminders. These are the women who not only helped me get ready on the day I’d become a wife, but for the day I’d become a wife. When I was content as a cookie to not get married, they supported me, traveled the world with me, coined me as a Godmother to their children, and sought my home as a refuge when they needed a time out from their own marriages. All the while they were modeling a love for me that individually and collectively created a safe space for me to grow. Their love provided a playbook and set the standard for the kind of love I would ultimately require from a husband. In such, I wanted to honor the patient, kind, long-suffering love of my tribe by curating a collection of images that captured their connection. The themes were an ‘Ode to Grenada’ with the intent being to utilize natural elements and resources from the island to create a fashion moment, spearheaded by my cousin, Robin Kim Hood, who hand-made bustiers for each member of the tribe using coconuts, nutmeg, and cinnamon. There was a ‘bridal’ theme, spearheaded and styled by my friend and 9-1-1 costume designer, Alayna Bellprice, who gathered wedding dresses from minority owned or operated bridal houses and styled each person in a silhouette that celebrated their individuality. I wanted my tribe to all vibrate as brides for a day, and be valued as such. While many were concerned it would dim my light, I maintained that my light shines brighter when the lights of those around me are fully beaming. This vision further extended to the wedding day where I inspired my married friends to wear or re-imagine their previously worn wedding dresses, since most brides never wear their dresses again. It provided a sentimental moment to see some of my sisters walk to the altar in their wedding dresses, preparing the way for me to follow in my own. Jenine Howard, a fellow Grenadian, my bestie and known fashionista, wore a Reem Acra dress from her 10th anniversary vow renewal ceremony. My passion for fashion is matched and many days made better by my husband Nigel whose family has long been steeped in fashion. Nigel’s brother is legendary designer Andre Walker, who was unable to attend the wedding because he had a deadline to complete his most recent collaboration with Kerby Jean Raymond. We enlisted Brooklyn designers with Grenadian and Jamaican roots respectively to create custom collections for our individual tribes. Fé Noel designed and hand delivered looks for the women centering Grenada’s nutmeg as the backdrop of the custom fabric her team created for the occasion, while Dreu Beckemberg built bespoke garments for the gentlemen to adorn on the wedding day. Our photographer, Stanley Babb and videographer, Olivier Barbe, worked tirelessly and tenaciously in the telling of our love story by way of rhythmic, cinematic, and poetic imagery. Nigel and I swell with joy and adoration at the mention of Stanley or Olivier’s name. They and their teams became like part of the family, and the mutual love translated in all the videos and images that we released via our social channels during our wedding week.
I noticed through the imagery of your wedding ceremony, that there was hardly a dry eye as you walked down your ethereal aisle. Tell me about who walked you down the aisle and how you felt in that moment.
My father, Grenadian-born Steel Pan enthusiast, passed away in 2013, leaving me to decide who would hold my hand to escort me down the aisle and hand me over to be married to Nigel Solomon Walker. The decision was quite simple, as anyone who knows me knows I love my brother Zadek with my whole heart and vice versa. My father’s absence was certainly felt, but my brother’s presence filled the atmosphere and my heart to overflowing measure. I wanted nothing more than to have my brother walk me down the aisle, and he did everything possible to ensure he fulfilled that dream for his sister. As my mother, Grace, who was escorted in by her grandson, Zadek Jr. watched her two children ascend from the shores of Grand Anse and make their way towards the altar, she burst into inconsolable tears of joy. This moment was as much hers as it was mine. I cherish my mother’s wisdom, prayers, and helpful hand in molding me into the woman who would one day walk down the aisle towards becoming a wife. Many of the guests said it looked like Zadek and I were literally walking on water, as we glided across the custom flooring created and installed by the acclaimed Exhilarate Experiential team. I felt anchored and grounded by my brother’s hand and heart, as he gently led me up the aisle. Moments before we walked out, he just stood with me offering a smile filled with peace and tranquillity. As siblings go, it is also important to note that Nigel’s older sister, Sandra, who he calls a second mother, similarly escorted Nigel to the altar, where his mother, Rev. Shirley Walker, stood to receive him and serve as our chosen wedding officiant. As my longtime friend, Keisha Rattray sang the first verse of the worship medley I chose to walk in to, my father’s presence was ushered into the moment with the accompaniment of a steel pan orchestra directed by Grenada’s 2022 Panorama champion Andre Greenidge. Tears flowed freely for some, while others (namely Nigel) turned away in order to seal the floodgates of his feelings….well at least until the vows were exchanged.
What aspects of Grenadian culture did you incorporate into your wedding?
I was elated at the opportunity to infuse as much of Grenada’s culture into our wedding festivities as possible. From the food, fashion, music, to dance, art, historical sites and Grenadian-made products, I worked emphatically with Petra Roach, and the Grenada Tourism Board, the Silversands executive staff, Pure Grenada, Halim Brizan and the Presentation Boys College Choir, Andre Greenidge, SOLID band, and a host of local vendors and artisans to invite the heart of Grenada to beat loudly as the soundtrack to the love story between Nigel and I, as well as every single guest that stepped off the plane onto the tarmac of the Maurice Bishop International Airport. We wanted to expose our guest to all the elements that helped feed and fortify our love. As self proclaimed foodies, Nigel and I wanted to ensure our guests enjoyed a good Roti and coupled that experience with an expansive rum tasting at Annandale Falls, during the Tour of Grenada sponsored by the GTA, on Thursday. The welcome ceremony on Wednesday evening was outfitted with loads of Grenadian vendors lining the grounds of SILVERSANDS to offer guest a taste of what the island offers-from plant based meals curated by Chef Joachim to beauty, cosmetic and personal care items from Omi Grenada, and so much more. Live music and dancing was a constant, as traditional Grenadian dancers and drummers ushered in the wedding party to greet the guests during the welcome as well. The following nights were scored by SOLID band, and the vibes were so vibrant and hot, the band had guests jumping up in the pool, fully clothed. Guests were given a tour of the historic Fort Frederick, fed fresh made tania log porridge on site by Kreative Chef A. Johnson, and given an in depth education of Grenada’s agricultural footprint in the world while visiting De La Grenade Industries. Guests also joined us for a sunrise walk along Grand Anse beach Friday morning, bearing witness to the elders who gather every morning to bathe their aches and ailments away in the sea water. Everyone then returned to the property for a full buffet of saltfish sous, fishcakes, and a choice of fried or coconut bakes—a classic Grenadian breakfast. By the wedding day, Saturday May 21, 2022, guests were beaming with happiness from the outstanding homegrown hospitality provided on the island. Many began looking for their next available dates to book a return trip. The ceremony day began with breakfast, and folks venturing off property to get haircuts, makeup, last minute clothing alterations, etc. with local proprietors. Once the afternoon sun began to settle, the soulful sound of the Grenada’s own award winning Presentation Boys College Choir began to serenade the sky, filling the atmosphere with their tender youthful voices, under the direction of Halim Brizan. They were accompanied by members of a steelpan band my father once played with, Commancheros, Grenada’s 2022 Carnival Panorama champions, under the direction of Andre Greenidge. After a melodious, meaningful, and magical ceremony, guests were guided towards the cocktail hour followed by the reception that offered a fair share of Grenadian fare, from callaloo soup, crab back, oil down, stew peas and dumplin, and even fried cou cou bites. Grenada was reflected and represented itself well for all the Walkers by Faith and Walkers on Water that week. Nigel and I were proud our plans came together and our guests were pleased with their experience in Grenada.
I’m sure your entire wedding is a cherished memory you will always look back on with immense gratitude. What are some of the moments that stood out for you the most?
For me, every moment held such a huge handful of significance that it is quite difficult to isolate them from each other. Every part held its position of importance in creating the full picture. The experience, from ideation to actualization was a beautiful walk by faith, with some ideas being larger than life and some being so simple yet improbable, then watching God pull it all off, and then some. The moment that stands out is God whispering an assurance to each person at the helm, with the directive to me being “expect the best” and seeing all parties galvanize to exceed it.
What do you love most about Nigel?
What I love the most about Nigel is his tender heart. It shows up in the way he speaks to and about me. It lines his palms when he presses his hands together to pray for me. It gently searches my thoughts for solutions to stressful situations. It considers my safety wherever I step. It walks with me through the rain. It softly kisses me goodnight, and holds me close under the new days’ sunlight. I treasure the ways he has disarmed me again and again, with his kindness and a love so genuine.
Nigel, what do you love most about Aisha?
She saw the best version of me before it even came to fruition. [I love] her undying faith in me as a man. She never gives up on me.
Wedding Team
WEDDING PRODUCER – @diannvalentine
DECOR, FLOWERS, CUSTOM FLOORING – @exhilarateexperiential
PHOTOGRAPHY – @stanlophotography
FILM DIRECTOR – @kandyflosse
LOCATION – @silversandsgrenada
BRIDE’S GOWN – @galialahav
BRIDE’S Headpiece & Earrings – @marieelenaheadpieces
GROOM’S TUXEDO – @dreubeckemberg
TRIBE CALLED YES TUXEDOS – @dreubeckemberg
MASTER GROOMER – @tappaicon
AI DO CREW HAIR – @bkaddie718 @tksalmons
AI DO CREW MUA – @danieandthebloom @rebekahaladdin @dollzup_by_tanielayne_mua
BRIDAL STYLIST – @alaynabellprice
ASSISTANT STYLIST – @brittnychapman
ISLAND HOST – @puregrenada w/ special thanks to @petraroach100
CHOIR DIRECTOR – @iamjasonmcgee #HalimBrizan
BOYS CHOIR – #PBCBoysChoir
STEEL ORCHESTRA – @cherosband
Comancheros led by #AndreGreenidge
LIVE PERFORMANCES @nowthatsmajor @k_lives_free
DJ – @djexeqtive
Host – @djroyalnyc
RENTALS – @rentalavenue #WaggyTRentalsGrenada
Sound and Lighting @sunshinepromo.gnd
STATIONERY: @bydamistudiosnyc
