SWORN TO LOVE
VOWS celebrates the season of love by sharing with readers the wedding of pharmacy intern Delina Wallace and banker Stephen Coates that took place on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at the University of the West Indies Chapel (Mona) followed by a reception at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge.
The bride is the daughter of Diana and Delvert Wallace and the groom is the son of Fitzmore Coates and Mary Dacres.
Love at First Glance
The couple met at the Covenant City church in 2007, where they both caught each other’s attention. Here’s how Delina recalls the attraction: “We would exchange glances at service regularly and I happened to be sitting behind him on his birthday and naturally wished him a ‘happy birthday’… our friendship developed and later blossomed into love and the rest, as they say, is history.
Dessert, the stars and a ring
Stephen proposed to his beautiful bride a few days before Christmas in 2008.
“It was planned to be a big thing, over dinner, with candlelight,” shared Stephen with Vows, “but work-related matters got in the way and I ended up picking her up much too late for dinner…to salvage the situation, I took her to one of our favourite spots — the Hilton Kingston, for dessert. This set the stage for a proposal under the stars later on at her parents’ house. So much for my romantic gesture! Delina actually started laughing when I proposed (she thought I was joking), until she saw the 14 carats that is, which sent her running up the stairs to wake everyone up with the news.”
Classic Chic
The couple wanted a wedding that depicted the ‘Victorian era with a twist’, and event planner and decorator Jenee Stephens interpreted their wishes as she successfully brought the theme to life, choosing ivory, gold and teal hues for the affair as well as incorporating peacock feathers, lace and ribbons. “I love all things pertaining to that period, plus my family and I drink a lot of tea — Stephen has now become a part of that tradition, as well as the guests we reckon since they were treated to hot and cold teas as well as scones.
What the bride wore…
The bride appeared in a draped taffeta trumpet gown with button back detailing and a sweep train by David’s Bridal in New York. Her hair was elegantly fastened beneath a peacock-adorned veil and in her hand she clutched a hand-tied bouquet of ivory roses and calla lilies adorned with peacock feathers and white lace.
The bride’s sister and matron of honour, Claudia Campbell, was dressed in a strapless chocolate design by David’s Bridal, and attendants Danielle Stiebel, Tamara McKenzie, Safiya Smith, Ruchelle Heckburn, Shauna Sewell wore A-line teal dresses from DaVinci Bridal in New York and carried ivory Victorian lace fans adorned with peacock feathers.
Their counterparts, including the groom, were all styled by Beautiful Brides and Mr Tux. Stephen chose a white suit with ivory accents while best man Christopher Smith and groomsmen Kevin Mattis, Jason Keith, Richard Brown wore dark suits with smart teal vests and ties. The ring bearer was the bride’s cousin Sydney Williams.
Pastors Denis Kerr and Pastor Bobby Wilmot of the Covenant City Church officiated the ceremony.
The Reception:
Post-wedding festivities took place at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge where guests applauded as the newly-weds danced their way into the Gold Room to the strains of Etta James’ At Last, sung by Elan Neil.
Doting Doves
Delina shared a special moment that occurred on her wedding day with Vows: “We toyed with the idea of releasing doves but dismissed it; however, upon being pronounced husband and wife, two doves suddenly flew into the chapel and circled our heads and then left. This, we believe, was an additional blessing.”
The newly-weds spent their honeymoon at the Couples Sans Souci Resort in Ocho Rios.
