VOWS: A Royal Affair
April 29, 2011 was a date marked on calendars the world over … the day Prince William of Wales wed Catherine Middleton at London’s famed Westminster Abbey. But in Kingston, Jamaica, two people were having their own royal wedding. John-Matthew Sinclair — information technology specialist at the Bank of Jamaica, and son of attorney-at-law John Sinclair and nurse Peggy Sinclair — and Elizabeth Hoo Fung — guidance counsellor/senior teacher at Our Lady of the Angels Preparatory School, and daughter of Andrea Hoo Fung and accountant Chever Hoo Fung — tied the knot at the Stella Maris Church.
The two had been introduced by a mutual friend a little over 10 years prior, and quickly became close. It was only a matter of time before they realised just how much they enjoyed each other’s company, and a relationship blossomed. Though they had many similarities, the flame fizzled from time to time, but the two would always find themselves back together.
After deciding that there was no use fighting the inevitable, they committed to each other, and in August of 2010 John-Matthew devised a plan. He invited an unsuspecting Elizabeth to his apartment for what she believed to be a simple meal and a movie date, but on arrival she was completely blown away by the set-up. He had thoughtfully arranged a romantic candlelit dinner and, at the end of a beautiful evening, he proposed. Elizabeth accepted with tear-filled eyes and they immediately started to plan for their big day.
The wait seemed an eternity, but the wedding day finally arrived. It was definitely a royal affair, with the Stella Maris Church decorated in black, white and red — the bride’s favourite colours — by her family and friends in collaboration with New Levels Décor and Cynthia’s Flowers.
A true Beres Hammond fan, Elizabeth’s dream had always been to have him perform at her wedding, so she did the next best thing. Much to the delight of her guests, she swanned up the aisle on her father’s arm to the tinkling sounds of the Stella Maris Steel Band accompanied by Dwight Richards playing Beres Hammonds’s Tempted To Touch, before launching into John Holt’s A Love I Can Feel. Her hair was magnificently coiffed and accented with a fascinator created by her sister and maid of honour Christina Hoo Fung. The vision of beauty that the bride was gave the groom a breathless moment as his eyes beheld her, and even the officiating minister; the Very Reverend Monsignor Michael Lewis commented that he had never seen her look more beautiful. Elizabeth’s stunning gown which she conceptualised and had designer Dene Chung execute, caressed her curves before trailing gently to the floor. She carried a bouquet of red roses and carnations, and her flawless make-up, done by her sister Christina, finished the look superbly. Her bridesmaids were the perfect complement in dresses by Xtra’s, while the groom and his supporting groomsmen were equally dashing in custom-designed Bill Edwards suits.
A passionate ceremony ensued and tears flowed as they exchanged vows ahead of performing a unity sand ceremony. The couple’s friend Maria Robinson sang The Rose as they signed the marriage certificate. The newly-weds then departed to the historic Devon House for I-Scream. Wedding portraits were snapped in the courtyard, the Devon House Mansion & Bin 26 Wine Bar by ace photographer Gary James ahead of the reception at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge.
Again, the bride’s love for Beres Hammond was incorporated, as the newly-weds entered their reception to She Loves Me Now, which set the tone for the evening’s celebration. Guests feasted on choice eats catered by Karl Hart of The Pantry in-between raising several toasts to the couple then dancing up a storm. There was, too, quite a hilarious segment in which the ladies clamoured for the bride’s bouquet, which was eventually caught by Fiona Panton.
Following this the newly-weds enjoyed their first dance to The Temptations’ My Girl ahead of cutting into their wedding cake, which was a replica of one the bride saw in a magazine brought to life by her aunt Luceine Morrison (of Annilu Cake Mix) and cousin Leanne Morrison of Leanne’s Sweet Tooth. The groom had a red velvet cake for himself created by Linda Hoo Fung-Barnes and Suelan Chung of Sugabuzz. The festivities continued throughout the evening, and the couple retired for a few nights at the Spanish Court and Rockhouse hotels, respectively. They will enjoy a further honeymoon later this year when they travel overseas.
