Childhood friends Ravi Badaloo and Rani Jagnarine have known each other for over 15 years, having gone to the same temple, Prema Satsangh. However, it came as a complete surprise September last when after a romantic evening — dinner and a show at RIU, Montego Bay — Ravi asked Rani to be his wife.

The couple, along with their families, held traditional Hindu ceremonies, with three days of celebration from August 5th to 7th; the Maticoor — various religious ceremonies at the bride’s and groom’s houses; the Vivah Sanskar — the ceremony according to Hindu rites; and the reception or Kangaan.

The Vivah Sanskar saw the bride Rani, daughter of Mohan and Chandra Jagnarine, elegant in a crimson red, gold and ivory sari from India, her hands decorated with henna to add more beauty to her already exquisite ensemble. As she arrived at the ceremony held at Club India, and made her way to the mandap, she walked under a covering suspended by her closest girlfriends.

Ravi, son of Owen and Dr Asha Badaloo, stood tall in traditional Hindu formal wedding attire purchased from a New York boutique, complementing his bride in shades of ivory, gold and red.

As is customary, the event was a family affair, with various members of the family preparing the food, and the cake being made by the bride’s aunt Jasmine Dukharan and decorated by Charmaine Biersay.

Though no plans have been made just yet for a honeymoon, the intimacy of the couple’s Hindu union suggests their happiness is surely written in the books.

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Regally clad in a deep red and ivory sari, Rani makes her entrance, walking under fabric suspended by her friends. Photographer: Bryan Cummings

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Ravi marks Rani’s forehead with the red kumkum (vermilion) powder, signifying good luck.

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The happy couple stand in the mandap (wedding shrine), adorned in beautiful garlands and their traditional formal wedding garb.

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Together, Ravi and Rani kindle the sacramental fire performing Agnihotra.

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The couple proudly display their rings, Rani’s (right) surrounded by the traditional Henna painted on her arm.

VOWS — September 6

North Coast Nuptials

Robertha & Sheldon

Photographer: Ryan Esson

On the Saturday afternoon of May 15, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky as Robertha White began to get ready for her nuptials. And while the bride was busy adding the final touches family and friends were making their way to the St Andrew’s United Church in Ocho Rios, where the groom Sheldon Morgan waited patiently by the altar.

Robertha’s gown was an exquisite ivory creation by Alfred Angelo, with a pick-up skirt and chapel train, accented with tiny seed pearls on the fitted bodice. To complete her ensemble she wore a single strand of South Sea pearls on her décolletage and matching earrings. The maid of honour, Yanique Dixon, wore a dusty gold gown whereas the bridesmaids — the bride’s sister, Coleen White and friend Rosemarie Senior-Sergeon — were a picture of elegance in apple green.

The groom was debonair in a charcoal tuxedo with ivory vest and tie while his best man, Sheahan Rigg was in a similar tux, but with dusty gold accents to match the maid of honour. Groomsman Delroy Brammer sported a dark suit with apple green vest and tie, to complement the bridesmaids.

Performing the ceremony was the bride’s beloved godfather, Reverend Kermitt Jones, who had officiated at the wedding of Robertha’s parents 32 years ago. He stood at the altar as the couple’s three year-old daughter, flower girl Samara Morgan, made her way up the aisle, scattering colour-coordinated petals from her basket.

The 200 invited guests, some of whom flew in from Cayman, North America and Japan, admiringly watched the proceedings from their seats, amongst clusters of white flowers that appeared to bloom from each pew. The ceremony was now underway; brother of the bride, Razzack White, in his charcoal suit and pink shirt, admirably performed the role of ‘giveaway father’.

On a bluff in St Mary overlooking the Caribbean Sea was Easy Villa, where the reception was held. The Norma Ellison décor mirrored the colour scheme of the bridal party and on each table stood bouquets of green roses, white and tiger lilies, and orchids, along with Siamese fighting fish in glass bowls. And, the final touch — the cake — stood three tiers high, made especially for the couple by the bride’s aunt, Joan McDaniel.

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Both families

It was a family affair as both families gathered for a group photo. Seen from left are the bride’s brother Razzack White, groom’s sister Shauna Morgan Kirlew, groom’s father Ranford Morgan, Robertha the blushing bride, groom’s mother Verna Isaacs Morgan, bride’s mother Patricia Coulbourne White, the groom Sheldon with daughter Samara, the bride’s father Robert White, the bride’s sister Coleen White, and the groom’s sister Anya Battle with her son Thomas.

Flowergirl Samara Morgan

Cute as a button, Samara Morgan diligently scatters petals along the aisle of the church.

Meeting her halfway

Enamoured and excited, Sheldon meets his bride Robertha halfway up the aisle.

Pledging love by pool

With (from left) best man Sheahan Rigg, groomsman Delroy Brammer, maid of honour Yanique Dixon (gold dress), and bridesmaids Rosemarie Senior-Sergeon and Coleen White as his witnesses, Sheldon on bended knee once again pledges his love for his beautiful wife Robertha.

Chance Encounter

Jordeen & Daniel

Photographer: Bryan Cummings

The romance began with a chance meeting in Constant Spring five years ago, when Daniel went to visit his sister at work. Following a wonderful courtship and a proposal, which saw an engagement ring embedded in Jordeen’s favourite ice cream, Jordeen Venessa Spalding and Daniel Anthony Armstrong wed on July 31, 2010, at the Garrison Church of the Ascension at Up Park Camp. In acknowledgement of the fact that the bride’s father is a military man, the Jamaica Military Band entertained guests before the start of the ceremony.

Daughter of Martin and Enid Spalding, the bride was radiant in a white strapless gown with gold embellishments, courtesy of Dream Weddings; her bridal party elegant in custom-made dresses in shades of green and gold.

Dashing in a custom-made black pin-stripe suit was the groom, son of Daniel Armstrong Snr and Gwendolyn Murphy; his groomsmen handsomely decked in black suits with green vests and ties.

Following a touching ceremony the reception, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel. Amidst the Lorna Fowler décor, guests dined on a spread prepared by the hotel, after which the couple cut their beautiful cake created by Curtis Ralston.

They enjoyed a four-day honeymoon a few days later on the north coast, at the Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios.

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Prior to the bride’s entrance, guests enjoyed the musical selections of the Jamaica Military Band.

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A radiant Jordeen awaits her grand entrance and walk down the aisle.

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Daniel and Jordeen perform the sand ceremony, signifying the unity of their new life together.

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Now husband and wife, Daniel and Jordeen Armstrong make their way out of the church amidst bubbles blown by the guests in the pews.